Quarantine! Pt.1

On the day of my arrival, thick clouds were hovering over all of Japan, so I didn't even get a chance to look at the island from high above. It wasn't until the plane lowered its ceiling, after breaking through the clouds, that I was surprised to see rice fields and solar farms stretching below. For some reason, I had imagined that the first thing I would see would be soaring skyscrapers and cramped urban buildings. The sight of the rice fields later became much more commonplace for me, but at first I this landscape felt weird.

The landing of the big Dreamliner was extremely smooth, I didn't feel the slightest jolt. I looked around the deck. Most of the people were locals, their faces did not show any excitement. I was able to get a good look at everyone - the plane was almost empty. The effect of the pandemic. I was one of the few foreigners allowed to fly in, and just now I felt a mixture of fear, excitement, joy, and uncertainty.

Narita airport was deserted. Everything looked as if half of humanity had suddenly disappeared. We were led to the lobby where everyone had to go through the first check - documents: Passport, visa, PCR tests and a few others.... The procedures dragged on. Another checkpoint. First PCR test. Smartphone check - contact app, location logging, contact tracking app. Under normal circumstances I would have protested such surveillance, but this was one of the conditions for allowing me into Japan. More minutes passed, another two posts passed.... at some point, I lost track of time, and fatigue and jet lag began to do their work. I was feeling like I stopped understanding what people were saying to me, no matter English or Japanese. In total, I spent over four hours at the airport, which, as I found out later, was actually fast.

The last formality was the issuing of the residence card, and already, I could get on the bus and go to the enforced quarantine. After more formalities at the hotel, I was finally able to get a well-deserved rest. I was drained, and I took my first night in Japan with real relief and joy....