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Just getting ready for this trip was an experience in itself. Figuring out all the airline regulations. What we could check and not check. Luggage, cameras. There are size and weight restrictions on both checked luggage and carryons. We had to take all kinds of extra things because we didn't know if we could buy there what we used here. Things like Tylenol, shampoo, bath soap, deodrant, toothpaste...It was suggested we take along small packages of kleenex for use as tp if necessary (and it was necessary). And shots. We were told by a caring family member, we should get the shots...something I didn't think of. How in the world do you prepare to be gone for an entire month to a place where you don't know if you can purchase little every day items. Somehow we were able to get that figured out.
The Airports
The Airports
The first airport was, of course, Moline. That one was simple...or should have been. Chuck's knee replacement set of the security sensor. That meant Chuck got "special" treatment at each and every security line we went through. And there were plenty. Everything out of the pockets, complete wanding and pat down. Chuck did learn, however, a person with a cane gets royal treatment.
From Moline, we went to Detroit, then on to Tokyo. Tokyo...that was really the worst because by now we couldn't read any signs. Fortunately, airport personnel did English very well. Because of the great distances we had to walk in the airports, Chuck decided to use a wheelchair.
By using a wheelchair, it gave us the opportunity to have a guided tour from one terminal to the next. In Toyko, they watched us very closely. After we got to the next terminal, while waiting to board, I left Chuck for a couple minutes to use the restroom. While I was away from him, he was asked by a security guard where I went, and upon my return, I had to produce my passport and boarding pass for security to check...again.
Finally, to Shanghai. The airport was huge with many, many people everywhere. Again, the wheelchair got us through lots of long lines real fast. Picking up our luggage was another challenge. Very strange language, very little English spoken, very very modern airport. The wheelchair saved us yet again.
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