Thursday, May 25, 2006
The Traveler Has Come!
I fucking hate airports.
Sorry, I had to get that out of the way! Yes, I am back in New York after a long day of travel. After a rushed morning of packing and cleaning, I burst out of my dormitory and met Mako in Hirakata. That's right, she came all the way out there just to help me manage my bags on the train. We took the necessary trains to get to KIX where I was able to check in early enough to secure a very nice seat - right on the aisle with no one sitting next to me! Mako and I spent the rest of the day in the hotel next to the airport, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear anything about all that.
When it came time to board, Mako and I were forced to part before I could enter the "secure area." I remember people used to be able to go all the way to the gate but for some reason they don't let you do that anymore. I guess all those tearful goodbyes presented some kind of threat? Sorry, I digress...I was talking about Mako and our saying goodbye. My words were strained because I didn't want to cry, although I could feel the urge to do so building inside me with each word I said to her. Mako remained incredibly cheerful and seemingly unaffected by the magnitude of my departure, a testament to how strong she is. Later, she told me via email: "I wanted to cry at airport very much. But I dicided [sic] don't cry front of you." I wish I had the power to make those kinds of decisions so easily.
My flight to Chicago went smoothly although it didn't take long for the jarring coarseness of American "service" to shock me. On the plane the staff were quite curt in their duties, with barely a smile or a even a full sentence when it came to addressing me and my needs. Sure, they served me food and drinks, but where were the humble invitations for me to enjoy those items? How can I feel like an honored customer without being addressed as such? Clearly I will need a lot of time to readjust in this department.
Chicago to New York, on the other hand, was a nasty experience. First I had to go through all the customs/immigration stuff before I could get to the connecting terminal. Once there, I had to re-enter security, but now it was American-style. That meant outrageously rude personnel shouting instructions at me, absurdly long lines that twisted around and around, and the always pointless insistence that my coat and shoes be X-rayed. Once inside, the flight was already delayed by half an hour but then we spent an additional two hours sitting on the runway. That means I spent more time on the ground than in the sky. UGH.
However, these are trivial matters. I have returned to the city of my birth after a nine-month experience on what feels like another planet altogether. Although I am still eager to return to that planet next year, right now I am here and ready to remind myself why I LOVE NEW YORK. I hope to get my mobile phone re-activated today as I'm eager to talk and see all of my friends as soon as possible.
Once more, FEIT...IN!! I need lots of hugs (and a burrito)!
Sorry, I had to get that out of the way! Yes, I am back in New York after a long day of travel. After a rushed morning of packing and cleaning, I burst out of my dormitory and met Mako in Hirakata. That's right, she came all the way out there just to help me manage my bags on the train. We took the necessary trains to get to KIX where I was able to check in early enough to secure a very nice seat - right on the aisle with no one sitting next to me! Mako and I spent the rest of the day in the hotel next to the airport, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear anything about all that.
When it came time to board, Mako and I were forced to part before I could enter the "secure area." I remember people used to be able to go all the way to the gate but for some reason they don't let you do that anymore. I guess all those tearful goodbyes presented some kind of threat? Sorry, I digress...I was talking about Mako and our saying goodbye. My words were strained because I didn't want to cry, although I could feel the urge to do so building inside me with each word I said to her. Mako remained incredibly cheerful and seemingly unaffected by the magnitude of my departure, a testament to how strong she is. Later, she told me via email: "I wanted to cry at airport very much. But I dicided [sic] don't cry front of you." I wish I had the power to make those kinds of decisions so easily.
My flight to Chicago went smoothly although it didn't take long for the jarring coarseness of American "service" to shock me. On the plane the staff were quite curt in their duties, with barely a smile or a even a full sentence when it came to addressing me and my needs. Sure, they served me food and drinks, but where were the humble invitations for me to enjoy those items? How can I feel like an honored customer without being addressed as such? Clearly I will need a lot of time to readjust in this department.
Chicago to New York, on the other hand, was a nasty experience. First I had to go through all the customs/immigration stuff before I could get to the connecting terminal. Once there, I had to re-enter security, but now it was American-style. That meant outrageously rude personnel shouting instructions at me, absurdly long lines that twisted around and around, and the always pointless insistence that my coat and shoes be X-rayed. Once inside, the flight was already delayed by half an hour but then we spent an additional two hours sitting on the runway. That means I spent more time on the ground than in the sky. UGH.
However, these are trivial matters. I have returned to the city of my birth after a nine-month experience on what feels like another planet altogether. Although I am still eager to return to that planet next year, right now I am here and ready to remind myself why I LOVE NEW YORK. I hope to get my mobile phone re-activated today as I'm eager to talk and see all of my friends as soon as possible.
Once more, FEIT...IN!! I need lots of hugs (and a burrito)!
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Dan! its kazu. seems like u went home safely. even though we couldnt hang out as much as we wanted to, i really appreciate that u came to osaka. i am really glad u enjoied time in japan. this is not the end. u can come back anytime cause japan and i always welcome u...
i miss u and NYC.....
i miss u and NYC.....
# posted by 
: 25 May, 2006 23:43
: 25 May, 2006 23:43
another thing you should keep in mind as you go through your reverse culture shock, is that you enjoyed japan a lot more because you came as a student.
things are very different when you come here to work. have you have read about "debito arudou"?
things are very different when you come here to work. have you have read about "debito arudou"?
# posted by : 26 May, 2006 00:05
: 26 May, 2006 00:05
You are going to have major culture shock for a while. Trust me. But for just as much bad culture shock there will be good changes too.
コメントがあります？ Type something, please. It's less work for me.# posted by : 26 May, 2006 09:49
: 26 May, 2006 09:49When leaving comments, please don't remain Anonymous. Click on "Other" and pick a name!
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