Arrival

After ten hours in the air, only one of which involved napping, I arrived safely with
the other 56 members of our cohort. "Slumdog Millionaire," "Man On Fire," and the original cartoon, "The Jungle Book," were the top movies offered. "Four Christmases" was canned after approximately 10 minutes, and I learned through repeated listening that the latest Snow Patrol album is
growing on me.


Arriving in Narita airport felt a little bit like coming home. I lived in Japan August 2003 after graduation from Linfield College, until March 2005 when I returned abruptly due to illness. The first time I traveled here I was also with a large group of foreigners, but it was a butterfly-filled trip and I had been up for several sleepless nights in anticipation of the "other" culture, "other" people, and all things "other" than what I had known before. This flight was not with a group of complete strangers as the last: I was quite familiar with many of the other students and even recruited many of this year's full-time Master of International Management cohort. As we drew closer to landing, I could see the familiar buildings, neon signs and rice paddies that are Japan.


Some things have not changed: the convenience stores and ramen restaurants lining the streets, the traffic, the bustling crowds of business men and women beginning their journey home from work on foot during the 6 o'clock hour (or later...). Other things are a little different: my roommate and I were thrilled to find that we have the option of not cleaning our towels and bedding daily for a 1000 yen (about $10) credit per day, for use on purchases made in the restaurant and gift shop in the hotel. Incentives are great, especially those that help multiple bottom lines.


What will be most interesting about this trip is the newness of the business piece of Asia. While I have lived in this part of the globe before, I was a teacher and often a tourist the last time. This time I am (hopefully) slightly less of a tourist, and more of a student and observer of customs.