The First Week in Japan

Hey everyone! So much has happened to me these past two weeks because, well, I'm finally in Japan!!! I am terrible sorry for the late post. I've been so busy here trying to get adjusted...

I landed in Japan on March 25th at Narita Airport around 4 PM. The flight itself was a long one. I think I was awake for over 24 hours since I was coming back from Pittsburgh, PA the day before I left -- so I had to finish packing all night. By the way, jet-lag SUCKS.

When I arrived at Narita, I was greeted by my program director. He and his colleague took me and another student to a Japanese Denny's! At this point, I wasn't so enthused because I really just wanted a shower and sleep. But I did enjoy the fact that the food tasted fresh! I got some sort of pork dish and it was fantastic. The restaurant was so interesting to me too, the waitresses all dress in the same adorable maid-like outfit and their hair is done the same way. It looked like a milk-maid braid! Being in Japan for only 4 hours at this point and I see so many differences. Afterwards, I was taken to my host family's house, this was probably around 9 PM since the drive from Tokyo to Yokohama took hours because of traffic!

On the way to Yokohama, we drove by Tokyo Disney!!

Anyway,

My host family is very kind. We get along really well and I'm so happy I can talk to them everyday about anything. My host mother actually studied English in America for one year while studying English at a University in Japan. So, it has been easy to learn Japanese from her with an English explanation! I really love my room, too. It's the perfect size for me!

My room before settling in officially~

My first actual day in Japan, my host family and I went to a mall called Tressa. It was fairly close by car so we went there to pick up some groceries and a purse for me (because I'm stupid and forgot to pack one)! Tressa was decorated for Kodomo no hi (Children's Day)! There were many koi fish flags and bright colors! It was really cute even though the weather wasn't so great.

I ended up getting a pink purse and some notebooks for school, the flower printed notebook in the photo below is a notebook I have dedicated to Japanese words or phrases that I've learned. So far, I feel like it is helping me remember what I've learned from my host family and friends. I would suggest anyone trying to learn a language at all to do this!

Classes have been amazing as well, I was so nervous -- thinking they would be entirely different from my own in America. Some of the students here are so inspiring, they want to learn so much. Especially English! A lot of people are amazed that I am from America and know English, which I of course felt like it was no big deal, but after awhile I think I am finally starting to understand what it means to be an American after hearing about other countries from a first perspective in class with my classmates. 

All of my little adventures up until now have been a little surreal. It's hard to believe that everyday I get to wake up in a beautiful city every morning and that I have so many new, wonderful friends that I am able to connect with even if we don't entirely know each other's languages. The spirit of the Japanese people never ceases to amaze me when they are always willing to help another person despite language barriers.

Until next time! ~