adventure：part 1

i finally made it!
Since i last wrote on my blog, many things have happened.
the flight over to Japan was lots of fun.　i watched Fool`s Gold on my personal screen and talked with one of my new friends, Mary, the youngest Delegate from America (12) who is from NY.
We had a very rough spot of turbulence which i later found out was due to a blizzard that was occuring off of the coast of Ｓiberia.
Once we landed and got through customs, the group sat down to rest and that is when i discovered the joy of the Japanese vending machine. They have a wide selection of hot and cold beverages.　I bought a fizzy grape drink which the machine poured and served to me through a little　door.
My group stayed at the Olympic Youth Hostel in Tokyo. It was a very large facitlity with no air conditioning :) I was surprised that the only bath there was was a communal bath. I figured that since I was going to have to do it later on in during my homestay, now was the time　to try. It was just me and another girl who were willing to take the plunge.
It was slightly awkward but over all, it wasn`t that bad.
For breakfast they were serving
Miso soup, rice, and seaweed. yum；）
This morning I loaded onto a bus that was headed for `the station`.
we were not told anything about what where we were going or any kind of specific information which has been true for the entire trip ;(
at the station we had to wait for a couple of hours until the shinkansen (bullet traiin) arrived.
i took advantage of the kiosk selling Toppo.
The bullet train was very clean and was VERY fast.
We rode through beautiful countrysides dotted with oriental style houses. There were many rice fields. I got to see Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kyoto from the train.

When we arrived in Osaka I was so excited to see Tomo! A LABO staff member took me and about 4 others to meet our host families. Tomo and her family were there to greet me with greetings, hugs, and even gifts；) it was such a surreal experience！ Then, Nahomi, my host mom bougnt us some kaiten yaki which is a pastry made with sweet beans inside of a chewy biscuit.
Then we hopped into their car and sped off to their home ( about 30 min away) in Nara.

I am now at their house, getting ready to eat dinner. I am having the time of my life... I guess all of that worrying paid off ;)