It seems that these days have brought the impression on me that stubbornness is a key issue in my problems. Through learning this, have come to learn that living in Japan isn't easy at all. I'll tell you everything from the start.

Arrived in Tokyo around 3:00pm and made sure I had everything. I did. Then I took the comfortable Narita Express train to meet up with Mark at Shinjuku, which was pretty cool. We had the long ride to Tachikawa, where Mark lives, eventually settled in his house, and what have you. It was pretty cool.

Now, what really irks me is the transportation system here. I'll have you know that it's complicated as it is, when you're just looking at a map, but when you enter and exit a bus or train, "you don't really have it your way," as my high school Latin teacher Doc Caliendo put it. In fact, you step and leave a nightmare, really. . . . So, I've been here for about two days. I've gotten used to the train because all you do is put your card or ticket in the turnstile at the beginning and end of the ride, and if you go over your limit, you can see the station manager or pay at the "fare adjustment machine" by the exit. Of if you're undoubtedly gaijin (foreigner), you can just bust through the turnstile, though I have to admit that you'll get a few looks on the way in/out.

Here in Tachikawa, I can never get used to the buses. My first mistake was paying in 1,000 yen. Normally, when you pay a certain amount that goes over the cost, you'd get change, right? For this bus, absolutely not! In fact, you get your 1,000 yen in change and you have to pay the respectable amount (depending on your stop). So yeah, I first placed my 1,000 yen, got the change, and attempted to leave the bus. "O-kyaku-san . . . " ("Sir . . . " ), the bus driver said. I turned and he told me I had to pay the fare. Refusing to question, I did, and attempted to leave the bus a second time, to which he corraled me again to collect my change. I mean, truly, wtf.

The second time, it ain't that simpler. Attempted to leave the bus, but! Turns out I placed the wrong coin in the wrong hole. Really, wtf. There are holes where you place exact change and there are holes where you place entire coins (if you're expecting change). So, expecting change, I waited and got nothing. Having told the bus driver that I placed a 500-yen coin inside the slot, he first told me that I was supposed to put exact change in there, and then told me that I can't get the change back (that I put in too much money). Frustrated at that prospect, I didn't want to hold up the other passengers --- it already seemed that way --- so I told the driver that I didn't need the change and immediately departed the bus, mentally flaming. Really, really, REALLY, wtf.

So, that's what I've been mad about in Tokyo. More or less, every bus system in every town is not like this one. It's what definitely f*cks up your budget if you're not careful. So, be careful when you're here. You can truly make a mess, for what it's worth, and you can learn from me, 'cause who knows? it could be another four months' worth nightmare for me. Hopefully not.