Troyer

JUNE 15

I'm so happy that this trip has finally come. I've waited for this day to come for so long. All I feel is excitement for what I'll experience. Even though I've done an exchange in Japan before, this trip will be completely different. It'll be wonderful to share this experience with a group of peers that I've worked with to get to this point. I hope to become closer to fluency and literacy as we navigate throughout some very busy places. I'm posting this early in order to get a decent amount of sleep for the first flight. I'll see everyone tomorrow!

- Troyer W.E. トシカズ

June 17th

Today was extremely enjoyable, but  EXTREMELY exhausting. The plane to Canada wasn't too bad. At the airport I tried poutine for the first time (if you don't know what it is, use google because you're on a computer already). The flight to Tokyo was cut in half by about 8 hours of sleeping thanks to melatonin. However, the rest of the time was so boring. When we finally got there, I felt instantly relieved. I love Japan and 8+ months of planning was worth it. The trains put any American train to shame, the food makes me feel ready to take on the rest of the day, and the baths are a great relaxation to a long day. Tomorrow at 7 we will be eating breakfast, so it's time for me to go to bed. お休みなさい。(goodnight).

June 18th

In my haze of exhaustion, I'll try to write this blog. Today we went to the Meiji shrine. It was really relaxing with the irises and the juxtaposition of the city and nature. It was amazing until a crow defecated on Chase and me. There was a ton of walking and I'm surprised our shoes are still intact. I also met up with my former host family from when I lived in Japan last year. It was really fun to catch up. We are all sitting and hanging out after a long day. I'm too tired to say anything else. 

June 19th

Today was really interesting. Even though my body would only let me sleep 5 hours, I still feel awake. While I usually NEVER enjoy art museums, I was really interested in the art styles of Japan. Instead of specifying artists, it showed the evolution of Japanese art. After that, we went to the Ueno Zoo. It put the Lincoln Park Zoo to shame. I finally fulfilled my dream of seeing a Galapagos tortoise. Due to the crow pooping on me, I've begun to carry my umbrella in my hands at all times. For lunch, I got to fuel my ramen addiction. The owner of the shop was really eccentric and made it a lot more enjoyable.

The epitome of today was the Tokyo sky tree. The second tallest building and the tallest radio tower, it was terrifyingly amazing. After looking through the window, I immediately got vertigo. Also, ice cream and vinegar is an interesting combination. Well, I'm going to bed. お休みなさい

June 20th

Today was much more relaxed than the other days. While waiting to catch a train to Nikko, I met a very nice older gentleman. We had a wonderful conversation about Chicago and my Japanese studies. It was disappointing to leave him, but it was inevitable. Our train ride was relaxing and was a nice break from walking everywhere.

Nikko is such a serene city. Built within the mountains, the air feels so much fresher than Tokyo's. Our excursion to Rinnoji and all the other historical spots reinforced my interest in Japanese culture.

American food here was... not American. It was a nice try, but I don't plan on having it again. The hotel we are in is so Japanese though. It looks great and makes us feel really immersed in the culture. Today wasn't as busy, so I don't have too much to say. 

June 21-23

I haven't blogged in a few days because I've been too tired. We have been doing a ton of walking since then. We went to a place called Edo Wonderland, a recreation of the Edo period. The food was expensive, but things such as the ninja maze, tilted house, and ninja fights were so much fun. I feel the names describe themselves. We then went to a place called Tobu World Square. It had extremely accurate models of famous structures all over the world. We then went to a hot spring Onsen. It was extremely relaxing and made our skin feel so soft.

The next day we went on a hike almost all day in Okunikko. We were late to the first bus, but it still was fun. We then got dinner at a supermarket, showing how overpriced restaraunts are here. 

Today we took a bullet train to Hiraizumi. I slept during the whole trip because I've already been on one before. Our final hotel is so nice. We then walked to a famous garden where we got to reflect on things and FINALLY relax. We then just walked around town a bit until we went to the Onsen. We are dressed in bath robes and makes us feel more Japanese. The meal was amazing, except for the tofu. I'm going to fall asleep writing this so goodnight. 

3 comments:

  1. I found you. I will be reading this.
    -YGF

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  2. I've been trying to write posts but my phone hasn't been cooperating so I'm on the infected PC! Your posts illustrate how compelling your journey has been and how wonderful it is that you are in your "second home". I'm so happy that this came together for you; wish I could be a bird on your shoulder to watch it all unfold.

    Remember: bring home ramen and tea. You'll easily consume the ramen by September!

    Miss and love you,
    Annette

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  3. Thanks for the posts Troyer. You have interesting things to say.

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