Getting Around by Bike

As my first official day in Japan draws to a close, I flop myself onto the bed, hoping to get some studying done before the placement test tomorrow morning.

Today, after I took a walk around the center and explored the natural scenery, I met with the rest of the people who will be studying at JCMU this summer in the Academic building. We had donuts and juice for breakfast before making our way upstairs to the conference room where we met the staff and faculty of the center. Afterwards, we were then the ones who had to introduce ourselves to the room, with our name, school, major and hobby. I said:

私の名前はケイリーシェルトンです。ミシガン州立大学の学生です。私のせもんは日本語です。そしておよぐのが好きです。

My name is Kailey Shelton. I am a student at Michigan State University. My major is Japanese and I like to swim.

After introductions, we then went over the rules and code of conduct with Iga-san, the student services coordinator. Around eleven, we made our way to the bike racks in order to pick out a bike that we could use during our stay here. After some confusion, I managed to grab my bike and fill out the form. Then, we got into our assigned groups and went on a bike ride around Hikone.

Driving in Japan is very, instinctive. It is important to pay attention when riding a bike in Japan, particularly on busy roads. Of course, it was a little difficult to ride while having a conversation in Japanese. Our tour guide, an 18-year old Shiga University student, only spoke a little English. However, my group and I managed to follow directions, understand important places that he pointed out, (bike racks, ATMs) and go to lunch at a small little restaurant.

The restaurant was very nice. There were booths and tables, and then there were also a few traditional Japanese tables that are low to the ground, while the person sat on what I could describe as a chair with no legs. Thank goodness for the pictures in the menu, but we were able to pick out what we wanted to eat. I, along with the rest of the group, had soba（そば） or Japanese buckwheat noodles. It came with a side of donburi (どんぶり）, which our guide described as food on top of rice in a bowl. My donburi came with tenpura（てんぷら）which is seafood and vegetables that are deep fried. There was also some Japanese vegetables, and a yellow paste which our guide said was pumpkin. It was all very good.

The service part of our restaurant visit was also very interesting. The waitress brought us to our table, and then explained the menu. When we had decided what we wanted to eat, we would press a button on a brown stand at the end of the table. One could here a sound of a bell in the restaurant, and all of a sudden, the waitress arrived! She took our order, and then left. Whenever we needed anything, we would just have to ring the bell. However, our guide had to get us water, as the waitress did not take orders for drinks. Not even ten minutes after our order, the waitress came back, with our food. It was set up, with a small dish for each part of the meal, whether it was a box with the soba inside, or a small bowl for the chives which one dumped into the broth. (Then, you take the noodles with chopsticks, dip it in the broth and eat it.) We then brought the receipt up to the front which is where we paid the waitress at the cashier. A fantastic experience, and I can't wait to dine out again.

After the restaurant we biked back to JCMU. The roads are small in Japan, and the houses are close together. I absolutely love Japanese architecture, particularly with houses. They are small and compact, with plenty of plants outside. It looks very cozy and home-like. I hope that if I get to participate in the homestay program, I will live in a house like the ones that I saw today. I've always wanted to see inside.

After our bike ride we came back to the center where we said goodbye to our guide. Our guide, however, gave us a parting gift (another reason why I would really like my luggage) which was some Japanese food that he had bought from the supermarket.

Afterwards, I came back and studied a little for my placement test. I also met Matsuri-sensei in the hallway at the academic building. (She taught me for level 1). She wished me good luck at JCMU, and said goodbye because she only teaches level 1.

At 4:15 pm I had my homestay interview. It was rather simple, the two ladies asked me if I didn't mind commuting every day and what I would like to get out of the experience. I used mostly Japanese, but sometimes I had to speak in English. I think I will get a placement. I should receive an e-mail within the next few days. If not, at least I can say I attempted to stay with a Japanese family.

And so, my day ended. I also talked with some of the other students. My roommate and I are getting along great. Tomorrow morning I plan on going to the convenience store and picking up a few groceries for the next few days.

More to come soon!