Elevator Adventures

This past weekend was a wild one to say the least. For starters, I got stuck in the elevator for about an hour I’d say. Although, I’m not completely sure because my phone died while I was waiting to get some help. But before all of that, I met Akari, a friend of a friend who told me that we would get along really well once I get to Japan. We spent the day walking around Asakusa and saw Senso-ji temple while getting caught in the current of tourists walking around. We later went to the Pokémon center at Sky Tree which is the tallest structure in Japan. For dinner, we decided to have dinner at the izakaya that Akari worked and there I met her coworkers and some locals who were super friendly and sweet. The energy was so lively and I got to practice my Japanese. It was a night with many laughs and new memories that I am thankful for. As the night came to an end, I was able to catch my last train back to my main station with the help of Akari making sure I was going the right direction, but the train was no longer in service so I had to walk for about 45 minutes to get to my dorm. As I get to my dorm building, I wait for the elevator to take me to the fourth floor. I just had a long walk and I wasn’t about to take the stairs, so as the elevator takes to my floor, the door wouldn’t open. After 10-15 minutes of me trying to pry it open, I trealized that this is more serious than I thought. I quickly asked a group chat with most of the international students from my school to see if they can help me. Thankfully, Morgan was there for me to help call the guards. Helped finally arrived, 40 minutes later and I was able to get out, but Morgan was there with me the whole time. Once I got out, I spend the rest of my weekend inside my room. After the whole ordeal, many of the international students that I met all made sure that I was alright, and it made me realize that there is a special community within the exchange students that cares for one another. Although I was not aware of it, I see how friends like Akari and Morgan were there for me even though we don’t know each other that well. Despite missing my friends and family back home, I’m starting to feel a sense of home here in Japan. Despite being stuck in a haunted elevator, I am glad to know that I can rely on others here as well.