Backpacking

buttons on the armrest. As we brushed the coast of France on the map, I did hunt for the "Drop Bombs" button, but I don't think British Airways have installed that one yet. Pity.

Anyway, either my smiles worked or the stewardess saw my knees turning blue, because she kindly relocated me to a whole row of 4 seats to myself. Not that this helped me get any sleep at all, because a little Japanese nipper was kindly there to kick my seat every 5 seconds. And let me tell you, airplane sushi and turbulence aren't exactly a match made in heaven, either.

Day 2: 1st February Crockwork Trains

Tokyo, Japan

Well, this morning (well, I guess it was morning but my body thought it was night) the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous day in Japan! After hesitatingly withdrawing 40,000(!) Yen from my account, I got underway to the hostel I booked last week. First impressions of Japan: everything is spotlessly clean, and runs like clockwork. The Airport Express train pulled in at 10am, and a crack squad of cleaners armed with hoovers were on hand to jump on and blitz the train. Then we boarded, my ticket telling me

the exact carriage and seat to take. It pulled out of the station exactly on time.

When the conductor arrived, he bowed, introduced himself to the carriage, and took his hat off to each passenger individually! Even the girl pushing the sweet trolley shyly bowed and smiled when she'd been through the carriage!