Day 1

   Well, like I said, I woke up at about 7:45. I did find out where to get money, I also found where to get food, but I forgot to buy a pen to I could fill out those forms (and by fill out I mean write my name and take them to the security office). So, let's see... The campus is separated from the dorms by a bridge you can reach with stairs or an elevator. So after getting ready, I left to find the cafeteria and eat. I gave myself plenty of time, since I figured I'd get lost, but it's basically a straight city street (well, like a city street, only about 6 blocks long and it ends as the mountain starts tilting up again). So I got there early, waited, went in, and got breakfast for, what, 300円? Ate, returned my tray, and took the walk back to change into my boots (had sneakers on because I figured that would be my only outing for the day). In the other dorm building there was going to be an information session, so I figured I should go since I had nothing else to do and I might think of some questions.
   After waiting for it to start (early again), we watched a few videos, got the chance to talk to new and returning students, ask questions, and then it was basically over. I ended up going to lunch with two exchange students from Zambia. They couldn't read or understand any Japanese, so I showed them where the cafeteria was (good thing I'd gone for breakfast), and we walked back in the rain... Well, not before going into the campus convenience store. Which is, like anywhere in Japan, actually convenient. Not like the US, where they have aisles of snacks and batteries, beer and milk and soda in the back, ice, and tobacco behind the counter. No, they sold textbooks, notebooks, snacks, dinners both cold and hot, drinks, electronic dictionaries, tickets for the bus or ferry or even plane tickets, copy cards (to use in the study rooms for printing and making copies), and so on. I just got some water and a "snack" the size of a foot-long sub from Subway... For 200円.
   Went home, watched some videos to pass the time, then went back to the cafeteria for dinner (bumped into the Zambian students again, ate with them, for about 340円), then bought breakfast and another snack on the way back. Watched more vids, and passed out before it was even 22:00. Today I'm up at 6:15, no alarm (jet lag?), and I have little planned for today since there are no events. Tomorrow the important stuff starts, like orientation, and so forth. I should be posting pictures later today, since I intend to TAKE them today. Til tomorrow...