Awesome

**Warning: Long entry is VERY long. Also, this is one of the last posts directed at my family for updates, not so much adventures. From here on out, posts such as these will be clearly marked and few. All other posts will be simple, short updates and things found interesting. Like phones, bathrooms, etc...**

My original plan was to update this on a day to day basis on the first few days I spent in Japan and then gradually post at longer and more in-between intervals.

My original plan obviously failed. I blame jet lag, overstimulation, and the surplus of things to do. Not that that's a bad thing.

Okay, to start things off, after staying for the first night in a hotel very near Narita airport (the hotel was awesome by the way), my friend, our school's rep, and I all took the early bus to catch the early train into Tokyo. By early, I mean we all woke up around 5 in the morning. Meaning my friend and I, who were sharing a room, lagged around since 4 because we had jet lag and our bodies didn't function on Japan time. After an interesting learning curve with the shower, we went downstairs, had our first Japanese breakfast, and hopped onto the bus.

Which brings me to my first comment. You know how in America everyone drives huge cars and SUV's and Hummers which can easily kill people and leave no damage to the car? Yeah, not the case in Japan. The cars are much smaller. I don't mean they look miniture like the smartcars from Europe, I mean they're just not as big. They're, first of all, not as wide (fat people sorry, but the seats wouldn't work for you), and not as long (see: trunk space). All in all, I think that's probably the coolest thing ever. Not only are the cars compact, but it makes for better travel.

Which brings me to my second comment. Unlike in America, where everyone drives on the right, sitting in the left side to drive, and we have two lane traffic, everything here is done on the LEFT side, while you steer from the RIGHT. Driving, walking, biking, all of it. The roads are also primarily ONE WAY to drive, so don't make any wrong turns. Basically, it's like England, except in Osaka, where it's the same as America and they drive on the RIGHT and steer on the LEFT. And yes, the capital letters were necessary. How else and I supposed to express emphasis?

Anyway, continuing on my recap of the adventure so far. So, after getting back to the airport, our little posse hops on the train (with all our typical American luggage) and we take an awesome ride to Tokyo. An awesome hour or so ride to Tokyo. Now, Tokyo, unlike many American metropolis (I dunno how to make that plural. :P) is not all roads and buildings. In fact, for the majority of the ride, it was open farm land with buildings scattered in between. Of course, when finally getting into the city the bare ground/buildings everywhere ratio changed dramatically but that didn't completely negate the fact that, in Tokyo, there's a lot more vegetation than in American cities. For example, there are trees EVERYWHERE. And I don't just mean the little bonzai trees. I mean huge 30ft trees all over the place. This is awesome, because not only does it provide for a great scenic and pleasant atmosphere, but it also provides the basic air purification which trees provide and which most US cities lack. Because we love big metal structures and battling with nature. That's the American way. (insert eye roll here)

So, we get into Tokyo. Which, in and of itself is extremely exciting. However, first thing to know. Everything everywhere all the time is busy. And not just rush hour busy. Busy as in you more your little tuckas (see: behind, butt, posterior) to get places and don't dawdle. If you do, you'll get lost and cause a traffic jam of people. This is especially important in train stations, which are always thronging with people. The trains themselves are ALWAYS on time and extremely fast and efficient. Amazing systems I wish we had in the States.

Mind you, the second day were were there (the 23rd) was the day we all met our host families.

So, finally arriving at Shinjuku station, we meet my friends host family and send her on her way. She was met with about four people who all were so excited that the school rep and I were pretty much just left to go meet my family. Which we did with pleasure. After a few more transfers, train rides, and quiet info sessions on the train, we arrived at the Tamagawa station. Where, just at the gate, stood two very enthusiastic people who immediately, upon seeing me, yelled happily (my host mother jumped a bit and waved her arms. She is, quite possibly, the cutest thing since baby rabbits). Getting through the gate to meet them (we hugged and everything), they insisted my school rep come back home for lunch.

The walk from the station to the house consists of a lovely jaunt through a park, up a small hill, and down a few streets. Not a long distance at all. Well, unless you have a near 50lb backpack on your back, but, really, not so bad.

Which brings me to my house. Or, my families house I should say. Which, unlike everything else in Tokyo, is huge. Of course, this isn't American standards. By American standards, it's a normal sized house. From what I was expecting, it's enormous. There is a large living room with a beautifully set dining room and wonderful kitchen. There are TWO toilets, a very spacious bathroom, and four bedrooms. One is a spare (my host parents sleep separate because my host father snores. My aunt and uncle do the same thing, so it isn't that weird), which is right next to mine. I have a bed, a desk, a closet larger than any one I've had before, and my very own pair of house slippers.

It is, in simple terms, absolutely fantastic.

Lunch was amazing. And huge. I've never eaten so much for lunch in my life (except for brunch, but that's a different matter). Extremely welcoming, my host family also are amazing cooks and (a real perk) speak English very well and we all have a great time trying to speak each others language. Me in my limited knowledge of Japanese and their English. Actually, during dinner between myself and my host mother last night (papa was out with some friends), I learned that she can write English almost perfectly. Apparently, in high school and college, they were taught to write in English for almost all examinations. Her cursive is better than mine. However, she never really learned how to speak English. We both agreed that, while she helps me improve my Japanese, I will, in turn, help her learn easy conversational English so that she can verbalize all that she knows. During lunch, I was shown all the emails my mom and dad have been sending to my host parents as well as the house rules. My expectations are extremely simple. Clean up after myself. Be respectful in the bathroom. Be on time for meals and call ahead if I'm going to be late. Very basic stuff. I have a curfew of 10-11 pm (very reasonable) and am to call if I'm going to be later. Basically, it's like being at home. Except I don't have to clean the cat box and make dinner.

After lunch, they sent me upstairs to unpack, after which we were going to go get a phone. (Note: I am not going to talk about the phone in this entry. I'm going to do that separately along with talking about bathrooms, because this post is going to be long enough as it is). After getting the phone, we came home and I got to meet more of the family. My host sister and her son to be exact. A four year old who delighted running around the living room yelling 'RIIIIIIIIIIZU!' really loudly and enthusiastically. It was almost impossible to get him to talk slowly and he seemed to find the fact that I spoke fragmented Japanese extremely entertaining. As did I. So we both had something in common. Their daughter was lovely, both fun to talk with and interesting. Dinner was extremely pleasant and, after a good meal, they practically pushed me up the stairs to bed.

Onto day two (yesterday) which consisted of a wake up at 6am so I could shower (again, bathrooms come later) and get ready to board the 7:30 train to meet my school's rep to travel to Waseda for the first day of Orientation. My commute is around 45 minutes to an hour (extremely normal for a student in Japan and not as long as it sounds), and, upon arriving on campus amid the rain, we found the orientation building (my friend met us there) with the help of our rep, and began our time at Waseda. The orientation was primarily student led, amazingly enough, by Waseda students already there. The students there who are currently on exchange were about 60-70+ including myself and my friend. We sat at a table with two other students, one from New Zealand and one from another university in Japan. Both lovely chaps.

Then began Orientation. Really, there's nothing much interesting to talk about for Orientation aside from that we had it and it was cool. It's all school based stuff. It was in both English and Japanese in case you were wondering though. And, apparently, people think my Japanese is very good. I think they're just being nice, because I know for a fact I'm not very skilled. The kindness is appreciated however.

Orientation also did not last very long. Since my friend and I are both in homestay, we ended up going to a different orientation meeting which was just for the homestay students on the program. To be exact, four students. Myself, my friend, and two other students who we quickly befriended. After that orientation, we were basically free to go. Which we did, all five of us (another students joined our group as well) and we proceeded to wander about Tokyo, finding the stations on foot and purchasing rail passes in our weak Japanese. Weak, but effective, as everyone here is extremely patient and kind. Thus, returning home earlier than usual, I met my host mother and chatted for a while before being sent upstairs to rest for a bit and to look over all the information for orientation the next day (today). After reading for a while, we did another run through of how the Japanese baths work, the toilets function, and how to turn on the heaters (it's actually quite cold right now. I'm extremely glad I brought all the sweaters and such my mom insisted I bring. Thank you mom!). Then, we had dinner (Japanese Curry which I absolutely LOVE and which my host mom delightedly agreed to teach me how to make) and retired for the night. After a quick goodnight from my host papa, we pretty much all crashed and had a lovely sleep.

And then woke up today to begin anew. Which I shall do by exploring and seeing everything around me.

And so, with that, I'm off to the train station and another day of excitement!

Ja ne!

Ai