Anecdotes #2: At the Comfort Inn

April 25, 2008

Night 1: Thursday, March 20th
Tokyo

The first night we stayed in the Comfort Inn, in Narita City, a five-minute train ride from the airport. By the time we emerged from the train station, the weather had turned nasty. It was still raining, but now a howling wind was blowing. To get to the inn, we had to go over a pedestrian overpass. So there we were, dragging our heavy suitcases up the stairs, as the wind pushed icy cold water on us and threatened to blow apart our umbrellas.

But we made it. The Comfort Inn was a typical business hotel. It had Western beds and our own private shower and bath. We got TV and a desk, instant coffee and a set of pajamas and a small toiletry set containing a razor, a brush, and a toothbrush. What fascinated Jenny most of all was a chemical put on the bathroom mirror; when the shower fogged up the room, one patch of glass remained clear.

Hedy had the single non-smoking room and Jenny and I shared a twin smoking room, which was the only option available at the time of the booking. Our room still smelled of smoke. Jenny told me to open the window. The wind made a rushing sound, like the ocean, and I looked down to see the sidewalk, nine stories below. It was an unobstructed fall. The sight made my palms sweat and my stomach a bit fluttery.

“That window is scary,” I said. “It feels like the wind will just suck you out.”

We hit the combini—the convenience store—after that. Once we had our (non-alcoholic) drinks, we all hung out in our room, the sound of the wind in the background. Jenny and I had brought snacks. I had brought souvenirs from Kanoya: “Black pork” chips, sweet potato cakes, and rose-flavored castella cakes. Jenny brought guava cookies, pumpkin cupcakes, and banana chips. For about an hour, we ate, drank, and were merry. Then jet lag began to set in. It had been a long day.

Jenny went to bed at about 9:30. I went to bed later—about 10:30 or so.