Hi everyone, Pamela here ! Sorry the update is a little late, I just got in as we were stuck trying to get home in the typhoon :o But not to worry, all is well although the wind and rain is very strong and kind of scary... hopefully everything is okay around Japan (:
So, I'm sure that everyone can agree that Japan is AMAZING, there's no word in Japanese or English to explain how absolutely wonderful this place is! Just everyone is so nice and friendly and respectful, like there's hardly any bins anywhere yet the streets are spotless, and on the escalators the people who are standing always stand on the left to allow those who need to walk with an unblocked path, which makes it so much easier during rush hour!
Anyways, on with the update. So the past two days have been spent with our host families doing schedules that they so carefully panned out (: Yesterday (Saturday 29/9) was an amazing cultural experience. My family and I woke up extra early and left at 7am, having a konbini brought breakfast as we headed to Odawara Castle. It was so beautiful and peaceful and the bright sun provided perfect weather for a nice long walk around the ancient castle. Me and my host sister also dressed up as Japanese princesses but it got way too hot so we had to return back to our normal selves. Next, we headed to the Mt Fuji safari park which was so much fun! We got to drive around in our car through the enclosures of bears, lions, cheetahs and tigers and observe them as if in the wild! We then headed to Mt Fuji, which usually has snow on top but unfortunately yesterday it didn't. However, the view from 2,400m was WONDERFUL! I felt as if i was on top of the world, all that could be seen was a sea of clouds and various colours ... so beautiful! To finish off a long day we went to an onsen (public bath) which was ... interesting. It was my first time being naked in front of strangers and it was very weird, but after a while it was fine and really relaxing.
Today (Sunday 30/9) was a 11am start which was much needed! We went to Odaiba by the train, and enjoyed the view from the top of the Fuji TV tower. The view from the big silver ball was gorgeous. You could see the sea, Tokyo Tower, Sky Tree, Rainbow Bridge and the rest of Tokyo city. Lunch was Odaiba's specialist ramen which was super delicious! That was followed by a little shopping. Next, we went to Round One which is a sports/ entertainment/ game centre, located at the top of one of the massive malls. There we enjoyed playing variety of sports and games such as badminton, batting cages, darts, rodeo, rolling skating and mini golf! I wish New Zealand had something like that ): We then headed by subway to the Oedo-Onsen, another public bath -.- However this one was huge and so wonderful! There was a meeting place in the middle where everyone walked around in Yukata (japanese traditional dress) where there was food and entertainment and the bathing house was huge! This time i felt way more comfortable and even almost fell asleep in one of the baths. On the way home, I found a group of foreigners with NZ t shirts and had a little bit of chat!
And that basically sums up my weekend with my Japanese family, that, and the billions of photos we took! Some of the other highlights for me that I'd like to add would be he the baseball game. I almost lost my voice with the cheering that was going on. Did you know that in Japan, each baseball player has their own chant! And there are trumpets and clappers and just wow! The fans take it so seriously, it's so cool to see and experience! Also, another thing would be that I got the chance to do a karate training with the Kyoukushin Karate World Champion Norichika Tsukamoto!! He was super super lovely even though he could kill anone who messed with him (:
Japan. I'm never going to forget this experience, and have decided that when I grow up I'm going to come live here! I'm looking forward for what is still to come, the billion of photos still to take and the many memories still to collect. Hope all is well back home in New Zealand and everyone is good!
It's been Pamela, now off to bed with the REALLY scary wind! Until my next update, bye bye and goodnight !! :D
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