First few days in Japan.

The first few days have been nothing but interesting to say the least. Started out with a little puddle jumper of a plan to Detroit, where we circled Detroit for 35 minutes before we could land. We then had to basically run across the airport to catch our flight. The flight to Nagoya was LOOOONNNGGG. I don't think I've ever sat in the same place for that long. coming into the airport was pretty cool. it was dark, and the coast line was outlined because of all the lights on peoples houses and the marinas. we also went past and turned around before landing, so i got a good view of Nagoya, and surrounding area, which is pretty big area. I sat next to a Philippine boy that was coming back from visiting his brother in New Hampshire, and he still had another 3hrs to the Philippians, after landing in Japan. He spoke English very well, and was very chatty. I also learned that airplane food has a reputation for a reason, it was not good. After landing in Nagoya we had another 1.5 hr car ride to the hotel.

The hotel room is very small, i can almost spread my arms and touch 2 walls. I am almost as long as the bed. I glad I'm not 6.5' tall, because japan is not built for them.(more on that later). the bathroom is tiny, Literally enough room for a shower, sink and toilet, and not an inch more. When i sit on the toilet, my knees are almost touching the bathroom door.

Today was also my first day in the plant. We got escorted around, and introduced to about 200 people, only 1 i remembered his name, and that's mostly because he did the most talking. we had a translator with us all day, that made things a little easier. Also one of the people showing us around, shes part of the international department, teaches English to workers traveling abroad for Nippon - Sharyo, so she made things go smoothly. We got uniforms, and i found out that here in Japan, I am a 3xl, never thought that i would be a 3xl ever in my life.

We got a tour of the plant, which is about 20 building spread out over an area the size of ISU. now time for my funny big person story. One of the guys o nthe trip is about 6'4". The standard door height in the factory for outside doors is about 6.5', and inside doorways are about 5.5'. After walking through a couple of doorways, he has learned to duck. I walked through one of the inside doorways to what is our "home room" in the factory, and after i walked through i heard a giant "clunk" and turned around and saw Jamie holding his head, and all the Japanese guys laughing, then say in "watch your head." Also on that note, they had to order about half of every body's jackets because they needed 7xls and they don't normally make them. We also ate in their cafeteria today, where they serve about 1500 workers in about 15 minutes. I had some egg omlet, some fried deal that was a pocket that had like a macaroni noodles, potatoes cheese, and some kind of fish, all mixed together. I only found out about the fish, after the after taste hit me. Also there was rice and fried tofu, i avoided both. There was a pickled something, the translator lady did not know what it was for sure, so i tried it, and she laughed at me when i made a face. It was what i think a pickled radish, but it was soooo salty i couldn't taste anything else. Also in the cafeteria, they put out 10 forks and spoons, that had a label that they were just for NS USA workers, How nice, I tried chopsticks and got some comments that i could use them.

We went out today to a restaurant after work with a few guys from the plant. It was a restaurant that i know would not make it in the US, because they bring out raw meat, and you set it on a fire that is on your table. That being said, it was really good, of course it was just strips of beef and bacon. Now the 3 guys and myself, had never eaten at a place like this, and lets just say grease, fire, and novices make for an interesting meal :). The waiter had to come put out about 3 fires. :) The guys that were afraid to use chopsticks were forced to use them tonight and the 3 Japanese guys we were with gave a lesson, which they said i did not need, "you, OK," is what i was told. :)

Well that's my adventures so far,

-Scott