Travel and first impressions

My first flight from San Antonio to Houston was less than an hour and just as I was getting comfortable enough to sleep (as I hadn’t really slept the night before to be at the airport by 5:00am) we landed. This was the first flight where I did not have anything to drink, not even my usual ginger ale, cranberry juice or water (or beer/wine if it’s free…yes some non-American flights have free booze). No snacks either.

Next was my 14 hour flight from Bush Airport to Narita Airport. My seat was all the way to the back of the plane, all the way. I only ended up sleeping maybe for one hour and watching movies the other times. For lunch, they ran out of the beef meal so they gave me the cod, which I didn’t eat, so when snack time came and they gave us the chicken hot-pocket-esque thing and the ice cream, I doubled up on the hot pocket. The before-landing meal was an Asian styled omelet, not too shabby for airplane food. I think I watched maybe 5 movies instead of reading up on my Japanese books (oops…). I re-watched Taxi Driver and Motorcycle Diaries, two really really good movies if you haven’t seen them. I also watched Secuestro Express (movie set in Venezuela about a kidnapping), Rainman, and Stand By Me.

Once I got to Narita, I got my bags and went through passport control and customs very quickly. I waited for a man from my company to pick me up, and once he did we drove the 1.5 hrs to Tsukuba-shi in Ibaraki prefecture. The scenery on the road was that of traditional Japanese architecture amidst a sprinkling of rice fields. In a country where street names are a rarity we maneuvered our way on the left side of the road until reaching the Hitachi Chemicals dormitory.

At the dormitory the house manager was awaiting my arrival with my room key and my building access card. Before I could enter the building though, I was shown my shoe locker and was given my indoor sandals. Given that my shoe size is on the larger size even for American standards (size 12), imagine my feet in Japanese standards. My sandals are probably an American size 8 and my entire heel is exposed, but I don’t really mind. Next I was shown my Japanese style room, fully equipped with tatami flooring and a Japanese (original) style futon. The building tour followed. There is a toilet and washing machine (free to use) at the end of my hall (on the fourth floor). On the ground floor is the dining hall (where I will eat my complimentary breakfasts and dinners with my co-workers), a living/sitting room, and the bath room. The whole building shares the bath room and is technically co-ed I think, but I have a feeling that there are no women in the entire dorm. I have taken one bath so far and let me tell you it is an amazing experience. Sitting down with a stool and bucket as you shower and scrub followed by a pool of hot water to relax in…why doesn’t everybody do this?

Following the tour I was taken out to eat traditional Japanese food with some of my co-workers (and I noticed that they sat me the furthest away from the door, which I have experienced in China as a sign of hospitality). I am still not sure of everybody’s name. I have realized that I can remember names easier if I see them written down (in Roman letters, not kanji). Anyway, they ordered a feast for me: udon, sashimi, fried chicken, tempura, and a Japanese beer. Interesting note, the Japanese eat mayonnaise…on their salads…no thanks. We basically talked about America and traveling and they asked me many questions, etc. It was a good ice breaker gathering, but no talk of my internship yet, although I was told that I will be working with carbon…but that information is reserved for later. They also kept complimenting my Japanese…which is clearly them trying to be nice to the gaikokujin (foreigner), because my Japanese is truly pitiful. However, apparently they didn’t think I spoke any Japanese, so they were expecting an English-only person, which means that I don’t feel as bad for not knowing Japanese.

After dinner we returned to the dorm and I was introduced to more co-workers (again not catching everyone’s name) and we sat in the living room to get to know each other a bit. During dinner my supervisor told me that I should speak only English to these coworkers as a joke…so I obliged. They all asked the same basic questions: how old are you, do you like sports (namely baseball, tennis, or golf), how long was your flight, why did you choose Hitachi/Japan… All the people I met looked my age or younger, but surprisingly they were all in their late 20s, even some in their 30s, and they all told me that I looked a lot older than 22; if only my Japanese genes would kick in when it comes to aging.

After a good but long introductory conversation, I had to retire and I crashed in my comfy futon. I was exhausted, but it was worth it as I am now not jetlagged.

Zyaa mata…