6/24 I wish I were Japanese

Hi from Tokyo!

I have always wanted to visit Japan and it is absolutely at the top of the list of places to visit next, but for now, 6 glorious hours in the Tokyo airport will have to suffice. Immediately once de-planing, I'm loving the extreme cleanliness of the airport, the easy to read signs, all of the terminal maps (color-coded, spaced at least every 20 feet), the efficiency of the workers and how friendly everyone is. To top it all off-SUSHI. I am officially in love and cannot wait to come and spend time here. Clean, organized, efficient-I must've been Japanese in another life. I hope I was super tiny and stylish.

My 14 hour flight was long, but ok. I watched 6 movies, including Marley & Me which I loudly sobbed to the entire time. It's a good thing I have no filter or shame in public. The worst part of the flight was the small child in the row in front of me who projectile vomitted during most of the flight. Smelled great. I just felt awful for the sweet flight attendent who ran to help and got sprayed from head to toe. Ik. Reminds me of food poisoning in the St. Louis airport (thanks Mom). I've said it once, I'll say it again. Parents take note! On long flights-please drug your children. You will be happier, they will be happier, and everyone around you will thank you. Just do it. I recommend codeine if possible.

After getting some exercise (kind of- question mark?) by walking up and down the entire terminal, I decided to brave the food court. I really wanted to get a bento box (I've only heard amazing things) or sushi, but I got into the food court and everything was in Japanese and I got super stressed out and felt a lot of pressure (all imaginary and self-imposed of course) so I quickly decided on some Chinese noodle soup by awkwardly pointing to a picture and communicating via smiles and head nods. Yummy, familiar, comfort food. I'll try to be much more authentic on my way back to the states.

I have also been in all of the little stores. There is a plethora of dried....stuff. Dried fruit, dried vegetables, dried fish...dried unidentifiable objects. Interesting. I need to put on my eating boots and get ready to try whatever comes my way. As long as my Thai host family actually feeds me, they'll have a step up on the Frogs (as my father would call them), so I'm not too worried.

All for now, I'm going to try to get a little bit of sleep so I'm not a complete zombie when I arrive. Hopefully I will be able to exchange money quickly and buy a sim card so I can be reachable :)

Lots of love,

Stace