Travel to Osaka, Japan

I was lucky to have some travel partners for this long trip.  Dean Griffiths 400m Hurdler for Jamaica and Markita James 400m Hurdler for USA, both train at Auburn University, were also travelling to Osaka, Japan.  We had a short flight from Atlanta, GA to Detroit, then a 13 hour flight from Detroit to Osaka.  The flight although long was pretty smooth, very little turbulence and pretty relaxing.  I was lucky to get an exit row seat and had a little more leg room.  I was able to stay awake for all 3 of the in-flight movies, National Treasure, Dan in Real Life and 27 Dresses.

The Northwest Airline flight attendants were very nice.  Several of them thought I was a basketball player, but were very excited to learn I was a discus thrower.  We had 3 more athletes join us on flight from Detroit to Osaka and the flight attendant made an announcement wishing all of us good luck in the Osaka Grand Prix and Beijing Olympics.

When we landed the Osaka Grand Prix welcome committee was there to meet us.  Then we had about an hour and a half drive from the airport to the Hotel.  The Hotel is very nice, we are staying at the Rihga Royal, http://www.rihga.com/osaka/index.html  By the time we got to the hotel there was time for dinner and then straight to bed.