Tokyo
July 26, 2007
I made it to Japan! After a rather delightful airplane ride on Japan Airlines, which seems to be the Cadillac of them all. The plane was enormous, with two levels (of course the upper level was a first class lounge). The first class and business class areas looked so lovely and comfy, with foldout beds and tons of space. I was in the back, but I still had good room, an individual TV, and the nicest Japanese stewardesses! The 11 hour flight went by quite fast, and we were, surprisingly, served decent Japanese food. Once we landed in Tokyo, we breezed through immigration and customs and then loaded onto a bus toward the city (the Narita airport is about 60 km from the city center).
My first impression leaving the airport is that it is beautiful. Lush, green everywhere. Although the cars drive on the opposite side of the road, there were very similar cars to those we have in the U.S. Lots of SUV’s even!
We arrived at the Olympic training Center in Shibuya, where we are staying for the next 9 days, and were greeted by the Japanese delegation. They were so excited to meet us, it was really great! A few interesting things of note: bathrooms are quite different. They are one of two kinds: tradition – this really means a hole in the ground you squat for. It does flush, but it feels a lot like camping. The modern toilets are quite the spectacle, if you can figure out how to use them! They have heated seats and two sets of function buttons. I was able to decipher two different bidets (it sprays up!) and other things such as musical tones to cover up any unpleasant sounds. Showers are also different. At least here they are communal and mine tonight was packed with young teenage girls probably attending a sports camp. You have to shower completely, and then get in a bath (ofuru).
Everyone has been staring at me, but it is fine and I’m okay with it. Lots of girls say “Hello” and then giggle, as if they’d just accomplished something extraordinary. The Japadeles in my conference group are so nice and friendly, although I thought one, the cutest young girl “Kiku” looked like she might pass out from excitement when we first met. I feel very different here, but very respected and, thus, humbled.
Tomorrow we have a super fancy reception at the Prince Hotel, which is one of the nicest in the city. I just hope the weather isn’t too unbearable. It is very humid tonight, but it has cooled down.
Off to bed!
I made it to Japan! After a rather delightful airplane ride on Japan Airlines, which seems to be the Cadillac of them all. The plane was enormous, with two levels (of course the upper level was a first class lounge). The first class and business class areas looked so lovely and comfy, with foldout beds and tons of space. I was in the back, but I still had good room, an individual TV, and the nicest Japanese stewardesses! The 11 hour flight went by quite fast, and we were, surprisingly, served decent Japanese food. Once we landed in Tokyo, we breezed through immigration and customs and then loaded onto a bus toward the city (the Narita airport is about 60 km from the city center).
My first impression leaving the airport is that it is beautiful. Lush, green everywhere. Although the cars drive on the opposite side of the road, there were very similar cars to those we have in the U.S. Lots of SUV’s even!
We arrived at the Olympic training Center in Shibuya, where we are staying for the next 9 days, and were greeted by the Japanese delegation. They were so excited to meet us, it was really great! A few interesting things of note: bathrooms are quite different. They are one of two kinds: tradition – this really means a hole in the ground you squat for. It does flush, but it feels a lot like camping. The modern toilets are quite the spectacle, if you can figure out how to use them! They have heated seats and two sets of function buttons. I was able to decipher two different bidets (it sprays up!) and other things such as musical tones to cover up any unpleasant sounds. Showers are also different. At least here they are communal and mine tonight was packed with young teenage girls probably attending a sports camp. You have to shower completely, and then get in a bath (ofuru).
Everyone has been staring at me, but it is fine and I’m okay with it. Lots of girls say “Hello” and then giggle, as if they’d just accomplished something extraordinary. The Japadeles in my conference group are so nice and friendly, although I thought one, the cutest young girl “Kiku” looked like she might pass out from excitement when we first met. I feel very different here, but very respected and, thus, humbled.
Tomorrow we have a super fancy reception at the Prince Hotel, which is one of the nicest in the city. I just hope the weather isn’t too unbearable. It is very humid tonight, but it has cooled down.
Off to bed!
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