8月17日
Osaka, Day 1.
I had an 8:30 am flight out of Gimpo and I thought that arriving there at 6:45 was a good idea. I would probably get through immigration by around 7:30 and then I can chill or grab some breakfast.
Wrong. Completely wrong, totally wrong, I was terrified.
For whatever reason, Asiana Airlines at Gimpo wanted to be all slow that morning so I literally waited in line just to check-in for over an hour. The entire time in line I was repeating “it’s gonna be okay, it’s gonna be okay.”
Because you see, I booked all of my flights ahead of time through a travel agency connected to my school. I have flights to catch from Seoul, Taipei, Osaka, Manila, etc. etc. all the way through January of 2015. If I miss any of my flights, any and all subsequent flights are thus cancelled and I cannot board them.
And I do not have that kind of money to purchase new flights over again.
So I was a nervous wreck, on top of only getting like 15 minutes of sleep since I decided to party my last night in Seoul (what are your 20’s but a consecutive series of bad decisions?) so I was slightly delirious from my lack of sleep and from standing in line for over an hour to check-in.
Once I did, the woman at the counter apologized for being short-staffed and asked me to try and be at my gate by 8:05.
It was 7:55. I chuckled (probably not the kindest thing to do) but I said thank you, and ran over to security.
The line to get into security was also gigantic, but thankfully it went by really quickly.
Also the shortest time I’ve spent at immigration was at Gimpo, so that was nice.
I was able to get through security and immigration in record time, and got through my terminal by 8:15. I had 15 minutes until my flight was to leave, and I briefly considered stopping to get some coffee or a pastry at a café, but then I said screw it, there’s food on the plane, and I just wanna sit down.
And I did. Super short flight though, from Gimpo to Kansai International, it only takes an hour and forty minutes. I couldn’t charge my phone or my ipod (on account of me staying out until 5:30 am) but I didn’t need them because I just wanted to sleep.
The person sitting next to me graciously woke me up for our meal (a croissant sandwich with some gummy mashed potato thing and pickles? I don’t even care anymore, the sandwich was like a gift from heaven) and I grabbed some coffee from the flight attendant, as if it was going to do anything. I finished my meal, and slept some more. About twenty minutes before we were to land, I woke up and listened to music from the in-flight entertainment. It was cool because they had some of the new Korean releases I’ve been listening to for the past few weeks, so it was nice.
Once I landed, I met with my friend and his mother, who so kindly picked me up from the airport and are letting me stay at their place in Tsurumi. It was about a 40 minute drive from Kansai International, but they were so kind in helping me with my baggage, showing me where I would be sleeping, and even offering to do my laundry. I was slightly overwhelmed by how nicely they were treating me, but they said it was to say thank you for how well I treated my friend during his time in the States (driving him to the DMV, inviting him over for Thanksgiving dinner, etc.)
Osaka, Day 1.
I had an 8:30 am flight out of Gimpo and I thought that arriving there at 6:45 was a good idea. I would probably get through immigration by around 7:30 and then I can chill or grab some breakfast.
Wrong. Completely wrong, totally wrong, I was terrified.
For whatever reason, Asiana Airlines at Gimpo wanted to be all slow that morning so I literally waited in line just to check-in for over an hour. The entire time in line I was repeating “it’s gonna be okay, it’s gonna be okay.”
Because you see, I booked all of my flights ahead of time through a travel agency connected to my school. I have flights to catch from Seoul, Taipei, Osaka, Manila, etc. etc. all the way through January of 2015. If I miss any of my flights, any and all subsequent flights are thus cancelled and I cannot board them.
And I do not have that kind of money to purchase new flights over again.
So I was a nervous wreck, on top of only getting like 15 minutes of sleep since I decided to party my last night in Seoul (what are your 20’s but a consecutive series of bad decisions?) so I was slightly delirious from my lack of sleep and from standing in line for over an hour to check-in.
Once I did, the woman at the counter apologized for being short-staffed and asked me to try and be at my gate by 8:05.
It was 7:55. I chuckled (probably not the kindest thing to do) but I said thank you, and ran over to security.
The line to get into security was also gigantic, but thankfully it went by really quickly.
Also the shortest time I’ve spent at immigration was at Gimpo, so that was nice.
I was able to get through security and immigration in record time, and got through my terminal by 8:15. I had 15 minutes until my flight was to leave, and I briefly considered stopping to get some coffee or a pastry at a café, but then I said screw it, there’s food on the plane, and I just wanna sit down.
And I did. Super short flight though, from Gimpo to Kansai International, it only takes an hour and forty minutes. I couldn’t charge my phone or my ipod (on account of me staying out until 5:30 am) but I didn’t need them because I just wanted to sleep.
The person sitting next to me graciously woke me up for our meal (a croissant sandwich with some gummy mashed potato thing and pickles? I don’t even care anymore, the sandwich was like a gift from heaven) and I grabbed some coffee from the flight attendant, as if it was going to do anything. I finished my meal, and slept some more. About twenty minutes before we were to land, I woke up and listened to music from the in-flight entertainment. It was cool because they had some of the new Korean releases I’ve been listening to for the past few weeks, so it was nice.
Once I landed, I met with my friend and his mother, who so kindly picked me up from the airport and are letting me stay at their place in Tsurumi. It was about a 40 minute drive from Kansai International, but they were so kind in helping me with my baggage, showing me where I would be sleeping, and even offering to do my laundry. I was slightly overwhelmed by how nicely they were treating me, but they said it was to say thank you for how well I treated my friend during his time in the States (driving him to the DMV, inviting him over for Thanksgiving dinner, etc.)
That day, my friend decided to take me to see some of the quintessential Osaka things to do and see, so we went to Dotonbori and saw the Glico running man and had okonomiyaki at Fugetsu. It was my first okonomiyaki experience and it was so good oh my goodness.
Then we found a shop at Shinsaibashi that could exchange my American and Korean money in Japanese Yen, then went to a huge electronics store to buy an adapter for my laptop. Japanese and American outlets are largely the same but you cannot plug three prong plugs into the adapters here as they do not have the third prong.
After that, we explored a couple stores we both recognized like Forever21 and H&M, and some I didn’t recognize like Bershka. I like Bershka’s clothes, but I think they were too pricey. They had a sales rack with a shirt I considered buying, but I guess XL in Japan means Extra Long because it only looked like (and fit) like a longer version of a Large. No biggie.
After that, we explored a couple stores we both recognized like Forever21 and H&M, and some I didn’t recognize like Bershka. I like Bershka’s clothes, but I think they were too pricey. They had a sales rack with a shirt I considered buying, but I guess XL in Japan means Extra Long because it only looked like (and fit) like a longer version of a Large. No biggie.
When we got home, my friend’s mom had prepared a feast. She asked me earlier that morning when they picked me up what kind of foods I liked and I said anything, and she asked me if I ever had sukiyaki.
Sure enough, the table was set for me to enjoy a sukiyaki feast. My friend and his little sister helped set the table while their mother prepared the things for the sukiyaki.
They were afraid I wouldn’t like sukiyaki since there is raw egg involved and Americans largely are uncomfortable with eating raw egg.
But I’on care. I always reassure my friend that my people eat fertilized duck embryos and that I’m good with whatever ~*~weird~*~ foods they could throw my way.
It was so good. Oh my goodness. Like, my friend’s mom is such an amazing chef.
Dang.
Sure enough, the table was set for me to enjoy a sukiyaki feast. My friend and his little sister helped set the table while their mother prepared the things for the sukiyaki.
They were afraid I wouldn’t like sukiyaki since there is raw egg involved and Americans largely are uncomfortable with eating raw egg.
But I’on care. I always reassure my friend that my people eat fertilized duck embryos and that I’m good with whatever ~*~weird~*~ foods they could throw my way.
It was so good. Oh my goodness. Like, my friend’s mom is such an amazing chef.
Dang.
Anyways, I was also surprised because when they sat me down they pointed me to a specific chair, because near that chair was a cake they had purchased and decorated with the words “Welcome Jensen.”
I guess I am pretty Asian in that way, since I was so embarrassed. I took a picture of it “for my blog,” I had said.
They were worried I wouldn't be accustomed to Japanese cakes since they're less sweeter than American cakes, but I actually don't like American cakes all that much for the same reason.
I guess I am pretty Asian in that way, since I was so embarrassed. I took a picture of it “for my blog,” I had said.
They were worried I wouldn't be accustomed to Japanese cakes since they're less sweeter than American cakes, but I actually don't like American cakes all that much for the same reason.
Then we sat and ate, my friend helping translate whatever I said to his mom and little sister. I distinctly remember them asking my position on nuclear weapons, among other less-serious topics like how much they liked my eyes and hair, and how pretty my mom is.
After dinner, my friend and I performed a few songs for his mom and sister. My friend and I have been in a band together at our university since freshman year and we’re pretty famous for just doing acoustic duos, where he plays guitar and I sing. My friend told me that his mother actually had plans of becoming a professional singer before settling down and starting a family, so she’s really into singing and has a good ear for that kind of thing. He told me that he wasn’t sure how she was going to react because she’s usually pretty harsh when critiquing, but after performing a few songs, she (and my friend’s little sister) were blown away.
I got a little tired and tipsy somewhere along the way (my friend kept telling his family how much stronger I am than him when it comes to alcohol and how I’d help him out back out our university whenever he was plastered [it’s whatever] so they just kept refilling my glass with Asahi? I'm not mad) and so they prepared me a bath and I went to sleep pretty early that night.
I did only have about an hour of sleep total that day, so I was exhausted.
But! Another day awaits. Day 2 of Osaka to come shortly.
After dinner, my friend and I performed a few songs for his mom and sister. My friend and I have been in a band together at our university since freshman year and we’re pretty famous for just doing acoustic duos, where he plays guitar and I sing. My friend told me that his mother actually had plans of becoming a professional singer before settling down and starting a family, so she’s really into singing and has a good ear for that kind of thing. He told me that he wasn’t sure how she was going to react because she’s usually pretty harsh when critiquing, but after performing a few songs, she (and my friend’s little sister) were blown away.
I got a little tired and tipsy somewhere along the way (my friend kept telling his family how much stronger I am than him when it comes to alcohol and how I’d help him out back out our university whenever he was plastered [it’s whatever] so they just kept refilling my glass with Asahi? I'm not mad) and so they prepared me a bath and I went to sleep pretty early that night.
I did only have about an hour of sleep total that day, so I was exhausted.
But! Another day awaits. Day 2 of Osaka to come shortly.