Keepin' It Real in Japan

I arrived in Japan three days ago at 5am California time (9pm Tokyo time). It was quite a trek to get here. I remember being on the plane, my eyes tired and stinging from all the intermittent crying I had done that day, wondering when the nostalgia and sadness would subside and I would be able to enjoy this new experience.

Of course, it took time and still will, but I remember my first bit of relief was within a few minutes of takeoff when the flight attendants were bringing around drinks. I decided to order a beer, which, to my surprise, was free. Everything was free. In fact, the guy in front of me ordered at least 4 whiskey and cokes before we landed and another guy near me was given an entire bottle of Baileys that he passed around to others near him. There was something about being given a free beer that just makes things feel OK sometimes. Like when nana would make me hot cocoa on rainy days and everything just felt a little warmer. Except this was beer. And it was free. Things were looking up.

Anyway, orientation in Tokyo was fun and I got to meet lots of new people from around the world (New Zealand, Ireland, Jamaica, etc) who were all in Japan to teach English like me. The orientation was really nice and I felt more important than almost any other time in my life. I think it was the suit. Definitely the suit.

Today, I arrived in Yokote City in Akita Prefecture, which will be my home for the next year. I was nervously anticipating my arrival here. Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world and I was going to soon be flying into the inaka of Japan. Yes, it's rural here. My apartment looks out onto a huge expanse of green rice fields and when I open my windows, I hear symphonies of frogs and insects outside. But there are lots of people, shops, and other luxuries that certainly make Yokote feel more like home.

After my first 10 minutes in my apartment, I heard my doorbell ring. I thought perhaps it was some sort of cute old lady here to bring me fresh vegetables from her garden as a welcome present, but it turned out to be a man who immediately started speaking in Japanese. After a few seconds of that, we both exchanged blank stares and there the fun began. There was lots of pointing and speaking sloooowly, as if that really helps either of us understand what we're saying when we still don't speak each other's languages. He was wearing a uniform and it seemed like he was here to fix or inspect something. I invited him in and he went straight for my kitchen. He turned the faucet on and pointed at it. No water came out. He turned it off. Pointed at it. Looked at me. Repeat. Pointed at other stuff. Pointed at me. Pointed at the faucet. Repeat. Talked in Japanese. Repeat. We were both laughing and confused and I was wondering how the hell this encounter would unfold and if, perhaps, I would never have running water because of it. But to the rescue, my supervisor, who speaks both languages, walked in and saved the day. Arigato.

Tomorrow, I am going in to work for the first time and will have to introduce myself in Japanese to the Board of Education, which is made up of a bunch of Japanese men. I knew zero Japanese before coming here, but I'm trying to learn as quickly as possible and my introduction is mostly set.

Anyway, I took some pictures of my apartment with my phone, so here we go! I will take pictures of my view of the rice fields soon, but it's 10pm and pitch black outside, so tonight won't work so well. But it's great so far!


My front door!


This is my living room, which is what you see right when you walk in. Behind it is the tatami room.


This is the tatami room! Which basically means that the floor is made of rice straw. I think it's my favorite room. During the day, it's very bright and just feels really cheery and comfy.


Essentially my bedroom/living room? Those stacked things are futons, which is what I'll sleep on. And don't mind my unpacked suitcases...


This is my kitchen. The fridge is tiny, but then again so is everythingEVERYTHING else in Japan. It's kind of cute. There also isn't an oven. Apparently they're not popular in Japan since most of their foods don't require ovens.


Andddd lastly, my bathroom. That thing on top is a little sink that turns on when you flush so that you can wash your hands. Kawaiiiiiiii. The toilet also has those things that spray your butt if you press a certain button. They had that at the hotel we stayed at in Tokyo and I was extremely amused and intrigued by it, but too afraid to use it in fear that it might spray me in the face or just be overall...kinda weird.
Note: I tried it this morning and it was awesome.

I have tons more updates but this is pretty long already so enjoy and I'll write again soon! :)