It is always a pleasure in
exploring various countries and that too in an entertainment mode or mood. In
that list, I wanted to explore the Japan. After making a steady plan, I made myself to visit Tokyo for few days draining
Indian Economy and boosting the Japanese Economy. And I did it almost.
Born and being brought-up in
India is always a curse because you don’t the value of Time and Life. But the
Japanese culture does it. As soon as I landed-up, there was a shuttle bus which
takes me to The Narita Port Hotel which is actually renamed as Narita Gateway
hotel. I didn’t update my time in my hand phone, but to my surprize it was
there exactly ON-TIME. Generally, in India we used to be ON-TIME by mistake.
When we arrive ON-TIME, you will not have the right respect and mileage. But it
is just opposite in Japanese culture. Wasn’t that much satisfied with the Hotel
Accommodation as it was exactly the size of our Kitchen in my house. But it was
compact and tight fit for an individual.
The next day, I was impressed and
pulled by seeing the name “Narita Free Transit Tour Program” at the Airport.
Wow! That was good news for an individual like me. So attempted to ping at that
desk on the next day morning. Since it would open at 9 AM, went to the
departure floor to have a morning meal at McDonald’s and surprisingly it was
less equivalent to the London pricing. Not of a greater taste, but it was my
saviour. At around 9, there was a woman with excessive lip-stick convincing the
Australian Woman who was on transit. I was waiting in the queue and got into
her for discussion. After 15 minutes of discussion, she said that we have to
pay for the Transport and the term “FREE” was only for the Guide. Not a
disappointing one, but used for this in South Korea while I was with Prof. Dr.
Dong Hwa Kim. The bus arrived ON-TIME and we were asked to pay JPY 210. We
thought it would be around 50 miles for the destination. But it was the height
of my stupidity. He came around the Airport as Lord Ganesha did around his
father and mother and dropped us at a spot just behind the airport. It was not
even 4 miles by road and just 1.2 miles by air.
I learnt that the life is such
expensive in Japan and made myself to proceed with this. The next day I went to
Tokyo where I learnt that the real Japan is there. Much of crowd, absolute
silence without any honking or loud speech. But one thing which I need to
notice is the integrity and respect they rendered to me though not being any
official. Some were interested in knowing about the religious identity mark on
my forehead. And the Narita Express line is one of the most expensive trains I
have travelled in the world, yes it was an almost JPY 5,000 for a distance of
60 kilometers and it is worst so it travels in almost 1 hour 30 minutes.
The cost of a Blazer Jacket was
JPY 25,000; suite JPY 79,000 for my size. I get them in India for JPY 4,000;
suite JPY 8,500. The worst thing is that the cost of a brief (underwear) was
JPY 19,000 and you get 8% Tax refund on this money which you pay provided
condition that you don’t use it in Japan. My crazy mind said to buy one such
and come back to my country and post a photography saying that it is Japan
Brief. But my bureaucratic mind refrained me doing it.
The culture is perfectly shaped
that no mistakes occur. The schooling mechanism teaches everything that they
require for their life. The Life Science classes in their High School impressed
me very much. Heard that cooking is also a part of their classes in High School
which carries equal value in the examinations. There is no theft at Japan and I
tried by placing my mobile in a public place named AEON Shopping mall, Narita.
After 15 minutes, a small boy saw that mobile and informed the McDonald’s
representative. It was a good experience.
The flat nose and small eye guys
are really the best. I would surely go back to Japan to see these flat nose and
small eye guys. Probably my son or daughter would need a school education in
Japanese schools.
No comments:
Post a Comment