Random Acts Of Kindness

Japan is awesome, the end...

Ok I will write a bit more then. I am currently at an internet cafe in Iidabashi and with 20 minutes left on the clock. It is pretty expensive to access the internet so I think I'll wait to find a hostel with free internet for my next entry. Sorry guys!

I have been very very lucky. I landed in Narita and couldn't find the hostel. I asked a local for directions and he pointed me down the wrong street. I don't think he meant to. I think he was just trying to be polite. My backpack weighed a tonne so I couldn't walk very far without needing a rest. It was pitch black and what felt like a million degrees heat. Hotter than a sauna! So I went back to the train station and found a foreigner...he spoke English and just happened to be staying at the same hostel so he walked me back. I was so tired I could hardly form words. I updated my Facebook status and briefly Facebook chatted with my Mum then went off to bed (after I showered of course!).

I had my first meltdown the next day. I say first as I'm sure it will be one of many. I couldn't find my way back to Narita station. I felt useless. My backpack straps were burning into my skin and my shoulder muscles screamed. I found a seat and started to cry discreetly, then after a while I didn't care so much that the locals could see me so I sobbed away. I think I needed that though as I pulled myself togther and managed to find the station. I turned right instead of left out of the hostel. Duhhhh. I lovely elderly guy saw my confused look and asked me where I was heading. He walked with me to the station and showed me how to use the ticket machine,　how much my ticket was and the route I needed to take. Before I even had chance to say a proper thank you he walked off. The people here are incredibly kind.

I needed to go to Shinjuku as that is where the bus to Mount Fuji departs. I was hoping to find the TIC so I could get more info on hostels and some much needed maps! I was so dehydrated and sick from the heat that I got lost again and needed to rest. I found a street map in English though and the TIC was marked on there. Hooray. I must have had that confused look on my face again. A lady asked me where I needed to go and I showed her. I said I needed something to eat first so we went to Starbucks together. Her English was quite good but there were moments where she couldn't understand me and she looked quite embarrassed. Her name is Sayoko Seki and she made my day. Sayoko spent most of the afternoon helping me get to the TIC, calling a hostel to reserve a room for me and generally guiding me round Shinjuku. I tried to get a photo of us together but she insisted that I save my battery and film for Mount Fuji. I didn't want to press any further as I didn't want to offend her. I am so thankful to her. I kept saying thank you over and over in English and Japanese. Sayoko saved the day! I feel a lot better about things now and hope that the rest of my stay in Japan goes ok. I'm still a little nervous. So far I've not really met any westerners to tag along with or speak to and I feel like I'm starting to miss general conversation.

I am ashamed to say that I have survived Japan so far by pointing at things and searching for people who speak English. I can say simple things like excuse me and ask for directions but I feel incredibly rude not speaking more Japanese. That is my current aim.

I don't have time to add any photos I'm afraid. So far I haven't taken that many but tonight I climb Mount Fuji so I hope to get some good shots of the sunrise. Fingers crossed I don't screw that up. It seems to be a running theme on my trip so far!