I remember my first time going to Japan, winter of 1998. I was only 9 years old at the time, and remember being fascinated by the soda machines and vending food machines. Hawaii does not have the same technology as Japan, so of course everything seemed amazing to me. During that time, I rode the train for the very first time and it was an experience I will never forget. My family and I had all our luggage with us while on the train and I was holding on to my backpack waiting for the train to start moving. All of a sudden the train went into full force and with nothing to hold my ground, I fell on my back and stared at the roof of the train in absolute shock. My mother helped me back up and everyone in the train started to giggle at me. I was embarrassed. My sister still brings that up and teases me about it, and so that is why every time I ride the train, I make sure to hold onto something so that will never happen again.