WARNING: Contains disturbing footage of incoherent traveler. Not suitable for all audiences.
I arranged a 24-hour layover in Narita, Japan, following a trip to San Francisco. Unfortunately, the extent of my arrangements was booking a bed at the airport capsule hotel. I did not plan anything else in advance, so I had no idea how to get anywhere. Also, it was a Sunday night and pretty much everything was closed. If you enjoy watching complete travel fails, this should give you a couple laughs.
After leaving my stuff in a locker at the capsule hotel, I faced my first obstacle: buying a train ticket from the airport to the town:
(Apparently, I thought I spoke Japanese when I was talking to this woman. Apparently, she did too.)
Eventually, I did locate the entrance to the temple. By that point, it was around 10pm and the temple complex was dark and deserted. I did not climb the stairs to check it out. I just looked up at the darkness and shrugged before heading back to the train station.
Moral of the story? If you only have one night in a country where you don't speak the language, plan ahead.
I arranged a 24-hour layover in Narita, Japan, following a trip to San Francisco. Unfortunately, the extent of my arrangements was booking a bed at the airport capsule hotel. I did not plan anything else in advance, so I had no idea how to get anywhere. Also, it was a Sunday night and pretty much everything was closed. If you enjoy watching complete travel fails, this should give you a couple laughs.
After leaving my stuff in a locker at the capsule hotel, I faced my first obstacle: buying a train ticket from the airport to the town:
Eventually, I made it to Narita (although I only knew it was Narita because someone told me to get off at the first train stop). I exited the train station and just started wandering around the town looking for a temple my parents had told me to check out. I did not have a map. I guess I was relying on instinct?
An hour or so later...
(Apparently, I thought I spoke Japanese when I was talking to this woman. Apparently, she did too.)
Eventually, I did locate the entrance to the temple. By that point, it was around 10pm and the temple complex was dark and deserted. I did not climb the stairs to check it out. I just looked up at the darkness and shrugged before heading back to the train station.
Moral of the story? If you only have one night in a country where you don't speak the language, plan ahead.
