Yesterday was a long day, but we made it!
Before we tell you the drama that started the trip, let's go back, far, far back to when we booked this flight - in Februaryish-and when Delta changed our flight a month later to a 34 (!) minute transfer. Tsana said, "that's tight. Maybe we should go earlier on the 6am flight out and have 2 hours," to which Dave replied, "we'll be fine!" and then gave Tsana that "c'mon" look he does so often. Well, you know what happens next, which resulted in Dave saying, "we're both runners...it'll be fine." Here's what happened...
When we arrived in Boston, our plane was in the hanger, apparently getting new tires overnight, but that resulted in a delay over 30 minutes in boarding. Not to worry, because the pilot announced, he "put more gas in the tank, so we should be able to make up the time." (I'm fairly certain this is not how it works.) Nevertheless with Tsana's fretting, and Dave thanking Tsana for insisting on carry-ons-only, we arrived with 20 minutes to get off the plane and onto the next connection to Tokyo, or wait another day to take off (which, if you know Tsana, was not going to happen). Tsana changed into to her running shoes, we elbowed and "pleased" our way to the front of the plane, and took off, running the whole way to another terminal, onto the other plane- just in time!
12-13 hours later, we land in Tokyo. Besides the horrid food (#DeltaFail), we made it through A-OK. We landed 11pm Boston time, so our bodies weren't completely messed up...yet.
The Tokyo train system was surprisingly easy considering neither of us read Japanese, despite Dave's two months of intense DuoLingo studying, and we made it to our *very tranquil* hotel. Power nap ensued, and then it was time to go out on the town (which for us, means a walk and dinner, then bed). This also included going into a local convenience store, getting a rice ball, and finding funny things that would NEVER sell in the US. Like this energy bar...
We walked around our little neighborhood and saw a huge line for an udon noodle bar.
Turns out its best in Tokyo, but honestly, all the food here looks amazing. We waited in line for 20 minutes or so, and they had the system DOWN- like L'As du Fallafel in Paris where they take your order while you're in line. The difference here is that you don't eat it in the street, you sit down, and 1 minute later, food arrives, you devour and slurp, and leave, feeling happier than when you came in. A lady next to us even showed us how to work the sesame seed grinder.
Upon arrival back to the hotel, we explored, found a (sad) "gym," tea being served everyday from 4-8pm, and Tsana found the "relaxation room" which included a massage chair that was close to heavenly. Dave left her while Tsana fell asleep for 15 minutes, and stumbling back to the room, feeling like jelly. Bedtime ended up being around 8:30pm Tokyo time (7:30am Boston time) and we awoke up around 5am (turns out sunrise in Tokyo is 4:30, which seems absurd, but then fitting for the "Land of the Rising Sun.").
No one was awake except for us, it seemed, so we went for a 3-mile run which is always a great way to see city. Fun fact of Japan: don't run in the places where there are temples. We were gently scolded (we think...) for running on the plaza where a temple was, so that was a cultural lesson learned.
Breakfast at the hotel was either Japanese or American style, but the Japanese breakfast only is for the first 10 people (!) so even though we arrived 15 minutes after opening, we lost out. Tomorrow, though...
On the agenda for today: food and bike tour (mmm), paper making, and a vegan fancy meal. Don't worry, we'll report back...