I‘ve decided to finally compile all my entries from Japan to one spot. I’ll post a few here from time to time. I can’t believe how much just this first entry has brought back, and how much my writing has evolved. These memories!
From October 13, 2004:
It’s all happening. Currently we are flying somewhere over Canada. I have been on this plane for only 3 ½ hours and yet it already seems like forever. No problems getting to Detroit from Philly. It’s neat because on the main screen here they have a map and keep updating our flight progress and where we are geographically. That’s great and all but also a constant reminder of just how many more miles we have left to fly. One game of Yahtzee down.
This plane is not as big as I pictured. No personal TV or any of the luxorious amenities I was clued in on. Guess we lucked out with an old plane. There’s hardly any leg room. I have a window seat.
My nerves have been rather calm so far. The valium has definitely helped (I’m due for another real soon) and I have found myself almost dozing but catch myself when I realize my mouth muscles have totally relaxed and my mouth is open so wide it looks like I am ready for the dentist.
We had a pretty decent meal already. Chicken Teryiaki, green beans, salad, cake, and two cute little shrimp. I opted not to eat the shrimp. Airplane shrimp just doesn’t excite me. I even indulged in a Sapporo (Japanese Beer). Then I was offered some Green Tea! That was a pleasant surprise!! Yum.
I have met a few other future Nova teachers as well. One from PA, one from Mass, and one from Ohio. They all seem as excited as I am, and we all know about the same amount of Japanese (slim to none.) How reassuring.
I am looking forward to riding the bullet train (shinkansen) later today. After I get off this plane I still have a bit of traveling to do. A little ride from the airport into Tokyo then from there I will take the bullet 40 minutes north to Oyama.
Signing off for now…..
Travel Day, Part 2
I can finally say it, I AM IN JAPAN. WOOHOO.
We had the plane windows closed for much of the latter journey, it was kind of like nap time. I opened my window when the lights came on in the plane; expecting to find clouds. Instead of clouds I found semi-mountainous landscape, like nothing I have ever seen. That’s when it hit me. I am about to see everything with new eyes, and this is just the beginning. I don’t even know if that was a part of Russia or just northern Japan but no matter, it was a sight. I even spotted 5 cute little windmills!
So it looks like I will not get to ride the bullet train after all. I am sitting on a bus right now. After a horrendous 14 hour plane right I have this 3 hour bus ride ahead of me. Good side is that my seat reclines, I am sitting by myself and I am right next to the bathroom. Down side is that they keep the light on in the bus, so I can’t really see any of the scenery. Someone is meeting me at the bus stop then I believe we take a short train then walk to my apartment. While I was standing outside waiting for the bus this lady comes up to me and I guess she heard me say North Carolina to the Nova guy and she proceeds to tell me she is buying a house in Jacksonville!! I get to Japan and the first person I talk to knows NC, I mean what are the odds?
The folks I met on the plane were my buddies throughout the airport and we all did the customs/immigration thing together. I think we may all have orientation in the same place as well. They gave us a packet with tons of info that I have yet to fully go over. Jeez, it’s hot on this bus. I wish they would turn the freaking light off.
Called home – 5am there 6pm here. I have almost been awake for a full 24 hours. I am looking forward to a nice, steamy bath tonite to soothe these plane ridden muscles.
