Drifting through Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

 

Sometimes scenes from certain movies just stick with you and when you are finally there where it took place it doesn’t even feel real.  It’s almost as if you are dreaming and you’re going to open your eyes any minute and wake up in your own bed in your own home and start your day.  However, this was not the case; I was standing in the middle of the Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world and the very place that one of the Fast and Furious movies, Tokyo Drift was filmed!  It finally hit that I was here, like literally here.  

 

I would have never imagined ever, that I would be in Japan, let alone its capital of Tokyo where one of my favorite movies was filmed!  I guess it just goes to show, that you can’t plan everything.  There are moments that come up that are unexpected that you have to take and if you don’t, you’ll never know what you could have had and what you could have seen.  Life is a journey and we are just along for the ride.  There is a plan out there for each of us, but for now we just have to see where it takes us.  

And as for the week, we were in for some well-known sightseeing that is if the weather cooperates.  I never imagined Japan to be as humid as it is here, let alone all this rain.  Luckily, we crossed our fingers and had a few hours every now and then where we could make it out and stay dry.  

 

Since we already drifted through the Shibuya Crossing; more like walked through or were pushed through the crossing, it was fitting just make our way to Harajuku street which was famous for all the Japanese-style shops and Roppongi Hills as well, which is considered the Beverly Hills of Tokyo.  

On the calmer side of things, we were also around just in time for the lantern lighting that took place in Odaiba at the beach.  Small candles were placed into different colored paper bags that were arranged in all different patterns along the water in the sand as the famous Rainbow Bridge landscaped the background.  And just around the corner were the Ferris Wheel followed by the Giant Robot (Gandamu).  It was as if there was something to see at every corner you turned.  However, one must be aware at all times because you never know when an earthquake may strike.    

 

There were three earthquakes alone this week, some stronger than others, but all while we were at the arena.  I thought that I would probably experience one while was here, but not four or five already and it hasn’t even been a month yet.  Things just keep getting more and more interesting.  

 

Keeping us on our toes, we were off to Nagoya and 29 shows in 11 days; bring on the craziness.  

Premier of the World Tour

Sendai, Japan

I literally cannot believe I made it.  I can’t believe I got on that plane and came all the way here.  It was definitely off to a rocky start though all the way from the beginning.  At first, I was even going to be allowed to get on the plane because the lady at the flight counter didn’t find my work visa, but instead only the Certificate of Eligibility.  Then, the conveyer belt for baggage stopped so my bags couldn’t be loaded on so I thought by the time I would get there I wouldn’t have any luggage.  And just when things couldn’t get any worse and if goodbyes couldn’t get any harder, they did.  My dad is normally able to take me through security and sit with me at the gate until it is time for me to take off, unfortunately this time, was different.  Due to new regulations he wasn’t able to come through with me unless he had a special pass so he left to hurry off for that leaving the last goodbye to be quick and rushed.  Hoping to see him come around the corner at the gate, I opened my phone to see that he was not going to make it.  Of course at that point, the tears just kept coming at a steady flow, but it was time to board and as usual the tears kept coming.  One thing is for sure; I am not good with goodbyes no matter how many times I have left home. 

                             

But, just like that, flight one was done and I was reunited with a few familiar faces for this long 13-hour plane ride that was yet to come.  I dried my eyes and we were off, but as the windows tinted and it was time for bed they grew heavy again knowing that I was getting further and further away from home.  With sleep setting in, my tears subsided and before I knew it we were flying over Alaska and the beautiful ice-covered sea before making it all the way over to Japan. 

        

And just when I thought I was in the clear, I had made it all the way there with my ice-skates in the my carry-on and now I was forced to pay a fee and check them, even though four other skaters made it through with their skates.  Sometimes, I just don’t understand.  Oh well.

                                      

     

Finally, after all that we touched down and all my luggage made it including my late checked bag as well.  We were reunited with more familiar faces and once we arrived and settled in at the hotel I was able to Facetime home and see everyone again. 

         

Here goes nothing…I was in it for the long haul and never once did I ever think I would be here right now, but I am and its time to make the most of it and show myself that I can do this.  It was going to be a challenge, but it was time to explore new opportunities and see the world.

                            

           

And we started out with a bang.  We didn’t even make it to rehearsals yet and there was an earthquake.  Yes, you heard right, an earthquake.  I was sitting on my bed when it happened and it was the weirdest feeling.  All of a sudden things started moving and shaking and swaying back and forth and after a short time it was all over.  I felt sick to my stomach after and didn’t know if it was me or if everyone else felt it too.  Later, it was confirmed that it was an earthquake. 

         

   

I guess it was Japan’s way of welcoming us to the country and boy we were in for some changes.  For one, driving on the other side of the road was really messing with my head and some of these roads are two lanes and well, its amazing just one car fit down them let alone two!  I now have a new respect for compact cars because nothing else would fit over here.  There was not a single pickup truck; Dodge-made or Ford-made vehicle to be seen and only about four Jeeps were spotted in the two weeks we were here.  As for parking, well everyone backed into parking spots; no one pulled in, maybe I should take some lessons…haha.  And even though it’s so crazy, busy over here there was only one time that I heard a single horn blow.  In cities in the states and even Pittsburgh to be exact, its almost as if a horn is blowing every five minutes. 

                                  

Sometimes if one culture experienced another more often, maybe we could all learn from it.  Just take communication for example, in Sendai there was little to no English spoken, but that didn’t mean that it was for lack of trying.  Natives would go out of their way to try to help and figure out what you needed and what you were looking for.  You can’t find that in the states.  Thank goodness for Google Translate and pictures especially because the sentence structure is completely reversed from English.  Some phrases are read backwards to us in English where some phrases are just completely omitted.  It definitely makes for a challenge, but its always rewarding when you are making progress and are able to figure everything out and find what you needed and the natives are as kind and caring as they are. 

          

         

I mean, they even help you count your money that is owed if it looks like you are struggling.  They don’t have many bills here in their currency, so its best if you invest in a change purse or even a little Ziploc bag. 

       

They will also go as far as leaving work just to show you where you need to go if they can’t explain it via words.  They really are kind people. 

                                    

                                    

And you can completely forget about the sketchiness and grime that normally comes with any other city.  Everything is so clean and even 7/11 is a typical spot to find dinner.  There are even vending machines that sell coffee and Romen!

       

        

However, with all this aside, the weather is a little less desirable.  If the humidity level isn’t sky high then it’s raining and if its not raining now, it will be in 10 minutes from now.  Air conditioning really isn’t a thing here either, so the buses and trains are normally pretty uncomfortable, even the arenas are pretty toasty.

       

    

That wasn’t going to stop us from sightseeing though.  We finished and survived not only Week #1 of rehearsals, but also Week #1 of shows too!  It was time for a little reward.  We were off to Karaoke, Darts, Korean BBQ, Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle), Aobayama Park, Company BBQ, Akui Falls (waterfall), and Matsushima (islands).  We were living the life with so many days off.  I think probably more than what we saw in five weeks in the states, but that was all about to change and change quite quickly.  Things may have started off a little slow, but it was about to get very busy and what better place to start picking up the pace than, the capital of Japan itself, Tokyo!