"Please step over here-we need to check your passport..."

Words to chill the heart of any "world traveler"...spoken to me by the nice Japanese lady who was boarding our flight from Tokyo to Bangkok! Oh no, what could this possibly be about I thought in my sleep-deprived brain, wrapped in a throbbing headache that 10+ hours at 36,000 feet can bring on with such a vengeance! I was even more concerned as I have two traveling companions joining me on this journey-the daughters of friends who trusted me with their care. As I stepped over to the side of the check-in counter...watching my passport undergoing some unamed scrutiny...all I could think of was what happens to the girls if I get sent back to the states due to some issue with my passport?!?! Silly, I know-but that is where one's mind can wander when official looking people ask for your documents in a foriegn country!! Imagine my surprise then when- after what seemed like hours later (but actually only a couple of minutes)-my passport was returned with a new boarding pass placed inside...with an upgrade to BUSINESS CLASS!!! Oh what joy, what bliss---the full reclining seat-a down pillow-slippers and a toiletries bag-a real dinner on real china-oh,and did I mention the comforter and down pillow?!?! I could not believe my eyes-or my luck.

Now, lest you think me totally heartless-my companions and I were already going to be sitting in three different locations on the plane, and were not able to get seats together even after we got onboard and asked people if they would swap seats. So, after getting them settled, and meeting their seat mates (all very nice people), I walked forward and sat down in seat 5B---and not long after take-off, pushed the seat back, opened the pillow and the comforter, and had the most comfortable ride I have ever had on a long flight! The girls? Well, they too were fast asleep in thier places as I made my swing through the cabin during the flight to check-in with them. They are both outstanding travelers--the next post will include a couple of photos from the journey for their moms and dads!!!