I realize I have not been updating this….but once you get into the groove of things, everything becomes more natural. Anyways, I leave for Japan tomorrow early morning, but we have to be at the airport around 10pm. I AM SO EXCITED! The faculty going are all super fun, most of which have been to Japan before. Not a lot of Juniors are going, but my group of friends are so I’m super pumped for that. The trip is loosely planned by the department and faculty going, but there will be parts we are in charge of. For example, we each got a place or some sort of gate that we needed to research AND find out how to get there. We have to do this with our roommates in Tokyo, so I won’t be alone, but this is kind of exciting because it’s a romantic sense of adventure in Japan.
Somethings they advised about Japan was that people are touchy there. As in, the term of “personal space” is not known, so it will fun during the subway and train rides if it does get crowded. Also, the Japanese are a quiet bunch, very peaceful. From what I’ve experienced in Doha, many of us can be loud (especially the girls)…Hopefully we don’t get kicked out or get dirty looks, as our professors are joking about. And last are the communal wash rooms. There are public baths, like pools, where people bath together… When in Japan, do as the Japanese do! So I am willing and open to pretty much anything.
Also, I’m trying to get a visa to go to Oman, probably a weekend or two after I come back from Japan. My friends’ parents live there, so it will be an opportunity to experience the Omani culture! Oman is known for its lovely mountains and being a beautiful country. It’s kind of fun being able to organize what I will do, and making sure my money is not all spent in one place… Japan is said to be expensive, so we will see. I’m good with managing money, so I am not worried.
I’ll definitely be disconnected from the world for a week. I am not bringing my laptop to Japan and my phone will probably only work for a bit. I need to check for the roaming with T-Mobile and if Japan is included.
Anyways, all is well and I am so excited for JAPAN Spring Break 2014 !