Hug School

After waiting around for hours, sitting on my bed all packed and ready, the clock finally struck a quater to ten so Sayumi and I walked down the dangerously narrow stairs and to the entrance hall of our house. I didn`t say goodbye to Papa as I walked out the door because I thought he was driving us but no, we were walking. Sayumi and I walked to Minami Fukushima station which is only minutes from my house. We stopped in at a convenience store to buy my lunch, I bought cream bread, onigiri (rice wrapped in seaweed) and juice. Once all set regards to food we sat in the waiting office of the station. Eventually my train turned up and on I hopped, waving at Sayumi as she turned into a blur by the movement of the train.

Across from me was a strange looking guy, wearing cool kind of clothes, reading a book and listening to his iPod, we made no eye contact, merely a grunt to say I could sit across from him. On the other side of the aisle however was a guy who was retarded. He had a laptop and was playing a computer came, sweating something chronic and completely fascinated at the foreigner, the foreigner being me. It makes me feel awkward because I had no idea where to look, it happens often but it was such a silent carriage that most people were watching him watch me or watching me try not to watch him or them for a matter of fact.

Finally he got off a stop before I had to. On came these really nice girls who sat with me. I asked if they were heading to Shinshirakawa but they were not going any further than Koriyama. I wished they had of been because my plan was just to get onto the same train as them but it was not looking good. A little worried as to how you are supposed to find the train going to Shinshirakawa, I get up and along with most other people, get off at Koriyama. I start to look around and then I hear my name being called. I admit I felt like I was in a movie, secret meetings and messages from a person I had never met in the middle of a busy platform but was relieved to see my counsellor smiling broadly. She ushered me to my next train and told me to save a seat for Celvie. Celvie is an American girl from Seattle who is on the same exchange program as me, we were both heading for the same place and had to catch the same train. We met in Chiba at orientation and hadn`t see each other since then. I was so excited to see her when she came on the train and we just didn`t know what to say and what is worse, we still sometimes spoke Japanese!

Riding along we tried to catch up on as many things as possible but only got to cover a few of the trillion aspects of being an exchange student. The train came to a stop at Shirakawa and Celvie wanted to get off. However, we were at Shirakawa not SHINshirakawa. Trying to convince Celvie these were two seperate places we nervously watched people get off. However, I was right and we arrived safely at Shinshirakawa. We got through the ticket gate and I heard two Australians say Hello. This is the first time in three months I have heard an Australian accent (besides the green peace man who had a rant about scientific whaling on TV about a month ago) Let me say that it is so so strong and I couldn`t believe that I too sound like that!

It was Naomi and Nicole who were also heading to the same place as Celvie and I. They were waiting with a lady called Nariko, JFIE staff who was assisting us on out weekend trip. The five of us headed out the station to the British Hills bus. Piling on our stuff we started the winding and slightly sickening journey through the hills. I had never wanted to talk about so many things in my life and was so grateful to hear their experiences. Nariko spent her whole time listening and smiling as we talked about our similar experiences, we must have sounded so excited!

The fog was making it hard to see out the windows when suddenly in the distance I could see a British flag flapping at the top of a castle. We had arrived at British Hills. Super excited, we peered out the windows as the bus swung around the circular coldersack (is that the word for the circle in the middle of a courtyard like in castles for cars to pull up). We piled out and walked up the castle stairs and opened the doors to a place and I am sorry to mention this yet again but we opened the doors to a place resembling a mixture of Harry Potter and upper-class Titanic (I just can not get enough of Titanic).

We waited until we had to go to the Ambassadors Hall, a meeting room that looked like an old fashioned British Parliament and we met Yokohama Girls Junior High School. There were 30 students and we had to introduce ourselves in both Japanese and English, hence my last post and then we split up into six grounds and us exchange students, Celvie, Nicole, Naomi, myself and also Stacey and Tracey who came from another side of Japan, were rotated around the groups to hear their little speeches in english and see their photos.

With stomachs growling, we sat through the orientation on how to eat Western style. It was good for a refresher. The staff at British Hills were all English and Australian and only ever spoke to the Japanse girls in English so the girls were guessing half the time and not once did I feel sorry for them, more like `Yeah, see how you like spending three months following everyone else and having no idea what the hell is going on, how does it make you feel, huh?`

Anyway, growing up from that immature outburst, we made our way to `Bikingu` which sounds like Viking and is the Japanese word for Buffet. I am still trying to draw the connection on that one. The hall was true Harry Potter style, not Titanic unfortunately and us exchange students split up in twos along the table so that we still had at least someone to still chat to about the other billion experiences we still hadn`t shared with each other. I was the first to be served and led the way to Bikingu. I ate rice. Will you believe it, I have been conditioned! But all in all the food was awesome and the weight of a knife and fork in my hands never felt so good. Celvie and I sat together and we got to take as long as we wanted to eat which is a rarity because in Japan every meal I eat is super quick, going off topic for a second, I counted once by the clock at breakfast in the Hanzawa`s house that we served ate and also cleaned up breakfast in 7 minutes.

After tea and after my long cup of English tea with REAL milk and sugar rather than sweet syrup and an actual tea spoon to stir it all with, we had free time so we checked into our room. The British Hills is set up like an english village. It has a main castle then side wings of gyms and all, it has tennis courts, shops, rivers and the accomodation is all strung out along street lamp lit paths or rather, roads like an old medieval village so the accomodation was beautiful! We checked in, I was sleeping with Celvie and Stacey. Afterwards Celvie and I hit the shops. Many British things and the best of all, Cadbury chocolate, I only bought a little bit.

At about 8.00pm we hit the pub. Of course not for the wrong reasons, just because we thought that is where everyone was. Students had to clear the pub by 8.30 but Naomi, Nicole and I didn`t end up leaving until about 10.30pm. This was because our non-alcoholic (even though Naomi and Nicole are 18, the drinking age here in Japan is 20 and also our exchange program is not promoting drunken Australians and we are good girls) drinks were quite good juice and the bar staff were Australian. South Australian in fact. I met a guy called Richard who went to Reynella High School, it was so amazing to talk to someone who knew McLaren Flat and we all had a heaps good time. He was quitting his job from British Hills and next week is heading to England but he doesn`t know what he will do, just travel. As you can tell I am in awe of this guy, who is only 19`s lifestyle and completely envious!

Well Naomi and Nicole and I headed to our accomodation area and then all of us exchange students sat in our building common room in high backed lounge chairs and pretty tables and had more tea! We talked until the grounds keeper came to lock up and then went to our respective bedrooms. I didn`t get to sleep until about 2am. We had a lot to talk about. Anyway, true Japanese style, as I say I have been conditioned, I got up at 5am because I really wanted to have a bath without worrying about taking too long. It was awesome in an english tub with lion clawed legs and British soaps and all. I relaxed like never before and made such a ceremony out of getting ready. At 7.20am we left our rooms to go to breakfast. Breakfast was at 7.30 and again Celvie and I took our time however we paid for it later when we had to rush checking out and running to the gym to start the days activities.

The Yokohama Girls High School had split again into six groups, Japanese Anime group, Games group, Origami, String group, Tea Ceremony group and Kimono group. Us exchange students were rotated around every half and hour or less to listen to their presentations and participate in their games in english. It was great fun and they were such sweet girls. I would explain all their groups but you can ask me later if you want to learn more about it!

When we were finished it was our turn to show them some western culture. Their teacher wanted to go the Western style `Aisatsu` which is Japanese (just in case you thought it was French of Spanish, you know) for Greetings. We taught them the proper handshake and they got really into the firm grip aspect, a bit too much so. Secondly they learnt how to hug. Now I know I am pretty weak and feminine when it comes to some things and so after one or two hugs I cried. They were so good and the all had to line up and on the count of three they came running at us pretending we were someone they hadn`t seen in ages and they were evening saying english phrases like, `My goodness, how ARE you!` It was so sweet. Then we played `What`s the time Mr. Wolf` and it was a hit. Then we had to sing `If you`re happy and you know it clap your hands` so slow that it was almost backwards and I had trouble not laughing (I was still high from my hugs) when I was saying it so slowly I would forget the next syllable to come from my mouth.

We had group photos and then back to the pub for lunch of fish and chips drowned in tomato sauce. Met more adelaide staff and was lapping up the conversation about things that were so close to home until our meals were finally finished. It was then time to say goodbye to Yokohama Girls Junior High School and lots and lots of pictures were taken. We had free time then as exchange students so back to the shop to stock up on Cadbury Chocolate and then Naomi, Nicole and I headed to the upstairs floor of the castle to get some pictures of the library. They were awesome pictures except for one minor set back, I have lost my camera.

My camera case! Sorry about that Dad, had to scare you with it because I know it most likely crosses your mind every day and I am trying to make the fact that I lost my camera case seem not so bad compared to what could have happened. I am sure it is sitting happily in the most beautiful library I have ever seen but if that is all I loose this trip then I am not too sad. Sorry Dad.

Running for the bus, we were almost late hence I didn`t get to scan for my camera case and being late in Japan is just not on, so we went to the bus and of course we headed on home. We soaked up the last bit of information from each other and discussed the idea of attending a picnic in Tokyo next weekend, I think it might be a go ahead. Anyway, we got to Shinshirakawa station and sat around waiting for our train. Celvie and I then hugged the others goodbye before boarding the Japan Rail for Minami Fukushima. Speaking as much English as possible with random Japanese words that are useful in daily conversation, we eventually stopped at Koriyama where Celvie had to get off. She waited to watch me go, the second time I have had her fade away as the train moved off during my time in Japan. I was then alone, well accompanied by a grandmother and a particularly cute but noisy child. It was dreary and dark when I made it to Minami Fukushima. I went up the stairs to the bridge over the rail line and then back down stairs to the platform to meet Sayumi.

Like we had done the day before we walked home and we all had a nice tea together. My little host sister had won a competition for her piano and I gave them little gifts from British Hills to thank them along with a packet of shortbread for the family. Remembering that family includes myself of course! Then I woke up at 6.30am this morning with Mayu, my host sister staring me in the face like she does every morning to watch my ungraceful waking up expressions before saying `Ohaio` which is `Morning!` and making me feel really disorientated and embarrassed and shocked at having a 12 year old Japanese girls face as the first thing I see in the morning. Got dressed with a thudding headache and a stomach ache and made it down the stairs. For the first time I wasn`t too impressed to see we had Mr. Donut for breakfast. Yes, donuts for breakfast. Well they were ok but I only ate one but that wasn`t good enough according to Mama so I was made to eat another one and I am not being sarcastic, I was not feeling well. Made it to school by bike but was outraged by the time I got there because, for an example of daily driving and riding in Japan, I was riding in the bike lane, the lane bikes ride in when a Taxi pulls over right in front of me, no indicator or anything and just stops. While I busy myself trying not to smash my face into the back of his stupid ugly taxi he goes about life like he hasn`t just almost broke my neck.

Anyway at school I had heaps of trouble staying awake after my awesome weekend but school was fun, it always is. We had Badmington and I was really good due to my dilerious state. We won every game! Also had english and we are learning about Deja Vu. I also spent time in the english office attempting to learn.

After school I grabbed my bags, put them outside and headed for the calligraphy room. That is now where I do my cleaning. I swept the floor which didn`t need sweeping but of course in Japan you `go through the motions`. I was looking over the balcony with Harukaand I could hear these third year boys calling my name and I had no idea where they were but decided to stop looking because I felt stupid, Haruka wouldn`t drop it though.

After cleaning I headed for my bike and when I was changing my shoes I could see the boys that had been calling my name but they saw me see them. Hence they wanted to talk again and also the guy who is in the shoe locker next to me was trying to talk to me at my shoe locker but I forget his name because his friend talks to me often too but they look so similar so I am scared to say anything in case I get the wrong one.

Riding home was uneventful. I went into the post office though and send Emelie a letter so Emelie expect a letter! Also some sleezy worker man was resting against his truck trying to pull some english on me. I responded in Japanese that I didn`t understand english and left him looking really confused but with a sleezy smile on his face.

Now here I am ready for dinner and feeling good but dead tired! If you are still reading then thank you so very much and really would love to hear from you comment wise!

Thirteen Days, too sad. x