Back in Japan

I woke up when they started handing out breakfast. I chose to get an omelette with croissant, yogurt and fruit. The flight seemed a lot shorter coming home. Maybe because I slept so much of it.

I couldn't take a picture because of the glare on the window, but the view was amazing as we started our descent. We were still above the clouds. The sun was rising, but not high enough to see. The clouds were silhouettes against a horizontal mix of oranges and reds.

Re-entry was quick. I got there before a long line formed. At customs, I got stopped and my bags were searched. The man was so apologetic about the whole ordeal. He felt so uncomfortable, I felt really bad for him! He tried to help me repack my bags.. but he was horrible at it. You'd think that a customs officer would be pro at zipping up luggage (or pick the ones that didn't look like they would burst at the seams). Poor man.

I found the buses easily. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to go to Osaka station because in Hiroshima, the buses operated out of the bus center. I got confirmation from one of the workers who directed me to platform five. Another work took my luggage and told me to get off at the second stop.

I misheard that the bus ride would be 16 minutes long. It was actually 60. I was low on batteries so I didn't check my email but I emailed ENP about my paintings. I was able to nap for a bit, I didn't sleep much last night with the flight and transfers.

I had a reservation for the 13:00 bus back to Imabari but it was only 8:30 when I got to the station. The next bus was at 10:00. I called my parents to tell them I got back safe. Then, I tried not to cry. 5 months seems too long for friendships and love that's just started. Nowadays, we have internet and cheap long distance calling .. but that doesn't really help me. How do you keep in touch with an animal, or mahouts that don't speak English?

The bus ride was long and uncomfortable. It was relatively warm in Osaka. I crossed my fingers that Imabari wasn't too cold. And it wasn't! I found my bike easily. It wasn't moved but it had advertisements all over it. I was a little unbalanced biking back, but I made it home without crashing into anything.

First thing on the list is laundry and a bath. Then, I was supposed to tackle this blog while everything is still fresh in my mind.. but I got side tracked planning Golden Week.

I can't believe I was still at the park just yesterday.