Japan
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
20 Jan
Finally, my business trip in Japan is over. Oh I mean I will start my vacation after 3 days attending Exhibition and visiting customer. Meeting today ended early because it’s Winter in Japan and they work until 4:30 pm only. Took a cab back to hotel and then we move on to the train station to hunt for food. My bosses bought some Japanese food & biscuit because they are flying back to Malaysia the next day. Whereas I will stay back for another 2 days to visit whatever place I can reach. Found a limited edition Coke bottle selling in their convenient and decided to bring it back for Kevin since he is a big Coke fan.
21 Jan
It’s so cold today when I woke up 6:30am to say good bye to my bosses and to take over the only hand phone that works in Japan. Heard that it’s going to snow today, but I saw the news only show the northern area is snowing. Packed all my things and left the hotel about 9:40am and it’s raining. Got into the Bullet train again and started my 2 days adventure alone in Japan. I was taking a nap in the train and suddenly heard a big hoohaa… Open my eyes and found out that I’m in the Narnia world J It’s snowing outside. So white… I love the tree the most because it’s so “Christmas” so white, so beautiful. For a moment, I am glad that I have made the right choice to stay back.
The next 20 minutes I was busy taking photo and practicing my panning skill. Took about 100 photos, which is about 12 seconds per snap.
Reached the station to change train and I went down with excitement to take some photos.. Woooww it’s cold, but I can still take it. OK. Now is the difficult part, I didn’t know I’m supposed to change another 2 trains before I can reach the Yokohama Station. Thank God I asked some people at the right time and got some tips from them. Reached Yokohama Station safely and now it’s to locate the hotel, based on the list given by the previous hotel staff. I cannot do any booking because I have no internet connection for the past 2 days.
It was sooooooo cold, so cold until my finger are all frozen. I decided to take cab, but the officer said it’s very near, I can just walk down the street. OK, I tried. After asking from 5 people, I finally found the hotel (looks more like a motel). Start to use some sign language to book a room but was told it’s fully booked. Oh no … what happen? And this moment, I regret staying back alone. I walked out and go to another hotel directed by the owner. Rang the bell and heard someone talked non stop in Japanese. Waited for a while and left the place.
Oh. Mummy, where did the smart idea of staying back alone come from? I regretted to the bottom of my heart. Walking in snow without gloves, only a some heavy luggage is so pitiful…. I wanted to cry at the moment J As I walk on the street, there are a lot of “cinemas” ( another type of cinema that only open at night for live shows), I started to feel worry, I just want to go back !!!! Out of a sudden, I saw a signboard pointing to my left “Hotel” (to be more accurate it’s called ryokan). Knock at the door and one old couple attending to me, I start asking
“Hotel? Hotel?”
And they answered me “@&$(@&$*^@$*(Q^$” which I have no idea what they said.
“Hotel? 1 person. You have room? 1 person.”
…
They only allow me to check in by 5pm, but I can leave my luggage there of course. The ryokan doesn’t look so pleasant but I’m really tire walking in snow to look for s place to stay.
Walked back to the train station again for shopping since I cannot check in. Bought my train ticket to Airport for Monday and got some maps for tomorrow’s day trip.
Walked back to the ryokan and hope they allow me to check in (it’s 4:30pm). Saw a few Bomba & Police cars parked in front of the ryokan, people are watching from far and start talking. I tried to ask a Japanese what happen, but too bad, I don’t understand what was told.
For the 1st time I’m worried in oversea, which violates my theory of “It’s stay to travel no matter which country you are in”. I hope it’s not that ryokan I left my bag that’s on fire, I hope it’s not my bag that’s on fire.
Walked in the ryokan and found out nothing happen. Checked in to my room and it’s freezing cold. It’s only 4:30pm and I don’t think I want to go out because it’s getting dark. Seems like today will rest early and hopefully tomorrow can wake up early to have a memorable trip.
| 9:05 AM | 0 Comment(s)
