I'd have asked for a glass of whatever it was you were having. As it all happened, I took a supposedly innocuous business trip with my husband in January 2012. Upon our arrival, he let me know he was actually in the final stages of a critical job interview. The impression I made while being introduced to colleagues would be a large part of the decision process. I was to be charming, witty, and believably enthusiastic about leaving Atlanta for Tokyo as soon as possible. Right.
Still in culture shock and hiding my phone where I had just googled "Georgia divorce law," we went to try the hotel bar. I had read as much as I could on the flight to learn basic Japanese customs and etiquette. One chapter alone covered the importance of politely trying any food presented by your host, as not doing so would gratly offend. Seated on stools at the bar, we were presented with drinks and an elaborate dish holding 3 smaller dishes containing colorful treats. I tried the dish of 5 long thin crunchy offerings first, which I imagined to be some sort of dried seaweed appetizer. It was bland, but crisp, and I gamely polished off the first stick, smiling at my host. His expression made me think we were not enthusiastic enough so, being careful not to break a molar, I smilingly crunched through a second, while waving to him to request more. A fellow bar patron suddenly appeared at my elbow and nudged me. Leaning down discreetly, he whispered to me out of the corner of his mouth, "Table decorations...not food." Stupid etiquette book.
 |
| A very nice man helped me with my bags... |
Anyway, shortly thereafter, my sausage, my children and I boarded our flight to Tokyo.
We were on a direct flight, so anywhere from 12-14 hours depending on tailwinds. The children sat in a row of three seats together. I was seated across the aisle in the middle section. At first I had an empty seat to my right, giving me visions of stretching out for the long ride. Beyond that seat were two Japanese men. As I was settling in, the gentleman closest to me asked if I had any air sickness medicine. Oh lovely. After I said no, he repeated the question to everyone passing, including 2 flight attendants, to no avail. Eventually a seemingly nice, quiet Japanese man appeared to take the seat between me and Airsick. He did not appear to speak much English, so I was relieved at first, knowing I would not have to make conversation or be jostled by my kids. Having strategically placed my oldest son, between the two younger children, I got comfortable and started to read.
Not long after take off. I glanced at Airsick who was now the shade of guacamole, and hanging on tightly to his seat.
Relieved to have someone between us, I noticed my supposedly nice, quiet travel partner had draped his courtesy blanket over his lap. I figured he was preparing to nap, but not long after that I was startled to feel my chair shaking violently. I looked around to see if other passengers were alarmed by the terrible turbulence, only to realize my seat mate had found a new use for his courtesy blanket and was at that moment relieving his fear of flying. Horrified, I curled up facing away from him and tried to get the song "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" out of my brain. His fears obviously surfaced every few hours and the poor (but versatile!) blanket only rested during meal time and when the man finally got a blister on his hand and decided to go to sleep. Oh and Airsick never was.
So, we are here in our new hometown of Hiroo, pronounced here-OH, with emphasis on the OH. I have miles to walk and much to learn, but have managed to get a little helpful knowledge in one busy week.
 |
| My neighborhood!! |
1) NO Tipping. Makes up a little for the higher prices, and how nice not to ever have to think about whether you tipped enough.
2) No car, so no schlepping kids, and no buying gas!!
3) Walking everywhere is awesome at the moment. I'll let you know how I feel in the August heat, or worse...winter.
4) The subway is amazing. Safe, clean, easy to figure out. The children are already able to use it alone. Freedom!!
5) Service with a smile is the standard here, and despite the complete language barrier, we are all getting better abs with the constant bowing.
Not cool....
1) As previously mentioned, prices. Everything is 3-4 times what we are used to paying.
Today was my first trip to the grocery store. Milk is roughly $8/gallon.
One apple is $5. A 45-minute cab ride from the airport was nearly $400.
Bread comes in 6-slice loaves that are $5 each, and it is nothing like the bread in the States. It is harder than we like, and not so great for sandwiches. I am taking up bread baking. Really.
2) Everything is labeled with the Kanji-symbols, so we can't even sound it out.
Almost got arrested trying to describe a corkscrew to a shopkeeper.
Like I said, lots to learn...my language tutor starts next coming to my house after next week. I will not be teacher's pet.
 |
| (with Coach Randy and Nichole) From my Atlanta Bon Voyage party, given by my wonderful tennis friends |
No comments:
Post a Comment