Gomenasai Everybody!

The last couple of weeks  have started taking formal Japanese for the first time.  I have to admit that I am a bit behind. So I have been studying very hard. Here is the link to my other blog, which is aimed at little kids, so you can see what I have done so far. Hopefully I will have time to write soon!

http://www.reachtheworld.org/journey/27906

Arrival In Japan + Jetlag

So I've arrived in Japan after like 20+ hours of traveling! Although the process was a bit hectic due to having to  check-in my luggage at both checking points, it could have been worse. I guess the best tip is to make the trip as short as possible. A good tool for this is Wolfram Alpha since it calculates the shortest path between any two cities in the world, and you can make your flight decisions using that if there is not a direct flight in at your nearest airport. So  the shortest distance from Puerto Rico to Osaka passes by New York and part of the Arctic circle! The following are some photos from the plane of the ice caps:

I couldn't sleep at all in the plane, so when I arrived at Japan, I was super sleepy so I fell asleep during the bus ride that took us to the dormitories. I saw nothing of the cityscape T_T. But I didn't go to sleep right away since I had to bathe and contact my family and the international SIM card I brought wasn't working. Thankfully the computer center in the dormitory had very good headsets and could call from Google Voice!

I did go to the convenience store today and brought essentials, like milk, for the week I will be in the dormitory, since afterwards,  I will be with my host family. I'll blog more about those subjects later. I need a nap and its only 6:30 pm local time... damn jet lag induced lethargy!

Random Pics!!! ^_^

Traditional Japanese Toilet at the Airport (Currently rated at #1 airport bathroom Isa has gone to, they had  "normal toilets" too)

The toilet seat was heated  'o'

つすく。。。

T-minus 3 days to Japan

I have totally relegated this blog. This month has been too hectic with the packing and everything. I have two unfinished blog post regarding cellphones and studying abroad that I have not finished. I will hopefully finish them on the plane. Wait for them and the post chronicling my arrival in Japan!

つずく。。。

New Year, First Blog, Introduction

I wanted to start this blog for a few months now, and what better time than with the coming of this New Year! Let’s begin with stating this blog’s purpose: to chronicle my travels and how I go about them, so that they may be reproduced for those that might wish to.

I am going to study abroad in Japan this spring semester.  I wanted to chronicle the whole application process, but alas, this semester was too hectic! So before leaving for Japan, I will sporadically update the blog with information about applying to study abroad programs, as well as the information about the scholarships available to fund your travels. Since I am currently an undergraduate, I will focus on my experience, but I want to point out that there are also many opportunities for high school and graduate students. I will (not hope, I am making a commitment here!) blog about the following topics:

·         Scholarships

·         Study Abroad Programs

·         Learning the Language

·         Visas, Applications & Why One Shouldn’t Skimp on Mailing Services

·         Packing

·         Staying in touch (e.g. Cellphones & Internet Calling)

In Japan, I will then blog weekly and hopefully video blog too… if I find a video camara (expect a blog about the subject).  I will also blog bilingually (Spanish & English) and hopefully in Japanese too!

Thus I say to you blog reader whoever you are:  よろしくおねがいします！ (Approximate translation: Please treat me kindly)

つずく。。。 (tsuzuku = to be continued…)