Japan 101 - Part 1

CONNECTION

First of all, I have to say that not having the internet for 3 weeks was pure torture. I can't describe how utterly cut-off I felt from everything I knew. Not only was I in a foreign land, separated from everything and everyone I held dear. But I was there with out a solid, regular means to hear from/talk to all the things I held dear.

I'd never felt that particular brand of loneliness before. I don't recommend it.

But oh, how night has turned to day my friends! In short: I. AM. CONNECTED.


PLANES, TRAINS AND ROBOTS

My parents took me to Philadelphia International Airport the morning I left.

At that point I'd said goodbye to anything that would let me. And I was rearing to go. I schelped three - very large and heavy - pieces of luggage to terminal with my parents in tow. And I was fine, until I hit the security checkpoint.

There's a line drawn on the ground that only ticketed passengers could pass. That was the point where I had to say good bye to my parents. I balled. I ugly cried. Snot bubbles and all. But what REALLY undid me was them watching me go through security. At various shoeless points I would look back to see if they'd left - and they hadn't. I tear up even now thinking about how powerful that was for me. To look back and see them there even after I had crossed the line was a moment that I will never forget. It was biblical - the idea that no matter where you go, or how far you stray, God is right behind us. And in that moment I saw God in my parents and that changed me in a way I can't fully describe.

Here's me on the plane headed for Japan! At this point I'd just changed planes at O'Hare International. I was extra happy because all my seat upgrade requests were given to me!!!





KONICHIWA

I stepped into Narita International Airport and felt like I'd just stepped into a dreamland. A dreamland filled with things familiar and yet strange at the same time. At this point I'd been up for nearly 24 hours (I don't sleep well on planes). I smelled and look like I'd been up for 24 hours. I followed the signs and made my way through immigration, customs and baggage claim. And a whopping 2 hours later I was ready to get on the train to meet Miki. (Miki's the lovely woman at my job who is tasked to keep watch over all the gaijin (foreigners) that work at M.I.L.).

But before I hopped the train to go to what would be my new home, I needed to freshen up in the bathroom. So I made my way to the ladies room and was met with more gadgetry than an Apple Store. I didn't know where to poop or wash my hands. After about 20 minutes I figured out the pooping part - I also discovered the toilet had a seat warmer, butt spray and air dry. The sink part was far less complicated but also required some tinkering to get the water warm.

I emerged from the bathroom refreshed and slight aroused (thanks toilet).

KATSUTADAI

I took the train straight to my new home in Katsutadai. Miki met me there and whisked me off to my apartment. But not before stopping at a photo booth. Yes, you heard me. A photo booth. I needed passport pictures to go to the immigration office and register as a gaijin. So in Japan, being as resourceful as Tom Hanks in Castaway, there are passport picture booths at metro stops.

I thanked God that I freshened up at the Airport, and got my photos done right then and there. Miki took me to my apartment (video blog coming soon of my new crib), she ordered food for me and showed me how to work all the appliances - and in the case of my apartment the sink and tub are considered appliances.

Not soon after Miki left, a surprised deliver man brought my dinner and bowed his way out of my doorway. I ate and fell asleep shortly their after.

SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL?

In the sweet sweetness of my first night's sleep at my new place I was awoken by an earthquake. I kid you not. Since that first one, there have been 3-4. They apparently happen quite a bit here. Needless to say, that in my jet lagged, emotionally and physically exhausted state an earthquake was quite the cherry on top of that sundae.

At that point I didn't get scared. I was too tired to. I just laid there, eyes closed and waited for it to stop. When it did, I fell back asleep. I awoke refreshed and in a bit of shock.

---

Well, that's all for now. More to come on my life since hopping the international dateline.

Sayonara....