“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!”
- Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit
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Greeted by a woman who was clearly having a bad day, I knew I'd arrived in London. Sorry, but you're not the friendliest city in the world guys!
After the disappointment of a British Airways flight that was no more than a Ryanair plane with a different sticker on it's tail, I am excited to get on my way, only to find that my Virgin Atlantic flight isn't even run by Virgin. The guy at the check in desk (way more friendly this time) was adamant that Virgin don't fly to Tokyo. Well, here I am, going to Tokyo, you can imagine the sinking in my stomach. After many phone calls and discussions it's found that I need to head to the ANA desk - stands for All Nippon Airways - of course we've all heard of them! (Who?) So great, now I'm sat wondering what kind of metal tube I'm going to be transported to the other side of the world in.
I've only flown long haul once, but clearly that's enough to make anyone a snob. Emirates, I love you, ANA I have my dubious thoughts. But hey, I'm checked in, my phone is plugged in and charging and I only have 13 more hours until I'm in Tokyo.
Tokyo. I mean, what? The most populous metropolitan area in the world, followed closely by Seoul (going there in a week) and Shanghai (will be there in approx 4 weeks!) Close to 14 million people live in Tokyo, and then there will be me. Two backpacks on, sweating and looking undoubtedly lost. If I can get from the airport to my hostel via subway (that's mostly in Japanese characters) I'll then know I can do anything. If not, you'll find me crying in a not-so-quiet corner of the airport somewhere determined to come home. See, I clearly have high hopes for this trip.
My stomach has been fluttering - no, wrong word - buzzing, sickening me for days. Did I sleep last night? Don't think so. Will I sleep on my flight? Doubtful. I'm a mess of nerves, excitement and absolute wonder because I have no idea what I've let myself in for and I find it so hard to imagine myself somewhere so amazing. China never really sunk in, and now I'm wondering if the 7 countries I visit in the coming 12 weeks will.
The shrines, the temples, the markets, the people. The beaches, the jungles, the world heritage sites, the somber reminders and the thrilling activities. How do you begin to explain the feeling that has been growing in intensity even over the last hour? How do I begin to imagine what these places will be like? Except the Great Wall, I don't have to imagine that one, been there, done that.
So here I sit surrounded by Burberry, Gucci, Bvlgari, Mulberry, Dior and Ted Baker (is it so hard to fit in a WHSmith somewhere) eagerly anticipating the start of this mahoosive adventure.
Hopefully the first of many posts from many a Utopia, I bid you Sayonara and I'll pop in again soon!
**Sayonara - From Japanese: the utterance of sayonara, the wishing of farewell to someone.
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