My First Day Working Abroad, I Climbed 19 Flights of Stairs in Heels

In a previous article, I wrote that
I was physically and mentally exhausted before resigning,
and left Japan feeling like I was running away.
👇️

Even after resigning, there was a dispute with HR over visa documents.

Still, the visa was finally granted.

I boarded the plane in high spirits,
my heart racing for the second chapter of my life
that was about to begin.

I had checked the area around the office on Google Maps in advance,
and I thought I understood that the hygiene and infrastructure
were not as well-developed as in Japan.

However, the reality was more chaotic than I had imagined.

My first day at work.

I got myself pumped up,
and chose my favorite outfit.

A Ralph Lauren striped dress I often got compliments on,
and a navy collarless jacket from United Arrows.
On my feet were 7cm heels from Pellico.

It was an outfit fitting for a new workplace and the start of a new life.

And so, I waited for the elevator
on the first floor of the company building.

But no matter how long I waited, it didn't come.

The elevator that finally arrived after about 15 minutes
was already packed with people.

I couldn't get on.

Giving up, I hurried up the stairs in my heels
to the 19th floor where the office was,
filled with confusion and frustration.

Panting and out of breath.

Even though the building had over 20 floors,
there were only four elevators.

Moreover, because a large number of people boarded from the underground motorcycle parking lot,
it was always full during the morning rush.

Waiting for more than 15 minutes during commute hours was the norm.

Until I got used to it,
it was more stressful than a crowded train.

Starting a new life, and in a different industry at that.

I was prepared for the work to be difficult.

However, the struggle was not with the work, but with daily life.

On the second day, I woke up too early, so I walked to the office.

I was walking carefully along the bumpy road, but unexpectedly, I fell on a rare, flat, paved stretch of asphalt.

My feet were swept out from under me by dust, and I took a spectacular tumble.

A crowd formed in an instant. Everyone tried to reach out to help me up.

A dump truck driver stopped his vehicle and signaled for me to hop in.

I was grateful, but I stood up and kept on walking.

When I got near the office building, I had to watch out for motorcycles speeding in every direction on the sidewalk.

While being careful not to get my feet run over, I also avoided the bumpy parts of the road.

Deafening honking echoed from all sides.

Swirling dust and exhaust fumes.

Before I knew it, I was coughing. In Japan, I had never coughed even in slightly dusty places.

And then I realized.

In this country, I can no longer wear my pristine white capri pants or nice heels.

To recover from the fatigue, I chose a room with a bathtub at my accommodation, even though the rent was a bit higher.

However, I never got to soak in hot water as I had hoped.

In the end, my days began of taking lukewarm showers and shivering as the water turned cold after just ten minutes.

My body felt heavy, and
the days when I wanted to lift my spirits increased.

Massages and shampoos on the way home from work
were not enough.

So, I decided early on
to go to nearby resorts or cities
once every month or two.

One day, from inside a sedan
heading to a client meeting,
I was staring blankly outside.

On the road in front of a restaurant,
men were surrounding a baby goat.

At first, I didn't understand what they were doing.

But the next moment, I saw blood.
I realized it was a scene of it being slaughtered for food.

I was deeply shocked.

I couldn't bear to look.

I thought I was someone who adapted well to change.

In fact, that was the case in Japan and where I studied abroad.

But in reality, it was different.

I had assumed I was adaptable
only within a world where infrastructure, hygiene, and order
were well-maintained.

It had only been a few weeks since I left the country.

Yet,

convenience store sweets,
quiet and clean stations,
well-maintained parks,
and ordinary chain stores
were already what I missed.

When I was in Japan,
I didn't even give those things a second glance.

This is an article about Southeast Asia👇️

A story from Kunming Airport👇️

Have you ever realized something was precious only after you lost it?

For me, it was specifically public cleanliness and water infrastructure.
When I was in Japan, I took it so much for granted that I never even thought to be grateful for it.

Please let me know in the comments if you'd like!

I'm also looking forward to your likes♡ and follows!!

Thank you for reading until the end😊