Deutschland via Panama: Tokyo

The flight from Turkey to Japan was long but comfortable. I stayed awake for the first few hours while I ate and watched movies, looking out the window at the full moon as we flew over cities like Baghdad. Then I fell asleep and when I woke up and looked out the window I saw Mount Fuji pushing up through the clouds. I knew my Japanese adventure was about to begin.

Before customs everyone passes a body temperature camera and quarantine area. Nearly every single airport personnel and most of the public were wearing surgical masks but acted as if they weren't. I learned from large signs while waiting for my luggage of the dangers of attempting to transport substances such as cold medicines and antihistamines into Japan. Pretty serious stuff. I made my way to the train and into the massive urban jungle of Tokyo to meet Gabe who had arrived a day earlier than I. The first night we walked the streets and explored the alleyways of the neighborhood where we rented our apartment.