Now then, let's get into the meat of the trip. After spending some needed time at home to recuperate from all of the flying between Israel, New York, and Chicago, I took off for Tokyo via Boston, in order to fly Japan Airlines' new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. While it did not seem like much at first, it really was a much more comfortable ride than the average airplane. Moreover, I sat next to a Japanese woman who is a certified doctor in Japan and is taking the USMLEs (and learning all of the foreign terminology) in order to be able to practice in the United States. What a challenge! But I at least could somewhat relate, even though I am learning the diseases in Engbrew and they are not as far off from the original. We wished each other luck as we left the plane and I stumbled along with all of my bags (in total, two overweight checked bags, a backpack, a guitar, and another carried bag). I took the two hour kaisoku train to my host family and made it to their house in time to light candles for the fourth night of Chanukkah (I flew over the third) and eat a fried everything dinner. I traveled around their town, to Hakone to see Fujisan, and to the Tokyo Tower before spending Shabbat with them at yet a second host family in Tokyo. It was an amazing first week!
I then hopped on an AirAsia flight (my first of two big mistakes on the trip--I should've used points and flown ANA) to Okinawa, arriving an hour late at a makeshift bus-transported terminal (not that it was totally terrible; I mean, I am alive writing this, but it would've been nice if they had provided some water at least aboard). My good friend from home was waiting for me, an Air Force E3, and it had been too long since I saw him last. It was like a mini-America on a Japanese island--even the Japanese people there were much more pushy. But the fish was still fresh, the accommodations were nice, and I got to see some cool military functions aside from walking around Naha, seeing the American Village, and zip-lining. It really is a beautiful island with a culture all its own.
On Friday, I hopped on a ANA flight from Okinawa to Kobe (what a random route) to make it in time for a Shabbat down memory lane. It was super enjoyable and great to see all of my Israeli friends there. I then took a flight back to Tokyo on Saturday night, with the goal of playing pachinko with the hosts. While all of the pachinko places were closed, I did pass by a woman, noted her, then looked forward (while I was waiting for the light to change), which prompted her to ask, "sekusu?" While I decided not to take her up on that, it was a fantastically hilarious way to end my trip in Japan.
The next morning, I flew (in business class, waddup!?) to China on JAL, with a 9.5 hour connection in Beijing en route to Tel Aviv. Since it was a Jewish fast day, I took my kosher box lunch (a product of Antwerp--go figure!) with me, much to the flight attendants' confusion. I first went to the airport lounge in Beijing to drop my things off once I had arrived, then decided to leave the airport (having already checked in, passed through security and customs, and without a Chinese visa), working my incredible charm in order to do so. My father warned me it would be cold (it was, after all, in the 40's and 50's in Japan), so I took a light jacket, a hat, and gloves with me, having overdressed in Japan. A gust of cold air greeted me upon my exit--little did I know it was -15C that day in Beijing. Still, I trotted on, seeing the forbidden palace, museums, and sculptures from the outside, and going into the garden beside the Forbidden Palace. Beijing was a place of raw power, with soldiers in formation marching to and fro and cameras in every nook and cranny (not to mention the president's portrait overseeing it all from the gate of the Palace). Still, the architecture was pristine and beautiful. Upon finding out that the museums were closed for the day, two friends from school in the south approached me, wishing to practice their English. They were friendly and kind and showed me around a bit, and then we walked into a tea house with a private room. I was served delicious tea, beer, and fruits, all for the low cost of about 630 Yuan (to clarify, that was a bit above $100). I was sincerely shanghaied in Beijing. But it was still a grand time, and if my credit card cooperates (which seems to be the case so far), the day will have actually been quite cheap. They suggested that I go see the Temple of Heaven, but by the time I got there, it was too dark to see anything. Cold and hungry, I boarded the train back to the airport, and ate my quite delicious fish, potato salad, pudding, and snacks from the plane. I returned to check in, was questioned by a total of three El Al agents for the "suspicious goods" in my checked baggage (and received compliments for my Hebrew), stopped into the lounge to grab my things, was questioned again for the lack of security tags on those, and then boarded the plane for my super-relaxing 12 hour journey back to Israel in El Al business class, which was an amazing (and quite delectable) flight. I arrived home at around 6:30 this morning to a lovely presentation of balloons and posters by a great friend, which made me feel just that much more happy to return. And here I am, uncertain if I'm well-rested, taking care of things that need taking care of (such as replenishing my food and cage supplies for my bunnies), and attempting to study for exams that are looming just ahead, like Shelob and Mount Doom waiting for their poor, unfortunate souls to come wandering in. Wish me luck!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment