Why do I feel this way? What is it about Japan that makes life more different than America? Japan seems like a more reserved place than America, but after my visit, it is more vibrant than America. I think it's because everyone follows the rules and doesn't make any acceptions to those rules. Also, that the Japanese put pride into everything they do to save their face from shame. Japan is more open minded than America about delicate issues. Although there are many rules, Japan feels like a freer place to live than America. I think that's why it's so hard for me to leave it.
After checking out of the hotel, we had a couple of hours of free time. There's not much you can do in a couple of hours. Travis, Charlie and I head toward HMV so Travis can get his Yui CD's. I didn't really want to buy anything because I didn't want to carry it around. But, I ended up buying some CD's. Hopefully I have time to put it in my suitcase before checking in at the airport.
Next stop is Tokyu Hands. There are 7 floors of things that you don't need for your home. That's such a true statement. Most of the things in there aren't necessity items.
It's 1:00 p.m. We're back at the hotel waiting for the limo bus to take us to the airport. I really don't want to leave. There's so much more I would like to do here. I wish I could stay but I don't think I could afford staying a couple more days.
It's another hour and a half ride to Narita Airport. I take random shots outside of my window. These are the last images of Tokyo I will have for a while. Hopefully I can come back soon.
It's after 3:00 p.m. We've reached the airport. We have an abrupt goodbye with Jayson and Yoko. Security is really tight in the airport. There is some miscommunication with Jayson and Charlie. After checking in, Charlie told Jayson that we were in the terminal. We didn't know that they cancelled their train to try and meet up with us. By the time they reached the airport, we were all passed the security check point.
After going through security, we have free time to roam around. I was so hungry. I needed to eat something. Most of the restaurants were in the terminal before the check point. There was only the Blue Sky Cafeteria by the gates. It's better than starving. The food wasn't like what I had at Yoshinoya or Matsuya, but it was better than most of the Japanese restaurants at home. It was equal to Restaurant Matsu (Matsuya) on Maui.I was so disappointed when we found out the flight was full. We were so spoiled coming to Japan. It felt so cramped and uncomfortable. The first thing that happened to me on the plane was something that I will always remember. After being in Japan for only 8 days, I became adapted to the calm and politeness of everyone. On the plane, I accidentally sat in the wrong row (I was being rushed). The lady who was supposed to be in that seat is so rude to me. She tells me "That's my seat!" and doesn't even give me room to get to the correct seat. In my head I thought "Welcome back to Hawaii." The incident made me dread going back home to experience reverse culture shock.
It's around 7:00 a.m. Hawaii time. I'm back in Hawaii. Things are so hectic because of the full flight. I'm very tired from the flight. I didn't get much rest. It's time to go to customs. I'm afraid that I might get search. In the end, I didn't. I wonder how they choose who they want to search.Once we are outside, everyone is leaving one by one. Charlie, Travis and Bev try to hurry home so they can spend some time with me before I have to go back to Maui. It was so nice of them to do that for me. As they went home to drop their luggage off, I headed toward the interisland terminal to check in.
There wasn't much time for us to hang out. I was sad. I thought I would have more time. It took longer than expected to get out of the international terminal. I couldn't believe that it was my turn to go home. I was afraid what it would feel like when I got there. I was too tired to think. I just wanted to find someplace to sleep. Jet lag is something that I really don't like.
This trip has been my first experience out of Hawaii. I was so afraid of the unexpected. In the end, I have learned to adapt to new things quickly. I realized what knowledge I can share with my children. Although being sheltered can be a good thing, too much of it can have a negative effect. Like the Japanese isolating themselves from the rest of the world, my parents isolated me from places outside of Hawaii. The only contact I would have from people outside of Maui were people who moved to Maui from the mainland or another country. I would hear about places but never see and experience the culture and atmosphere of the place. Being isolated probably made me a more centered person, but at the same time I feared the unfamiliar. After a while, pressures from others made me wonder about visiting the mainland or foreign countries. Like Japan, I finally gave in and put down my guard. Now, I can't wait to go back to Japan. Why didn't I do something like this sooner?
2 comments:
I asked myself similar questions when I was packing up my stuff. There is something about Tokyo that captures the imaginations of foreigners. It has definately captured mine.
I remember something from Confucius... saying that in America, we are stripped of our freedom to walk out of the house without fear. In Japan, you can send your kids out and not have to worry. What I think is very interesting is I felt more free when I was in Tokyo for 8 days than I ever felt living in America. Both places have their positives and negatives, but I think the positives in Japan outweigh their negatives.
Mi-Chan, you know just thinking about the last day brings tears back to my eyes. You guys were the sweetest and friendliest group I every had a class trip with. So, to speak.
YOu know what they say when you visit a new country there is always things you like and don't like about it, when you take the time to make comparisons with that country to America. But like you, I feel Japan has that special place in my heart. I've been to China many times, ( my motherland), but I never felt close to it, it never felt like what I would feel for a second home. Although I know I can never live in Japan,permanently however; it does feel like Japan is my second home. I like the fact that people respect each other and that the Japanese culture , is just so full of color and flavor. I can't seem to get enough of their fashions and the humble mannerisms.
For the last few hours staying in Ikebukkuro, I wish I spent it with you and Bev-them. Instead I waste my time doing-last minute souvenir -shopping. I totally missed out a perfect chance to try the raned-1 -ramen place at the basement of the Sunshine City mall.
Wow!..you should really show me your CD collection if you had the time, I wished I asked what type of music you listened to...
Hmmm.. I still don't get the Yoko and Jayson trying to meet up with us at the airport-terminal- was about...
I agree that lady on the airplane was really rude. I have total respect for you for handling the way you did I think I would have just snapped at her or at least took off my mask and coughed in her face. All I know is that in my sick-state I probably wont handle it the civil way.
I really like your concluding paragraph, it is very important to let your guards down for things that really matter to you , like the trip to Japan, it meant something really big to you, I think it did to all of us in different ways.
-Mango-CHAN XP
Post a Comment