A 13 hour time change is no laughing matter. I'm beat. Although that may be due to the wacky sleeping schedule I've had to endure for the last 36 hours while travelling from Calgary. That was my last semi full-night's sleep. I apologize in advance for any ridiculous grammar I may throw at you! The combination of Japanese in my ears mixed with the exhaustion may result in some pretty silly English. Also, this is a really long entry, but I've got a lot to catch up on!
We spent around 12 hours in Calgary on Monday night, eating a heart breakfast at a truck stop and around 3AM local time (5AM Michigan time), then passing out for 5 hours before waking up and heading to the Calgary airport. We made sure to arrive at the airport SUPER early so there was no chance we would have any trouble. We got there around 9:15, even though our plane wasn't set to take off until 12:45. We had no desire for a repeat of the day before! We spent the hours searching for Adam's lost keys (which turned up in my backpack today! yay!), studying, and on my hunt for pizza. You know you're not in America when there isn't a pizza place within 100 yards. Fail: no pizza. Sandwiches instead.
Something that I found really cool while waiting for our Narita flight was the fact that we were the minority. Never before have I been so aware of my American-ness! 90% of our flight was Asian, mostly Japanese, and spoke in only Japanese. The flight itself was pretty uneventful. Air Canada is sweet in that it provides TVs for each passenger, fixed on the back of the seat in front of you. I watched "The Hangover", and Adam and I watched part of "Dorian Gray". I assumed my usual travelling pastime and slept for most of the trip, but it was that uncomfortable sitting-sleep that doesn't allow for REM cycles. Adam and I eventually pulled out his computer and watched some anime.
When we landed, we headed to customs to receive our visa stamps, then proceeded to see what had become of our luggage. Adam's hadn't even made it out of the Chicago airport with our plane, but we eventually found it with the luggage of a plane that had come straight from Chicago. Mine had made it as far as Toronto with us, but because of the quick plane change, had not made it to the Calgary flight. It showed up with a flight that had just come straight from Toronto. You're probably wondering Why didn't you two take either of those direct flights like your luggage? Is your luggage smarter than you? The answer is no. We saved money doing it the long way. I caused us some stress, but we saved a bundle!
Thanks to Dawn, my coworker, who made me some pretty awesome luggage tags! Those were a HUGE help for us as we located our luggage!!!
A quick pass through the second customs inspection where my Yakkan Shomei was only inspected because I mentioned it (after all that effort for that paperwork! sigh.), we headed to the front of the airport. Here, we rented cell phones. Mine's really Asian looking, white, and makes really obnoxious "sparkly" sounds when I open and close it. Adam's is the same, but black. Oh, Japan and your phones. We got tickets for the Nozomi Shinkansen (fastest bullet train), and headed for the connecting line that would take us to the Shinkansen station. This was a local line, not unlike Chicago's subway system, and stops at every stop between Narita Airport and Tokyo. The trip was a little over an hour to Shinagawa, our connecting station, and we had a lot to take in as we zoomed through Japanese towns and cities. Again, I was aware of my obvious American-ness. People stared at us, and I certainly stared back. There were so many interesting people, fashions, and stereotypical Japan things. There was a mom who had just picked up her young sons from school and had wrapped their snacks in handkerchiefs, not ziplock baggies. There were genuine schoolgirls in their short-skirted uniforms, giggling and gossiping, and nearly every man age 20-65 was wearing a full suit with a briefcase. I couldn't help but stare.
Finally, we arrived at Shinagawa station just in time for our Shinkansen and I had 5 minutes to call my parents to let them know I was alive and en route. It was 6:45PM Japan time, 5:45AM Michigan time. The Shinkansen was exactly like I had imagined it would be. It looked like a plane on tracks. The toilet seats were heated. Adam slept almost the entire 5 1/2 hour journey, and I nodded in and out almost the entire time, eventually conceding and just looking out at the dark Japan that was moving by at what seemed the speed of light. We passed through Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and many other major cities, but it was too dark to make much out. What I saw mostly was the signs: almost everything was in Kanji. I've got some major studying to do. We'll get another chance to see those cities in August.
We got to Hakata stion, the last stop, at midnight. We went to the ticket counter to find out when the next train to Beppu would leave. Not until 6:30AM. We were stubborn, refusing to get a hotel for 6 hours and decided to spent the night in the train station. We grabbed some eel on rice from a nearby restaurant, walked around for a while, and settled on the floor of the station for the night. We were not the only ones doing this. There were a few people sleeping in sleeping bangs or under boxes, waiting for a morning train. This was, although I couldn't believe it, even worse than sleeping on the plane. I think the longest period of time I spent asleep was about an hour, and the rest was around 20 minutes. Marble floors were not meant to be slept on. In addition, the lights were on all night and there was a jackhammer doing construction work until 4 in the morning. So, apparently the Japanese do their construction work in the middle of the night. And they get a HUGE group together to finish it quickly. You know how in the US, even the simplest construction projects seem to go on for FOREVER and you always see at least two guys sitting there, eating or smoking? Not here. Those guys were all business, didn't take breaks (that I saw) and were in and out of there in four hours. WOW. America, take notes (hem hem I-196...). But yeah, we slept through the jackhammer, we were so tired.
MORNING CAME, and the security guy who had been dutifully watching over us all night came to wake us up at 5 with a "Ohayoo gozaimasu!" and some head-bowing. We got lost trying to find where our train was supposed to leave from. We thought we were looking for a bus, but no- we had gotten tickets for a train. 2 1/2 hours later were were at Beppu station, and got on the first local bus that would take us to APU. It was about a half hour until APU's gates, and I didn't know how to pay the bus fare. Apparently I put my money in the wrong receiver, and the driver didn't speak English, so a teenage boy translated for us. When I had assured the driver that I had definitely paid the required amount, he relaxed. Adam just laughs at me, but hey, he might have done the same if he had tried to pay first :P
We dragged our luggage across campus to the AP House (dorms) and meet our RAs. Adam's RA is Bibi, a guy from the Philippines who speaks five languages (English, Japanese, Philippino, Mandarin,and southern Chinese) and is learning a sixth (Spanish). And I'm not doing so hot one my second.... My RA's name is Chenxi, who is Japanese by race, raised in China, and moved to Japan. She's disorganized. After a quick orientation of my room and the amenities on my floor, I was left to unpack. I have a single room, all to myself, which I'm slightly bummed about. I was looking forward to having a Japanese roommate with whom to practice speaking.
In my room I have: A futon bed (which took me, like, 20 minutes to figure out the sheets for, and I still don't know what to do with the square one because my bed is not square- it's rectangular, so...yeah, I didn't use that one. lol), desk, chair, closet, mini fridge, shelves, phone, desk lamp, tiny room with a toilet, a sink and mirror, and an UNBELIEVABLE view. The floor has a communal kitchen, but everyone has to buy their own pots, pans, utensils, etc. There's no meal plan, we either buy at the cafeteria, convenience store, or cook. The food's pretty inexpensive, at least. Adam's RA, Bibi, gave us a tour of the campus. The campus is beautiful. Soon, I'll post some pictures. We are in the mountains with a gorgeous view of Beppu and the bay.
I meant to study tonight, but ended up falling asleep for about 4 hours then ate some yogurt (my stomach isn't over the time change yet). I'll be up for a while (it's about 11:15PM here, 10:15AM in Michigan) studying for my placement test tomorrow. This whole "get to Beppu from Tokyo" thing has confirmed that my Japanese needs some serious work, and I want to do my best!
In all, travelling is not easy and I certainly couldn't have done it without Adam, but I'm glad to be here. This will take a lot of adjustment, but I can't wait! Pictures coming soon!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Up to Calgary
１日６月２０１０年
In a few too many ways so far, this trip has been an awakening slap in the face, as to say "welcome to reality!" Every step of the way, from planning to packing to executing the chain of transit, the truth of the ambition is that if you don't personally see to it that every step happens as it should, then you should be prepared to accept the consequences, however serious they could be.
Though we're still én route in the sense that we're scheduled to arrive at our destination on time, there have already been some outstanding failures, a few of which have caused some serious stress though their potential to have been disastrous. Recounting just yesterday morning, the situation to depart to Chicago from Grandville at 1:45pm on Memorial Day, destined for a 6:30pm flight and without a single thought of weather and traffic obstructions was utterly childish, and if the post-Gary traffic had been anything short of fluid streamlines of 85mph, we would have been at the mercy of airport standby before we even left America.
But It could so easily have been avoided.
Upon landing in Toronto after a delayed flight, the real excitement began. We had 40 minutes to grab our bags, clear customs, and book it to the other side of the airport for our connecting flight to Calgary. All was well for about 10 minutes before the lightning storm outside arrested the progress of the baggage carousel loaders, and we were left with the decision to gamble on waiting for our baggage, or filing some Canadian paperwork to report our bags unclaimed and to just send them straight to Tokyo/Narita. We chose the paperwork, and left the baggage area with about 15 minutes to go.
.nowreadyGO!
We bolted through the airport to the next checkpoint, and unloaded out pockets in to the metal detector bins.
7 minutes.
Security A: "Shasheesh, is that backpack clear?"
Security B: ".... Uhhh.... I dunno."
Adam: >:(
6 minutes.
Secutiry A: "Shasheesh, turn the conveyour belt back on!"
Secutiry B: "Uh... Oh, ok!"
Adam: *Facepalm*
5 minutes.
I put my camera, ipod, etc. back in my pockets. About 100 yards to go.
4 minutes! The race is on!
We sprint towards gate 142, dash across the moving walkways, hobbling ever slower due to the weight of our awkwardly shaped carry-on backpacks.
3 minutes. Becky drops some stuff, and has to run back!!
1 minute. We make it to the gate, but the boarding passes are nowhere to be found. Unleash the expletives! Thankfully we were found on their computers, and with the help of our passports, the flight attendants printed us new passes. And then slunk off~
But it was seriously a sweaty, panting chunk of stress. Looking back at to the incident at the baggage area, we were unprepared to make a decision about leaving the baggage or waiting for it, but our requirement to act quickly really spoke clearly to me. I'm not an adult until I can make high-pressure decisions with a cool head. And because I flip-flopped too long about what to do, we almost missed our flight. Missing our flight to Calgary would have had very serious, very real repercussions, as would have missing the flight into Toronto.
We got lucky. And we need to be a bit more on top of things should we expect to make it through one of the biggest (and non-english-speaking) airports in the world. I'm fortunate, though. I think this is a much-needed wake-up call.
But in transition, I'm glad I'm not traveling alone.
In a few too many ways so far, this trip has been an awakening slap in the face, as to say "welcome to reality!" Every step of the way, from planning to packing to executing the chain of transit, the truth of the ambition is that if you don't personally see to it that every step happens as it should, then you should be prepared to accept the consequences, however serious they could be.
Though we're still én route in the sense that we're scheduled to arrive at our destination on time, there have already been some outstanding failures, a few of which have caused some serious stress though their potential to have been disastrous. Recounting just yesterday morning, the situation to depart to Chicago from Grandville at 1:45pm on Memorial Day, destined for a 6:30pm flight and without a single thought of weather and traffic obstructions was utterly childish, and if the post-Gary traffic had been anything short of fluid streamlines of 85mph, we would have been at the mercy of airport standby before we even left America.
But It could so easily have been avoided.
Upon landing in Toronto after a delayed flight, the real excitement began. We had 40 minutes to grab our bags, clear customs, and book it to the other side of the airport for our connecting flight to Calgary. All was well for about 10 minutes before the lightning storm outside arrested the progress of the baggage carousel loaders, and we were left with the decision to gamble on waiting for our baggage, or filing some Canadian paperwork to report our bags unclaimed and to just send them straight to Tokyo/Narita. We chose the paperwork, and left the baggage area with about 15 minutes to go.
.nowreadyGO!
We bolted through the airport to the next checkpoint, and unloaded out pockets in to the metal detector bins.
7 minutes.
Security A: "Shasheesh, is that backpack clear?"
Security B: ".... Uhhh.... I dunno."
Adam: >:(
6 minutes.
Secutiry A: "Shasheesh, turn the conveyour belt back on!"
Secutiry B: "Uh... Oh, ok!"
Adam: *Facepalm*
5 minutes.
I put my camera, ipod, etc. back in my pockets. About 100 yards to go.
4 minutes! The race is on!
We sprint towards gate 142, dash across the moving walkways, hobbling ever slower due to the weight of our awkwardly shaped carry-on backpacks.
3 minutes. Becky drops some stuff, and has to run back!!
1 minute. We make it to the gate, but the boarding passes are nowhere to be found. Unleash the expletives! Thankfully we were found on their computers, and with the help of our passports, the flight attendants printed us new passes. And then slunk off~
But it was seriously a sweaty, panting chunk of stress. Looking back at to the incident at the baggage area, we were unprepared to make a decision about leaving the baggage or waiting for it, but our requirement to act quickly really spoke clearly to me. I'm not an adult until I can make high-pressure decisions with a cool head. And because I flip-flopped too long about what to do, we almost missed our flight. Missing our flight to Calgary would have had very serious, very real repercussions, as would have missing the flight into Toronto.
We got lucky. And we need to be a bit more on top of things should we expect to make it through one of the biggest (and non-english-speaking) airports in the world. I'm fortunate, though. I think this is a much-needed wake-up call.
But in transition, I'm glad I'm not traveling alone.
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Journey begins this Weekend!
The countdown is imminent and the matter of months, matter of days, has become a matter of hours. Exactly one week from this very moment, a plane will take off from Chicago, destined for the roundabout location of Toronto.
"But Adam, why are you flying to Canada!? I thought you were going to Japan!"
As it turns out, Air Canada sends passengers to Japan for about half the price of American airlines. This is makes our endeavour two trips in one! With an evening in Toronto and an 11 hour layover in Calgary, it turns out we're pre-gaming our semester at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University with a small tour of Canada. For better or worse, this is the leg of the trip that I have prepared the least for.
What is there to do in Calgary for 11 hours?
In real likelihood, Becky and I will be spending this time with our noses buried in Genki Textbooks, cramming all those grammar points and Kanji lists that have been steadily forgotten over the past month of full-time employment, logistical and transportation-related challenges, and a more general feeling of relief and relaxation after one of the more physically and mentally taxing semesters at GVSU. With my last trumpet jury ever a distant memory, my final appearance at the National Trumpet Competition as a finalist (but definitely not as a composer) , and a substantial unloading of new compositions in the precedent-setting, Sight\Sound event, I'm ready to shift focus for the next few months towards another passion of mine, hardly pertinent to the completion of my music degree but nonetheless equally important, the slow and steady acclimation [and eventual mastery] of the Japanese language.
After finishing Genki, Vol. I this past school year, I will be [barring unforseen placement-test-bombs] stepping into Ritsumeikan's intensive language course, level 2, where we will be knocking out 300+ page Genki, Vol. II.
In eight weeks.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel nervous and maybe a little understudied and under-prepared. Having never left North America [or even venturing a single step west of Chicago], I honestly don't know what to expect. Sure, the itinerary is clear, and the schedule seems concise enough, but I don't really know what to expect. But I have an intuition that seems to hint that this summer will be one of the best times of my life so far.
Legendary composer Motoi Sakuraba is [completely not suprisingly] too busy to give me a personal composition lesson. Hey, it was worth a try. I suppose I wouldn't expect John Williams to pencil me in on a weekend, either. One of my biggest goals of this summer, aside from the studies, is to scope the country out for career opportunities. If I can't meet directly with a famous Japanese composer, I at least want to learn about the entertainment industry over there, absorb all the Japanese traditional music, and the theory behind it.
With a lot still to pack, and another week to study up on Japanese school life, I've got just enough time to double-check all the necessities. Now to procure some omiyage...
"But Adam, why are you flying to Canada!? I thought you were going to Japan!"
As it turns out, Air Canada sends passengers to Japan for about half the price of American airlines. This is makes our endeavour two trips in one! With an evening in Toronto and an 11 hour layover in Calgary, it turns out we're pre-gaming our semester at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University with a small tour of Canada. For better or worse, this is the leg of the trip that I have prepared the least for.
What is there to do in Calgary for 11 hours?
In real likelihood, Becky and I will be spending this time with our noses buried in Genki Textbooks, cramming all those grammar points and Kanji lists that have been steadily forgotten over the past month of full-time employment, logistical and transportation-related challenges, and a more general feeling of relief and relaxation after one of the more physically and mentally taxing semesters at GVSU. With my last trumpet jury ever a distant memory, my final appearance at the National Trumpet Competition as a finalist (but definitely not as a composer) , and a substantial unloading of new compositions in the precedent-setting, Sight\Sound event, I'm ready to shift focus for the next few months towards another passion of mine, hardly pertinent to the completion of my music degree but nonetheless equally important, the slow and steady acclimation [and eventual mastery] of the Japanese language.
After finishing Genki, Vol. I this past school year, I will be [barring unforseen placement-test-bombs] stepping into Ritsumeikan's intensive language course, level 2, where we will be knocking out 300+ page Genki, Vol. II.
In eight weeks.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel nervous and maybe a little understudied and under-prepared. Having never left North America [or even venturing a single step west of Chicago], I honestly don't know what to expect. Sure, the itinerary is clear, and the schedule seems concise enough, but I don't really know what to expect. But I have an intuition that seems to hint that this summer will be one of the best times of my life so far.
Legendary composer Motoi Sakuraba is [completely not suprisingly] too busy to give me a personal composition lesson. Hey, it was worth a try. I suppose I wouldn't expect John Williams to pencil me in on a weekend, either. One of my biggest goals of this summer, aside from the studies, is to scope the country out for career opportunities. If I can't meet directly with a famous Japanese composer, I at least want to learn about the entertainment industry over there, absorb all the Japanese traditional music, and the theory behind it.
With a lot still to pack, and another week to study up on Japanese school life, I've got just enough time to double-check all the necessities. Now to procure some omiyage...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)