Arrival to Chichibu

Good news first. I arrived to Chichibu safe and sound. Bad news. It wasn't quite as easy as I had hoped it would have been!

Plane departure was 16.55 so I didn't have that much of a rush. Check in etc went in as usual. I bought bottle of drink with idea that it could be handy on the long flight to Japan. I figured since I bought it after security checks no problems there.

First I flew to Frankfurt. This wasn't all that eventful flight. I just basically read through it. Not even much of a service in this small flight. Just cup of tea. As flights go bog standard. Basically missed the landing as I was concentrating on my book! After well over dozen flights guess one gets used to it.

Change was very fast one as I had just 30 minutes to get to the get(plus how long they keep it open) but as last year I had staff showing me way(though this time fairly simple route so wasn't really that needed). Bad news was I had to go through security checks AGAIN which meant my undrank bottle of drinks got left behind. Drats.

Flight to Japan would be 11 hours 20 minutes. I could have done with own bottle without having to rely on asking staff. More handy.

Long flight itself went fairly easily and surprisingly quickly. I first took notes toward this blog about temple histories etc. Then we ate, I wrote more. All the time I had one movie or other going on. 007 Spectre, Star Wars force awakens and finally Captain america movie(the 2nd) which I didn't finish up.

Lights got turned off around 5am Japan time or so so I slept. This would become issue later.

Wake up, write some more, eat, then read my novel. Arrival to Japan. Again barely realized we are landing before it started.

Proceedings at the airport were bog standard. Custom inspector did bit more thorough inspection of my bags than before but "gave up" so to speak with big bag without going through every bag inside. Well I have had fairly light checks so far so fair enough. I helped along opening pockets to ensure quick proceedings.

Then problems began. First I bought SIM card and tried to activate. Didn't seem to get working. Last year didn't have these kind of problems but this time took a long time to get working. Not sure what I was doing wrong or did it just take time to start on their side? Manual says usable right after activation but guess there could have been delay...

Off to buy train ticket. First time I would be going by train rather than bus. And here major disaster fell. I bought ticket, boarded train just in time. I put in backbag(big one) to overhead compartment and...Realize I'm missing my small backbag that I had as on flight bag, The one with chichibu guidebook, notebook, phone travel charger, present for friends child and LAPTOP! Key items being laptop, present and charger. Others I can rebuy quickly or get along without but laptop would get pricy(plus no blog writing), would like to give the present and don't think phone charge would last full day...

I rushed toward exit(and yes I remembered to take big bag with me!) but by the time I got to door train had started moving.

Oh bummer. I'm heading away from airport with bag in there. I was more than a little fretted over. Asked one person how long it might be for next station thinking I might head back but he suggested talking with train staff. I went, explained the situation and he would make calls to airport if they can find it.

Long story short they found it and delivered it(Free of charge) to Nippori. PHEW! My plans nearly got wrenched but saved by excelent Japanese service. Thank you thank you thank you!

Delayed arrival to Chichibu a bit but eventually I got there. And I found out there could be major problem ahead...Host was too nice! I had jolly good time all evening chatting with her and her husband and playing around with their less than a year old dog.

Why this is problem? Well while this is just one night I stay here(I change lodgings tomorrow) if thing stays same in NEXT place at what time I'll be able to write blogs? Last times I have been at hotels so contact with locals been zero after getting to place to stay so had time to write. Now if I write I can't talk and it was so much fun!

Haha. So don't wonder if blog entries don't come every day.

And this entry? Well remember what I said about sleeping earlier? I seem to suffer first time from jet lag or at least bit odd body clock. I'm not sleepy at all! In Finland it's atm 18.27. Since in airplane I slept 5am-11am or so Japan time my body clock isn't that well adjusted. I have been up for only about 13h or so. First time I didn't arrive to Japan at MORNING which means I slept later than usual in plane.

Uhhuh. Tomorrow could be tiring day if I can't get sleep soon so I'll wrap here and try get some sleep.

 The two meals between German and Japan.

 Just random picture in train about some dessert/candy/cake school on Saitama prefecture. Tasty looking!

 Dinner host gave. I didn't know there would be food and price was so cheap didn't expect this. This place is very good. Good meal and host&his husband were pleasure to talk with(host at least claims she doesn't know much English so if you can't talk Japanese you might not be able to chat much with her but information package she gives in mail and what's waiting in room gets you by so even with just place to stay it's good clean room for very cheap price...). I don't think they are doing this for big profits for sure but more to meet new people. Well hopefully I could give them interesting time talking about Finland!

Room I sleep in. Not big but I have been in smaller ones. Clean and the Futon is comfortable.

So tomorrow temples 1 to...? (goal is 12 but could be too ambitious)