What do you have friends for?

"Have fun on vacation", it was said on the Monday before the flight to Tokyo.

Olympia!

Describe sun, summer and the competitions of the world's youth for gold.

There are worse things.

The fear of corona. It sits on the population's neck. That's what the Japanese said in polls. They fear the guests from all over the world as variant smugglers. On the other hand, they have come up with an immigration program. It consists of an interesting mix: modern monitoring technology with one or two apps including tracking, a meticulously adhered Covid test calendar - and a miraculous mess of papers.

Five forms, nicely stamped paper, like it was back then at the office, must also be there.

If you then bravely get off the plane and march cheerfully to the first of at least six checkpoints, the latest message on your smartphone will remind you of the meticulous adherence to the rules: Otherwise, process in the neck!

At least pillory (Internet ad), in any case expulsion.

Welcome to Tokyo.

Have you seen that before?

So many worried expressions in sports battles of experienced reporters.

Armed with a pile of documents under his arm, the passport in his left hand, the cell phone with the Olympus-opening QR code in his right hand, but as dubious and trembling as the Englishman during a penalty shoot-out.

Is he coming in?

"We want you to arrive"

But then: a smile, no, two, ten, maybe thirty-four. At some point counting is no longer worthwhile. It slips. Two hours from the plane to the exit of the airport, another two hours to the accommodation. That was quick, say the vanguard. And entertaining too. Imagine, a good hour later, you were standing in a fully occupied coach in a parking lot and looking into the eyes of those travelers who slept over half a day from Europe to Asia and would now like to get off after the all-around immigration competition take the last way to the hotel.

How would you explain to the heated, sweaty, deranged gentlemen that they are not allowed to leave the bus under the scorching sun, even though the specially ordered taxis are queuing? With the applicable Corona rules for Olympic people: always only three get off at a suitable distance, have the address ready, check, compare, enter: "We want you to arrive." And infection-free.

So everyone with a taxi. Also the two who, vaccinated and tested negative three times, sat next to each other on the plane for eleven hours. This takes a while. And so the lady with the microphone in her hand bridged the waiting time with the description of beautiful things in Tokyo, which the inclined listener, unfortunately, but under penalty (see above), is not allowed to visit in the next 14 days like a tidy, brisk tour guide . "Sorry, no sightseeing", pause, but then from the bottom of our hearts: "We are still happy that you are here."