Saturday, July 13

My flight was leaving 2:45pm that day but I left the house at 6:30am because I still had to report to work. It was raining and the streets were flooded. I even came to the office with my boots on. I left at 11:30am for the airport where I was to take a flight to Narita, Japan. I knew it would be a fully booked flight and I was just taking my chances as standby passenger. The rain was still heavy when I arrived at the airport. As expected, my friends and I were put on hold until the check-in counters closed. Thanks to the rain; there were empty seats on board! Probably some passengers did not show up because of the flood. Not only that, we were upgraded to business class!

The flight was delayed due to cargo loading which was attributed to the bad whether; we were able to take off one and a half hours past the scheduled departure. The flight was generally comfortable especially on a business class seat where they served us a broiled duck with matching baked potato and carrots. I don't eat duck; it was my first actually and the taste was so good. Flight from Manila to Narita is about four hours so we arrived there 9:30pm. Japan is ahead of Manila by one hour (GMT+9). I immediately called some of our Church locales in Japan to get information because the following day I was to attend our congregation but my calls were forwarded to answering machine.

We had no time to wander that night because it was late. We were able to get a room at the Holiday Inn - Tobu Narita, a five-minute shuttle drive from the airport. Most of the hotels around provide free shuttle to and from the hotel. You check with the information counter the designated pickup point; you would find at the shuttle stop the shuttle schedule.

Sunday, July 14

I woke up 6am but I didn't get into contact with any of our locales; it was early and there might be nobody around. We took the shuttle back to the airport at 8:30am because we decided to transfer hotel. I tried to contact our Chiba Congregation, the nearest locale from the airport according to the hotel staff at Holiday Inn. I was gladly instructed by Bro. Mario on how to get there. He said the whole journey would be about an hour. I asked my friend if she would like to come with me but she preferred to stay. We agreed to meet later that day at Excel Hotel.

I rushed to the basement and bought a Rapid Service ticket to Chiba Station for Y650. You would notice the green and vast agricultural land along the way. There were about seven stations between Terminal 2 and Chiba stations. Train to Chiba from the airport is about forty minutes. From there, I bought another ticket to Yawatajuku for Y170 and changed flatform to lane 3. It was quite difficult to determine which was the right lane to my destination. Finally I arrived at the station at 10:10am, late for the 10am service. I searched for the Police Station which Bro. Mario mentioned but I didn't find it. I walked around for ten minutes. I checked with the convenience store at the corner and the lady directed me to the Police Station. I didn't notice it because it was on the opposite side of the stairs where I came down. The Officer had identified the address and made a sketch on a small piece of paper. I briskly walk towards the direction until I reached the crossing of highways 279 and 24. I turned left, based on the sketch but failed to find the chapel, that was 10:45am. I entered a clinic at the corner and made a phone call but nobody was answering, I learned it was switched off during the worship service. I found myself eating a fries-coke-zinger combo at KFC after that. I did some shopping at the adjacent grocery store afterwards. At 12:30pm I called the locale again and fortunately someone answered the phone. He said he'll fetch me from where I was. The chapel was actually on the street where I went through however, I did not see the sign because it was low and cars were parked infront of it. After a small talk, I went back to the station. At Chiba Station, I waited 20 minutes before the next train arrived. The cabin was so nice and the seat was very comfortable, much better than the first train I took. The train went on. After about 10 minutes, while I was setting my camera (with timer) for a souvenir shot, a conductor approaced me. He asked me something that apparently I didn't understand. He asked for my ticket and soon I realized it was a first class cabin. I was so embarassed when all eyes were turned upon me as I followed him to the ordinary coach. What a shame!

I arrived 2:30pm at the Narita Terminal 2 and called my friend at Excel Hotel as agreed but she was not there. She might have thought that I was not coming so she left for Narita downtown with her daughter. I thought of some place where I should spend my time. I checked with the information counter where the nearest onsen was.

Onsen is a hot spring that is so much enjoyed by the Japanese. I learned there are over a thousand onsen in Japan. Some are housed inside inns and some are outdoor pools in mountains. The Japanese consider it as a way to relax and to free themselves from stress. They also believe of its therapeutic benefit.

I was told the nearest onsen from the airport was the Yamato No Yu, off Shimosa-Manzaki Station. So I went back to Narita where I changed to lane 6; Shimosa-Manzaki is the next station (Narita Line). Fare was Y280 one-way and the ride would take about 30 minutes. I thought it was easy to find this onsen based on the map I got from the airport. It was crazy! It took me 40 minutes to find place! I thought of quiting; It was my patience that held me back.

Upon exit at the station, I turned left. I walked until I came to the end of the road where I took a right turn. I made a left on the first street where I found Yamasaki convenience store. I dropped there for a few minutes to buy some stuff. After walking about 250m I found a railroad crossing. I walked back because it seemed to be the end of the line. I stopped a car and asked for the place. He said "wakaranai" which must be "I don't know". But he smiled and pointed to the direction where I came when I said "onsen, onsen",. I went back and made a right on the narrow street just before the railroad crossing. I made a left on the first street and walked about 500m. I was relieved as I saw cars parked; this must be the place, I told myself.

I was exhausted when I reached the place and onsen was a perfect way to ease out. As I entered the changing room, I found some men undressing while some were about to leave. I stripped off, just what they did, leaving all my clothes in the locker. I entered another room while clutching a cotton shorts to cover my private part. It was very silly; I didn't have a small hand towel. I later found out it was sold at the counter. I washed myself thoroughly infront of a mirror while keeping my eyes in observation. The faucet and the shower fixings were low so everybody washed themselves seated on plastic stools provided. Most were used to nudity and everyone seemed to enjoy the feeling of being totally free. In just a while I had my inhibitions gone and felt comfortable without clothes. After rinsing off, I had a relaxing time in the small hot spring at a tingling 42C temperature with sodim chloride, carbonic acid, hydrogen and salt. Beside it is a cold spring at 19C. There is a small room where the temperature is so high that I couldn't stand more than five minutes. I found out it's good to bathe in the cold water before going to this room. You have to cool down your body at regular intervals by coming out for a cool air or take the cold bath. It was very refresing and relaxing while you sit outdoor gazing at the setting sun while the wind softly kisses your skin. I spent two hours bathing transferring from each of the pools, outdoor and the sauna. Finally, I stood outside to let the air dry water off of my skin. I felt soothed and relaxed after this experience, a truly exciting and different experience.

Aside from hot spring, the place also have massage clinic, Japanese restaurant, sleeping quarters and a spacious lounge. I was suppose to enjoy a Japanese meal but it was closed. I left the place at 7:30pm and walked back to the station. It was dark, the streets were silent except for the whirling wind that made the trees sway. I was a bit frightened because I was alone along that narrow street. I reached the station in 20 minutes.

I arrived Narita Terminal 2 at 9:00pm where I took a free shuttle to Excel Hotel. I had a very good sleep, probably because of that onsen experience.

Monday, July 15

We left the hotel at 7:30am and took a shuttle back to the airport for our flight to Manila. Japan is a very nice place and I am coming back with my family. Soon!

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