The Day the World Got Bigger
And why this is a problem
“Cabin crew, take your seats.”
We flew to the other side of the world in about ten hours. It was a smooth and uneventful journey with minimal turbulence. Our last-minute upgrade to business class in Amsterdam enhanced the experience, allowing us to enjoy a meal, watch a movie, and get some rest.
My wife and I exchanged smiles; I could tell she was happy. Just before landing, we discussed our dinner plans for the evening — we were thinking of having okonomiyaki (a savory pancake) at Ryu, which was conveniently located just a few minutes from our guest house.
“Welcome to Japan. Welcome to Fukuoka, where the local time is 8:21 AM.”
Fukuoka is such a convenient city, with the airport only 15 to 20 minutes from where we usually stay. Fukuoka has become like a second home to us. We typically stay here for a few days when I teach an intensive course in an international program at Kyushu University.
Fast forward ten years, and I found myself teaching my annual intensive course in Fukuoka. It’s always so much fun teaching an international group of students. It’s one of the most rewarding things to do.
But this time, things were different. One would expect improvements in efficiency and convenience in travel…
