Good morning, afternoon, and/or evening!
I include all options because, following a ~12-hour flight spent occasionally dozing off to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, my perception of time has been shaken. Good films, by the way; and I’m surprised to say that it was the first time I took the time to sit down and watch them. Anyway, my first few days in Japan required much fast adaptation on my part. Starting the second I stepped off the plane.
The airport felt like a parallel world; familiar enough for me to recognize where to go—especially thanks to some English signs written for the benefit of lost souls like me—but different enough for me to finally feel the brunt of the Oh My Gosh I Am Not Prepared for This feeling. What immediately struck me was how fast everyone seemed to move around me, especially considering the sheer number of them going here and there. It felt like I stuck out horribly among the people who surely had every idea of where they were going as I escaped Narita International Airport, boarded a bus from there to Chuo City, and stumbled my way to the hotel I would spend the next two nights in. From there, the rest of my day and the majority of my second day were spent trying to overcome any jetlag and making sure my phone, laptop, and luggage were all in order.
The third day is when I was supposed to meet with Komazawa University staff and move into the dormitory I would be spending the next year in. It was also the day of my first time experiencing the subway, so after a triple checking to make sure I did not leave something in the hotel room I descended into Suitengumae Station. After struggling my way into buying a ticket I figured out how fast the trains arrive and depart when I boarded just moments before the doors shut and I was on my way. However, the ride was smooth and quiet, surprisingly quiet, and I arrived at the arranged meeting place an entire hour early.
When the meeting time came and all of us abroad students were gathered, there wasn’t even time for introductions before University staff whisked us away. Arriving at the dormitory was the first time I felt like I could really let myself rest, at least before the orientation, campus tour, class registration, and entrance ceremony. Regardless of how short it was though, it felt good to relax in a place that was mine. Now, I am greatly looking forward to a year of learning how to better navigate this bustling new environment.
– Titus
