Bon Voyage

January 25, 2006, 4:56 a.m. Tokyo time, somewhere over Canada — It begins. A few hours ago I finished packing the last two items (an umbrella and my nephews' pictures). Japan Airlines allows 70 pound bags when flying internationally, as all airlines should. Two months of Tokyo living weighs about 140 pounds total.

My manager sent me an eight page document containing common Japanese words and phrases and their English equivalents. Oddly “thank you” is missing, so I have some research to do. I have a few words memorized: soba, odon, ramen, Tokyo, sushi, sashimi, sake, sayonara, origami, Godzilla, and konichiwa. So basically I have the vocabulary of a young, alcoholic Japanese toddler.

Yes, I'm in business class, but who knew it would stretch back into row 40 and beyond? However, the most important aspect of any flight is service. It's amazing what a simple smile can do. The three lunch choices included two “Western” variations (steak and fish) or the Japanese set menu. I decided to start with the Western fillet of sole and then graduate to the Japanese dinner later on. I almost went for the “Squid Julienne 'Sashimi' Style” — that'd be raw squid. Almost.

My disembarkation form asks, “How much money in cash do you presently have in your possession?” In the age of yen-yielding ATMs I felt like writing “Not very much, thank you,” but I dutifully reported my vast $172 fortune.

I'll be meeting a slew of managers instantly upon arrival. (Several of them are in Tokyo this week.) We shall see if it is possible to turn a 3:45 p.m. scheduled Narita arrival into a 7:00 p.m. dinner appointment. I have my doubts.

Good night for now. Or good morning. Or... whatever.