What Day Is It???

My computer reads Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6:19 p.m., however, as I sit here in Japan on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 8:25 a.m., I don’t know whom to believe. Should I believe my computer, the clock in the hotel, or my body?

Our journey here began at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 2 from San Francisco. After scrutiny from security at the airport, three movies, numerous walks around the cabin of the airplane, and visits with many new friends, we arrived in Tokyo, Japan yesterday around 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3. From the air, Japan seemed more spacious than the little place it occupies on my fourth grade world map. I was shocked to see so much green space. The trip from the airport to Tokyo appeared to look like Chicago and Kansas City combined. The waterways and industrial area looked much like those two cities. Then we arrived in Tokyo! Buildings are everywhere, dotted with green spaces. Millions of people work and live here! It is unfathomable how such a small island can hold all of these buildings and people!

As soon as I was settled, and replaced a lost key, I was joined by fellow recipients in a short orientation meeting to experience an authentic Japanese dinner. Three colleagues and I were hosted by Tomiyoshi Ogawa, Director of Building Guidance Division Housing Bureau who took us on a brisk walking jaunt to a Japanese restaurant. It was very quaint, and authentic, private dining area, seats on the floor (with a cutout below the table for your legs) and mood lighting. Our host ordered for us, with his wife joining the group.
The meal started with a Japanese beverage and “nuts”, actually steamed vegetables and chrysanthemum. It was an ongoing meal with fresh tuna, salad, chicken, tofu, sushi, fried tomatoes, and mochi. My favorite was a type of sushi. After I ate it, I asked what it was because it was delicious. My hosts laughed and said I had great taste because it was sea urchin and quite a delicacy!

They were concerned I was not going to make it back to the hotel in time to test our videoconference, so they ordered me a cab.

Our test for the conference went okay, and will plan on doing that on Friday.

Finally, I turned in to bed.