Epic Journey

I just have to give a detailed account of the events of the past 56 hours. Andrey and I are currently in the Detroit airport for a layover prior to boarding a flight to our final destination, which is Halifax, Nova Scotia. We were scheduled to be having this exact same layover, only a day earlier.
On Friday evening SE Asia time we flew from Cebu to Manila. We checked into a hotel, had a few hours of sleep and then left for the aiport at 4:30am. Our flight to Nagoya, Japan left on-time at 7am. About an hour into the flight we saw a flight attendant run toward the front of the plane. Not long after there was an announcement declaring the immediate need for a doctor in row 59. We were in row 66. Apparently, a 59 year old Japanese passenger had just had a heart attack and wasn't breathing and didn't have a heartbeat. Within minutes the man was brought to the floor and CPR was given. Throughout the 2 hours that followed, CPR continued, the defribulator was used, IV was given as well as a shot of epinephrine, and the plane was turned around for an emergency landing back in Manila. The passengers who were also doctors and nurses on the flight worked on the man as well as the many staff on board. I was praying like crazy as we could see all the activity going on very near to us. The attempts to revive the man were apparently unsuccessful since after we landed in Manila and he was finally transported off the plane, he still was not breathing on his own nor did his heart start. Although CPR continued as he was transported, we all assumed he didn't make it.
We made it back to Manila at about 10 am. For whatever reason it took about 45 minutes before the man was actually brought off the plane and to real medical attention. We assumed we'd soon be on our way.
Upon inspection, the mainentance crew found a problem. We subsequently waited on the plane on the tarmac for another 3 hours - 7 hours since we initially took off. At 2pm we were finally off to Nagoya, Japan. It was another 3.5 hours in the air. All in all we spent 12 hours on the plane for a 3.5 hour flight.
It was fortunate for the crew that the majority of the passengers were Asians (mainly Filipino and Japanese) because they handled the situation so well. Sure there were a few people who were clearly frustrated but all in all no one raised their voice or took it out on the crew. That is the good aspect of non-confrontational cultures.
We made it to Japan around 7:30pm. Our plane was the same plane that was to continue on to Detroit but we had to deboard so they could do routine maintenance before we took off again. Once we made it back to the gate, we thought all was well because it said they'd start boarding soon. However, after 3 hours of waiting and noticing the maintenance crew working on the engines again, we knew there was a problem. Ultimately our flight to Detroit was cancelled. There was about an hour of confusion and huffing and puffing and voice-raising (unfortunately done mainly by the few Americans in the group other than us). The Northwest Airlines staff had the large task of placing all 400 waiting passengers in a hotel for the night.This is where things began to turn around for us.
We were assigned to the Comfort Hotel which was only a short walk away. We didn't even have to walk outside as the hotel was connected to the airport. The Comfort Hotel was exactly that. Once we cleared customs, we were quickly on our way and checked into our room.
Okay so this is where a fascination with Japan began. Everyone is extremely orderly and clean and the staff we encountered were exceptionally professional and polite. They seemed to work in a very productive and efficient way. Not to put down other Asian cultures but I can just say from experience that this is so different to how things usually go in Thailand and the Philippines.
After a good night's sleep and after enjoying a good breakfast we boarded the flight to Detroit which was only about an hour late. Some people even clapped during take-off.
The flight to Detroit was about 11 hours long. We both were able to get some sleep.
So here we are on our last lay-over. We got to Detroit about 11:00 this morning which is where we are now. We have about 5 hours here before we get to board our last flight which will take us to Halifax tonight. Right now we're watching the Detroit Lions getting beat badly by Philadelphia. God bless America and NFL.
It feels great to be in our home country. Even though it's only been 5 months since we were in the US last, it still takes some adjustment. I like being in a familiar place. I like being able to strike up conversation with strangers and feeling like we're a part of the same club. I like American coffee. I like NFL on TV. I like having at least a basic level of understanding of the people around me. Okay, Andrey says its time to go to the gate so i'll sign off here without proof-reading so forgive the poor grammar. Also keep in mind i am quite tired and out-of-it.
We are thankful to be healthy, safe, and to have all our basic needs met. Let's hope the rest of the trip is uneventful.