Saturday, June 5, 2010

Pan

Finally, I've arrived. That was the longest cab ride of my life. I even managed to get some sleep and had that dream with Suzanne out at the beach the one time we went. That rattled me a bit - I haven't had that dream in a very long time now.

Anyway, time to see if I can't find that "An Pan" that Kasuga Sensei was always telling me about. He says I can go into any mini-market and they should have it, like they do donuts back in the U.S. I hope so. I'm actually curious about it.

Suzanne

Wow... I haven't had that dream in a very long time. The last time I dreamt about Suzanne was before this journal. In fact, I think it was when I decided to create this new journal. I don't believe in omens anymore but I can't say this doesn't bother me...

Takushi!!!

Customs wasn't so bad after all, and now I find myself in a cab with the most talkative driver I've ever heard of. I think I've said 4 words in the last half hour. It's made it hard to enjoy the scenery and the scenery has been amazing. I saw actual rice paddies. The terraced hillsides and fields - just like I've been imagining them for the fast year. Pity the highway is all fenced in now that we're closer to where people live.

I'm going to put this away now and see if I can convince the driver that I should take a nap.

Customs

Okay, I get that they're going to look at me funny when I go through customs. I'm carrying a single bag, a backpack, a passport with no stamps in it and a permanent resident visa. I suppose that will set off all sorts of red flags these days - especially for a man with my record. I know that my lawyer had the conviction expunged but the fact that it happened will still be in my file.

Okay, now I'm glad no one is picking me up because I think I'm going to be late.

Landing

If my Japanese is holding up we're coming in on our final approach now. I have to admit, flying a Japanese airline was a hell of a lot better than flying American. Good omen number one, I suppose. Anyway, I'm going to continue keeping my journal in English. I figure that since I'll be speaking mostly Japanese from here on in that I should keep up my other skills as well. Not that it will matter much - I still remember every word in French and Gaelic I was taught as a boy.

Oop! "Trays locked and seats upright" and all that. Time to land.

Flying

So here I am on this airplane. I see that I've written a few pages as this life, but not a whole lot. I guess it really hasn't been all that long and writing about prison seemed like such a bore. It is my first overseas trip ever though, so I suppose that's something.

Ken tells me he won't be able to pick me up at the airport, so I'm on my own getting in country. I guess I'll get to try out my langauge skills with other people besides Kasuga Sensei and the lovely stewardess reading over my shoulder right now.

Made her blush.

Anyway, I honestly don't know what to think about all of this. It's been so long since I've tried something new and this radical...