You’ve all seen them, the videos of people doing silly things in inflatable dinosaur costumes.  One of the videos I saw was of a grandma that found out her two grandchildren would be showing up at the airport wearing dinosaur costumes.  So, she bought one and picked them up from the airport wearing one too.  The kids had no idea this was going to happen and lost it when they saw Grandma.

I showed the video to Richard and he said, “you should do that”.  I have no idea how we got on this topic, but somehow I told Rika this whole story.  Rika has a friend that owns a costume shop.  Of course she does.  A few days later, I am the proud (and scared) new owner of an inflatable T-Rex costume.  Oh no, now I have to do it.  I have to pick Richard up in the Tokyo airport wearing a T-Rex costume.

During the workshop a woman had a beautiful process that ended up with her feeling strong, “strong like a dinosaur”.  Oh no, you didn’t.  She didn’t know about the dinosaur costume, but a few of us did so I put it on and stomped around the room with her.

How many other places can I wear it?  The subway, out to dinner…..?

The day came to leave the retreat center and go back to Tokyo.  Sara had booked me a taxi from the retreat center to the train station.  She told me to let her know if the taxi driver tried to charge me because it was already paid for.  No where else, but Japan, would I trust the taxi driver to not try to double charge.  He was honest and let me know it was paid for when he dropped me off. 

Two train rides and I was at the airport.  I got in the terminal and nothing seemed quite right.  It was familiar, but not quite. I noticed signs that said Terminal 1 North.  I don’t remember there being North or South when I arrived weeks earlier.  I walked around until I found the South terminal.  That looked more familiar, but now I was a bit frazzled so I double checked on line – yes, United comes into the South terminal.  I staked a place to stand and wait.  I opened flight status on my phone and I hoped I would not get in trouble by some weird ‘no dinosaurs in the airport’ law that I was unaware of.

When Richard told me they were waiting on bags, I dinosaur-ed up.  Oh, what did I get myself into?  The kid standing next to me was completely uninterested – how?  Several people took pictures or selfies with me.  A security type looking dude tipped his hat at me.  Then I relaxed a little – I was not breaking any rules.

My friends came out first.  He was looking all over.  I was jumping up and down.  He did not seem phased by a dinosaur standing in his path.  Then I heard her say, “that’s her, the dinosaur”, as if this was the most logical conclusion and anyone should know it.

Next Richard and his dad came out.  I jumped up and down and they appeared oblivious that there was a dinosaur nearby.  I had to block their path before recognition showed up on Richard’s face.  I hugged him as best T-Rex can hug.  And then they were ready to go.  Come on.  You at least need to take pictures.

Dad told me he has a dinosaur costume as well so now I want to make plans for future shenanigans.  But I am not in a hurry to put that back on in hot, humid Japan.