WTF, Japan? Part 1

I have much to update and much to discuss, so I feel it might be better for my dear readers if I split this update into several posts. So that y'all don't get too overwhelmed. (That seems to be a common theme). I apologize, but there's just so much to tell!

This is a new section of my blog called "WTF, Japan?". (I hope you all know what that means, and mom and grandma, I apologize). In it, similar to "Really? With Seth and Amy" on SNL, I plan to expose the varied hilarious and infuriating incidents that happen to me as I travel Japan.

Today's WTF... Bus Drivers in Nikko.

WTF, Japanese Bus Drivers? Do you really not understand that we poor gai-jin are a little lost sometimes? Do you really not have it in your heart to help us out? Really?

Because here's the thing: We know that we are stupid foreigners. We know we can't read your language or figure out your transportation at all times. But we try, and we ask for help. And your fellow countrymen are so pleasant and helpful and take pride in their jobs. And really?! You can't do the same?

We also know that you run a very efficient system that actually runs as scheduled and you take pride in that. We also know that this weekend was a busy summer holiday weekend of the O-bon festival and some of your buses were late due to crazy traffic. And we were patient. WTF, Japan? You can't be patient, too? We've been warned that sometimes whilst running for the bus, you won't wait for us... But really, Japan? WE WERE AT YOUR DOOR WITH OUR FEET ON THE FIRST STEP and you DENIED us entry? Really?!?!?!?

See, when you stop the bus to let people disembark, and it's the same place we got off the bus a few hours earlier, we hope that you will let us on this bus. Especially since said bus is not overcrowded like every other bus. And when we read the Romaji you so graciously have scrolling on the side of the bus and see you are, in fact, headed for our destination, we hope you will allow us to embark your bus to our destination. And then when we triple-check our timetable and the posted time table on a post 3 feet (alright, 1 m in your country) from said door and see that yes, it is the right time for us to board, we rightly assume you will allow us to embark.

So, really? WTF, Nikko lady bus driver? We don't understand instantly when we show you our passes and you deny us entry by SHUTTING THE DOOR IN OUR FACES. Really? You can't give us the universal X symbol, or heck, just a gracious point to the proper bus stop entry point a mere 10 meters away? And then when you pull away, you couldn't politely gesture for us to follow? Really? Cuz I'm sure it would kill you to let the kind foreigners know where it is acceptable to board the bus. And because said second bus stop has no one waiting in line (like the 50 or so by the time the next bus came), you can't see that maybe we don't understand that is where we should board the bus? Or that we aren't convinced you just pulled away and left us at the curb with no explanation? And then when we start jogging towards you looking confused and exacerbated, you can't wait 10 SECONDS to let us board? REALLY?! Cuz I'm pretty sure it's 1000 m in elevation and 15 minutes in travel time down a MOUNTAIN to the next stop and you could make up 10 SECONDS in your timetable. WTF?

And really? It doesn't bother you that poor foreigners now are forced to wait 45 minutes for the next bus and possibly miss their dinner reservations because you weren't helpful? Really? WTF?

And by the way, what is it with you Nikko bus drivers anyway? Was it really necessary for your colleague to deny the polite JAPANESE lady entry to our bus hours earlier because the tourists weren't finished scooting back to allow her room to stand on the bus? Really? She is your fellow countryman after all...

And really?! Was it necessary for yet another colleague to deny us entry at the end of our trip because he wouldn't take our unlimited passes to go back to the station, a mere 1.5 km ride? Really, Japan? You felt it was that crucial to force the already sun-weary tourists to walk back to the train station after they had walked all day? Really? WTF, Nikko?

Fellow travelers... be warned. The only person who has yet to effectively anger me and rile my temper here in Japan is a Nikko lady bus driver. Really, lady? I'm disappointed in you. You are the only person in your WHOLE COUNTRY who has ticked me off. Maybe you should just move to New York and fit in there.

I'm just saying... WTF?!