In Japan - First Day: The Hostel

When I exited from Hongo Sanchome, the sky was already dark. I couldn't read the map that the hostel had provided since it didn't have street names. After asking various passer bys, I managed to find the little alley that leads to the hostel. However walking alone in a dark alley after three screw ups in a foreign country doesn't exactly inspire confidence in a person. Nevertheless I had no real choices but to follow the darkness ahead, clinging on to the words of every sign posts, hoping that the name of the Hostel would jump out at me. Suddenly I overheard the oh-so-familiar English behind me. They were two teenage Japanese girls just chatting away in perfect English. Thinking that they were tourists like myself, I asked for directions. Turned out that they lived right beside the hostel, and happily showed me the way. After a bit of introductions, I found out that they had both stayed for 4 years in England previously, thus explaining their flawless English. I had asked for their names, but regrettably for the life of me I can no longer recall them. They were like angels that came to my aid when I was lost and confused, and led me to light ( well, the hostel ). I am forever grateful.

The hostel people were expecting me for a while. After informing that my actual location of stay is in a separate residence a block away, the overweight woman who came out to greet me showed me the way to th Morikawa residence. She insisted on carrying my heavy backpack, even-though she was sweating and panting profusely. She seemed to feel that it was her duty to carry my bags. Like a soldier, she forged on even-though it's clear that it was too heavy for her. A man from Morikawa *ran* out to meet us half way, and took over the guide duty. He led me to the hostel, and showed me the facilities in broken English. I in turn replied in broken Japanese. Nice people.

The hostel is a traditional Japanese style ryokan. With tatami rooms and futons. It's very clean and orderly, even-though its wooden halls do show its age. The smell of wood permeated the place, it was a very enjoyable atmosphere.

By this time, I was tired and starving. Japan was much hotter than Toronto, the temperature was around 30 degrees C. Personally I found it rather comfortable though. I was too tired to go out and sample the local delicacies, I had more than enough new experiences for one day. Instead I bought some instant noodles and some breakfast for the next day, and called it a night.