June 14, 2015 was a memorable day for me. I was scheduled to travel to Japan for 6 weeks. This trip gave me some kinds of "first", My first time to apply for a passport and a visa. My first to go to airport. My first to ride on a plane, and my first trip out of the country. While me and my family were very excited for me, my team leader and manager were worried about me. I lost my claim stub for visa. That's why they thought that I can get lost because its my first time to go out of the country. They were worried but I was never afraid to go out of the country on my own. These first times and all new kinds of experiences always give me a happy feeling every time I remember them.
While I was on board the plane, I tasted one of the good foods served by the Philippine Airlines. I even had a chat with my seatmates that came from United States. I am excited but I fell asleep.
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| Lunch served at PAL |
One of my funny experiences in Japan, was when I almost left for a bus trip. I was scheduled to arrive at the Haneda (Tokyo) Airport by 2pm. When I bought a ticket for a Shin-Yokohama trip, it was scheduled by 2:40 pm. I looked at my watch, it is 1pm . I took the luxury to look around at the airport since it is still early. While resting at their comfortable seats, something strucked me. Japan is early by 1 hour. I forgot to adjust the time of my watch. I did not hear any reminder from the flight attendant because I was asleep during the 4-hour trip. I only have 15 minutes left when I started running and asked for the directions on how to go to limousine bus station. I remembered the HR that I should be on this trip because the next scheduled trip will be too late in the afternoon. I ran as fast as I can with my very big luggage, a bag, and a 2-inch heel shoes. Gladly, I still have 2 minutes left when I set my foot on the bus. The bus assistant greeted me politely and helped me with my luggage. The driver is also polite with every passengers. They wear a very presentable uniform. They look like a pilot to me.
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| Haneda Airport |
After 40 minutes of travel, I stopped in front of Shin-Yokohama station. I saw the office in front of the station, and beside the hotel. I tempted to go directly to the hotel since it is just a few walks away. But I chose to wait for my Japanese co-workers. While trying to find the best spot for them to easily find me, I stumbled and fell with my luggage because it was very heavy. Its embarrassing at that moment but at the same time I was laughing at myself.
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| ROHM and LAPIS semiconductor |
It was very cold and breezy afternoon. I'm glad that I put my blazer not on my luggage but on my bag. My Japanese co-workers were waiting for me on one side while me, on the other side. It took them a while before they realized that I could be on the other side. They accompanied me on my hotel, the Fuji-View Hotel, where I can view the Mount Fuji on clear skies. After I changed clothes, we went for a dinner, These two beautiful ladies are very nice and accommodating. They even made a welcome banner for me.
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| Fuji View Hotel |
They toured me on the nearest shopping station, the Shin-Yokohama station. It is a rail transport station that has shopping malls and hotel. They briefed me where I can buy a not-so-expensive items that I might need or want to buy.
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| Shin-Yokohama Station |
After that, we ended our night for dinner. We went to Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) restaurant, inside the station, This food is pretty good. This became my first favorite Japanese food.
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| Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) |
To end my night, I thought of two things that gave a remarkable impression to me. The very polite and the well-dressed bus drivers and assistants, and the no-pollution vehicles.
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