The Trip Over

Tokyo after 14 hour flight

March 19^th:

We left DFW at 12:45 pm on March 18^th and landed around 4:30 pm on the 19^th. Yes, I just lost over 12 years of my life. But I plan on getting them back in a couple months. The further I stepped away from the plane, the further I realized how not in America I was. First of all, when awkwardly making eye contact with someone, slightly smiling DOES NOT solve the awkward issue. If anything it worsens it when it comes from anyone other than a five-year-old girl. I was quite confused to see many Asian folk in the foreign passport line, but Mark explained that most likely they are Chinese. I would say 90% of the females had bangs draping over their foreheads in a straight line. Their clothing fashion was… daring.  I must applaud their boldness in style. One individual in particular caught my attention with her matching purple hair, purple pants, and purple suitcase. She should be famous because she dressed like it! I was severely underdressed in comparison. With some wearing heels so high and pointy, I caught sympathetic foot syndrome whereupon my feet hurt due to mere sight of their shoes. After giving Japan both of our index fingers and a smile-void picture, we proceeded to pick up our luggage. About one in every twenty people had white masks like the ones doctors and nurses wear. Mark explained that it was common in the Asian cultures for people to wear them for fear of catching something. Yet another indistinguishable characteristic of Asia filled my nostrils- the smell of cigarettes. I had not dressed or packed for the 40-degree weather that welcomed me with goose bumps as I exited the airport to await the bus to our hotel. While traveling to the Hilton, Mark pointed out that we were on the left side of the road. I embarrassingly admitted that I had not noticed. I was too busy marveling at the mini, boxy cars occupying the parking lots. I want to bring an F-350 to Tokyo just to take up 3 or 4 parking spaces. I saw actual bamboo grow wild. Their temples are gorgeous, I hope to go in one someday. I ordered room service for my dinner, and didn’t realize until it got to my room that the salmon I had ordered was raw. Good thing I like sushi I guess. It wasn’t too bad but they definitely have more of a taste for the sour/ acidic things than I’m used to. Anyways, I must admit that I am tired and shall now retire to my perfectly white bedding. This hotel must not expect children. Goodbye!

March 20^th

God is multi-lingual - NT Bible in Tokyo hotel

Unfortunately, the raw salmon did not sit well with my stomach, and I had a difficult time falling asleep at first. I went to bed around 7 PM Tokyo time and found it difficult to sleep past 1 AM. I attempted and then gave up around 4 AM. After showering and some reading along with Girl Scout’s Samoas to tie me over until breakfast at the airport, I rested my eyes for a few minutes. Before long it was time to start for the lobby. The shuttle was leaving at 8 AM for the airport. Right as we were sitting down on the bus, Mark pointed out that my backpack’s front zipper was open. Before zipping it, I double-checked to see if my expected wallet and camera were in their designated spots. My wallet was missing. Mark rushed into the hotel to see if possibly someone had already turned it in at the front desk. When he returned, I had already searched the rest of my backpack, and no wallet surfaced. We exited the bus and retrieved our luggage. After searching both of my suitcases, I followed a man to my room. I was praying that God would let it show up. I had four hours to get ready in the morning, and I was pretty sure that not a thing of mine was left in that room. With a deceptively calm face but racing hands, I peered under the bed and by the nightstand. I slipped my hand under the sheets and my hand stopped as I felt my wallet. Thank you Lord! The cleaning lady in the hallway was enthusiastic I had found what I was looking for. Although I had no idea what she was saying to me, her bright smile and high-pitched remarks communicated excitement. The woman I had sat next to on the plane over to Tokyo happened to be on the same bus and she said for a third time “Good luck” regarding my mission trip. Anticipating 40-degree weather once more, I made sure to dig out my jeans from my big suitcase. Although they were handy for the couple minutes I was outside, they proved a disastrous idea, as the 7-hour plane ride was horrifically hot in my tiny seat. My numb rear end and nauseated stomach from the smell of smoke surrounding me reminded me just how fortunate I was to ride business class the day before with the blessing of overnighting in a very nice hotel. But, I am getting ahead of myself. I must tell you that they eat salad and drink alcohol for breakfast here!!! It doesn’t have to be 5:00 in this culture- I know a few people who would love that aspect. Haha… anywho. I did not partake of either- it simply would not be breakfast. We departed at 10:50 AM, passed through a couple time zones, and landed at 4:00 PM. Hello, Bangkok! I quite loved the Bangkok airport. It was properly busy, which is more fun in my opinion. I gawked at the ginormous idols, each with a name, family history, and claims to having Budha’s bones within it. Idolatry does not always need a “modern application.” Sometimes, they have “golden calves” so to speak. Mark knew of an amazing place that gave 30-minute foot/leg massages for under $9! Lovely! My dinner consisted of roasted duck over noodles swimming in soup. Yumm!! Our flight was about an hour late leaving (not quite sure why, actually). I was seriously running out of juice at this point. Mark and I slept the 1 to 1-1/2 flight to Chiang Rai. The humble airport quickly led us to my new parents, Pat & Debbie Wheeler. Smiles and hugs were exchanged before packing into Pat’s truck (which he was driving on the right side of the car in the left lane… STILL trying to get used to it). Some of the girls came out to greet me and introduced themselves to me, but I was honestly too tired to comprehend anything. I headed straight for my little bed that was placed right next to the fan – girls already thinking of me J. That was 10 PM Chiang Rai time, 10 AM Dallas time.

We're in a war not with this world

My journal I shall be writing in whilest I'm here :)

I shall return later with details about my lovely home and family! Love you all!