Nichiyoubi: Sunday 1/10/10

Well, here we are! Finally in the hotel room. It's small, but already feels like home. We left early in the morning, bags packed and ready. I was very excited to use my new suitcase, only to be rejected by a TSA officer. She made me put my bag into a metal case to prove it's dimensions. It fit, but it was still too tall apparently. No huge deal, we checked the bag and got on our connecting flight to Atlanta. We were on the waitlist for the flight, and after a close call, managed to get on as the last people for the flight. We ended up flying business class since we were using passes (courtesy of my uncle, a Delta Pilot), and these were the only seats open. Well worth the luxury in my book. Alas, when we landed, it seems that my luggage didn't make it off the waitlist with me. It only had my clothes thankfully, nothing I really needed immediately, and we should have it back tomorrow. Still, can't help but think back about that one TSA agent who wouldn't cut me a break.

After filling out the necessary paper work for my missing bag and stopping at a few information centers, we got on the Narita Express train to Tokyo. Aside from a minute of confusion when using my first restroom (buttons to open the door?), this was my first cultural faux pas. The Narita Express has assigned seats, something I somehow didn't catch from my ticket which was completely in Japanese. A Japanese man politely told us we were in his seat. I wish I could have seen the look on both of our faces as we stood in the aisle looking at our tickets confused and embarrassed. The same man took a quick look at our tickets and pointed to the aisle across from him. It's always nice to have the kindness of strangers, especially in a foreign country. The train ride was a nice look into some of the more rural areas of Japan. The small towns we passed appeared strangely familiar, most likely though various Japanese tv shows, movies, and video games. Or maybe it was the Vicodin sinking in for my tooth pain. Fairly quickly though, the quaint houses and pine trees, became neon-sign and fluorescent apartments. We got to the Tokyo Station and exited into the city. A taxi brought us to our hotel, the "b akasaka," giving us a glimpse of the city at night. So far, I am ecstatic. I can tell this will be a trip to remember. Things are different, and even easy things will be difficult. I think that's part of the enjoyment. Out to dinner now. More photos can be found on my Picasa account through my profile. Konbanwa to sayounara!