I finally made it to Japan! and it took about oh I don't know 4-5 mins to notice that it is completely different from Canada! It's amazing and a little intimidating but I don't feel ecstatic about everything which is probably good since those are early stages of culture shock. Obviously it is different than what I imagined but I expected it would be.
I'm really glad I'm here and I hope I can settle in quickly. It's so crazy though! Like you really have absolutely no idea until your here as to how amazing and different things are.
My homestay family however, is MUCH MUCH better than anything I could ask for. I think I am the luckiest to have them as my family! They are very kind, helpful and funny! Today I will give them some omiyage (souvenirs) and I hope they will like them!
Getting here was crazy! it only took minutes to get out of the airport and I had no problems what so ever but when I went to the train station I wanted to get my ticket and call my homestay mother Mayumi to say that I was coming to meet her at Funabashi station. So I went to the ticket and said I needed a ticket to Funabashi, paid for it and the ticket lady said it leaves at 15:59 (3:59 p.m.). So I asked her what time is was now and she said 15:56!!!!! So as you could imagine I just kind of ran to the train and hoped to Jesus that is was the right skyliner train. I asked a lady once the train got going and not only did she say yes it was but she let me know when to get ready to get off and I was very grateful for that.
Also on the train I was so amazed to see that businessmen were just sitting on the public transit train drinking beer they got from vending machines! It's so interesting! Oh yeah and I heard them making fun of my big ass backpack haha.
When I got to Funabashi station I found a pay phone but they work differently than ours so it took a few tries and I lost like 220 yen which really sucked but live and learn I guess.
I'm definitely a minority here to. I pretend not to notice people staring at me but it really doesn't bother me. I knew it was going to happen because here I am not only a white guy but a big, possibly scary looking one with enough luggage that would make it look like I was going to set up my own colony here.
Today I hope to explore a little and I will almost definitely get lost but once again live and learn. the more I throw myself out there, the more comfortable I will be in a shorter amount of time.
Until next time!
Mike
P.S. The blog before was something I wrote on the flight to Japan because I had nothing really to do...
Love you! :D
Just Kidding!
... Or am I? :O
Pic is of Me, Airi (girl) Kimi (boy) They are so cute!
It sounds you are having very good time over there.
ReplyDeleteAt the station, did you ask in Japanese?
Maybe, you didn't have time do that, eh?
In Japan, you can buy beer anytime and anywhere, vending machine.
Japan is vending machine country.
Anyway, try to use whatever we practiced at the lesson.
Good luck!