I said goodbye to Lauren with Kyle because she was going to Kyoto for a few days, while we were heading towards ICU.
On our way to the Kuramae Station we actually saw two toy stores. One had masks and small wooden knick-knacks, and the other had REAL toys like Gundam, and gibbily (or w/e the Miyazaki studio thing is called) character key chains. We browsed but didn't buy anything. However, I did see a mask that reminded me of the Blue Spirit from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Stop after stop we got closer to Mitaka station, and after about an hour, we were there. Mitaka is all the way on the other side of "Tokyo". In reality, it's not even really part of Tokyo, it's one of the outlying cities though I guess. We took a short 20 minute bus ride and finally got to campus.
THE CAMPUS IS BEAUTIFUL. The staff was incredibly nice too. We were given a tour of our dorms in Dialogue House by Arianna, a New Yorker raised half Korean american who was studying at ICU as a regular student. My bag that I gave at the airport to be delivered was waiting for me just inside the building and I basically checked out my apartment and tried figuring out all the hi-tech toys.
At around 1-2ish Kyle, Me, and another guy on our floor that we met went to get Ramen at the local favorite place. IT was pretty good and they gave a free bowl of rice with meat, as well as a complimentary free refill when you shout "KAEDAMA!"
After that, we took a 10-15 minute walk to 7/11 for some stuff we needed. I picked up a Kiwi-Soda, Laundry Detergent (OUR LAUNDRY MACHINES ARE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!), and hand lotion because it's still getting dry sometimes. While walking back an Obaachan (Grandma) said, "Kami---" something. I think it was the Japanese word for lightning, but anyways we just said "Wakaranai" (I don't understand) and continued back to the campus.
by about 5pm, my roommate checked in. He is a 23 year old dude from ENGLAND (Sussex) named Ben. I was surprised b/c I thought I was just staying with UCEAP people, but it was a nice surprise. It's cool to meet people from around the world, as always.
At night, everyone decided to go to this place called Gyukaku which was a Shabu Shabu / Yakiniku place back in town. It was really good and we got to introduce ourselves with the other UCEAP students as well. the food was a bit salty but good. It was also quite pricey. My bill was 1910 Yen, granted this was really the first "nice" meal I've had, so I think it was about time ESPECIALLY considering that this was my first day meeting all my UCEAP-mates and they are ALL really really cool. They're great. We invited my roommate Ben, and his friend Robin as well (both from Sussex) so in total we had a part of 18.
After dinner we took photos, came home, and now here I am...
Just by the way, I felt sticky, gross, sweaty and ALL TYPES OF NASTY because it's quite humid, and quite hot as well. Just to inform you on how the weather's been...
ALSO, I got about 6 mosquito bites today. It's a death trap on campus, I swear.... 4 were on JUST MY LEFT LEG, and two were on my upper body. One one my chest (weird right?) and one on my arm. I have bug spray, but it feels so grimy on your skin, so I don't want to use it. We had this problem yesterday sort of at the gardens, but in the city where there's like no grass, this problem really doesn't exist.
JAA MATA -- tomorrow I have to wake up at 8AM for a meeting at 9:15am SHARP and it's already 1:26am.
Oyasuminasai
Oh. last quick side note...the toilet has a butt washer. Just thoguht I'd mention that.
GOODNIGHT.
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