Going to School in Japan / Plane Flight part 1

Before going to Japan I had imagined my experience of studying abroad as being the exact opposite of how it actually turned out. I had come up with the idea that I would not relate to a single person in my program, nor would I have any desire to spend time with or make friends with anyone there. I was to be alone with nothing else to keep me company but my music and my books. Trips were supposed to be taken solely by myself so that I could take time to reflect and contemplate my life; the current situation I was in and what possible directions I would have to take after returning to my terrible life back in America. I loved being alone and lost within my own thoughts and I really never expected to meet someone I would be on the same wavelength with. I could not believe how wrong I would become.

The day before I left to Japan was a nightmare, and it eerily foreshadowed what would enfold during my time in Japan and when I would return. In short, my father cussed out my husband (now ex-husband) and they despised each other--immensely; my sister got into a huge fight with her roommates who were my close “friends” over the last couple of years; and on top of that, Mr. Head scene honcho, who vehemently hated me, had turned most of my “friends” against me and they all gave me the cold-shoulder the night before. I could not wait to get the heck out of that city to be away from it all in Yokohama where I would not have to worry about this ridiculous drama. 

Everything was falling apart.

I was in need of a break.

I desperately needed change in my life.

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Sitting alone in a chair in San Francisco International airport I thought about how the moment I had waited for nearly half my life was finally becoming a reality. I was going to Japan! I was about to embark on the biggest, most frightening adventure of my life and I was so ready for it. The only thing I knew I would miss wholeheartedly was my cat. She was my best friend and, I must add, the greatest cuddler of all time. The thought of not having her purring and drooling while nuzzled cozily beneath my arms devastated me more than the fact that I would no longer be with my supposed friends and family. In all actuality, I was more than happy to be getting away from my abusive husband and drama-filled hardcore/punk scene “friends.” I needed time to think. I used the excuse that Japan would help me with my future--and I have no doubt it will look fantastic on my resume--but I had always wanted to spend a portion of my life there since I was a little girl. Japan had always seemed like a magical place to me and I had wanted to go there more than I had wanted anything in my life.

While waiting for my flight I had spotted Brad who, along with one other boy from my college, would be going to Yamate-Hashi National University* through the DINO Program* as well. Brad was not my favorite person in the world, and to be honest, I had always thought of him to be an ass since the day I met him as he was really quite condescending. 

We both put on our fake smiles, and greeted each other.

“Are you ready to go to Japan?” He asked.

“Yes! I’m ready!” I beamed back.

Brad, being the little bitch that he was, replied, “Well then, you aren’t really ready because you don’t know what to expect," and then turned his back on me to sit down. 

I smirked, nodded and then exposed my shit-eating grin and agreed with the all-knowing self-titled ambassador of our city to Japan and president of my university's Japan Club that he was right! Of course, I had no right to say I was ready for Japan because, unlike him who had already studied there for a year at the prestigious Waseda University in Tokyo, I had NEVER been to Japan before and could not be ready for it.  The jack-ass.  However, he was right when he said I didn't know what to except about Japan, but he had no idea exactly how ready I was to get to Japan.

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The plane flight was perhaps the most irritating experience of my life. Not only was Mr. Obnoxious "ambassador" sitting close-by, but I would end up sitting in next to a psychotic man who was being followed by the FBI! What had happened could have easily been seen in a comedic sitcom or the complete opposite--a horror movie. 

I sat down in my aisle seat only to immediately having to stand back up for the man who would be sitting near the window. He introduced himself giving his full name, Phil Dylan, and then told me he was going to Thailand and promised not to bother me too much throughout the flight. I smiled but didn't say anything back. I was not keen on making friends with this seemingly lonely, needy middle-aged man whose only carrier-on luggage was an acoustic guitar he claimed to play classically; hence the reason he wore his fingernails long. He reminded me of my then father-in-law a lot. He talked too much, about himself of course, and would not shut up even though he knew he was grating on everyone's nerves. I decided it would be best to keep my headphones on throughout the entire flight and crossed my fingers hoping the battery would not die.

A nice-looking woman found her way to her seat situated in between us when the pilot of the plane walked down the aisle and stopped by our row. The pilot? I wonder what he could possibly want? Next thing you know, he's shaking hands with this weirdo Phil guy and then asked in a tone that a parent would give to their five-year old, "Phil, are you going to behave yourself on this flight? Or do we need someone to sit next to you?" 

I froze. What!? Who was this man, and why would he need to behave himself? Phil laughed and said he was nothing but a gentleman on plane flights and claimed he wouldn't pick up on any of the airline hostesses.

A few minutes after the pilot had left, security continued to walk down our aisle making it obvious that they were there to keep an eye on Phil. The lady between us must have been dying! Luckily for her, she was given a new seat in first class and a man was given her place. The man was of middle-eastern descent, quiet, middle-aged and dressed very properly. Phil immediately picked up conversation with him, telling him exactly what he had told me.

"I'm going to Thailand!" He laughed and then hesitated to say, "but..." he paused and smirked to himself, "you already knew that, didn't you, Mr. FBI Agent? And you," he quickly glanced at me, "Mr. FBI Agent's assistant."

-Ofilia

Flight to Japan pt. 2

The rest of the 12 hour flight was a nightmare. All I wanted to do was sleep while listening to Massive Attack or Godspeed You! Black Emperor, but Phil would not shut up. He told the man sitting in between us his entire life story and delved into how he had screwed up his life and was thrown into jail--twice. Once for drugs or something of the sort, I don't recall. The other time for stealing a Coach purse in San Francisco and then going up to cashier in Macy's and telling her that he had placed a bomb inside the purse. He never explained his purpose for doing so, but I could only imagine it was for getting money. Phil left me at unease throughout the entire flight. How could I possibly sleep with a lunatic sitting just a couple of feet away from me!?

Whenever a flight stewardess walked by he would tell her she was beautiful and then attempt to talk her ear off. He was so annoying that the woman who served the people on our side of the plane switched to the opposite side. He told us that he had fallen in love with that particular woman from the moment he saw her. I rolled my eyes.

Phil continued to spew out every single thought that popped into his mind for the rest of our flight while managing to "make friends" with nearly any person that listened. When it seemed as though we had finally lost him to someone else, he would rejoin us once again and proceed to blab on, and on, and on, and on, and on... until we finally started to land. Phil pushed up the blind, looked outside and gave a countdown until we touched ground. "Ten! Nine! Eight!..." a young Japanese girl turned around and glared at him, "Seven! Six! Five!" He paused and shouted out to all of the passengers, "Oh look, the trees are all covered with cherry blossoms! We're in Japan!" and then, "Three! Two! One!" 

Finally, it was just moments away until I would never have to hear another peep come out of this man's mouth. I put the books and Ipod that I was unsuccessfully able to use back into my purse and gathered all of my belongings and walked out of the plane. The man who sat in between me and my buddy Phil was waiting at the exit and stopped me and told me to walk with him for a moment.

"Phil was a handful, wasn't he?" he grumbled while grabbing for something in his back pocket. 
I nodded.
"Well, he was right about something. I am an F.B.I. agent and I am following him to Thailand."
I was seriously shocked! He was so coi and played it off so well!

He shook my hand and I wished me good luck, then I turned and walked off to the baggage claim where my journey in Japan would begin.

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I met up with Brad at the Baggage Claim where we loaded our belongings onto a cart and then after some slight confusion (aka, getting lost) made our way through customs. We went through the exit and entered into a sea of Japanese people who were holding up signs with names written on them. Brad and I found out way to a counter where we purchased two tickets from Narita International Airport to YCAT (Yokohama City Air Terminal) where we would meet up with our individual student counselor who were assigned to help us get accustomed in Japan.

I was too excited to sleep during the hour long bus ride to Yokohama from Chiba. Everything was so completely different and I wanted to take in as much as I could. The first thing I noticed about Japan, besides the fact that everyone was speaking a different language, was the humidity. My hair instantly went from straight to curly, and my face and body became moist and sticky. The roads were so much smaller than they were in America, and there were so many buildings! I tried reading as many signs as I could, but only knew about 300 Kanji at the time so gave up.  

Brad was his normal, stuck-up self while he talked about how he looked down upon those he go to study-abroad in Japan and party. He spent the entire ride complaining about how people shouldn't come to Japan and make friends, or go out every weekend; but instead should go there strictly for the education. He told me that while studying there a year prior he locked himself in his room and did nothing but study while everyone else went to social events, and, well, basically had fun.  

As an example of how out of control people are when they studied abroad in Japan, Brad told me an event that occurred. "One time," he began, "a girl got so drunk and knowing that I would be in my room, came to my door and tried to have sex with me."  

I bit my tongue to prevent myself from laughing because, well, I had a hard time believing anything about this story being close to true.  

"But," the better-than-thou, goody-two-shoes continued while giving the air of someone who was above such juvenile acts that had took place, "I'm not like that. She tried making more advances toward me..."  

Once again I bit my tongue.  

"...But I sat her down on my bed; called a taxi and gave her money so she could make it back home safely. People just lose all inhabitation while studying abroad, Ofilia. I certainly hope you and I will be good examples. We're representing America and our school, and our California State University school system which, you know, doesn't have a good reputation."  

"Mmmm hmmmm," was all I could muster up to say--and all that he would allow to say since he would cut me off before I could even state my opinion or say much of anything. For the rest of the trip I listened to him whining and moaning about the same topic. We finally made it to the YCAT around 5:15 PM where our counselors were waiting for us. Mine was there, but his was not. I was so exhausted but happy to finally be away from him and everyone.  

The entire journey to Japan was perhaps they most irritating time of my life. I hate it when people don't know how to shut-up when it's blatantly obvious that nobody wants to listen to their drivel. I couldn't wait until I made it to my room where I could finally be alone.

-Ofilia