In this post: Helmut and I practice our flip-flop shuffle and arrive in Japan, where the ‘power-nap’ is the only way to survive a long train journey.
Dearest Hewdge Readers,
How Helmut and I have missed you! Here we are again with our travel log, but before I continue, let me just mention briefly, our wonderful hotel, Sunny Meadows, where the word ‘alcoholism’ only ever appears once in the brochure. A truly charming home from home, where the cold, winter nights simply fly by!
I am happy to report, dear readers, that as soon as we are allowed out (for good behaviour) from that safe, nurturing and AA approved environment, Helmut and I waste no time in re-stocking our freezer and booking our flight to Tokyo. We begin at once, practicing for our trip to Japan, by shuffling around the house the entire day, in thick, white socks and rubber flip-flops.
As it happens, we are accustomed to shuffling, but this time, we manage without the thorazine.
Dear readers, visiting the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ is so exciting, that Helmut and I don’t really know how to contain ourselves. Alas, these mishaps occur more frequently these days, and although there ARE special double-thick plastic-lined ‘containers’ for people our age, we prefer not to drink too much until after take-off.
As soon as we touch down, we are impressed with the level of politeness, efficiency, and white-glove wearing, all of which are common features of this fascinating country.
Our first journey from Narita International Airport, to the heart of Tokyo, is a two-hour train-ride. On both the train and the subway, exhausted Japanese commuters are fond of falling into a sleepy stupor, or power-nap as they prefer to call it, but seem to have an UNCANNY ability to wake up at their precise destination. Dear readers, how do they do this without a gentle wake-up call and a nice, hot cup of tea?
On the long journey to Tokyo, Helmut and I reach for our duty-free, and end up falling into another kind of commuter stupor..Yes, Helmut and I are in love with Japan already!
Next Time: Japanese Customs and Food