My Flight to and First Evening in Japan

   Well, I am finally in Japan! My plane ride was long, but it was fun to meet different people as well as watch movies and the "moving map" that shows what country (or ocean) the plane is flying over. I was in the middle of a three-chair row in economy comfort (so I had a little more foot room). Next to me, in the aisle seat, was someone who (I think) was French (based on his language choices on the screen). He seemed perpetually angry/impatient and was not too friendly...so maybe he was affected by the blizzard at some point as well and was just trying to get to his location, or maybe this attitude is just a French thing...In the window seat, there was a Filipino (who was very friendly and nice...but I suspect a little flirtatious as well). They kept us really well fed! We got three different "meals" (and all three of them were very generously sized). The first was "dinner" which consisted of Miso Yaki Beef, rice, a roll, shrimp cocktail (basically three little shrimps), a salad, and a very small brownie. It was pretty good, though because the beef and rice were in the same container...the main dish was a bit soggy and a little to salty/"miso-y." "Second-Dinner" was a sandwich, some dark chocolate Milano cookies, and a banana (this was given to us in the middle of the flight when the lights were all off). Then, what they called a "Pre-arrival snack" was veggie fried rice, a roll, fruit, and a twix bar. The fried rice was very delicious! During the flight, I watched a lot of movies (and watched other people watch movies).
   The flight landed at about 6:30 PM (Japan time). I somehow navigated customs and then I had to ask people where I go to ship baggage, where I board the train, etc. I managed to board the Meitetsu line for Nagoya Station and away I went on my journey. Once at Nagoya station, I bought two tickets. One for the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Maibara and then from Maibara, a smaller local train to Hikone. So my first night in Japan, I rode the famous bullet train! You don't realize how fast you are going until you are stopped and another one whizzes past you... On the bullet train, I also think I got my first round of "Japanese people staring at the 'gaijin (foreigner)'" because I overheard someone say (in Japanese): "amazing hair color!" and something that sounded suspiciously like "white person." But I know that I look kind of weird, considering I was the only white person in this specific Shinkansen car, and I was pre-warned about this awkwardness (Shout out to my Japan House friends at Calvin!).
   Finally, I got to Hikone Station and due to drinking a lot of water and stress, I had to go to the restroom. I had momentarily forgotten that there are two main types of toilets in Japan. One is the western style toilet, that Americans are most familiar with. The other, you have to squat over a long trough and do your business in that manner. Hikone Station has the squatting toilets. So on my first night in Japan, I got to try a Japanese-style toilet!
   I then caught a taxi to the "Michigan Centaa" (JCMU) and I arrived. At this point it was about 10 PM, so most of the lights were off and the main door was locked. I managed to get in the side door, take off my shoes at the cubbies (unfortunately, I had forgotten my slippers in one of my suitcases...but socks will do). Then I followed the music up the stairs to the TV room and met my class-mates (who were watching Pitch Perfect). They helped me get a hold of the student coordinator and I got to meet my room-mate and I got all settled in to my room. There is no central heating in the dorms, and while there were three thick blankets on my bed, I was still a little chilly. But I think once I have a schedule with the area heater, and once more of my clothes come (they should come Monday morning), I will be better able to stay warm.
   So now I sit at my desk, after a restless night (of cold and jet lag). The horizon is starting to show a little pink at the edges of the hills that I can see from my room! Today, my room-mate is going to show me around the town and I will go to the grocery and get some food to last me for a few days until I get completely settled in and can begin planning my meals. I'll either publish another post this evening or tomorrow morning so stay tuned for more!