So what have I done for the past few days? SHOPPING!

A few things to know when shopping:

• Most stores do not give you bags. Bring your own fabric bag!
• Many places do not take visa, as Japan is quite cash based.
• Be prepared to be frustrated, it's all trial and error.
• There are such things as kumquats which are tiny delicious oranges (Kinkan.)

So, I went grocery shopping (In Beppu-shi) so I can make dinner. There is no meal plan here, so I should start to cook on my own I guess. I wrote down recipes for some dishes such as Okonomiyaki, oyakudon, tonkatsu and others. Shopping was frustrating since I can't read kanji well enough to know what most things are. So, I just sorta experimented. 

That adventure ended with me getting octopus, kumquats (cute tiny oranges), and clams. 

Of course I also bought other things I need for every day, like flour, salt, butter, pork chops and pancake mix. So I will be all set with food for a little while.

I am not a good cook, but I will be sure to post up anything I make, even if I fail because that's funny to read no?

Today I decided to wander around campus because it is beautiful out, not a cloud in the sky, very warm and there were many students out and about. I had nothing to do today. We had lunch at the dining hall which is very good! We then went up to Beppuwan which is the bus station not too far from campus. It is like a rest stop. The beautiful view made for beautiful pictures.
The sakura are starting to blossom. There are so many lining the road, but in a week or so they will all be filled with beautiful white and pink flowers.
I will go cherry blossom viewing (which is called hanami) with some friends next week if they are in bloom by then! I am very excited!
Apparently there are wild boar around here, so there is even a boar warning sign!

Today we started orientation! I met many new people including my APU buddy who is very nice. They spoke about classes, registration and campus life. AU cellphone company also came and spoke to us about getting cellphones which were rather expensive.

Between globalinks, our APU buddies, our dorm and floor events, there is so much to do for the first few weeks before class. Everyone is very friendly and says ohayogozaimasu or konnichiwa when you walk by. It's refreshing to see and hear. At BSU everyone just ignores each other and keeps their head down.

Everything is in bloom or starting to flower. It's beautiful! The campus is very green and pretty. Much smaller than BSU though. I think I am going to like it here.

Mt. Aso


Today we got up early and drove to Mt. Aso which is an active volcano in Kumamoto prefecture. The drive made me realize just how mountainous Japan really is. The roads were all S shaped around the mountain and you could feel the pressure change since we went up so high.

The volcano is active, but we couldn't see lava or anything. Normally it is filled with boiling water, but right now it was nearly empty. Looking down you could see the sulfur and the huge clouds of smoke.

 Sulfur smells like rotten eggs, so the air wasn't very good to breathe, but the views were stunning.

Kumamoto Castle

We then visited Kumamoto Castle (Link). It was so warm out, like 65 degrees. Only 30% of the sakura trees were in bloom, even though it looks like a lot. They were just beautiful. Most of the buildings in the fortress were rebuilt since it was burnt down in the late 19th century.

And of course, Sakura Blossoms

Today we had a day with our home stay families!

First, I went with my host mother (Hiroko) to a pottery class! We made a bowl and a mug each! In a month the fired product will be sent to APU! I love working with clay so I enjoyed myself! My host mother doesn't speak English, but we are good with communicating. I understand what she is saying most of the time, but I am not good with responding.

After that we went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant... which is nothing like in America. The food was delicious! The dessert was my favorite! Very sweet!

We then went to a お寺 (temple). Renkein Okunoin (Link), home to the largest temple bell! There were many sakura (cherry blossom) trees, but only a few were in bloom, like this one! Very very pretty! In a few weeks more will be in bloom!

To end the day, we went to an onsen! No pictures of course since we were not alone. It's a public bath, like a spa. Very very relaxing! There was a small outdoor section too which was beautiful!

For dinner we made curry and gyoza. I am enjoying sake very much! Hot sake is delicious! A friend of Hiroko's came over later with her adorable dog named Fukumaru! Very sweet shiba inu!

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!

Everyone that works in an airport should be given a gold medal for being so helpful! I would have missed a flight in Tokyo had someone not helped me! Customs was quick too, not at all like America. 

Before going to school, we are staying with our host families. I am staying with the Sadatomi family and they are so very nice! My Japanese is better than I thought, but still not very good. Luckily I am a master at charades! 

I love Japanese baths. It was a perfect way to relax after the long flight. Very warm and calming. 

Slippers! Bathroom slippers too! Never wear shoes in the house, take them off inside and wear slippers. I like this idea, so the house doesn't get dirty.

Today [3/22/2014] we went to see a katana smith and a demonstration. Each katana he made took two weeks to complete and cost on estimate 55,000 US dollars! The demonstration consisted of teachers slicing straw mats. I tried, but it didn't go through all the way. A katana isn't nearly as heavy as some European swords.

My bags are officially packed and probably over the weight limit. My clothes would have never fit if it weren't for space bags. I got my visa this past Friday (cutting it a little close, but I got it!) and all my finances and cellphone are set.

I looked through multiple sites to check for packing tips! Here is what I have compiled!

• Space bags to conserve space.
• Make many outfits instead of bringing lots of different things.
• Hand sanitizer and wet wipes/baby wipes.
• Vitamin rich drink mix like Emergen-C!
• Snacks! I am bringing a cup of almonds. Fit's in the side bottle pouch on my backpack.

• Most importantly... bring a picture of your family.