I wanted to have enough time to explore Sapporo before heading to the airport at 1 pm so I had to get up at 5 am again. My host dropped me off at the station on his way to work. The train ride back was beautiful! A good part along the stormy, winter ocean. I got to Sapporo station at about 9:30 am and promptly hit the toilets and flopped on a bench. The not feeling well had carried over from last night and I didn’t want to move at all. I dragged myself off to buy souvenirs and some water, before ending up on the phone with my mom and dad for a bit. I listened to my mom’s advice and decided not to sightsee, but to go straight to the airport before I felt worse.

My card didn’t work when I tried to go through the gates. I showed it to the staff member and explained to him that I had to pay cash in Kutchan last time. He asked for the paper they had given me. I thought it was just a receipt and threw it away, whoops. Luckily he accepted that I had lost it, and cleared the error. The more you learn… On the ride to the airport, an old woman sitting next to me strikes a conversation in perfect English. I was so surprised! I haven’t met elderly people that speak English at all here. After she exited the train, the woman on the other side of her moved over and told me how surprised she was too. We continued talking for the rest of the ride. She was a flight attendant for Air Canada and had lived for awhile in Vancouver.

Once I got to the airport, I found a tucked away corner with comfy chairs and nested. I had three hours to waste. I definitely feel asleep at one point. I’m glad I left because I did end up feeling more nauseous and feverish. I left to go find my check in counter, which was a little confusing, only to see that I had another delay of 30 minutes due to the same ship arrangement. Once again, I passed through the whole process without showing my passport. The gate area was pretty full, but I got a comfy seat. The window seat next to me on the plane was empty - lucky! So although I had a middle seat, I could stretch out. This plane was much newer than the last and had more leg room. Sadly because of the 30 minute delay, I just missed the next bus to Takasaki and had to wait the full hour. I shedded some layers in the bathroom and bought a thermometer to confirm I did have a slight fever. Hung out outside in the waiting area for bus. The cool air and snow (!) felt good. The bus also got into some traffic so once again it made the 9 pm and 9:30 pm trains to Tomioka impossible to catch. I finally got home at 11 pm after a brisk bike ride. So happy to see my bed. Too bad I have school tomorrow.