Yesterday I woke up at 6:15 after a good three and a half hours of sleep. Me and otaku boy had left our room the previous evening to hang out with our fellow Finnish exchange students for the last time in quite a while. We had fun, and so it dragged on... and on into something only recognisable as humour when either a) exceedingly tired, b) exceedingly drunk, c) on a sugar high or d), all of the above. When I dragged myself to my room I found out that our Norwegian roommates also had a pyjama party going on, which I accidentally joined.

Nevertheless it must have been ridiculously efficient sleep since I barely felt tired all day, and only went to bed at half past 11. Perhaps the bombardment of new sights and sounds keeps one alert. At breakfast I had a peculiarly diminished appetite, despite not yet feeling at all nervous outside. Breakfast done, we dumped ourselves in front of the International Exchange Building to wait for the busses to take people to the airport or train station. Here I unconsciously began to vent my nervousness on my stomach, which really wasn't feeling too good. After having waved goodbye to my friends going on the busses, I set off with the rest of the people staying in Tokyo to the ceremony where we were to meet our host families.

First we practiced our short self introductions over and over again until finally, a nerve racking 20 minutes behind schedule, one of the YFU volunteer workers stood in front of the room and exclaimed "It's taimu!" to a hysterical uproar. We lined up at the front of the ceremony hall, and one by one introduced ourselves, after which our host families would come and greet us. Most of the host families had made wonderful signs welcoming their exchange students to Japan. I spotted my family's "Youkoso Sakari-kun" sign straight away. I was so excited and couldn't help grinning.

We held a short photo session and then began to head home. First we took a taxi to Shinjuku station. Shinjuku station was crazy. Imagine this painting, except with escalators... and a lot bigger. We got off our stop fairly soon, and descended from the station.  The first picture is of the road just after we exited the station. After that, it was just a short walk to my new home.

Inside was quite a surprise. I had almost forgotten that my new father was a priestly fellow, and I wouldn't have expected what I saw anyway. Stepping through the genkan, a small area just after the door in Japanese houses where shoes are left, I was confronted by a large tatami room... and temppely stuff. 

 

I was immediately sat at a table and brought tea and snacks, after which we settled down for a conversation. Well, at least the effort was good on both sides. Indeed at least so far I seem to have got a really nice host family. Very friendly and helpful, and ready to do their best to try and communicate despite the current futility. Especially my 16 year old host brother, who's room is right next to mine, is very kind, with a brilliant sense of humour. Straight away we began "discussing" music, which was more akin to saying random band names and then either going "Oooh! Shite imasu, suki da!" or looking confused. My 13 year old  brother on the other hand is a bit shy, and I have barely introduced myself to him. My other brother is mostly in his room playing his bass guitar, but he seems quite friendly.

In the evening we had yakiniku with otoo-san's (father's) brother's family, who happen to be neighbours. Yakiniku is basically slapping a large frying pan in the middle of the table, and then cooking a variety of meat on it. We also had yakisoba, throwing noodles on the same pan. Sitting there at a strange table with strange people, eating new food in a strangle land and listening to chatter I couldn't understand, I remembered Sodfoot having once told me about how being an exchange student forces upon you the ability to adapt to any situation.

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.

The past week has gone surprisingly fast, with friends to see and things to do. We had a great party on Thursday, where I had a chance to brush up on my karaoke before I face off with the veterans in the land of the rising sun. It was sad saying goodbye to my friends, but it's not like I'm moving away permanently. On Friday I spent my last evening with the Reilu Kerho (literaly: "The Fair Club"), our miniatures/fantasy card games/anything nerdy club which is so called due to the way we treat each other, a way decidedly unfair. We finished off with an epic snowfight, and then Sodfoot, Cheesemeister and I set off to walk home.

It seemed tonight the feel was right for some deep and meaningful conversation, which continued to such an extent that we eventually found ourselves at a local playground, having an indecent amount of fun on a zip wire. I was suddenly hit surrealness of it all. I was messing about with two of my good friends at a snow covered playground in the middle of the night. I wouldn't see Cheesemeister for 10 months, and I wouldn't be seeing Sodfoot (going back to the U.S.) until I join him and his jolly fellows on a sailing trip around the world. Hopefully he will miss me enough by then for me to get away with appointing myself as the ship's rum supervisor. We eventually headed back, the conversation having degenerated to topics such as bombs, Chernobyl and other wicked nuclear shit. Ahh, the unpredictable joys of masculine conversation.

Saturday was a quiet day, but just as surreal. It's a ridiculously weird feeling, making all these preparations to leave, but you still really don't exactly know where your going and what you're going to do. All I know is that I'm  leaving on Monday, sometime before 6am, to depart to Tokyo, Japan on the biggest adventure of my life to date. Today some extended family are popping over from Tampere for a final leaving party, after which I expect some solemn packing of bags and a well needed early bedtime.