I started to gather my items, then looked frantically around. Why wasn't anyone else getting off at this stop? Was it possible this station was referred to as something different than what was on my ticket? I searched my ticket for answers, debating whether I should attempt to communicate with someone. But by that time it was too late -- we were once more on the move.
15 minutes later the train arrived at the station I thought I was at over three stops ago. What a relief. From here I caught a cab to the airport from where I flew to Fukuoka, Japan, took a shuttle to the domestic terminal, boarded a plane to Tokyo, then took two trains to Yokosuka where I met up with my sister-in-law and nieces for dinner, tea, playtime, and lots of reading books on outer space.
Sly - who is currently on a different, more direct flight -- arrives late tonight. He's here again for work but I finally got to tag along.
It's been a long, sweaty, tiring and exciting day, but worth it. I can't wait to explore Japan. I can't wait to eat REAL sushi, REAL takoyaki, REAL izakaya food, REAL ramen, REAL okinomiyake... Who am I kidding, I can't wait to eat anything and everything Japanese. In Japan. Whoa. I'm in Japan!