平成1年7月31日 (月)

    Dateline: Monday July 31, 1989

    • We arrive in Japan.
      As the doors of the plane open, JQS takes my hand and says, “Well, there’s no turning back now.”
    • Bus from Narita to Tokyo.
      Luckily I have my receipt for JQS’s bus fare because they have no record that I paid it and almost don’t let us on the bus. I feel panicky. This is one of the last of the chartered buses and no one from JET comes to help me explain.
    • The bus ride in is my first glimpse of Japan. In the twilight, I watch people in the office towers built so close to the freeway it seems like we can almost touch them. JQS finally collapses in sleep.
    • Arrive at Keio Plaza Inter-Continental Hotel.
      JQS has no more energy left. I let him sleep on our suitcases while I’m trying to check in.
    • With hundreds of JET participants everywhere, the elevators are packed.
    • Room 1561.
      Our own room at last. I am glad at last that they wouldn’t let us share with another JET participant even though I was originally resentful that I had to pay extra for JQS.
    postcard
    Postcard Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku Tokyo

    Postmark: Tokyo

    Postcard to ERS: Monday July 31, 1989 midnight

    We arrived around 6PM. JQS had not slept on the plane, so he walked in and fell into bed. We haven’t left the hotel room yet, so I can’t tell you much abut Tokyo.

    The plane trip was fantastic. Business class on a 747 is great! JQS was only two rows behind me [in economy class] but he spent most of his time in our section of the plane, talking to the other JETs and playing cards with them.

    Most of Tokyo that we saw on the ride from the airport looks just like the Tokyo in Godzilla movies. It goes on forever–tall, thin seedy-looking buildings. Almost no greenery. The high-rise district we’re in [Shinjuku] looks sort of like Houston. Our hotel and our room are luxurious–clean, new, and tastefully decorated.