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Found in Translation |
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For some time, I was suffering from a mild case of xenophobia. That’s not good for a travel editor. Travel reporting has taken me all over the world —— but, I recently realized, primarily to Englishspeaking countries.
Then comes the call from American Airlines. They are inaugurating a flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo. Before my inner xenophobe can reply, I hear an American rep say the whole trip will be just four days. Four days? We will be on a Boeing 777 for 11 hours and 35 minutes ——each way. That essentially means two days flying and two days in Japan.
Crazy, right? To me, it seems perfect. Get in, get out, and get home without embarrassing myself.
After a sake barrel ceremony at the Los Angeles International gate, I’m led to a fully reclining first-class seat. I watch Big Fish and Mystic River on a personal movie screen. I eat and drink my way across the international dateline.
And then the Tokyo Narita International Airport sprawls before my eyes. Lots of signs in English, I notice. No problem. It’s easy to find the bus to the Hotel New Otani Tokyo. This is where the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and New York Yankees stayed while opening this baseball season at the nearby Tokyo Dome stadium. Hey, if a Yankee can survive in this town, I figure I’ll be okay.
What a spectacular city. It’s like a clean version of New York run by Ritz-Carlton. The streets are pristine. So is the subway system——which is amazingly user-friendly. And the people are faultlessly polite. I learn how to say “excuse me” and “where is . . .” in Japanese. Then I point on a map where I need to go. Works like a charm. A highlight of my trip is a walk to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku, where the bar scenes from Lost in Translation were filmed. I go to the 52nd floor and the New York Grille & Bar. I’m directed to Bill Murray’s bar seat, grab a drink and have my picture taken. It’s one of my favorite pictures ever.
The point is this: We are all——as American says in one of its frequent-flyer promotions ——one-world partners. Travel opens your eyes to new cultures, ideas and inspirations. I’d been quasi-reluctant. But if it helps, remember this line from Who Moved My Cheese?: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” Hopefully, Travelscan help open your eyes to the wide world. Enjoy the issue.
Ron Donoho
Executive Editor
rdonoho@sandiegomag.com
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