On Thursday we finished up the main part of the Fulbright orientation. Remembering back, I believe that evening afterwards we went to an "izakaya" in Roppongi (part of Tokyo). I ordered one of my favorite meals, called astuage. It is similar to fried tofu. Izakaya seem to be frequented most often by "sararimen", that is "business men," much like a small bar. It was interesting, to be sure. Afterwards, some of the others went to do karaoke. I'm not really a fan of karaoke, but I was also feeling a little overwhelmed by being in such a big city so I walked back to the hotel after dinner. I am rather proud of myself for getting home on my own. That was my very first time navigating independently here in Japan, even if it was only a short distance.
On Friday morning we had our individual meetings with Fulbright staff. I was happy to get to sit down and chat with Ms. Ito, who is my Fulbright "tantousha", meaning the one who is responsible for my Fulbright communications. I brought her a little chocolate bar, because unfortunately all of my omiyage (gifts) are packed in my big bags. I will send something more to her later. The day before, myself and Becca ordered "hanko" from a little shop near the Fulbright office. "Hanko" are seals used as a form of signature. They were ready to pick up that day. I am very happy with mine, although we found a kanji character that fits well with the pronunciation of my last name so for my official stamp/seal I may use that. The kanji is 鵙（もず/"mozu"）and means Shrike, which is a type of bird. That evening, we went out to dinner at a kaitenzushi restaurant. This means that the little sushi plates are sent around a long table on a conveyor belt, and you take what you would like. This was delicious. The other Fulbrighters, who knew much more about sushi than I, helped me to pick out vegetarian suggestions. I tried three different types, and they were all delicious, called "kampyo" (pickled squash), "inari sushi", and I think cucumber sushi. One type had quite a bit of wasabi in it, but I really enjoy wasabi so it was great. I liked them all, but the inari sushi was my favorite. It is a tofu pouch filled with rice. I was so glad that everyone was so happy to help me find sushi to eat, and I think that was my favorite meal in Tokyo. After sushi, we went to eat desserts. I better start running more miles once I get to Sapporo so I will be more hungry to eat so many scrumptious things. Earlier that day, I went running in the same place as before. It is called the "Akasaka Imperial Resident", which must be a home owned by the imperial family. There are beautiful walls and gardens around it, as well. It takes only about 16 minutes to run around it. In fact, I was passed by a very fast pack of young men, which very much startled me. I have noticed that it is mostly men running at least at that path. I did see one other woman running, though. I like to run fast, and so it does make me a little self-conscious to pass people. I marked our hotel on a map with a red "x" and the path I ran too.
Over these past days, the other Fulbrighters have been departing one by one. I am the last one left in Tokyo, and I will fly to Sapporo in the morning. On Saturday, many of us went our separate ways. After our last breakfast with at least 6 of us, a remaining 4 of us went to Akihabara. This is a very popular toy and electronics district. There were so many interesting shops. We got tofu doughnuts, icecream cones, and went to see all the floors of a tall building, with tiny toy shops all the way up. Afterwards, the last three of us departed in different directions on the trains, and I returned to the hotel all by myself! I was so nervous to have to navigate the subway back to Tokyo and the hotel, but I did it just fine! This was a big accomplishment for me, and definitely boosted my confidence. I think that part of my initial stress over the subways was first of all that they are so crowded, and second of all I was always trying to keep together with a large group throughout all the subway transfers, escalators, and exits. Being on my own, there was much less stress than trying to stay with a group. I could stop and look at signs and direct myself more calmly. Veronica, one of the Fulbrighters, helped to encourage me a lot earlier that day when I was anxious about going by myself. It was so kind of her. Our group has nicknamed ourselves the "Fellowship" (just like the Fellowship of the Rings) sine there are nine of us, and there were nine in the Lord of the Rings. Also, we are all on an adventure. It works perfectly. Anyways, Veronica has been dubbed Legolas and I've been dubbed Gimli, so I hope we become good friends! I don't know how fitting my personality is to Gimli's, although it may be more similar than I realize, but I have always admired his character--except for the cutting down trees business!
After I arrived safely back at the hotel, it was around 5PM and so I went for a short run again. The weather was pleasantly cool, which I've heard is a treat by Tokyo weather standards. Later that night I was able to Skype with my family for the first time since I left home. I was very happy to hear from them, and they were all relieved. On Sunday, I was the only Fulbrighter left in Tokyo. When I woke up it was raining. Veronica recommended to me that I go see Meiji Jingu Shrine, which is actually very near to the hotel. By the way, Harajuku is just outside of Meiji Jingu-mae station, and I was hoping to stroll through. However, because of the rain, not many people were out in the crazy outfits associated with Harajuku. I was apprehensive about the subway trip, but after my success the evening before, I gave it a try. It worked out great! Unfortunately, because of the rain, I got all wet even with an umbrella and I didn't stay long because there was water dripping everywhere. However, I washed my hands and mouth at the "temizuya" (handwashing basin) before entering, then I tossed a coin in as an offering once inside the shrine. I tried to follow what others were doing, and to act respectfully. After tossing a coin, I clapped twice, bowed (thinking of a prayer), clapped twice, and bowed a few more times for good measure. Maybe next time I will know more of what to do. I also placed a prayer in an offeratory box, then bought an Ema (wooden prayer plaque) to write on and hang at the tree. I bought an Omamori (charm) for healthy mind and body. Even though I wish it had not been raining so that it would have been easier to look around, I am very glad that I went. The places in Tokyo that I enjoy so far are those with a long history, which are calm, and are meaningful. The hustle and bustle and stores can be enjoyable for a time, but I would much rather visit the shrines or old buildings with a much longer story.
I returned to the hotel afterwards to dry off. It rained almost all day, until the sun set. At 3PM, I embarked again to meet my friend Ryo from Mori no Ike (Concordia Japanese Language Village) where we had worked as counselors. I met him in a place called Takadanobaba, near Waseda University. I am especially proud of myself for navigating there all on my own. We ate at a small ramen shop, wandered around some interesting stores, bought macha flavored kit-kats, and then eventually headed to a matsuri that was going on outside of town. This was especially fun. I have never seen a matsuri (festival) before. There was a traditional theater play going on at a stage, and many low tents with delicious looking foods. There were also many kids running around playing festival games, and trying to catch little goldfish or win small prizes. I was surprised, because it gave me a similar feeling as a powwow. I definitely felt like a foreigner, however. I could catch many people talking about me in Japanese, or pointing me out as a "ryugakusei" (study abroad student). I was also much taller than most people there, so I stood out. All in all, I was very happy to get to see my friend, and I hope that he had fun too. He is very sweet, and I hope that he enjoys his time in Japan this year, and that I may visit him again. I can be rather shy and quiet, and so I hope that I was not too boring! I certainly enjoyed the evening.
In the morning, I head to Haneda airport and then fly to Sapporo. I am somewhat sad now to leave Tokyo, even though if you had asked me a few days ago, I couldn't wait to leave Tokyo because of how busy it is. Now that I have the confidence to navigate, and now that I know the layout of the city, there are many more things I would like to see. Heading to Sapporo means that I will have to re-learn a whole new place. However, at the same time I would like to be able to settle into a place to live, to meet the Professor Koike, who I will be working with, and to be in a calmer setting. Well, Part 2 of the adventure begins tomorrow!
On Friday morning we had our individual meetings with Fulbright staff. I was happy to get to sit down and chat with Ms. Ito, who is my Fulbright "tantousha", meaning the one who is responsible for my Fulbright communications. I brought her a little chocolate bar, because unfortunately all of my omiyage (gifts) are packed in my big bags. I will send something more to her later. The day before, myself and Becca ordered "hanko" from a little shop near the Fulbright office. "Hanko" are seals used as a form of signature. They were ready to pick up that day. I am very happy with mine, although we found a kanji character that fits well with the pronunciation of my last name so for my official stamp/seal I may use that. The kanji is 鵙（もず/"mozu"）and means Shrike, which is a type of bird. That evening, we went out to dinner at a kaitenzushi restaurant. This means that the little sushi plates are sent around a long table on a conveyor belt, and you take what you would like. This was delicious. The other Fulbrighters, who knew much more about sushi than I, helped me to pick out vegetarian suggestions. I tried three different types, and they were all delicious, called "kampyo" (pickled squash), "inari sushi", and I think cucumber sushi. One type had quite a bit of wasabi in it, but I really enjoy wasabi so it was great. I liked them all, but the inari sushi was my favorite. It is a tofu pouch filled with rice. I was so glad that everyone was so happy to help me find sushi to eat, and I think that was my favorite meal in Tokyo. After sushi, we went to eat desserts. I better start running more miles once I get to Sapporo so I will be more hungry to eat so many scrumptious things. Earlier that day, I went running in the same place as before. It is called the "Akasaka Imperial Resident", which must be a home owned by the imperial family. There are beautiful walls and gardens around it, as well. It takes only about 16 minutes to run around it. In fact, I was passed by a very fast pack of young men, which very much startled me. I have noticed that it is mostly men running at least at that path. I did see one other woman running, though. I like to run fast, and so it does make me a little self-conscious to pass people. I marked our hotel on a map with a red "x" and the path I ran too.
Over these past days, the other Fulbrighters have been departing one by one. I am the last one left in Tokyo, and I will fly to Sapporo in the morning. On Saturday, many of us went our separate ways. After our last breakfast with at least 6 of us, a remaining 4 of us went to Akihabara. This is a very popular toy and electronics district. There were so many interesting shops. We got tofu doughnuts, icecream cones, and went to see all the floors of a tall building, with tiny toy shops all the way up. Afterwards, the last three of us departed in different directions on the trains, and I returned to the hotel all by myself! I was so nervous to have to navigate the subway back to Tokyo and the hotel, but I did it just fine! This was a big accomplishment for me, and definitely boosted my confidence. I think that part of my initial stress over the subways was first of all that they are so crowded, and second of all I was always trying to keep together with a large group throughout all the subway transfers, escalators, and exits. Being on my own, there was much less stress than trying to stay with a group. I could stop and look at signs and direct myself more calmly. Veronica, one of the Fulbrighters, helped to encourage me a lot earlier that day when I was anxious about going by myself. It was so kind of her. Our group has nicknamed ourselves the "Fellowship" (just like the Fellowship of the Rings) sine there are nine of us, and there were nine in the Lord of the Rings. Also, we are all on an adventure. It works perfectly. Anyways, Veronica has been dubbed Legolas and I've been dubbed Gimli, so I hope we become good friends! I don't know how fitting my personality is to Gimli's, although it may be more similar than I realize, but I have always admired his character--except for the cutting down trees business!
After I arrived safely back at the hotel, it was around 5PM and so I went for a short run again. The weather was pleasantly cool, which I've heard is a treat by Tokyo weather standards. Later that night I was able to Skype with my family for the first time since I left home. I was very happy to hear from them, and they were all relieved. On Sunday, I was the only Fulbrighter left in Tokyo. When I woke up it was raining. Veronica recommended to me that I go see Meiji Jingu Shrine, which is actually very near to the hotel. By the way, Harajuku is just outside of Meiji Jingu-mae station, and I was hoping to stroll through. However, because of the rain, not many people were out in the crazy outfits associated with Harajuku. I was apprehensive about the subway trip, but after my success the evening before, I gave it a try. It worked out great! Unfortunately, because of the rain, I got all wet even with an umbrella and I didn't stay long because there was water dripping everywhere. However, I washed my hands and mouth at the "temizuya" (handwashing basin) before entering, then I tossed a coin in as an offering once inside the shrine. I tried to follow what others were doing, and to act respectfully. After tossing a coin, I clapped twice, bowed (thinking of a prayer), clapped twice, and bowed a few more times for good measure. Maybe next time I will know more of what to do. I also placed a prayer in an offeratory box, then bought an Ema (wooden prayer plaque) to write on and hang at the tree. I bought an Omamori (charm) for healthy mind and body. Even though I wish it had not been raining so that it would have been easier to look around, I am very glad that I went. The places in Tokyo that I enjoy so far are those with a long history, which are calm, and are meaningful. The hustle and bustle and stores can be enjoyable for a time, but I would much rather visit the shrines or old buildings with a much longer story.
I returned to the hotel afterwards to dry off. It rained almost all day, until the sun set. At 3PM, I embarked again to meet my friend Ryo from Mori no Ike (Concordia Japanese Language Village) where we had worked as counselors. I met him in a place called Takadanobaba, near Waseda University. I am especially proud of myself for navigating there all on my own. We ate at a small ramen shop, wandered around some interesting stores, bought macha flavored kit-kats, and then eventually headed to a matsuri that was going on outside of town. This was especially fun. I have never seen a matsuri (festival) before. There was a traditional theater play going on at a stage, and many low tents with delicious looking foods. There were also many kids running around playing festival games, and trying to catch little goldfish or win small prizes. I was surprised, because it gave me a similar feeling as a powwow. I definitely felt like a foreigner, however. I could catch many people talking about me in Japanese, or pointing me out as a "ryugakusei" (study abroad student). I was also much taller than most people there, so I stood out. All in all, I was very happy to get to see my friend, and I hope that he had fun too. He is very sweet, and I hope that he enjoys his time in Japan this year, and that I may visit him again. I can be rather shy and quiet, and so I hope that I was not too boring! I certainly enjoyed the evening.
In the morning, I head to Haneda airport and then fly to Sapporo. I am somewhat sad now to leave Tokyo, even though if you had asked me a few days ago, I couldn't wait to leave Tokyo because of how busy it is. Now that I have the confidence to navigate, and now that I know the layout of the city, there are many more things I would like to see. Heading to Sapporo means that I will have to re-learn a whole new place. However, at the same time I would like to be able to settle into a place to live, to meet the Professor Koike, who I will be working with, and to be in a calmer setting. Well, Part 2 of the adventure begins tomorrow!
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