Day 1: Travel to Tokyo

A shower has never felt so good! And during the whole thing, Henry Higgin's song popped into my head... "I did it. I did it. I really, really did it!" I've been awake for about 36 hours straight and bed is definitely in the near future.

Everything went swimmingly until I hit LAX. I hate that airport. So confusing. No signs. The only boon is the friendly staff who were very sweet to point me onto the right track. Then I was on Singapore Airlines and headed for Tokyo.

Singapore Airlines has been synonymous with heaven to me ever since I flew with them when I was 13. People say that they treat economy class like business class and they still do. I had a row to myself, my own TV with great movies, free wine and a blanket. When I spilled my second glass of wine down the back of the chair in front of me, I considered that a sign to behave...

Best of all, one of the movies was Hotaru (a continuation of a TV series called Hotaru no Hikari, or Glow of the Firefly), which is about a 28 year old woman who happens to be a himono onna (dried fish lady). At work she is all professionalism, but when she's home the sweatpants come out, her hair goes up and a beer is cracked on the porch. She's also a huge dork. In other words, it's a Japanese version of me. I hadn't seen the movie yet so that was a good time.

The flight, however was long and I was surrounded by babies that were mostly, blessedly quiet. I probably looked like a zombie coming off that plane and the customs officials had mercy and didn't ask too many questions. I can't help but feel that this country is a well-oiled machine and I am a wrench thrown into the gears... My plan is to smile and apologize. A lot.

Even after leaving the airport (familiar ground) I'm not afraid. I might be too tired to be afraid, yet.

Made it to the train by myself and then translated the word "Taxi" before seeing the English translation beneath it. Got a taxi (and communicated with the driver!) and made it to my room. It's small, reminds me of my room at Lancaster University. Only three buttons on the toilet, so I think I've got this one down.

No pictures today, maybe tomorrow when I tour Tokyo.