In Japan!

OK, hold on tight: I'm officially in JAPAN!

The toughest part was definitely saying goodbye to mom and dad - although managed not to bawl my eyes out(!) I almost started crying again when I read mom's note in my book, though.

We took the plane from Oslo to Frankfurt (where we were almost late for our flight because of a lady that dodn't understand how our tickets worked) and finally from Frankfurt to Nagoya. There we were met by Japanese Rotary members who took care of us and helped me get my ticket - I had to take another plane from Nagoya to get to Kagoshima. We ate together at the airport before I was told that we had to hurry to catch my plane. I waved goodbye to Jack and a Swedish Rotary exchange student and followed the Japanese rotary member to the security check. The second I was done, a Japanese lady came over to me, smiled, grabbed my luggage and started to run with me to my gate. Apparently we were late...

Still, I made it! I only managed to sleep on the plane to Kagoshima, so I was quite tired when I landed - at sometime around 12 on the 20th. I think. I was greeted by my host family (everyone except for Ryotaro who was playing in a brass band at the time) and Mr. Kamikawa. They were all very nice and helpful! Later we went to a restaurant to eat again, but since I had eaten on the plane I wasn't too hungry, so I had a small side dish.

I slept a lot in the car after Madoka had assured me that it was OK. I did however manage to see some things through the car window: bamboo forests! And palm trees! And places in the sea where they make nori! ZOMG! This is definitely not Norway anymore...

We also made a short visit to my school, which I'll be attending in a week from today. Guess what - I heard cicadas! Like in all the anime you've ever seen... except this one's without subtitles. I didn't understand everything they said, but apparently an Italian exchange student will be attending the school too, and my summer uniform isn't quite ready yet although I do have a black bag (or "kaban") that I'll be able to hang my stuffed Norwegian moose on! XD

The room I'll be sleeping in has tatami mats on the floor, a sliding door, a small Japanese table and cushions. I've been told I can borrow my host sisters' desk and have my clothes in one of their chest of drawers. This house is really small, lovely and full of Tonari no Totoro! XD

...so now I look forward to getting to know my family and Japan better. I'll probably get some more information at the exchange student camp I'll attend in a few days as well - although I can't remember the exact date now.

This was what it was like - no kidding! *click for full size*
Reads from right to left - like in Japan! :P

On the plane to Nagoya. The hostess was really sweet.
She helped me with my katakana, and I really wanted to hug her. Awwh, man...

Almost in Nagoya!

Genki de ne~

Helene (in JAPAN!)

Location: Nippon!
Mood: tired, bewildered, amazed...
Listening to: people speaking Japanese... everywhere!
Eating: I ate potatoes! Haha! XD
Drinking: *drank* herb tea