Aug 24, 2008
11:30am - After more than seven months of anticipation and stress, my Junior Term Abroad (JTA) finally began! My ever supportive father dropped me off the airport. I had with me a 40-kg large luggage, a 10-kg smaller luggage, an ultra heavy backpack and an equally heavy body bag.
12:00pm - I met my fellow Atenean, Jamila, in the airport. We'll be going to the same university in Japan. During check-in, the airline staff told me that I exceeded my luggage limit. Grrrr! So I took out some of my clothes and toiletries. Good thing Jam's mother offered to keep my things until I get back.
1:00pm - We went inside the pre-departure area. While waiting for our flight, I went inside the Mabuhay Lounge thanks to I-po's mileage points. I got some peanuts for Jam and me.
2:30pm - Our plane to Tokyo, Japan took off. I was giddy with excitement since it was my first time to be seated in Mabuhay Class.
11:30am - After more than seven months of anticipation and stress, my Junior Term Abroad (JTA) finally began! My ever supportive father dropped me off the airport. I had with me a 40-kg large luggage, a 10-kg smaller luggage, an ultra heavy backpack and an equally heavy body bag.
12:00pm - I met my fellow Atenean, Jamila, in the airport. We'll be going to the same university in Japan. During check-in, the airline staff told me that I exceeded my luggage limit. Grrrr! So I took out some of my clothes and toiletries. Good thing Jam's mother offered to keep my things until I get back.
1:00pm - We went inside the pre-departure area. While waiting for our flight, I went inside the Mabuhay Lounge thanks to I-po's mileage points. I got some peanuts for Jam and me.
2:30pm - Our plane to Tokyo, Japan took off. I was giddy with excitement since it was my first time to be seated in Mabuhay Class.
8:00pm - After a hefty meal on air and a superb experience in Mabuhay Class, we finally landed at Narita International Airport. Jam and I went to the information counter and asked for directions on how to go to the city.
9:30pm - We took the Narita Express Train to JR Tokyo Station.
10:30pm - We arrived at JR Tokyo Station. When we stepped out of the train, all I could say was "OMG!" JR Tokyo Station is a big maze! I swear I have never seen a train station so huge and so packed. Our next challenge was to find our way to the Maronouchi Exit that would lead us to the bus station. When we found the bus to Akita, we were told that it was already full and that they don't sell tickets on the bus. We have read about these buses online but we didn't research about buying tickets ahead of time. So stupid of us!
9:30pm - We took the Narita Express Train to JR Tokyo Station.
10:30pm - We arrived at JR Tokyo Station. When we stepped out of the train, all I could say was "OMG!" JR Tokyo Station is a big maze! I swear I have never seen a train station so huge and so packed. Our next challenge was to find our way to the Maronouchi Exit that would lead us to the bus station. When we found the bus to Akita, we were told that it was already full and that they don't sell tickets on the bus. We have read about these buses online but we didn't research about buying tickets ahead of time. So stupid of us!
11:30pm - When the bus left without us, we asked for help from some locals as to where to stay for the night. Somebody suggested that we go to Shinjuku and sleep inside a place called Manboo.
Aug 25, 2008
12:00am - Our next challenge was to find out where the hell is Shinjuku. Since we no longer wanted to walk, we opted to take the taxi. We were surprised that their taxis are very modern! The doors automatically open and the drivers have GPS. But we almost passed out when we found out that their flat rate was ¥ 790 or Php 400. Whoa!!! And ¥ 90 or Php 45 for every succeeding change in the rate. When we got to Shinjuku, our meter amounted to ¥ 3050 or Php 1500. Shet ang mahal!
Aug 25, 2008
12:00am - Our next challenge was to find out where the hell is Shinjuku. Since we no longer wanted to walk, we opted to take the taxi. We were surprised that their taxis are very modern! The doors automatically open and the drivers have GPS. But we almost passed out when we found out that their flat rate was ¥ 790 or Php 400. Whoa!!! And ¥ 90 or Php 45 for every succeeding change in the rate. When we got to Shinjuku, our meter amounted to ¥ 3050 or Php 1500. Shet ang mahal!
1:00am - We inquired about the rates at Manboo Internet Cafe (¥ 980 for 8 hours). Unfortunately, we were not allowed inside due to our oversized luggage. Shet! I felt like the whole world was crumbling! We sat outside the internet cafe and pondered on what to do next. We were tired, sweaty and so ready to give up.
1:30am - Some of the staff at the internet cafe shooed us away because we were blocking the entrance. Hence, we found ourselves on the street once again! I checked out the nearby establishments and found the 24-hour eatery, Sukiya! Ahhhhhhh, life-saver! We ordered a curry meal just so the waiter won't shoo us away. I promised not to sleep but I couldn't help it. Jam, on the other hand, didn't sleep at all.
5:00am - We were already wide awake. We walked several blocks to Shinjuku Station. Screw the slower bus, we'll take the faster train! The ticket counters were still closed.
5:30am - Gosh, the price of the train ticket from Tokyo to Akita was mind-blowing! It was almost ¥ 25,000 or like Php 12,500. Japan is crazy expensive! But with messy hairs and haggard faces like ours, we no longer cared.
7:36am - We took the Komachi Shinkansen or Bullet Train at Shinjuku Station. We snoozed immediately.
11:32am - We finally arrived at Akita Station. Our final challenge was to contact our university for the free pick-up service. Good thing Jam copied all the necessary contact numbers! We were given instructions by a personnel of the university to go to the West Exit near the Lottery. It took us some time to find our way out because all the signs in the station are in Japanese characters. Thank goodness we met an American student named James, who is also waiting for the pick-up service from the university.
Finally, for the first time since we arrived in Japan 15 hours ago, Jam and I were sure that we were not on our own.
1:30am - Some of the staff at the internet cafe shooed us away because we were blocking the entrance. Hence, we found ourselves on the street once again! I checked out the nearby establishments and found the 24-hour eatery, Sukiya! Ahhhhhhh, life-saver! We ordered a curry meal just so the waiter won't shoo us away. I promised not to sleep but I couldn't help it. Jam, on the other hand, didn't sleep at all.
5:00am - We were already wide awake. We walked several blocks to Shinjuku Station. Screw the slower bus, we'll take the faster train! The ticket counters were still closed.
5:30am - Gosh, the price of the train ticket from Tokyo to Akita was mind-blowing! It was almost ¥ 25,000 or like Php 12,500. Japan is crazy expensive! But with messy hairs and haggard faces like ours, we no longer cared.
7:36am - We took the Komachi Shinkansen or Bullet Train at Shinjuku Station. We snoozed immediately.
11:32am - We finally arrived at Akita Station. Our final challenge was to contact our university for the free pick-up service. Good thing Jam copied all the necessary contact numbers! We were given instructions by a personnel of the university to go to the West Exit near the Lottery. It took us some time to find our way out because all the signs in the station are in Japanese characters. Thank goodness we met an American student named James, who is also waiting for the pick-up service from the university.
Finally, for the first time since we arrived in Japan 15 hours ago, Jam and I were sure that we were not on our own.
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