DEPARTURE and ARRIVAL

DEPARTURE and ARRIVAL

Aug.27.2013

and

Aug.28.2013

The chic St. Paul MN airport was real fancy.

The day started off with having maybe 3 hours of sleep, but had I known how long I was going to go without more and how stressful the trip to Japan was to be, then I would have tried my best to have gone to bed earlier.

The night before I had everything in a pile ready to be packed, but hadn't really put it all together, that took time, a lot of time. So I really didn't get to bed until about 12:30 am, and we had to leave at around 4:30 am.

I didn't fall asleep at 12:30, nor did we actually leave by 4:30, so we would get there by 5:30, for my 7:15 am flight.

 Then, there was the hurricane like rain and wind storm that ripped through Mount Pleasant on our way to the MBS Saginaw airport, and the whole journey there I was first worried about making it there safely, and then second to that I was worried about making it on time.

I made it with time to spare. Said goodbye to my boyfriend who I would not see for 4 months.

There was nothing major to report about the short flight to Minnesota, nor to Seattle, or even really to KIX Osaka in Japan. For the last flight though it was nearly like torture for me. Ten plus hours on a plane, for some isn't a big deal but it had me questioning my ability to handle long distance flights that would surely be required for a career as a foreign correspondent.

Nearly there!

On a plane I really don't want to do anything. I can't concentrate well enough to read, and even if I could it may trigger motion sickness. For each flight save the last I had no issues with motion sickness but perhaps because it was a long day and I was stressed the most by then, the last flight was pretty intense at ascension and sometimes at the beginning.

On top of the queasy feelings, I was antsier than a worm. I just wanted to not be sitting on a plane. I was so glad to have had the sense to request aisle seats for each. I couldn't believe my seat-mate who didn't get up ONCE during our 10 plus hour flight. No joke!

Onigiri rice balls, and Natto for lunch.

It was mind boggling to land at KIX, and hard to wrap my head around that it was a man made island in the Pacific Ocean or Osaka Bay. They built an island and put an airport on it, how phenomenal is that?

The day before I had left I had checked the arrival weather and it was supposed to be 97 degrees F, but pleasantly was surprised to find a warm 80 something with a breeze and nice skies.

Myself and 3 other students met our coordinator at the airport, loaded up on some konbini (convenience store) foods, and then proceeded to take a bus limousine from Osaka to Nara, about an hour-long ride.

In my dorm after a trip to the Daiso Hyakuen shop.

By then we were all so ready for bed. But we weren't done. We were shown our dorm rooms and different rooms like the showers, common room kitchen etc. of our three I-Houses (International). North Women's, North Men's, and South Men's.

Then we went to a room where previous students' stuff was left behind for others to use and got items like brand new packets of ramen, a desk lamp, batteries, waste basket, and other supplies.

Then it was off to showers and bed.

Kyohou, large globe grapes grown with a clear plastic bag over them keeping out bugs 

Day 2 In Japan

Aug. 29.13

None of us, the new arrivals, slept well. Most woke around 4-6am. And the shrieking calls of the local deer, cicada drum during the night, and later the hacking caws of the crow/ravens was enough to keep us up by itself, but accompanied by jet-lag and you have a recipe for insomnia.

The new American arrivals from CMU and Lock Haven University met our coordinator the next morning at the school, then were escorted to the city hall for a day of paperwork getting our registration cards, Japanese bank accounts and a bit of grocery and supply shopping while also seeing more of Nara.

Nara is famous for its deer for a reason, they are everywhere!

Nara is a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. It has a lot going on in my opinion, and especially since there are tourists coming in to see the heritage sites and Nara's deer park which is known worldwide.

We later decided to go find the shopping district area in search of the Hyaku en (like a dollar store, but which has more quality items than the ones I have been to in America). Yeah, that was a long night.

We had never been there before and only had a vague idea where we were going. But we found it after we had spent maybe triple the time it should have taken to get there and back, plus having to truck our purchases back was a trial.

I slept a lot better that night though as a result.

My plants on my balcony help me to feel more settled in.

Day 3 Nara is not Tokyo

Aug.30.13

Having only been in the Kanto area near Tokyo and Saitama, I came to Nara under the impression that it would be similar to Tokyo, but different. Afterall I knew it was a different region known to be distinctly different in a lot of ways, but this did nothing to prepare me for just how different it was.

Basically I figured out I need to stop comparing Nara to the Kanto area right away and just be present in the moment. They are so very different.

Nara is really old. One of or the first capitol, and I knew this but somehow I didn't know just how much of Nara is the old style of buildings especially.

Another thing I am still working on is Kansai ben or this area's dialect. It hasn't been really apparent at first, but everytime I am asked where I'm from they use a different word than standard Japanese (Kimasu, or Kara).

The deer are everywhere.

I still haven't really settled in yet, still stocking up on supplies and foods so I can easily cook and such. Plus when you walk 30 minutes one way to the store to get groceries and have to carry it all you really think about what you buy. 

I haven't registered my bike yet and am too unfamilliar so far with where I have to do that just yet. Plus every time I go to think of going off by myself other students want to go together. That's fine and all but I'm really a “Do it by myself” kind of person and can only handle so much group-trekking-time.

One great point though is that all of my studying has really paid off. I am really comfortably communicating here and have had very few communication problems. That is a big bonus and relief for sure, definitely makes me at ease more.

Closer view of the baby and mama deer.

On a side note I am a really eco-conscious minimalist type of person and when I go shopping it is next to impossible to find foods that aren't wrapped in plastic and swathed in packaging of some sort. I am still looking for the farmers market though and hope that I can start buying there which will make me feel a lot better not buying mountains of packaging.

I am looking forward to getting a few plants for my balcony and maybe a small desk plant to cheer up my room, which is no longer musty because I thankfully brought my essential oils and put a mix of citronella and peppermint oils on a plate on my bookshelf.

Today we have orientation and then lunch with Japanese students which sounds like fun, but I could also use some more sleep.

Kasugayama Primeval Forest. They haven't cut trees since 841!

…

After our orientation which was basically a walk through of our handbook, the Japanese students volunteered to show us the cafeteria. We ate lunch, I had spicy tofu and a tonkatsu (fried pork cutlets) meal with croquets.

After we ate the Japanese students volunteered to walk us to the Daiso hyaku en (dollar equivalent store) where we had had trouble finding before. So a 30 plus minute walk for all of us together.

I personally am having a hard time getting used to walking in groups on these roads in Nara where we are. It is so narrow and there is often no sidewalk to separate you from the cars. Some areas have sidewalks others have small designated areas for pedestrians all in the need to save space I believe.

We walked past the 5-story pagoda, and by the big Kintetsu train station, went into the Daiso dollar store, and supermarkets. Also at this point we knew of no other places to shop except the konbini near our school and the Higashi Muki shopping area where the Daiso was, so we were convinced these were the only places we could buy toilet paper, and bought a big package, that we of course had to carry the whole walk to our dorms. 

Just so you know, we found plenty of places days after, much closer, in which we could easily and more cheaply purchase toilet paper.

Kasugayama forest.

Then the Japanese volunteer group walked us back to our dorms, they were so helpful.

We also learned of the centipedes here and how they are poisonous. If you get bit you need to go to the hospital and have the wound drained we were told. People in our International houses put this powder (it smells awful and I don't think it's natural) along their doors to ward them off.

I put Cayenne pepper and dragged a swab soaked in citronella along mine. We shall see if it works. But checking your shoes and bedding is a good idea.

We have already seen 2, one at the school a small one that I actually felt bad for, poor little thing, and then one in the road which was maybe 7 inches long, with red legs and a brown body. It looked dangerous, and was mostly dead, and an ant was trying to drag it away. Possibly it had been run over by a bike or car, but it didn't look smashed.

It is really quite muggy lately, which isn't too bad if you are just lounging about, or in the AC, but if you are walking everywhere it is definitely something to consider. Most people carry small hand towels to blot the sweat from their necks and faces.

I am glad I have a bike and can't wait to start riding it instead of walking everywhere. 

Typhoon is coming

8.31.13

We've been told there is a Typhoon coming our way so lots of rain and wind like a mini hurricane. That sounds interesting.

It's kind of odd being the only student in our group who is only here for a semester as opposed t a full year, since even things like getting Internet and phone service require 1, but usually 2 year contracts with expensive cancellation fees, as in $400 equivalent fees. Some students get these and then pass on the contract to another student before they leave, and transfer the contract to them since most students are here 1 year, it makes sense.

Nara deer next to a warning sign. Be careful, they can knock you down if you are rude.

Cleaning and a need for me-time

9.1.13

I felt that my room needed some cleaning done, so I started to clean the door, and walls by the entrance, then later  I scrubbed my balcony which had dirt and some algae on it. 

It looks gorgeous now, and I can watch the deer that come up in the courtyard nearly every day and look at the trees. I can't see the mountain, but I know it's just out of sight, and that is comforting as well.

It's really serene out here. There are trees and plants all over in our area and I really appreciate it all.

After the concrete jungle of Tokyo it is definitely a more soothing atmosphere to me.

There is someone in the group of Americans who is still trying to adjust and no doubt finds comfort in companionship in a foreign country, but they often want to go together with me everywhere. It wouldn't be a problem except that I need me time, a lot. I can only have group or pair time in small bursts, but when you have to walk everywhere it usually is like 1-2 hours and many times I just want to enjoy things by myself.

I now have a rosemary plant and 3 other plants I am unfamiliar with on my clean balcony and I find them to be really comforting. Especially since I walk past businesses and residences where their doorways are just bursting with plants.

This male is soon ousted by a grumpy one coming around the corner.

I'm really starting to finally feel settled in now. I have supplies, foods, comfort things like plants, and a general idea of where stores are and how the town is laid out. I still need to find the farmers market and of course plan to explore more each day.

Grumpy male wants his spot by the vending machine.

And now he's happy.

"Do you suck your teeth at me sir?"

I have since been to Kasuga Yama Primeval forest which is pretty mind blowing and beautifully serene. It's like a scene out of Princess Mononoke the famous Japanese film. 

I plan to go there more and go deeper into the forest, and visit the shrine. Here is a video of baby deer and it's mom near a playground  Deer.


On a side note the we thought the Typhoon kind of missed us, we have just been having days of rain, on and off. Today it is pouring especially hard, and of course I left my umbrella because the skies were clear this morning when I left my dorm. So I am working at the library here until it clears up a bit.