My third mini-grad trip in continuation from Shanghai
First Day - Aug 29, 2004 (Sun)
Exiting From Narita Airport to the JR Kensei Line, I dragged a baggage and had a backpack, attempting to get on the right train heading to downtown Tokyo. On the paper in my hand, it says, RYOKAN KANGETSU (1-2-20, Chidori, Ota-ku, Tokyo 146-0083, Japan). Although I tried so hard to get directions by phone, the operator hung up on me for speaking excessively broken Japanese. Well, Patricia could do it!!! I was even boastfully saying to myself, "Was it that difficult to get on the train to downtown anyways?"
After three-and-a-half hours in the JR transit (= the ordinary time travelled x 2 =p), I finally got to the big interchange station, Kamata. So touched~ =*] On the way seeing the countryside, the sky was getting dark but I was thrilled to make it to this foreign land out from the airport. When I exited Kamata to the other platform, an English-speaking (finally someone can speak English!!!!! thank God!!) attendant kindly spoke to me and gave me some support. He noticed my baggage with a flight no, which he told me that this was the ordinary flight flying from Hong Kong to Tokyo! How observant he was! =)
Dashing thru crowds of people, vending machines, noodle and snack bistro, magazine racks - 1000 yen, 500 yen, 200 yen, 100 yen - I dared not to stop, but I really wanna grab sth to eat before dying out!! I also saw Tokyu Department Store (a department store, which there was one in HK that my mom bought me scrunchies and braidies there~ i loved them and i couldn't forget~ Memory flashbacks that broke my heart... and yeah, how I missed her!) However, I couldn't make a stop but moving on, before the night got too dark. At the same time, I also worried that my dad would worry me sick. Luckily, as I began taking the next train, I finally found a machine that sells long-distance phone card. At first, I was afraid not knowing how to use it, dialing different codes to different places, because I had to tell my dad in China, my brother in HK, and Horace in Vancouver that I was stuck at the transit due to language barrier but everything was going fine. My dad was steamingly furious and worried to death over the phone, as if I would've got killed in a foreign city... (he didn't know that I was gonna live on own, but not with my highschool classmate, Julia) Anyway, there was a bit of misunderstanding there, but it was already too late. Finally, I got Horace on the phone - briefly let him know that I was fine, telling him about the frustration and excitement to be able to make it that far in this new city that I travelled on my own! It was already 7pm, and I had to persistently move on.
Off going on a second transit train, about half an hour later, I finally arrived at Chidoricho Station!!! The convenience stores were still open. Asking around for directions, a Japanese man kindly led me to the entrance of the motel in about 2 blocks away in the back alley...
And finally, finally, I arrived at my motel - Ryokan Kangetsu~ =)
It has beautiful facilities. Traditional Japanese style. Barley tea served in chill, for the refresh of soul. No English-speaking staff, however. Credit card shown up front to pay in total for the 4 days and 3 nights. Totally love it!!
After unloading my bags, I was very hungry as it was almost 9pm at that time. I strolled in the neighborhood for food and drink hunt!! (Pocari, rice balls, crackers) Like a Japanese habitant, I shopped in the supermarket and convenient stores, checking out the average price of goods!
Back to the ryokan, I took a photo for the victory of SURVIVAL~! Before the gentlemen worrying me dead, I wrote them the first email from Tokyo:
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 04:52:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Patricia Ma"
Subject: Ogenki desu?
Dear guys,
Finally!!! I`m now in Chidorichi-ku, about 8 mins MTR
away from Tokyo center. A lot of things have happened
during the trip getting here in the motel, but I`m so
grateful and happy because I didn`t know how stupid
I`m in terms of buying train tickets in a foreign
country... by the time I get here, my brain is all
blank and my body is very very sweaty (coz it`s very
hot here in Tokyo too!)
Unfortunately, my vancouver cellphone call has been
lost and I couldn`t have a mobile phone around with
me. However, the good thing is that there are plenty
of computers around in my motel so that I could send
you an instant update within seconds. I also
attempted to call long distance and so also bought
calling cards. The calls ate up a lot of my petty
cash, so I`ll refrain from talking for too long :(
Tokyo is a beautiful city! I look forward to sharing
with you all my experience here, and photos too!!
People here are pretty nice and helpful. So don`t
have to worry about me :) okok?
Hugs and kisses from Tokyo~!
Just before bed, I silently said a little prayer, "Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing me here safely today."
Over the midnight, a typhoon strongly blew. It also came with heavy rain; and the electricity went out. I started noticing the darkness everywhere outside the window, as well as the corridor out from the room. It was intimidating; however, I was too tired to overthink and kept myself asleep in the warm tatami~ My eyes couldn't close, but gradually, about an hour, tiredness took over and I just went soundly asleep...
~ to be continued
Resources:
New Tokyo International Airport at Narita - http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/airport
Japan Railways - http://www.jreast.co.jp
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