First Day - Orientation and Akibahara

All those things I was worrying about before coming turned out to be needless. I'm not really surprised but it's so nice at the same time. Everyone is so supportive and no one really knows what's going on or what people are saying most of the time, so I don't feel all alone. And I know that getting confident with the language will just take time. I've already got a bunch of friends and we're all helping each other out.

So we started the day with a Japanese continental breakfast, which consisted of toast, coffee, and this onion soup which was kinda good. We then went over to Waseda and got everyone's names, etc. We went through the handbook and talked about host families. Some people had their interviews for getting placed with the right family today, but mine is tomorrow. Instead, a bunch of us went with some Waseda students to Akibahara, Electric City. It was so intense, so many electronics! And I'm so glad I'm a city person because the crowds we crazy. I would have gotten overwhelmed way earlier than I did. Even so, eventually it just got too much. We walked around for a long time and went to a bunch of different arcades and got things out of vending machines (which are so much cooler here than in the US) and eventually ended up in this building that had like 7 floors with tons of stuff. It had 3 floors of arcades I think and then I think an escort service on one floor. The other floors we for shopping and they had everything! But there we so many people and no room to maneuver. Also, it took a little time to get used to all the incredibly awkward sexually charged items, like a back scratcher with big boobs on it. That's just the culture I guess, and it provides endless amusement.

The trains were also amazingly easy and not so worrisome as I thought. Just like everything else. The futon bed took a little getting used to. My back and hips protested the lack of support for a few minutes before I completely conked out last night. Oh yeah, five of us are sharing a traditional tatami matted room in the hotel. It's not a lot of space, since all of us have at least 2 big suitcases. I will welcome moving in with my host family so I can have my own room again. Or at least being in a double. But that's not for another 2 weeks. And we don't start classes until October. Oops, I have to go to dinner now. Digging the Japanese food!