Parting Thoughts

As most of you could probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Tokyo. It was one of those destinations I had wanted to go to for a while, but the actual trip itself was a spur of the moment decision owing to the fact that I did not want to spend a week of my vacation time off at home listening to the noisy neighbors upstairs (who are thankfully moving out at the beginning of April). So, I jumped at the trip. I'm glad I did.

As I didn't do any research into Tokyo prior to going. I just winged it when I got there and all went very well. I only learned a few simple words of Japanese a few nights prior to the plane departure and that seemed to be enough. I definitely did not know what to expect once I got there, but I am impressed. I would go back again and I still won't research it to death. Taking life as it happens is quite freeing actually. Keeping an open mind and doing what comes along. That attitude had worked out for me quite well on this trip. It was like that in Hong Kong, too.

Cheers for now.

Milestone of Independance

I know to most people, this may not be one of the most astonishing or impressive stories one have heard of before. But to me, I believe it is an accomplishment of independance. Yes, I've finally used the public bus for the first time in my life!

Before that, it never occured to me that I've done many things most kids my age don't do; I have snorkelled among sharks, became a scuba diver, traveled by airplane without an adult, gone rock climbing, been parasailing, became a young journalist, and many more! I've done so many things, yet, I can't take the public bus?

Recently, the fact that I have not been on a public bus bothered me for quite sometime as I'm turning 16 this friday and all this time, my parents were my only transport. Not anymore!

After I finished my extra classes, I headed straight for the bus stop in front of my school. As I waited for the bus to arrive, I began to have second thoughts; what if I don't make it? What if I went to the wrong place instead? What am I supposed to do anyway?

All these thoughts swirlled in my mind and I began to feel nervous. Its hard to do something you've never done before especially being all alone without anybody to guide you. 10 minutes later, a bus arrived and the rest of the students began to board the bus. There's no turning back now. Its now or never.

I was the last one to enter the bus. I learned that my trip only takes 50 cents which is cheap. Lucky for me, I met a friend who was taking the public bus too. As the bus began to move, I quickly learned what is there to know about the public bus. It never occured to me that you can stop the bus anytime by pushing the red button located at the rails.

The bus went past my house and straight for the next bus stop. When we've finally reached there, everybody went for the bus exchange while I walked the rest of the way back home. Thank goodness my house is less than a 5 minute walk!

Mom was surprised to see me back early and all alone. She didn't believe me when I first told her that I took the public bus in the beggining. But, she believed me in the end.

I'm so proud that I can do things on my own without guidance. This is another milestone towards my journey of independance :)

Narita International Airport

The miserable rain that had plagued my last few days in Toyko was also present this morning when I went to the airport. It was just a little heavier than the previous few days. I had awoken very early (5am), got out of bed normally (6am), and got myself together to check out without incident (7:15am). The subway ride to the express train terminal was also smooth and problem free. But, when I got to the ticket counter, all tickets were sold out for my train (8am). Standing room only for the hour trip to the airport was the only option available. Well, there was first class at almost twice the price. Forget that. The regular train was expensive enough. I didn't mind standing as the ride was very smooth. I didn't even have to hold on to anything, nor lean against a wall. I just leaned on my suitcase pull handle in a cool looking sorta way and looked out the window for the entire trip. LOL

Everything at the airport went smoothly, too. I even had a bit of time to grab a quick bite before boarding (10:55am). I just had to have some of those wonderful soba noodles just one more time. The place at the airport was not as good as the diner I had been eating at, but it was not bad either. I'm glad I did have the noodles as the lunch on the plane was not good at all; a dry sandwich thingy that was very strange and tasteless. Oh, well.

It seems airports these days look more like high end shopping malls than an airport. Just wandering around Narita was like being in a mall. I guess the epitome of this concept is Heathrow Airport. I've not seen anything yet that comes even close to that one for "mallness". Maybe one day.

Anyways, I'm home and am doing home type things to get ready for work on Tuesday. Luckily Monday is a holiday here. WooHoo!

Thanks for following my latest adventures with me. I'll have some closing thoughts maybe by tomorrow. Or, in a few days otherwise.