We have been preparing for this day for two years - reading travel books, selling possessions, resigning from Boy Scout commitments, watching our sons get married and generally letting go of our lives in Oregon. This is the much-anticipated first day of our 18-month journey around the world: our adventure.
We awake early with images of masses of people and endlessly long lines to wait through in the international airport at LAX. We expect customs hassles and baggage inspections. We plan in plenty of extra time. Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw as we arrived off the LAX shuttle bus at 7 am: emptiness, sheer emptiness. There was no one there to check us in. We sat and enjoyed a coffee. The lines eventually started forming, but we sailed through without having to open our overstuffed and all-too-heavy bags.
After a long flight with excellent service we arrive at Tokyo International Airport. We're finally in the country that Fran has dreamed of visiting since studying Japanese in college. We gather information at the tourist center and then board the first of many trains in Japan, heading for Ikebukuro station. At our destination we surface on a Tokyo street. Ah, the cars, the neon lights, the action, the people.... and the confused looks on our faces as we search for the direction to walk for our hotel. A young man approaches within a minute, motions to look at our map, scans it for a moment, and then motions for us to follow. We do, wondering if this is such a good idea on a dark and winding street in an unknown city. He leads us, though, all the many blocks to the door of our hotel! Then he disappears in the night. (We will find in the days to come that this friendliness and helpfulness will be repeated many times).
We are staying the next four nights in a ryokan, a Japanese style inn. We take our shoes off at the door; receive our room key, neatly stacked face towel, Yukata (cotton robe) & sash, then head for our room. The room is simple but practical with tatami (straw rug mats), futon and heavy quilts on the floor, a bench and closet. The communal sinks and showers are just outside the room. There is a Japanese soaking tub down the hall and Fran opts for a soak to wash off the travel weariness. Bliss!
