Welcome to the Tokyo Dome!

It's official! I made it to Japan in one piece (sort of, lol). It was an adventure getting here but well worth it. It all started back in Richmond, VA 3 days ago.

Everything was going just as planned on the day of departure. I made it to the airport on time, my bags met size/weight regulations, and security didn't have to do a strip search, lol. I flew a 45-minute flight to Dulles/Washington DC International Airport and quickly located my connecting flight with plenty of time to spare. Then, as passengers started boarding, things got very "interesting."

There I was waiting to board when I realized that although I had a “confirmed” seat, they weren’t calling me.  So, I went up to the counter and asked “When am I going to board?” The guy didn’t even look up at me when he said, “Sorry sir but it looks like you’re not going to make this flight.  United Airlines made a mistake and overbooked. Don’t worry though, you’ll leave tomorrow morning and you’ll be compensated.” What the F$#@%! “I DON’T WANT TO BE COMPENSATED, I WANT TO GO TO JAPAN!”

Anyways, there was nothing I could do so no point in arguing. I kept my cool and made my way to the customer service counter to figure the whole thing out. After about 3 ½ hours, they booked me a flight for the next day, gave me a dinner voucher, hotel-room for the night, and $400 CASH! Ya’ll who know me know I didn’t argue with that one, lol. When they told me, I didn’t complain, took the money, and happily made my way to the hotel.

The next day, everything went as planned and I made the flight with no issues. Thirteen hours later, I was at Tokyo-Narita International Airport exchanging currency and making my way to the hotel. I hopped on the subway (cleanest in the world by far) and set out for Asakusa where the hotel is located. After about an hour, I arrived and it was AWESOME! We are staying right near the Sensoji Temple, which is the oldest in Tokyo (built circa 628 AD). There are great restaurants, cheap shopping, and cherry blossoms everywhere. It feels like I'm in a movie!

Now that I am finally here everything is great. I met a cool group of friends and we’ve been enjoying all that Tokyo has to offer. After 3 days, we already went to restaurants in Shibuya, bars in Roppongi, and ate at the BEST ramen restaurant near training yesterday in Iidabashi. All in all, training is going well and I’m having the time of my life!  

I wish you all could be here. Guess you’ll have to come visit sometime :-P 

~Sammy J