I wrote this post on Tuesday evening, but with no WLAN at the centre I haven't been able to publish it yet. Anyways, I've now safely settled down with my hosuto famurii. More on that later tonight perhaps.

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Monday, some time past 6AM, check in and nervous shuffling about done, the final goodbyes are said and we proceed through the security. I was expecting myself to be at least a little sad, but though I was incredibly moved by my parents goodbye, I could not help but grin. It’s finally the time I’ve been waiting for for so long, I am ridiculously excited and ready to rumble. Behind security our group, now isolated from our parents, exchanges phone numbers and news of our host families. Finally everyone makes it through, and after several completely unnecessary exclamations regarding the awesomeness of it all, we head to the gate. I sit myself down, take a breath, and stand up again, remembering that I need to buy some adapters.

Some of my adventuring comrades at Helsinki Vantaa airport.

The plane leaves fashionably late as airlines tend to do, and I spent the time in the air continuing to grin in awe at earlier mentioned awesomeness, while enjoying a fairly decent airline breakfast of ham, egg and tomato. Arrival at Vienna was easy, as we stepped off the plane almost straight into the terminal, where after some simultaneous gawking we decided to go straight through passport contro. There we bumped into some German YFU students who would share the plane with us.

We spent our time mostly at a cafeteria, where we made the most of our dodgy native language to talk about an annoying waiter irritated by our meagre orders, an unexpectedly large banana split. After the obligatory, and predicatbly dissapointing tour of the available shops we formed the trademark circle of shady looking youths along the terminal wall. Meanwhile, I indulged my masculine ego by filling the one deficiency in my supplies by buying a shaver. Gillette Fuuuusion Powaaaaa!!! Oh I do feel manly now.

More comrades, not so tired yet.

The plane to Tokyo was quite large and equipped with a decent LCD Enterteinamatron. The food on the plane was good, and in the middle of the night (Japan Time) we were treated to our first genuine Japanese food: instant ramen.

Mm-mm...

I also had the pleasure of sitting next to a friendly Japanese fellow, who was quick to begin with me a conversation about what us young scallywags were doing in such large numbers on our way to Tokyo. He turned out to be the head coach of the Japanese ski association’s Nordic Combined Team. He had even been to Finland, and one of his team members was Finnish! “Hyvää matkaa da ne” says he. Not bad for my first meishi (business card).

It seemed he also possessed the Japanese ability to fall asleep anywhere. I tried for many hours to get some sleep, but to no avail. All this time he was enjoying the entertainamatron, watching movies and the Japanese news. I then remember him going to sleep sometime before I did; he simply let his head drop in front of his torso and stayed so until morning.

Upon landing we finished off our customs and immigrations paperwork, and navigated our way thourgh the incredibly spotless Narita airport to the lobby. There we were met by an enthusiastic Japanese lady, who eventually guided us to our bus. The bus would take us to the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Shibuya-ku in the middle of Tokyo. The journey was proabably the coolest bus trip I have ever taken, with urban sprawl visible to the farthest horizon, crazy rollecoaster like roadways criss crossing over each other, and of course: the skyscrapers. We even got a glimpse of the Emperors Palace, not to mention the suitcase totting salarymen.

Disney Resort Tokyo’s new hotel on the right.

These pictures don’t really do the ride justice, but my phone camera wasn’t quite practical enough for this occasion.

At the center we were sheperded to a conference room, where some enthusiastic and good natured YFU volunteers enlightened us on the programm for the next few days. A slight dissapointment, as despite being in the middle of Tokyo we wouldn’t be leaving the center at all. Ah well, I’ll be staying here for the next ten months anyway.

 

Will have to do with oggling the view.

The only exception to this was today, when after the information session we had the opportunity to visit the Mejijingu Shrine, apparently one of the largest of its kind. It was situated in the middle of a large, scenic park, a nice destination on it’s own. At the entrance to the temple we rinsed our hands and mouth at the available holy water.

Slightly brown as of yet it seems...

Entrance to the shrine.

Inside the shire we went to the main “altar” where our YFU Volunteer showed the correct way to make a prayer. First, chuck some money into one of the trays, then bow twice, clap your hands twice, make your prayer with your hands held together and then bow once more. Obviously I had to give it a go.

Finally our group made our own prayer tablet to add to the ones above.

It says in Finnish: “A brilliant exchange student year for all of us.”

Back at the centre we were enlightened some more, and were then showed to our lodging. Bags deposited, we headed back for an explanation of the meal system and then dinner. One could choose from a variety of themed dishes, such as Japanese, Chinese, or Western. I chose the Japanese dish, a meal composed of miso soup, a bowl of rice and a chunk of Tofu with a surprisingly small amount of beef something-or-other. After the meal I headed back to the lodging to fidget with a not-so-idiotproof adapater, and write this article. Time to head for a shower.

Right, I’m back. Now to continue the article previously thought finished. Not only did I have a shower, but the whole Japanese bath experience. The communal changing room was no shocker, since we have similar ones in Finland. In fact, thanks to my nationality I was able to enjoy the whole process without needless shyness with my nether regions. After stripping, we entered the bath area, and sat on one of the stools as the tap stations lining the bath area’s walls. In addition to a shower head, there was a small tub or bucket for wich I found no practical use. I assumed it was to be filled with water and used for rinsing, but there was already a shower for that. Looking around at the natives I found the buckets to be full, but lying idle. Nevertheless, this mytery left temporarily unsolved, Osaka boy and I proceeded to the bath, which wasn’t quite as searing hot as I had been expecting. Truly I found it to be a very enjoyable experience, and a fine substitute for sauna while I’m here.

Initially alone in the large bath tub, we were then joined by an American. Friendly conversation revealed that he infact lived here, a surprise considering his appearance. In fact he had lived most of his life here, and was currently in Tokyo researching Japanese history.

Slowly the disbelief that I’m actually in Japan is wearing of, but the ridiculous awesomeness sure isn’t. I can’t wait to meet my host family on Saturday, but until then, I doubt I will be bombarded with new experiences at such a rate here at the orientation site.