January 13, 2008

Tokyo (JAPAN)

Back to the "Other Side of the World" in a 26 Hour Haul

Today actually started at 2:30am on 12 January when my alarm clock went off and I began packing my life back into a suitcase in preparation for my morning flight to Tokyo. By 4am my brother and Dad were climbing into the car with me, coffee at the ready, and we set off on the four hour drive from Savannah to Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport. I was wide awake and full of anticipation ahead of my return to Tokyo, but in retrospect I feel bad for my Dad because I kept him talking for the entire ride. Nevertheless, it was tough parting ways with family, but thankfully I will not have to wait another 12 months before I see them again: my Dad will visit Tokyo next month, and my brother should make the trip out later this summer along with my mom.

My morning at the airport was uneventful; the only real incident of note was the $37 I spent on candy to be used as gifts for friends back in Japan. I was supposed to pick up several adult magazines as well (it is strange what some of my Japanese friends wanted), but I felt too awkward going to the busy counter with mothers behind me in line - candy will have to suffice.

I had a brief one hour layover in Detroit before I continued on the 13 hour flight to Narita airport. En route, I was desperate to know how the Patriots fared in their playoff game, and after asking a kind flight attendant on the plane she promised to get back to me. Sure enough, about an hour later she returned with word from the captain saying the Patriots handled the Jacksonville Jaguars, which puts them in the AFC Championship game next weekend. I was tempted to ask how Arsenal did in their match against Birmingham, but I figured there was no way anyone would be interested in an English soccer match. (It is just as well: they drew 1-1 in what sounded like a disappointing game.)

Upon arriving in Tokyo, I hustled through immigrations (again, I snuck in on a free 3-month tourist visa) and caught a local train to Shinagawa Station. From there, I didn't feel like walking with all my luggage so I sprung for a taxi to the house and avoided the cold that has sadly swept across Tokyo. Kumagai san was waiting for my arrival, and while she prepared the kind of tasty meal I love so much I began unpacking and showering. In all, it was 29 consecutive hours of travel - going from 4am on 12 January to 9pm on 13 January (I passed the international dateline near Hawaii). In truth, it is a small price to be to be back in a place like Tokyo.