Noodles or icecream?

After getting my passport back from the Japanese immigrations counter this morning, I noticed a piece of paper poking out of it that says: ‘To the Alien entering Japan, you must register at your local city hall or ward in 90 days.’

Alien. You couldn’t pick a better word for how I feel at the moment. Even though I’ve been to Japan before, getting bussed to a cozy hotel with fellow tourists to chatter to is a world away from arriving here to work.

 The flight itself was good. After an emotional farewell with my parents (used a whole pack of Kleenex!) I just barely made it to my gate for the first flight to Amsterdam. I’d just about caught my breath from the dash when we landed, and then had about half an hour to get over to the gate for my Osaka flight. Once onboard I was thrilled to discover I’d somehow been upgraded, and so my seat not only reclined fully, but also had no one in front or behind me, so surely only the captain had more legroom. Thank you KLM!

 The reclining helped when trying to sleep on the flight, but my whirling and emotional mind didn’t. I kept going over the things my parents said as we hugged each other tightly, and all the messages of support people have given me over the last few months. It seemed hard to believe the big day had finally arrived.

 I was finally dozing to some degree when a cabin crew member’s soft shuffles woke me up. I peered into the dimmed cabin lights to hear her ask, somewhat surreally, ‘noodles or ice cream?’ This was about 3 or 4am Japan time. (I went for the ice cream).

What seemed like moments later, we were woken up for breakfast, and as the plane dropped slowly through the clouds, I saw mountains and blue sky. Hello Japan.

I had to fill in some more paperwork on the plane (I declare I am not in possession of fireworks or swords, etc) and once that was handed over and my bag returned I was swiftly pushing the cart to the exit. Looking for the JAL delivery desk, as ECC kindly pay for your heaviest bag to be sent to your apartment through them, thus meaning you don’t have to lug it on buses/trains in your first few hours.

 The man took my bag without much ado, and it’s meant to be returned to me within the next hour as I type. Looking forward to having all my things with me again, not least because my mum crammed in 2 packs of wispa bars. Yay mum!

 That done, I headed to the phonecards, bought one and phoned my housing agent. I make that sound really quick – it wasn’t. It involved much pondering of the machines and then the phones – but I got there in the end. Next I headed out to the coach stops to find number 6, to Sannomiya station. There was a friendly staff member by the machines, who helped me to buy the right ticket, then another friendly staff member took my heavy rucksack away to put in the luggage compartment, and gave me a ticket to collect it at the other end. Super efficient, punctual and clean. It’s a world away from UK public transport, I pondered as I gazed out of a coach window at the tapestry of industrial heavyweight, and beautiful mountains, of Kansai.

As the stop had said Sannomiya station, I was expecting at least a shed of some sort, but it turned out to be referring to the train station that sits opposite where the bus stops. Right in the middle of busy Kobe. I stood back and tried not to feel too much like an eyesore. Which must have worked, as Robert was there for 20 minutes before he found me (and he walked around the stop a few times).

Then began information overload: Robert stopped the car twice to give me directions, much to the chagrin of fellow drivers. He kept telling me how they’ve put me in one of their nicer houses (well he was hardly going to say anything else…) but I didn’t really believe it until we arrived. His wife and baby daughter met us outside the building, and the minute we got inside, the information began to flow. My new housemate is Japanese, she works two jobs, garbage is Tuesdays and Thursdays, make sure you put the fan on after you shower, here’s how to work the air con, would I like to pay next month’s rent now? I felt bewildered, but glad someone was here to at least take me round and show me things, even if I forget half of them tomorrow. The flat itself is lovely; a neat kitchen, bathroom and living room, place to take your shoes off, loads of cupboard space, sliding doors. 

Once we’d signed the contract (5 months minimum), I paid up and he’d shown me how to open the postbox, Robert and wife were off, but they each gave me a hug before they left. Which was really sweet. ^_^

I opened my post - a package from ECC with yet more information, some confusing Japanese forms and a training schedule that begins next Wednesday. The hours aren’t too bad (first day 12pm) and it’s pretty much until 30 October. That semi-absorbed, I decided I best head out for some bedding. ECC in their wise ways have only supplied me with a bed and mattress. I think they just like making you do this kind of stuff so you can get some independence, but god it’s a bit intimidating after a long flight.

Robert had pointed out a gigantic building I could get bedding from on his mini Kobe tour, so I headed back in that direction. Finding it again wasn’t too hard, but deciding on the bedsheets themselves took me ages. Japanese beds don’t seem to have flat sheets as we do in Europe, and everything was sized and, of course, I didn’t measure the bed. So I took a wild guess (as it turns out, spot on!) I managed to pick up a duvet as opposed to futon set and, as I didn’t trust the picture, I bought a separate pillow. I was really glad I did. So now I have a bed to lie on as I type and the jet lag is starting to prick at my eyes. I’m really trying to stay in this time zone though as it just seems like the best way to get into things.

 My housemate hasn’t come home yet, I really wish she would as having no-one to talk to is making me think about all the people I’m really missing right now. U_U

I don’t have a mobile or a house phone, although the nearest net café is next door, which I’m planning to go visit and upload this once my suitcase arrives. So that will be good to catch up with everyone’s news.

 And a few good things from my bedding trip: I spotted a starbucks in the department store (huzzah!) and a tokyu hands, which is a massive craft/model/cosplay store. I definitely need to visit, as Rei’s foot has come off in the journey – but the dolls otherwise travelled well. I only brought two – lucky as no more would have fit in my bags.

 What I keep telling myself at the moment, I have been telling myself for the last few months, is that I have to take each day at a time. Don’t worry about tomorrow or stress about next week. Just think about what today involves, and what I need to do today.

 And today was always going to be the worst 24 hours of this experience – leaving my family, tiring long flights, and seeing a strange new world. Nothing can really prepare you for that experience. But I wonder how long it will be before I feel comfortable here. I think the training will help next week, as I will be able to meet other ECC people in the same position, and it will give my day real purpose and other things to concentrate on. God. In the UK I used to long for my weekends to never end, now I’m wishing mine away.

So if you offered me a ticket home right now would I take it? Hm. Maybe we’ll come back to that question in a month’s time. What’s most scary right now is the unfamiliar. What you know, even if you hate it, is always going to be the easier way to live, isn’t it? I keep thinking about the similarities with the last two big moves I made – going to university then going to live in the midlands. My parents were there to support me through both of those moves too. What’s different is they were able to see where I was going, in person. And they were able to come and see me on a whim or whenever I really needed them. They can’t do that right now and I think that’s what’s the hardest thing. I’m in a strange place and everyone I love is physically hours away from me and they can’t share this in person unless they come out to visit. I have such respect right now for anyone who’s ever done this kind of thing, because it’s hard. And emotional. And confusing. I think I might feel more positive when I’ve spoken to my family, and had some food and some sleep. Hmm, and my suitcase still hasn’t turned up. So I think I’m going to try going to the internet café to make me feel just a little bit less lonely.

UPDATE; And it worked! Everyone has been on here chatting to me so I feel a bit better. Next time, I'll bring my mac plug X_X battery fail!