What Was My Journey Like?

So, it has been a day and a half since I started this blog and I've already received more views than I would have imagined. Thank you so much to those who have taken the time to read my previous post.

I was going to make a post earlier today about what it was like traveling to Japan, but I woke up at 2:30am (it is 8:35pm now, for reference) in agony - a sore throat that hurt so badly to the point that I couldn't swallow, and congestion that made my entire face/head hurt. As a result, I went to the store to get medication and slept most of the day away.

Onto my trip here:

As I prepped for leaving, I was super excited but also had this feeling of melancholy that I hadn't had in a long time - a.k.a. since my time studying abroad in London. I knew that I would have an amazing time and I had been planning this for years, but I also knew that I wasn't sure when I was gonna see my family (or my cats, one of whom is very old) next. I was dropped off at the airport by my mother and stepfather, who waved me goodbye with giant smiles on their face that said, "I'm so glad she is accomplishing her dreams", when inside I knew they were sad. I know that I was choking back tears. I went through customs with no problem, thankfully, and waited about an hour for my 6.5 hour flight to L.A.X. It was a long flight, but I barely slept. I watched Young Sheldon most of the trip there.

When I arrived at L.A.X., my friend and her boyfriend picked me up from the airport. We went down Hollywood Boulevard, went to Madam Tussaud's, and just had a good time is some nice, warm weather. I stayed over her place and was brought back to the airport the next morning. I waited for a while and then was put onto the plane. Funnily enough, I was set for Economy, but they put me in a - I wanna say - "Premium Economy" type seat. It was a comfortable flight. I watched more Young Sheldon for about 11.5 hours. When I arrived in Narita Airport, I was pointed in the direction of the Immigration, where they put me through a short customs and I had my picture taken, along with my fingerprint and a scan of my passport. I then moved on to baggage claim.

It took a while to get my luggage, but that's what I had to do, of course. Once I did so, I asked around and found the direction to the trains. I took the skyliner (which you can find on signs in English, if needed), which I took to where the office is of the owners of the house I'm staying in is (words???). I was lost, sweating, practically gasping for air and a tad frantic. I finally found the office, waited there for about an hour, did my orientation, and headed out. I then got on the train, did a little train transferring, and ended up at the house.

Blah blah blah, unpacking, figuring things out, blah blah blah. At night, as I was getting ready to head to bed, I went to the bathroom. Keep in mind, this is my first day in Japan entirely. Once finished, I went to open the door and...it wouldn't open. I pulled...and pulled...and yelled...I was trapped. In the damn bathroom. I kept yelling for help but it seems as though everyone was out or asleep. No one was hearing me. I sat in the bathroom for about an hour when one of my housemates found me. She called the others downstairs and they were able to get me out.

The door is still broken. But hey, turn the lights on and close it as much as possible, and someone will figure out it's occupied. So far, at least.

It was a stressful, physically and mentally exhausting day. I slept like a baby that night.

But, of course, that's not the last time something like this has happened to me. And, as of now, I've been here less than two weeks. The story continues...