After a grueling (in my eyes) eleven hour flight, I've made it to Tokyo! I have to admit, at first in the airport it felt like being in Hawaii, surrounded by Japanese tourists. The feeling was made complete by the hot muggy weather and Hawaiian Host chocolate-covered macadamia nuts in the airport kiosks. But I've never had to go through immigration control in Hawaii (nor have my picture and fingerprints taken) and I have never felt as lonely as getting through customs and realizing that nobody was going to be waiting for me on the other side.
It made me realize that it's been a pretty long time since I've done this (four and a half years since my trip to Europe with Hedge) AND I've never been anywhere this challenging. I don't even know where to begin with the people I meet who don't speak English (other than the oft-repeated "wakarimasen", aka I don't understand). Luckily, the people who I need to interact with the most (hostel employees, train station attendants) do speak English and have been so very good about volunteering their help (I must look VERY confused on the train platforms because multiple attendants have come up to offer their assistance). "Domo arigato" aka thank you very much has also become a phrase that rolls easily off the tongue.
So far I've only made it to my hostel (in the Asakusa district) and walked around a bit while here. It's got a sweet temple, and stalls and stalls of Japanese tchotkes. Favorite discovery of all is the 100 Yen store (same as a dollar store) that is chock full of AWESOMENESS. Cute soy sauce containers, notebooks, laptop cases, teapots, towels, snacks, all for the low low price of 100 Yen. The only thing holding me back was the knowledge I will be carrying all my purchases on my back for the next 12 days.
On a final note: it's the end of day one and I'm already sick of sushi. This does not bode well...
It made me realize that it's been a pretty long time since I've done this (four and a half years since my trip to Europe with Hedge) AND I've never been anywhere this challenging. I don't even know where to begin with the people I meet who don't speak English (other than the oft-repeated "wakarimasen", aka I don't understand). Luckily, the people who I need to interact with the most (hostel employees, train station attendants) do speak English and have been so very good about volunteering their help (I must look VERY confused on the train platforms because multiple attendants have come up to offer their assistance). "Domo arigato" aka thank you very much has also become a phrase that rolls easily off the tongue.
So far I've only made it to my hostel (in the Asakusa district) and walked around a bit while here. It's got a sweet temple, and stalls and stalls of Japanese tchotkes. Favorite discovery of all is the 100 Yen store (same as a dollar store) that is chock full of AWESOMENESS. Cute soy sauce containers, notebooks, laptop cases, teapots, towels, snacks, all for the low low price of 100 Yen. The only thing holding me back was the knowledge I will be carrying all my purchases on my back for the next 12 days.
On a final note: it's the end of day one and I'm already sick of sushi. This does not bode well...
Just about this same view for ELEVEN hours
I wasn't kidding about the macadamia nuts
The entrance to the famous Senso-ji temple.
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