I arrived from Manila last November 27, 2007 with a bag full of knowledge which I shared no-end with my friends and colleagues here in Okinawa.
I started forming impressions on Japan as soon as I landed in Narita Airport. When I made it through the landing procedure of the Bureau of Immigration, I found my luggage lined up and lifted from baggage carousel. As soon as I approached the JICA counter at the airport, I was provided with a ticket to a limousine bus, escorted to the bus stop and was whisked to the Haneda Airport then travelled again by plane to Okinawa where I was cheerfully assisted by JICA staff to my final destination - Okinawa International Center (OIC). At the OIC, a room key and a meal card were given to me, some personnel offered explanations as to how these card and other amenities of the center be used. I felt I was never away from home especially after two young Filipinos entertained me by telling wonderful experiences during their first week of stay. The following activities at the center also made me imbibe some values of the Japanese - particularly love for work and promptness.
Oooh... how can I forget the raffle day for the trainee to attend an Observation Tour at Okinawa Aquarium (believe me it was so huge and was in the deepest part of the sea). The slots for the participants were 53, but more than 80 persons signed up in the manifesto. So what the JICA staff did was picked 53 individuals by random. Sad to say I was not chosen. But the big fighter that I am, I did not quit... I know that somewhere along the way some trainees who were selected would not be able to join the trip for some reasons or another. So I thought waiting early in the morning would be a great idea... maybe I could get a slot... oh maybe...
The next day I immediately went to the registration room but got shocked after I saw five other individuals, ahead of me, forming a long queue in case someone backout of the trip (I thought I was the only one with that kind of thinking). So I was kinda praying that God would give me a chance to join the trip - then two persons called the staff that they won't be able to join... another three called and sent peelers that they won't be able to make it... after 10 minutes I was left alone in the line and I was so nervous, my heart was pounding too fast... maybe if you would come nearer to where I stood you would hear my heartbeat. But no one backed-out...
The coordinator then made a signal to the driver to start the engine... I got so frustrated and sad... so I prepared myself to leave and never to look back again...
While walking (with my head showing melancholic despair), I felt a soft tap on my shoulder - "Common join us young man!"
I consider myself fortunate that these two generous people from the bus company agreed to accommodate me in a two-seater bench...
and the rest was history.
