  Aug 4, 2002 Just a few short hours ago, I arrived in Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan. My morning began with a short ride to Dulles International at 9:30. We left there at 12:50 and set out for Japan. The inflight attendants were wonderful they were so attentive and helpful. We ate 2 full meals and many snacks and drinks in between. The plan was huge, so big in fact that first class went from row 1-23!
Then my area started from 24-32 was a business class, and from 33-62 was the coach seating. We flew All Nippon Airlines, and I was very satisfied. There were five major inflight movies: Ice Age, Lord of the Rings, Monsters Inc., High Crimes and some movie with that guy from Home Improvement. On top of that, you could control which movie you wanted to watch because we all had tvs in the headrests in front of us. I slept a little and talked to some of the other JETs but basically just had a pleasant flight. Once we arrived we had to present our immigrant cards and have our passports stamped.
The line for foreigners was extremely long and it was a little frustrating, but I think what made me more frustrated than the line was the complaining. I told a few people that they really didn't have anywhere to go so I'm not sure why they were acting up and complaining. The way I look at is, cry over some milk you can either clean up or prevent from spilling. Once the shit has spilt or you dont have control over what happens, just chill and move on. Anyway, so then I went and got a push cart, got my bags and proceed to customs. Customs was actually quite simple to go through.
I thought they were going to go through all my bags or something but they didn't...so then I started in the JET processional. There were about 200 of us that arrived at Narita at the same time (on different flights but at the same time) and the CLAIRE folks were ready for us. They had people guiding us all the way. We got in lines to have the large bags shipped ahead and then rode a 2hr bus to the hotel where we are staying. I'm in the Hilton Tokyo with Monica and Sylvana. Yes there are three of us to a room.
Its cool though because we wont be here long and neither of them keep up a bunch of mess so far. I actually met both of them before today so that is good too. We had Kimono robes in here and slippers to wear as well. I went to dinner with another group of folks and then walked around Shinjuku, Tokyo a little. I went to the am/pm store, its a convience store and i LOVE these little Koala Bear snacks they have here so I bought some of those and some film. I got a calling card when I got back here so I could call Ryan and tell him I was here safe and to call my mom too!
I told ma that I called her and Ryan and she was like "oooooh you called HIM first huh? " She's so funny, she didn't mean it in a bad way because she knows what that guy means to me. Anyway, I told him to order a passport because I want to see him out here. From my bed, I can see out the window that it has been raining and its very humid outside. You can see other very tall buildings and city lights that remind you of Time Square in NY. I am also listening to Ashanti's "Foolish" on the radio station here.
Its too funny because this is probably the 3rd time I've heard it and I may have listened to about an hour of radio! I'm happy because I probably wont hear any of this in Kamiku so I better enjoy it while I can. Tomorrow I am going to be more sociable and talk with many more people than the folks I already know. I am going to branch out and make some new ALT/JET friends so I won't be quite so lonely when I finally do get where I'm going. I really wish to keep up with my journal because it is actually probably the only verbal outlet I'll have. Thanks for listening- Truly International-E 
