Day 1: The Firsts

The feeling of boarding an international flight for the first time was really exciting! As compared to domestic flights in Philippines, Japan Airlines (JAL) is much spacious and bigger. It has seven seats per row with add-on facilities like a built-in television. The travel from Philippines to Japan will take about 6 hours. I thought I was unfortunate for having been seated beside a stranger. He’s actually not a stranger at all. He’s also a student ambassador but from other group. At first, I was a bit uncomfortable but because my seatmate is really friendly, we got along. He even introduced me to his other groupmates. It’s such a shame because I forgot his name. I felt he has good appetite and so I shared my food with him. The lunch meal was colorful but not my type of food. During the 6-hour flight, I got busy exploring the features of the built-in TV. I had fun watching movies and listening to some Japanese songs. It’s weird but I can’t sleep. I would sometimes stroll around the plane by going to the comfort room as an excuse. I had this funny experience in the comfort room when I flushed the bowl and a loud noise came out. It was as if the bowl was trying to flush me as well. Heheh. It was indeed a memorable flight. When the plane finally landed at Narita Airport, all of us were excited to go out and make our first step to Japan. At the airport while walking, since I was carrying many baggage or maybe out my carelessness, I wasn’t able to notice that some of my travel documents fell. Good thing my friend and co-delegate, Ben, managed to pick those. I was embarrassed in front of the supervisors but I acted as if nothing odd happened. I was also disappointed when I exchanged my allotted pocket money (in Peso) to Yen. The exchange rate in the airport was too low as compared in Philippines. Nevertheless, I managed to contain myself and hoped that sooner or later things will turn out well. There in the airport, I met our Japanese supervisors, Nobuo Takibayashi who will be with us through out the 10-day trip.

“Finally! I’m here at the land of the rising sun.”, I whispered when we got out of the airport.

The weather was so cool. I felt refreshed as the cool breeze touched my face. It was spring season that time. Flowers are expected to fully bloom this season including cherry blossoms. We rode our respective buses and made our way to Tokyo. At the bus, we were asked to apply sanitizers which became a habit every time we rode the bus. While daddy Taki oriented us, I enjoyed watching the beautiful sceneries and cherry blossoms, exceptional infrastructures, and amazing lifestyle of the people of Tokyo. I could hardly see anyone not in their corporate or in their casual attire. The fashion sense of the people is remarkable. Everything is in place and is systematic.

Our first stop was to take our first dinner in Japan. Our bus stopped in front of Mc Donalds. Unlike in the Philippines, its structure is quite different. Anyway, we won’t be eating our dinner there. We will be eating in a shabu-shabu restaurant. The rest of the supervisors were waiting for us there. It was my first time using chopsticks and trying the infamous shabu-shabu. I was seated beside our Japanese supervisors and with a Muslim groupmate, Rash. We used to be tablemates every time we eat since we can’t just eat anything especially pork. I was really amused trying to cook the raw meat together with the vegetables at the boiling water in our table. Everything was new to me. It was a real-fun experience.

After the dinner, we proceeded to Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa, a luxury hotel in Tokyo, where we will be staying for two nights. The Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), partner of NYC, gave each one of us overcoat, t-shirt, and travel bag. The trip was really full of surprises. After an hour of rest, we had an urgent meeting. I knew we would discuss what happened at the hotel back in the Philippines. We discussed all the do’s and don’ts and were given warnings.

I had many firsts during my first day in Japan. Indeed, it was a long yet a very memorable day!

Rollercoaster Ride before Departure

Last year, I blogged about what happened to my supposed trip to Japan, the Japan East-Asia Network for Students and Youths (JENESYS). As promised, our trip was moved just this summer, April 11-22, 2010. This will be my first entry as I reminisce and share my stories and experiences about my first out-of-country trip.

It was April 11, Sunday, when I went to Manila for the Pre-Departure Orientation Programme. It was my first time boarding a plane alone regardless of the fact that my uncle gov (governor) incidentally took the same flight with mine. What I thought would be fun became my worst trip when I had to pay additional fee for my excess baggage and when my sinusitis lingered in the middle of the flight. It was an excruciating pain like I had taste of hell. Nevertheless, it was fulfilling to be travelling by myself. My uncle was in a hurry and so we had to separate ways at the NAIA arrival area. Good thing he gave me additional pocket money. I felt better. Heheh. I knew I had to go to the second floor so I can take a cab that’s way cheaper. It was pitiful of me and embarrassing to carry my heavy baggage while I take the stairs. It was around 2 AM when I arrived at the College of St.Benilde Hotel, the same hotel we stayed last year. Upon entering the hotel, my supervisors and some of my groupmates who were standing by the lobby welcomed me. I felt really excited seeing them again. I stayed at room 1611 and shared it with a schoolmate, Leo, an Engineering student. He’s also my roommate last year.

During the two-day orientation programme, we had series of activities like that of last year’s. We had our practice of our group presentations, we visited the Japanese Embassy, and we had some brief lectures and orientation. I wasn’t able to prepare all the things I had to bring during the trip and so I thought of going out of the hotel to buy some necessary stuff at the nearby mall. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed. At the back of my mind, I was wondering why I have not completed the things I have to bring when I already paid for excess baggage. During our medical check-up, I was asked to consult the resident doctor of the hotel when they found out that I’m having headache and runny nose during the past few days. I don’t want to take it seriously but I felt really anxious because I even have to present a certificate from the doctor that I’m in a good condition to travel. I knew one case of a delegate from the previous batch who was not able to join the trip and was forced to remain because he was ill. Good thing I didn’t have the same fate like him. The doctor just gave me a prescription of medicines to take. I kept from the doctor the possibility that it was maybe because of undiagnosed sinusitis.

We were set to travel for Japan on April 13, Tuesday. We should be ready by 5 in the morning so we could bring our baggage and room key to the breakfast venue. By 6 AM, we will be leaving the hotel. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to wake up on time. I was in a real rush. I was so embarrassed when I found out that the supervisors were already looking for me. Six of us in our group were late but I was the last person who arrived in the breakfast area to return the room key. I was so ashamed I didn’t take my breakfast there. Afterwards, the Japanese supervisors instructed us to ride our respective buses. They were really concerned of the time. Japanese people are really time-conscious that they are well-known for being punctual. I cursed myself for being a late comer and promised not to do it again. I was really uncomfortable during our way to the airport. I cannot contain myself for what happened and I knew our group supervisors would scold us. Upon arrival at the international airport, the ambiance changed when we took group pictures. I was feeling better then. I was so wary of my important belongings like camera, travel documents, cellphone and wallet that I managed to keep them in a small bag which was with me all the time. I was getting restless at the airport as we pass through the check-in, immigration and boarding areas. I have to be cautious of my travel documents- air ticket, passport, boarding pass, and embarkation card. At the boarding area, we were told to set our watches one hour forward (Japan time). We stayed there for about an hour waiting to board the flight JL746.

It was my first out-of-country trip. It was exciting at the same time nerve wrecking. At last, the long wait was over! I told myself, “JAPAN, HERE I COME!”

(and so the journey continued...)