Arrival

I am now on a train to Kyoto.  Our plane arrived in Narita Airport in Tokyo at 3:00pm, Japan time.  We picked up our luggage and then went to get train passes that will let us ride the JR an unlimited amount while we're here.  We caught a train to Shinagawa, and now we're on one to Kyoto.  I'm very excited, but exhausted.  I dozed off a couple of couples on the plane, but only for a few minutes.  And it was such a long flight!

I am sitting next to a young Japanese woman on the train.  She's very nice!  She doesn't really know English, but she seemed kind of excited when I sat next to her.  She asked if I'm American and if I'm going to Kyoto.  We haven't said much else because of the language barrier.  I really wish I knew more Japanese.  Her name is Yese (I'm probably butchering the spelling).

I haven't seen very much yet.  I've noticed the transportation system is very clean.  The trains have women in cute aprons pushing a food and drink cart down the aisle.  I tried some kind of citrus soda.  It was different from what I'm used to.  It tasted like they forgot to add sugar.  I donno how I feel about it.

I've seen a lot of people wearing surgical masks.  Yese is wearing one.  I need to find out more about it.  I think it has to do with preventing the spreading of germs, but I don't know if they're the ones with colds or if they're trying to prevent catching one.  I guess it could work both ways.  I wish I could ask Yese.