This morning

No better way to start the morning than chasing a cockroach around the house with host mom. good times. good times.

Life so far

For those of you wondering, it is a mat on the floor that I have been sleeping on. Its actually quite comfortable.

Yesterday I spent all day with Mrs. Minegishi and Takafumi (some of you know who that is). We went up into the mountains by Maebashi that apparently are very famous. We went to the lake up near the top of one of the mountains, and we went on a jet boat ride. After that we went to Kyoai Gakuen (my highschool) and had a meeting with a chairperson there. Then we went to dinner, which was amazing. There was a stove in the middle of the table and all the meat was given to us raw, and we cooked our own food. After that we went to a traditional Japanese bath house. It is built around a hot spring so all the water is heated naturally. It was very strange at first and i was very nervous, but soon got over that and it turned into a very enjoyable and relaxing experience.

So, yesterday, I was offered (which on exchange means you have to say yes) ice cream almost everywhere we went. I ended up eating it 4 seperate times yesterday! But, the ice cream I have had here is very good. For some reason it is creamier and softer than in America, which is cool because I like it like that.

So overall, first two days have been great dispite all the confusion and moving around. Currently it is 9:43 am, so the day has just begun and I cant wait to find out what I'll be doing today.

Oh and also, it sounds like Rotary wants to buy me a guitar, which is cool, but, I think guitar stuff is expensive over here so I'd feel bad if they spent lots of money on me. But it sounds like they really want to, but only on one condition..... I have to play for them. hahaha

Change of plans

Well, yesterday Rotary showed up at my house and had me pack up my stuff. I am transitioning to a new host family. They thought that my exchange would not be very good at the last house because the family was off on business a lot, which would leave me a lone at the house, and i would be lonely and not learn anything. So right now I am at the Minegeshi's residence. On Tuesday I will move to a new house. The family there has a daughter who is in the united states right now. Then school starts on wednesday. I will be at this new family for 3 or 4 months. So after Tuesday everything will be normal.

Finally Here

The crew

First Meal in Japan

My New Room

Well, after the longest day of my life, I am finally here. I spent around 12 hours in a plane, and around 5 in a car. 3 of which were in Tokyo alone!

When I arrived at Narita airport I was greeted by the district chairman of Rotary Youth Exchange here in district 2840, as well as Takafumi, one of the inbounds from last year. We then drove back to Maebashi which took forever! We had to go through Tokyo, where traffic was basically at a dead stop. Once we got to Maebashi we met up with my host father, and a few other fellow rotarians. We then had a large dinner.

One thing I know for sure here is that I wont go hungry. People just keep giving me more and more food! last night alone I had 3 meals! as soon as I was off the plane i was taken to resteraunt, then i had dinner a HUGE dinner in Maebashi. Then once at my new house, my host family insisted I eat some mcdonalds.

This morning my Host Dad took me over to the train/bus station to show me around. Then I helped him sweep the front of the house, and water the plants. Once I came inside they had a very large breakfast prepared for me. The hospitality here is second to none. I am very much looking forward to the rest of my year here.