Flight and Subway Adventure

The Flight: So halfway through my Japanese meal it completely sunk in that I am going to be in Asia for the next three months. After picking at some sort of odd seaweed/Pickled vegetable concoction it dawned on me that not only do I not know Chinese - I was about to be in Tokyo and the only Japanese I knew was what I learned from Karate. I knew Yes, 1, 2, and 3. I guess you could say I felt a little unprepared. I felt more unprepared when I realized I didn't write down Shoji's number, had no idea what the name of my Hostel was, or where I was going to meet the rest of the guys after my flight. To remedy my nerves I had a couple of glasses of Champagne and passed out. I woke up to some insane Lost style turbulence and starting to pray loudly in Spanish. This apparently caught the eye of my favorite old Japanese Steward and he sat down next to me and calmed me down till it was over.

I got off the Plane, looked outside and saw that it was snowing. Awesome. I didn't have enough time to worry about how I was going to find anyone in the Tokyo airport but before I knew it I was outside customs and face to face with Shoji, Dan, Brett, and Craig. Success. What did I learn from all this? To always relax, have a few drinks and things will work itself out. We all stood there looking around for a couple minutes and agreed that it didn't feel like we were in Japan. I mean, we are all from the Pacific Northwest so it's not like we've never been surrounded by Asians. I knew I wasn't in Seattle anymore when I encountered my first Japanese Toilet. I had no idea how to open up the door to get to it let alone use it, but then I realized it looked just like Taylor's dad's. 

Next, Shoji herded us around like the bunch of clueless Americans that we are and got us safely onto the Subway. It was a long ride, but a longer walk in the snow once we got off. We walked a good half a mile with our luggage (my bag is 66 pounds) and I had to carry it all the way up the stairs of the subway then again  up four flights of stairs in our hostel. I can't really take all the credit, or even most of it as Shoji pretty much carried it for me (we would all be so lost without him. I think we are the luckiest tourists in Tokyo!)

The Hostel: We are staying at the Tokyo Annex Guest House or something like that. They must have photoshopped the hell out of it online cause it looks nothing like the pictures. It is small, cramped, freezing cold, but a complete blast. The hostel has probably been the most culture shock to me. My parents always told me that I wouldn't be staying in nice places when I was on my own and I should get used to crappy accommodations. I usually rolled my eyes to this but they are definitely right on this one. I am in an 8 person mixed dorm, so it's me and the four boys, two Australians and a German. It was freezing last night but at 20 a night we can't complain....that much.

For dinner we headed to some 100 Yen store. The Japanese have to always be tripping on acid, I swear. Everything is colorful, bright, and for some reason objects all have faces. It's entertaining though I completely love it so far! I had some Ramen for dinner and I couldn't have been happier. I had no idea what the snacks were, Shoji read off the names and they had the strangest flavors! French Salad Potato Chips..only the Japanese!