A dream. Or at least, that is what it felt like - packing late into the night, getting everything ready, sleeping for a few short hours, then driving to O'Hare airport. We all gathered outside of the airport, obviously nervous, yet excited. Full of anxious energy, and ready to go. After passing security and checking in, both of which took less than 10 minutes, we got to our gate and waited for two whole hours until we boarded. Some slept, a few others and myself had a meal. The flight to San Francisco was uneventful.
After arriving at San Francisco, we deplaned and waited for our connection at the same gate. After we reboarded, the air conditioner caught fire in the back of the airplane. We deplaned again and waited another hour until we boarded our second plane. As I write this, we're somewhere in the Pacific, out of sight of any kind of land. It's clean out here, trapped between 2 sleeping people on either side. Alex, Yu, Andrew, and Mark. I can just catch a glimpse of clear white and blue out of the windows. I feel like a burden of life is lifted in running away from it all. What will Japan hold for me? Mysterious as always - there are various expats on this plane, as well as tourists, Japanophiles and travellers. What draws these people, and why do they come back? What will I find in Japan and what will it mean in the end?
What time is it now? Where am I, caught between heaven and the waters below.
First glimpse of Japan through the tiny airplane windows, across an aisle. Beautiful mountains fading into the mist. And then, the clouds part - industry! Incredible industry strewn across multiple manmade islands, filling the port. The city stretches out and rings the mountains in the distance. Amazing structures, floating docks attached to no land, and huge smoke stacks rise into the sky. We land on an island, nearly clipping the bridge that connects it to the mainland. After a bit of fuss, we arrive on the Hakuda Limited Express train to the Shinkansen depot - flying through the city of Osaka on rails. A strange sight - tucked between the apartment buildings and glowing monuments to pachinko and other pleasures lie rice patties - small and well tended.
Then we're off through a massive crowd of people charging down the stairs as we struggle upwards - a crushing mass of humanity. We board the Nozomi, an old-style bullet train for Hiroshima. Nearly 5 times the length of our previous trip in the same amount of time. The lights and buildings fly past the windows, unidentifiable blurs, while the conductors and cartgirls stride the aisles, bowing and thanking the car as they exit and enter.
We arrive in Hiroshima an hour late, worried and exhausted. We were immediately greeted by a group of about 15 Japanese students from HIT and their teacher. Excited, their energy helped us get to where we needed to go (especially after they helped us with our bags). My first experience speaking Japanese to native speakers was exhilarating and more than a little bit challenging. However, my worry level grew less after I realized that they were trying to learn their English too and were just as worried about screwing up as I was. After a short bus ride, we arrived at our apartments at the HIT International Center. These are beautiful and spacious apartments with many furnished items. We went to a nearby conviencience store to purchase various food items (I also bought a telephone card).
Now, for me, Japan is crowded, beautiful, and full of a strange energy at all hours. There were people on the street late into the night, going about their business, buzzing by our small place on their little scooters and generally living life. The glow from the neon signs fills the city on our way in. It is stunning in its own way, yet troubling at the same time. There seems to be a fundemental disconnect from the Japan of before to the Japan of today. Or perhaps I am just blinded by the city lights, and fail to see what lies beneath.
After being awake for over 30 hours, we all collapse into our beds for much needed rest. Downstairs by 9:30 tomorrow so we can go to opening ceremonies.