So I am back in Japan! This time, I'm here for 3 and a half months or so rather than two weeks. This trip is a huge difference than the last because before I was in Osaka and Kyoto- a southern part of Japan. This time I'm in the biggest city in the world: Tokyo!! I did not realize the massive size of this city until I took one look a the train system. The city goes on for miles. Easily three times the size of NYC, but much better. The train systems are computerized, sophisticated, and come to you like clock work. The efficiency of this city is astounding to say the least (its even more than that.) I am so blessed to be able to study in this city!!!!
My dad came with me on this trip for just a couple of days so he could have a chance to see Japan. At first I was indifferent to him coming with me, but later I will explain why I was really glad he came with me.
We landed in tokyo exhausted and walking with the feeling of being hungover (even though no alcohol was in our system DUH) We took a bus over to the place where I was supposed to meet my host family, and I thought it would just be a casual hotel like the ones I went to in Osaka. UHHH, WRONG??? Look at this lobby???????? We were greeted with lights everywhere, clean floors, and nice concierges.
The size of the room was as expected though- small. Well, I suppose a better word for hotel rooms in Japan is European. Japan has many similarities within their society with Europe, studio sized hotel rooms is one of them. Dad and I were so beat up that I couldn't even remember to take a photo of our first dinner together in Japan. All we wanted was some good, solid food, maybe a beer, and to sleep horizontally.
Our first place to visit the next day was Shibuya!!! This really such a cool city to shop in and lots of things to do. The prices here are more or less the same as at home, but not as expensive as nyc so we were happy. I was even able to find some fake uggs for cheaper than target SO I WAS SATISFIED. Today I'm going to shibuya again with some friends!
The next day my dad and I went to Akihabara !!! Definitely as weird as everyone says it is. However, I only got to see a small part of Akihabara, and there for could not really appreciate the amazingness that is hidden deeper. The spot I was in looked more or less like grungy stores but we were able to find an adapter for my laptop charger and some swag for my brother!! ANDDDDDDDDDDDD
I WAS ABLE TO FIND THIS CUTIE. I still can't, nor will I get over, how cheap figures are here in Japan. It's like not even funny anymore. I don't understand how this figure would cost like......$30-40 at a con in the U.S and I bought it for only $10. RIDICULOUS. She's so cute I need to back and buy Homu-chan.
This is the apartment complex I'm living in! Japanese apartments are legit the best. They can fit a family of four perfectly even though its so small. I live outside of Yokohama, which is about an hour away from Temple, but I've gotten used to the commute, like every other Japanese person. When it's good weather, kids play outside in the ball park, and the birds chirp and I can't get over how peacefully quiet the streets are<3
This is my room!! It's pretty spacious, unlike how it may look in the picture. I've settled into my new desk and got the wifi. (IMPORTANT.)
I've got my books and photos <3 There are some behind the laptop screen hahah. I don't wanna put anything on their walls, so I just layed the photos out like this. Maybe I'll buy a photo thing later.
I don't have a picture of my host family yet because I was very shy and awkward at first. I warmed up to them in the couple of days that I've been here so that makes me happy. When I feel more comfortable I'll ask them to take a picture with me :)
I love my host family. I was really blessed with a nice, quiet, and respectful family. I don't have a curfew as long as I let them know that I wont be eating dinner, I have my own room with a heater, and they let me have my space when I'm in my room. I have been spending lots of time with the 14yr old, Tomomi, so that she can I can be friends! The 10 year old, Minori, doesn't really seem interested in getting close to me, but that's how 10 year olds are. Minori just likes to read her books and annoy her older sister- she lives a posh life. Tomomi and Minori have the cutest sibling relationship. They fight in a playful way and Tomomi is so patient with her younger sister, it's really cool to see. My host mother, Sachiko (I just call her Fukuzaki-san), is an angel. AN ANGEL. God bless her for being so hospitable and such a good mother. Sachiko is very patient, helpful, and is always taking care of the three of us. She never yells, and handles everything promptly and quietly. She's an angel, I'm telling you. The dad I've only met once on my first day in the house. Since then he is no where to be found because I'm assuming he works late and then gets up early. BUT IDK. THE MAN IS A PHANTOM. Details on him are tba.
THIS IS THE LAST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY!!!! It's name is Picchi :) The reason I say "it's" is because I am not sure if it's a boy or girl 8^) So let's pick a gender neutral pronoun instead: they. My family neither told me about Picchi when I got here, nor did they tell me anything about pets. So yesterday I was gonna go out and put my laundry outside to dry. I look down AND THERE'S A BUNNY. I think I screamed because what was a bunny doing outside on the terrace. Tomomi was like oh yeah, they're our pet haha. WHY DIDN'T THEY TELL ME???? I want to hold them but they keep trying to bite my finger. I'm assuming they don't like to be touched. I say hi to Picchi every morning 8^)
And of course, THINGS WE BOUGHT. I bought some manga too, they're on my windowsill in the room photo! I got a small watch because I dnt wanna always pull out my phone from my bag, running to catch the train. I also got a backpack because I realized its hard to hold my big tote bag on the train... I can't hold it on my lap cuz its so big, and I don't want to bother others if they want more room on the train. SO I GOT THAT. It's a cute pink with gold :3 MY FAVORITE. And the slippers are for the house <3 They're so soft I love them :)
This is my walk to the train station in the morning :3 It's a peaceful walk and I'm not gonna lie I feel like I'm in an anime. I haven't had to walk to my method of transportation to school in a long time! It feels like walking to the bus stop just like my younger years. (wow I'm old.)
I had orientation for the first few days I was here! Normal orientations, but I felt like a frosh again. It was kind of nostalgic! Not everyone here is from Temple's main campus, so it's cool to see different people from various schools! The staff is very nice and super supportive.
I love how this says Jesus Christ in the corner. what.
My dad and I had a Japanese "American" breakfast and it was the fucking best. I love different country's interpretations of other country's foods. Sometimes they can be worse than the original, but usually its pretty good. This was such a delicious breakfast I just needed a picture.
My dad had to go back to America, so we spend the last day walking around the shops by the train station and taking it easy.
We thought these were real jelly fish but it was just paper and feathers. WE WERE FOOLED.
A lot of people looked at me weird, or discouraged the fact that my dad was coming with me to Japan. Left and right, people would tell me that it wasn't good, a little ridiculous that he was coming with me, and that he was just a crutch. To be honest, I was pretty indifferent to the fact that he wanted to come. I figured I would've been fine whether or not he came with me, but when I finally got here, I realized I was wrong. Yes, going abroad on your own is a growing experience and teaches you independence. However, having someone next to you who is supporting you through a tough adjustment is something I think is important. I love my dad. Without him....I don't think I would've liked things here one bit.. Thanks to my dad I was able to finally feel confident and settled here.
Sure, Japan's train systems are efficient and marveled by people around the world, but coming from someone who did not grow up in a city and has gps everywhere she goes, figuring out the train system was the worst. My dad has so much experience abroad with clients and business, he figured out Japan's system in a matter of seconds and taught me after I devastatingly got lost my first day of orientation. He was invited by my host family to eat dinner with us for the first night, so I was able to share my new experience with him. He struck a conversation with the family (I was translating) and allowed us all to learn to be comfortable in meeting one another for the first time.
I felt like I was learning to ride a bike again, and my dad was behind me pushing the bike and cheering me on as I learned to ride. I fell, and he helped me up. Finally, by the time he had to leave, he was able to let go and I felt ready to ride the bike on my own. I love my dad so much...and no matter what anyone says, I am so happy and so grateful that he traveled across the world with me to support me in my new life for these next four months. I am ready to fully enjoy myself here and learn.
Thank you so much dad, without you I wouldn't have liked living in Japan as much as I do now. I will always look up to you and love you.
Family first <3
Mana
