Day 1/2- July 17/18 – No Malaria yet
For as much trouble as I have with domestic travel, I have to admit, I was not looking forward to the sheer number of miles (or kilometers in most of the world) that I would be putting under me over the next several months. As I sit on a bus now from Narita Airport to my hotel in downtown Tokyo, I am amazed with how smoothly the day has gone.
Kansas City to Dallas – Arrived early
Dallas to Tokyo – 20 minutes late landing (it is 6400 miles so I think that 20 minutes is not too bad). Also, in sprawling DFW Airport, my gate to Tokyo was the one next to my arrival gate from KC. Nice! The only bad part of that is I didn’t really get to work off my farewell cheeseburger…There was another little bit of good
fortune. My original seat was in the middle of the center section – not prime real estate on a 13 hour flight. I moved so a mother and daughter could sit together and ended up in a cushy isle seat. Who says nice guys never win?
OK, now it’s a little later. I have walked around Tokyo for several hours. I thought there were a few interesting things today. First of all, we were diverted to a more southerly course over the Pacific, south of the Aleutians, due to what was only described to us as “volcanic activity” in Alaska by the captain. Granted, I don’t watch the news as much as I should but I do check CNN.com every day and thought that I would remember “volcanic activity” in Alaska…guess not?! Second, I learned that 29 degrees Celsius is hot especially with 100% humidity. Thirdly, as much as I love to sleep, the Japanese have me beat. I’ve slept in some terribly uncomfortable places but today I saw people passed out everywhere…the plane (I can understand that), I was the only one awake on the bus to the city, and people were even sleeping standing up on a crowded subway car. I was going to get a picture of that but I had already noticed that the only open space on the subway car was a few foot diameter spot immediately around me!
So I spent most of my night in Tokyo walking around two of the nightlife areas, the neighborhood of Shibuya and Shinjuku. They were both packed with people and very interesting to walk through.
For as much trouble as I have with domestic travel, I have to admit, I was not looking forward to the sheer number of miles (or kilometers in most of the world) that I would be putting under me over the next several months. As I sit on a bus now from Narita Airport to my hotel in downtown Tokyo, I am amazed with how smoothly the day has gone.
Kansas City to Dallas – Arrived early
Dallas to Tokyo – 20 minutes late landing (it is 6400 miles so I think that 20 minutes is not too bad). Also, in sprawling DFW Airport, my gate to Tokyo was the one next to my arrival gate from KC. Nice! The only bad part of that is I didn’t really get to work off my farewell cheeseburger…There was another little bit of good
fortune. My original seat was in the middle of the center section – not prime real estate on a 13 hour flight. I moved so a mother and daughter could sit together and ended up in a cushy isle seat. Who says nice guys never win?OK, now it’s a little later. I have walked around Tokyo for several hours. I thought there were a few interesting things today. First of all, we were diverted to a more southerly course over the Pacific, south of the Aleutians, due to what was only described to us as “volcanic activity” in Alaska by the captain. Granted, I don’t watch the news as much as I should but I do check CNN.com every day and thought that I would remember “volcanic activity” in Alaska…guess not?! Second, I learned that 29 degrees Celsius is hot especially with 100% humidity. Thirdly, as much as I love to sleep, the Japanese have me beat. I’ve slept in some terribly uncomfortable places but today I saw people passed out everywhere…the plane (I can understand that), I was the only one awake on the bus to the city, and people were even sleeping standing up on a crowded subway car. I was going to get a picture of that but I had already noticed that the only open space on the subway car was a few foot diameter spot immediately around me!
So I spent most of my night in Tokyo walking around two of the nightlife areas, the neighborhood of Shibuya and Shinjuku. They were both packed with people and very interesting to walk through.
I ate dinner at a revolving sushi buffet. T
here is a conveyor belt that circles the whole bar and the chefs keep adding to it. Plates are color coded for cost. A lot of the stuff that we eat cooked is not here…like octopus, squid, scallops. It was interesting…where’s that cheeseburger. Actually, it was one of the best sushi meal that I’ve ever had and it cost me around 10 dollars. I also navigated the Tokyo subway system and learned how to use the dreaded “Fare Adjustment Machine” necessary when one misses their stop.
Now for bed. It has been a very long day.
here is a conveyor belt that circles the whole bar and the chefs keep adding to it. Plates are color coded for cost. A lot of the stuff that we eat cooked is not here…like octopus, squid, scallops. It was interesting…where’s that cheeseburger. Actually, it was one of the best sushi meal that I’ve ever had and it cost me around 10 dollars. I also navigated the Tokyo subway system and learned how to use the dreaded “Fare Adjustment Machine” necessary when one misses their stop.Now for bed. It has been a very long day.
4 comments:
You're probably a giant around Tokyo.
I am so excited that I now have something interesting to read online! Have an amazing and safe trip! See if you can teach the locals to play cups. I certainly did on a trip to Guatemala in 2006. It was the best decision I have ever made. :-)
Excited to read more about your travels, Biondi! Good Luck!
Thanks, Sara. You can consider me an a cups missionary of sort. Headhunters need cups too?!
Liam, let's just say that I think I heard people say, "Godzilla" under their breath more than once on my approach
David, Your amazing. Enjoying your blog. You should be on the travel channel. Your doing a far better job at it than they can.
Mrs. H
Post a Comment