Departure and Arrival
10/03/05-10/05/05
Mailing List Entry 2
Welcome Ladies and Gents to the second mailing list entry in the “Cory-In-Japan” Mailing List. I got to Tokyo at 2:15 this (10.4.05) afternoon. I’ve got to say, it was absolutely nothing like what I had expected. It was strange, because until I was on the plane and I could see the distance between myself and Japan slowly declining, it didn’t sink in that I was actually going to Tokyo. Then it really sank in as the plane was taxiing in, and I saw a giant commuter plane with pictures of Pokemon all over it.
O’Hare was a bit disconcerting. It’s just so darn big. They had to check through my carry-on, because something in there must have been triggering their sensors. The man in security said it was probably the Snickerdoodles, but it wasn’t a problem to bring them to Tokyo. I wound up with a little over an hour to spare before I had to catch the plane, so I cashed out my Ball State bank account at the ATM and exchanged some of it for yen. I didn’t exchange the rest, because the word on the street is that I can get a much better exchange rate at a bank, and I have to start a bank account anyway. I also picked up some breakfast.
The plane ride was smooth, if absurdly boring. Fantastic Four and Batman Begins were both showing on the airplane…or would have been if I had been coming back from Japan. The only movies showing on the way to Japan were either terrible, or movies that I had seen multiple times. Strangely, I wasn’t tired through most of the flight, although I am starting to crash as I type this. I sat across the aisle from a guy about my age doing some military work in one of the Koreas. The plane was not very crowded at all, although I did manage to land one of the few seats where I had to sit next to someone, which wasn’t really a big deal.
Getting through Narita Airport was a mess. It was also a problem that I didn’t know where the TGU student was supposed to meet me. I just sort of went on through everything until we found each other, though. She was very nice, and knew enough English that we could chat when I didn’t understand the vocabulary she was using in Japanese. At the airport, we picked up 2 other exchange students. (Another two were already there when I arrived.) All of the other exchange students were Chinese, which means they have names that are hard to pronounce even for some Japanese people. I decided (yes, you were right, mom) that the bag I had without the wheels would be better off getting delivered here in the morning. (This was before I realized that this was the suitcase with my towels and soap) I will have a fun day tomorrow until that arrives, haha. The train fare to Kodaira (the city in which my dorm is) was about 2000 yen, or 20 bucks. That’s the last time I’m going to do dollars to yen translations. It’s easier for me if I can just think about the new currency, not it’s relation to the old one. The train rides from the airport weren’t too bad, although they were absurdly long. It must have taken longer than the South Shore takes to travel from downtown Chicago to South Bend. It was going fast too. I suppose that just goes to show that Tokyo is really big. Just when I couldn’t take the train anymore, we got off, and had to walk about five minutes to get to the dorm.
When I say this dormitory complex is huge, I am not exaggerating. It’s absolutely enormous. So, we got our room keys, and an immense amount of paperwork that we’re supposed to turn in tonight. (I’m turning it in tomorrow, there’s kanji on it that I don’t understand). Then, they showed me how to get to my room and left. I was baffled. Eventually, I figured out where my room was, and spent about 15 minutes trying to get the light on, before one of the Chinese exchange students came up and showed me where the circuit breaker was. As soon as I looked around the room, I was stunned. This room is the size of a Ball State dorm room for two people, of course, half of that is taken up by the bed, desk, wardrobe, shelving units, refrigerator and powder room. I don’t have to use a public restroom! Internet and phone access, however are a problem. I can call within the building as much as I like, but I can’t call or receive any calls outside the complex. And there is no Internet access. I can sign up for it at the main office though, which I will try to do as soon as I have a bank account. As soon as I can, I will also pick up a Japanese cell phone, although I won’t be able to do that here in Kodaira. I’ll need to go to a more metropolitan area. Perhaps this weekend, I’ve got a three-day weekend with nothing to do, no orientation or anything.
Well, after I’d gotten the suitcase I’ve got right now emptied out and unpacked, I noticed that I was absurdly, starvingly hungry. I didn’t know where to go, or even how to get in touch with anybody. I noticed a young man about my age heading into his room, so I asked him what there is that I need to know about Kodaira, and he very graciously offered to show me around the city. I feel like a bit of a doofus for not remembering his name, but he lives across the courtyard from me and down a few doors. Anyway, he showed me around the places I can easily get to via walking. (Which includes a McDonalds that serves burgers with tofu on them, I don’t plan to try one) I picked up some tiny boxes of cereal and some milk, and got some sushi from the grocery store. (it was tasty too).
I got back, and found that if I stand in front of one door on my floor with the laptop, I can connect to wireless internet, so that will be the source of emailing until I can get internet of my own. Then, I grabbed some odd Japanese soft drinks from the vending machine, and sat down to write all this. However, I am very tired, and need to get up at 7:30 in the morning. Goodnight.
Take Care all,
Cory
Post Entry Note (10.5.05): I have signed up with J-Com Cable Company for internet access, and they will have someone install it late Friday afternoon. My Muncie phone number should be up and running by no later than 6:00 Friday Morning (US Central time). I will probably be making some calls later on in the evening, but feel free to call. I’d love to hear from anyone. The number is 765-381-0526.
Also, the mailing address here is:
1-29-2 Gakuen nishimachi
Kodaira-Shi, Tokyo 187-0045
Room B-816
Feel free to send anything you like.
Welcome Ladies and Gents to the second mailing list entry in the “Cory-In-Japan” Mailing List. I got to Tokyo at 2:15 this (10.4.05) afternoon. I’ve got to say, it was absolutely nothing like what I had expected. It was strange, because until I was on the plane and I could see the distance between myself and Japan slowly declining, it didn’t sink in that I was actually going to Tokyo. Then it really sank in as the plane was taxiing in, and I saw a giant commuter plane with pictures of Pokemon all over it.
O’Hare was a bit disconcerting. It’s just so darn big. They had to check through my carry-on, because something in there must have been triggering their sensors. The man in security said it was probably the Snickerdoodles, but it wasn’t a problem to bring them to Tokyo. I wound up with a little over an hour to spare before I had to catch the plane, so I cashed out my Ball State bank account at the ATM and exchanged some of it for yen. I didn’t exchange the rest, because the word on the street is that I can get a much better exchange rate at a bank, and I have to start a bank account anyway. I also picked up some breakfast.
The plane ride was smooth, if absurdly boring. Fantastic Four and Batman Begins were both showing on the airplane…or would have been if I had been coming back from Japan. The only movies showing on the way to Japan were either terrible, or movies that I had seen multiple times. Strangely, I wasn’t tired through most of the flight, although I am starting to crash as I type this. I sat across the aisle from a guy about my age doing some military work in one of the Koreas. The plane was not very crowded at all, although I did manage to land one of the few seats where I had to sit next to someone, which wasn’t really a big deal.
Getting through Narita Airport was a mess. It was also a problem that I didn’t know where the TGU student was supposed to meet me. I just sort of went on through everything until we found each other, though. She was very nice, and knew enough English that we could chat when I didn’t understand the vocabulary she was using in Japanese. At the airport, we picked up 2 other exchange students. (Another two were already there when I arrived.) All of the other exchange students were Chinese, which means they have names that are hard to pronounce even for some Japanese people. I decided (yes, you were right, mom) that the bag I had without the wheels would be better off getting delivered here in the morning. (This was before I realized that this was the suitcase with my towels and soap) I will have a fun day tomorrow until that arrives, haha. The train fare to Kodaira (the city in which my dorm is) was about 2000 yen, or 20 bucks. That’s the last time I’m going to do dollars to yen translations. It’s easier for me if I can just think about the new currency, not it’s relation to the old one. The train rides from the airport weren’t too bad, although they were absurdly long. It must have taken longer than the South Shore takes to travel from downtown Chicago to South Bend. It was going fast too. I suppose that just goes to show that Tokyo is really big. Just when I couldn’t take the train anymore, we got off, and had to walk about five minutes to get to the dorm.
When I say this dormitory complex is huge, I am not exaggerating. It’s absolutely enormous. So, we got our room keys, and an immense amount of paperwork that we’re supposed to turn in tonight. (I’m turning it in tomorrow, there’s kanji on it that I don’t understand). Then, they showed me how to get to my room and left. I was baffled. Eventually, I figured out where my room was, and spent about 15 minutes trying to get the light on, before one of the Chinese exchange students came up and showed me where the circuit breaker was. As soon as I looked around the room, I was stunned. This room is the size of a Ball State dorm room for two people, of course, half of that is taken up by the bed, desk, wardrobe, shelving units, refrigerator and powder room. I don’t have to use a public restroom! Internet and phone access, however are a problem. I can call within the building as much as I like, but I can’t call or receive any calls outside the complex. And there is no Internet access. I can sign up for it at the main office though, which I will try to do as soon as I have a bank account. As soon as I can, I will also pick up a Japanese cell phone, although I won’t be able to do that here in Kodaira. I’ll need to go to a more metropolitan area. Perhaps this weekend, I’ve got a three-day weekend with nothing to do, no orientation or anything.
Well, after I’d gotten the suitcase I’ve got right now emptied out and unpacked, I noticed that I was absurdly, starvingly hungry. I didn’t know where to go, or even how to get in touch with anybody. I noticed a young man about my age heading into his room, so I asked him what there is that I need to know about Kodaira, and he very graciously offered to show me around the city. I feel like a bit of a doofus for not remembering his name, but he lives across the courtyard from me and down a few doors. Anyway, he showed me around the places I can easily get to via walking. (Which includes a McDonalds that serves burgers with tofu on them, I don’t plan to try one) I picked up some tiny boxes of cereal and some milk, and got some sushi from the grocery store. (it was tasty too).
I got back, and found that if I stand in front of one door on my floor with the laptop, I can connect to wireless internet, so that will be the source of emailing until I can get internet of my own. Then, I grabbed some odd Japanese soft drinks from the vending machine, and sat down to write all this. However, I am very tired, and need to get up at 7:30 in the morning. Goodnight.
Take Care all,
Cory
Post Entry Note (10.5.05): I have signed up with J-Com Cable Company for internet access, and they will have someone install it late Friday afternoon. My Muncie phone number should be up and running by no later than 6:00 Friday Morning (US Central time). I will probably be making some calls later on in the evening, but feel free to call. I’d love to hear from anyone. The number is 765-381-0526.
Also, the mailing address here is:
1-29-2 Gakuen nishimachi
Kodaira-Shi, Tokyo 187-0045
Room B-816
Feel free to send anything you like.