Airport Adventures! (And How I Got Here)

Alright, let me try to break down my trip. It went something like this: drive to the airport around 7 in the morning (~30 mins), take the first flight to connect in Chicago (~2 hours), take another flight to Narita in Tokyo (~12 hours), one last flight to Itami near Osaka (~2 hours), a bus between Itami and Kansai International (~1 hour), and a free shuttle to the hotel where I would stay with members of my school program (~15 mins). I think I was experiencing too much stimulation to realize what was going on most of the time. I do remember almost missing the bus between airports because I misread a sign and the driver ushering me and another student to board because they had to "keep schedule".

And then the driver of the hotel shuttle maneuvered around town like a pro. Who needs red lights and stop signs, anyway?

I almost believed I had some skill in Japanese when I asked a woman working at the airport where the buses to Kansai International were and could follow her directions, but, as you'll later find out (if I find the time to write about it) I was quickly humbled by, well, everyone. Still, the whole trip was pretty uneventful. Sure, one or two of the flights were slightly delayed, but I bought tickets that gave me 2 hours at each airport so I didn't have much to worry about. You see, I'm a severe worrywart; I even looked up the timetables and locations of the buses I would use at least a week before I departed. I triple-checked my luggage allowance and weighed my suitcase several times before I could go to sleep the day before the first flight would leave. Better safe than sorry, right? (Apparently I was right on the mark, weight-wise. Go me!)

I was really grateful to have someone to talk to (hi, Teresa from the Philippines!) and some English movies and shows to watch on the international flight. That mood of familiarity would quickly dissolve once I arrived in Narita, especially when I had to check into customs. Since they split everyone into Japanese and non-Japanese at that point I could tell this was the start of my "outsider" experience. From then on I thought, "Well, at least for a week I'll let myself speak in English a bit, just so there's no confusion for important stuff like registering my address and getting to the right accommodation." Aaand a week has passed. Welp.

Before I forget, I wanted to share a picture of something very Japanese: food previews. I don't mean the nice Photoshopped pictures you see on menus, I mean full-scale, looks-good-enough-to-eat plastic models that look like the ones below. This display was at the airport, but at a lot of different restaurants you'll find these. I guess it helps you estimate the portion size rather than guessing by the picture, but it seems a little overkill for me. The one place I found it very useful was at an ice cream shop where it showed the inside of a crepe so you know what ingredients are inside; for foreigners who can't speak the language very well I guess this could be really convenient if there's a food you don't like or are allergic to.

It may be plastic, but I still want to eat it.