Ariving in Japan

My flight to Narita Airport in Tokyo was around a 10-hour flight. The long wait was worth it though. I was so excited that I was not tired even after the time zone change. We went to a hotel for the night and in the morning everyone would go their separate ways to their host families. Some of my friends' host families picked them up right away from the hotel because they were so close by. We were forced by the YFU reps to stay in the hotel and to not leave. At first we were bummed because we thought we would be cooped in our rooms for hours, but the hotel was actually connected to a mall. Some of my new friends and I went around the mall. Even though we were not allowed to go outside, parts of the mall were connected by outside walkways, so I still got to see some of Tokyo. After a long day, I thought I would get a good night sleep, but because of the time zone change I woke up around 4:00.

The images are:

1) Michael (another exchange student) next to a Japanese many button-toilet














2) Micheal, Gram (fellow exchange students), and I















3) Mrs. Ueno next to me with Cliff and his host family on the other side


















4) My host mom's living room

I took the bus to the domestic airport. After saying bye to everyone left, I headed off to take the flight to Hokkaido. Only one other YFU exchange student was going there. Cliff and I boarded the plane and arrived in Sapporo an hour and a half later. After getting our baggage, Cliff's host family and my YFU rep were waiting for us. We had a great time and had some orange juice in a cafe in the airport. The YFU rep Yoko Ueno was very nice and was very helpful to me. Cliff and his host family left while Mrs. Ueno and I went to the train to head over to Asahikawa. We talked about my stay a lot on the train. She was very helpful. In Asahikawa, my host mom came by car to pick us up. Together we went to the high school I was to attend to see the principal and soccer coach. They said I would be able to play soccer starting next week Wednesday, but they dont think I would be able to actually go to school. I was really bummed by that. I do not know about track, but i definitely want to join that. I am going to still see if I can find a way for me to go to school. After that we went to my host mom's elementary school where she teaches. I met the vice principal and other people that worked there. They were very nice. We had ramen there which was very good. After that, we cleaned up and we dropped Mrs. Ueno back at the train station. My host mom and I then left for the supermarket to pick up some food. I had a great time and got to pick out some fruit that I liked. I also was very happy that she got me a Meiji milk chocolate bar. We went home and her apartment room is very nice. I have my own room with a futon to sleep on. After getting settled in I gave my host mom a welcoming gift. We had some ice cream and she showed me some photo albums of her and Hiroshi going to different places. It was very enjoyable. After that I went to bed because it was late. It was a very exciting day for me.