Monday, March 9, 2009

Settling In (Finally)

(CAUGHT UP)

My family is just the greatest bunch of people I could ask for, they help me when I need it, but are happy to give me some independence! But I do need to report that the wireless is a no, they have one lan line in the other house which I can use whenever I want. Last night they (my host mother, father, brother, and cousin) took me out to a little place that serves a bunch of side dishes as meals. You order a bunch and drink a lot and it was just crazy! They ordered everything on the menu that didn’t have meat in it and needless to say I tried a lot of strange stuff! Five or so pickled vegetables (suppai!), streamed edamame and fried edamame, different kinds of tofu and vegetables prepared in a variety of different ways, and by far the strangest thing; pizza with mayonnaise and cod roe. Really not my thing, but I’m glad I tried it. Today I mostly just played with my little host brother, making lego trucks and playing Wii. He is a hyper little guy! I also took my first real Japanese shower! And we had curry for lunch (my host mom is an amazing cook!). Then they gave me a bike and showed me the way to the station. It’s not as far as I thought it might be, which makes me very happy! Tonight (Sunday), I got my train pass which gives me unlimited travel between my home and school. I got to give my self-introduction to a LOT of people, and finally found someone who was truly impressed when I spoke a single word of Japanese, and then the people who just kind of ignored me as I spoke. Whatever, the majority of people I actually meet are great.

And that brings me to my welcome party. At least fifteen people, all looking at me and talking in really fast Japanese. But, good news, I could actually understand a lot of what they were saying! I couldn’t really respond fluently, but I could understand what they were asking! I got to hear a great saxophone solo from my grandfather, and everyone was just so nice, if intimidating. The bathtubs in Japan still kind of scare me, but showers are really all you need. I start school tomorrow, so I’m heading to bed early (nine) because it seems that no matter how much I sleep, I’m always (ALWAYS) really damn tired! お休み!

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