- \n
- We arrive in Japan.
\nAs the doors of the plane open, JQS takes my hand and says, “Well, there’s no turning back now.”<\/li>\n - Bus from Narita to Tokyo.
\nLuckily 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.<\/li>\n - 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.<\/li>\n
- Arrive at Keio Plaza Inter-Continental Hotel.
\nJQS has no more energy left. I let him sleep on our suitcases while I’m trying to check in.<\/li>\n - With hundreds of JET participants everywhere, the elevators are packed.<\/li>\n
- Room 1561.
\nOur 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"postcard\"](\"https:\/\/www.zanthan.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/postcard_KeioPlazaHotel.jpg\")
Postcard Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Postmark: Tokyo<\/h4>\n
Postcard to ERS: Monday July 31, 1989 midnight<\/small><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nMost 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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