What I did in March. 

A lot of things. I won't go into detail because it'd be too much and I am too lazy. In short:

I went to the National Art Center in Roppongi with Taka. They had a special exhibition by Leiko Ikemura. It was really interesting but I didn't like everything. After a little coffee and lunch break we stopped by the Nogi shrine. It is quite famous for its history and dedication. After the Emperor Meiji's death in 1912 an army general named Nogi Maresuke and his wife commited suicide as a sign for being loyal to their Emperor. We continued our walk and went to the Akasaka Palace, a castle of the government where many important guests are being welcomed by the Japanese Emperor.  A lot of decor was very gold and fancy. Sadly we weren't allowed to take pictures. From Akasaka we walked to Harajuku and there I finally had my first Japanese crepe! Chocolate brownie with Matcha ice cream and cream. It was absolutely delicious. For dinner we had, another first for me, Okonomiyaki. It is kind of like an omelette. In the middle of the table is a surface, functioning like a frying pan. You order your ingredients for the Okonomiyaki you want to make, mix them a bit with a raw egg and then fry it in the middle of the table. Add some sauce, mayo, nori and fish flakes and done! It tastes great and I recommend it to everyone. 

Another adventure of mine was going to China Town in Yokohama. It is not a really big district, maybe only 4 streets. There were a lot of shops and restaurants. We ate in a rather small and les  expensive restaurant. Originally I wanted to eat fried noodles but nooo I didn't stick to my plan and ordered shrimp rice instead. It. Was. So. hot and spicy. Like headache-dizzy spicy. Not bad, from what I could still taste with my barely alive tastebuds but wayyyy too hot. But it was my first time trying shark fin soup and I actually liked it. On the way home we ate Dango and they were fantastic.

What else… I went to the Penguin Bar in Ikebukuro. I kid you not. They have real life penguins. There is a dining area and a bar counter, in the back you see, behind glass, a pool and two huts and 5 penguins. They were so cute, but I felt really sorry for them. The Japanese laws concerning animal rights don't seem so strict in general. The food was okay but actually ridiculously expensive. We could feed a penguin a fish. though

On March 31st I was invited to go to a public bath house/Onsen with my friend Mariko. As some people might know, Japanese bath houses include being naked. Completely naked. First we went to the reception and said how we'd like to spend the time there. Then on another floor (it was a building with many different floors and activities) we first chose a Yukata for later, then off to the changing rooms. We got a key to a locker to put our things in and then we only had to strip down. I felt a bit weird at first. Being naked in front of so many strangers but then I thought about it and it is probably the same for everyone as well. In Addition we are all women. After that I felt better and enjoyed various hot and cold baths (inside and outside, on the top floor/roof) and saunas. When you enter the bath you have to wash up first. Meaning taking a long and thourough shower, washing your hair and body. Then you can go into the tubs. 

After the bath Mariko and I went downstairs and had lunch. I had simple Soy Sauce Ramen, Mariko ate Katsudon. Having finished our meal we first went to some kind of playing area and then to the 'Relaxing rooms'. It's two rooms, one for men and women and one only for women. Everyone has their own seat, a TV adjusted to it. The seats are eararmchairs and inside the ears were headphones connected to the TV. So you could watch TV without wearing annyoing headphones but also without disturbing your neighbour. We stayed there for some time and afterwards went down and had something sweet to eat. Then a quick trip to the baths again and at 10 minutes before 7 we had to get ready so that we won't miss the bus that will bring us back to Machida. Dinner at Saizeriya and then I had to go home, so we said goodbye at the Station. It was a really great day!

Soo I think that covered everything for now. More in April! Pictures in the gallery!

End of February, Begin of March or "The worst experience in Japan"

As some people might know, I easily get sick, especially during winter/early spring time. Normally it's just a cold or some problems with my bladder, but nothing that isn't over after a few days in bed. I've only had two normal colds since I have been in Japan. Until February 19th.

It was a normal school day and in the morning I felt fine, fit. Over the day though I noticed how my head began to hurt and I felt weaker and weaker. I stayed behind in school that day but not for too long since I didn't feel too well. To my luck it even started raining on my way back home (thank god I had an extra jacket with me). I got home and told my hostgrandparents that I didn't feel well. The first thing I got to hear was: "Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Because I was fine the day before???? John then gave me one of his 'magic pills'. He swore he has been taking that stuff for over a decade as soon as he notices the first symptoms of a cold. The next day he'd feel fine again.  And you can easily get them in a conbini or drug store! In the end I was forced to take one in the evening and one with me for the next morning. I stayed at home for the next two days, resting. Though I still didn't feel completely healthy I forced myself to school on Saturday, because it was the last day of my 'Cool Japan' seminar with my favorite teacher. On that day I noticed a slight scratch in my throat but after taking some pain medicine it was fine again. At the end of the school day I felt worse again, and my fever had returned. Another pain killer helped. On the next day I had a slight scratch again but not that bad so I took half a pain killer and I was fine for the day. On that day's evening I went with Taka and his dad, who had invited us, to a German restaurant! It was surprisingly Ppetty tasty and they even had Kässpatzen! And lots of sausages. I definitely ate too much on that day!

Then. During the night from Sunday to Monday, my throat started to hurt like hell and everything was swollen on the next morning. It was definitely impossible to go to school. Everything hurt, I couldn't eat anything and even breathing was a bit difficult because of my throat's swelling. Kimiko first brought me to their doctor. That guy was specialized on heart diseases, though. He still took a look and said  ひどい ね, which means translated: That looks bad/That's terrible. Yeah it definitely felt like that, too. He then recommended an ENT specialist. So back home, get the car and drive to Naruse. There were a lot of people in the doctor's office but luckily they could squeeze me in. But now prepare for Kimiko's effrontery: If they could write her up as well, because her hearing got a bit worse (remind you, she already has a hearing kit!). So here I was standing, everything hurt like my throat was on fire, and Kimiko seriously expected to be treated as well, even though we only came because of me in the first place. Luckily the receptionist said they couldn't do that, she has to get an appointment. We waited for about 30 minutes until my name was called (Had we been in Germany we would have had to wait for 3 hours min.. Thank you Japanese health care!). The doctor prescribed antibiotics, and 4 other different kinds of pills against the pain, swelling, stomach and to Prevent damage in my throat. I had to take these pills 3x everyday. I stayed in bed for 5 days, not able to speak or eat. My only nutrition was soup and mash. On Saturday I had another appointment. They took my blood and I got new antibioticas and pills because it was still not over. The next Tuesday I felt fine again, I even went to school on Monday and Tuesday because those were the last ones before I had 3 weeks off (final tests). That day we got to the doctor's office. Now, there is a convenience store on the other side of the road. Kimiko forgot her mask and said, she's quickly going to buy a new one, I should go ahead and give my card to the receptionist, we have to wait anyways. I did exactly that and waited.  And waited. After 20 minutes, Kimiko still hasn't shown up and I felt nervous because my doctor doesn't speak English and I needed someone to translate for me. After 25 minutes she finally came out of the store (you can see the conbini from a window), carrying a lot of bags. She actually did some grocery shopping! She could have done that AFTER the appointment, without any stress? She came into the office and shortly after my name was called. The results from my blood said, that some of the bacteria got to my liver, which is pretty unusual. To prevent any danger I shouldn't do a lot of activities, eat well and sleep a lot. That was of course really bad timing since I had no school and already many things planned. My next appointment would be 2 weeks later, to confirm I have recovered completely. 

(I have. Kimiko tried again to have a check up as well and this time they accepted her, even though she still didn't make an appointment.)

February Part 2 New host family

On the 9th of February I changed to a new host family. They are an elderly couple, surely already in their late 80s. I actually call them host grandparents and their names are John, who is from the USA and Kimiko, his Japanese wife. They live in a really big house in Tamagawagakuen which is a uiversity district. The station is only 8 minutes away by foot. To describe everything the word 'odd', 'strange' or 'weird' might come to one's mind. 

Let's start with the house. Even though it might be big there is not much room to move around. There is just way too much stuff. I guess over the years with having many guests from all over the world it is understandable that things just gather together but we are talking about much much MUCH more. The kitchen is full with kitchen utensils, a worrying amount of bowls and more. I am really surprised how one can still cook in there. Moreover I have only taken a small glimpse of the office but from what I have seen papers, files, folders and boxes reach up to the ceiling and it seems they don't throw a lot into the bin. 

To my room: Even though it is more on the small size I still have my own small bathroom and some sort of kitchen with a fridge (in which food is stored even though there are about 3 fridges upstairs), microwave, toaster and a sink. The room doesn't have a normal heating, meaning I have an old heater standing in my room. It is so old that it's still running on kerosene. Only the best things for your health, right? In fact, you can find kerosene containers all throughout the house. Let's pray there won't be a fire soon. During the night I have to turn it off so it gets freezing cold and I have to use 3 blankets. Doesn't mean I can sleep well now. Oh no. If it's raining it feels like you are outside, the dripping  water is unbelievably loud. 

Now let's get to the residents of this house. Like I said we have John and Kimiko, then there are some university students to whom my host fam is renting out some rooms. I have only met one of them, a guy named Kohei. There is one guy living in the room above me but I have seen him only once from a distance. I only know that he wakes me up sometimes in the morning by walking up and down in his room, sometimes in the evening he is singing? (not very well btw) or stomping up/down the stairs. 

To tell more about John and Kimiko: They are both proudly devoted to the Bahai religion and won't hesitate to tell you everything about it, to which Bahai centres they have been to and how many people they know.

John is often asking me About people of whom I have never heard of in my life and if I say I don't know them, then I can prepare to listen to their whole life story. Sometimes it feels like John is trying to one up me by boasting about how much life experience he has, how many people he knows who live all over the world or how he just knows more than I do. I'm sorry that I don't know which city has the second most 5 star hotels in the world. Kimiko pulls some stunts to which I come later. 

Now let me talk about the rules in this house. There are in fact 29 rules for the exchange students, nicely printed out and taped onto my bedroom door. Some are reasonable, like having a curfew until 10 or having to wash all the dishes once in a week. But let me get started on the ones that are quite peculiar.

I am only allowed to wash my clothes once a week between 11pm and 7am (because water and electricity are cheaper during that time). Moreover Kimiko and John wash their clothes more than once per week, in clear daylight, no 11pm-7pm rule for them?Please remember that my laundry day is on Tuesday, meaning during the time I normally have school. Imagine having to wait until 1am or even later until all your laundry is finished, hang it up to dry, go to bed only to have to get up  again at 6am for school. If I have additional laundry, not on Tuesday, I have to pay 350 Yen (2,80EUR) per load. Also if I need a lift to or from Tamagawa or Machida I also have to pay 500Yen or 1000Yen (4EUR, 8EUR). In addition if I want a key, a 5000Yen (40EUR) deposit is required. 

I also can only  take a shower within 15-20 minutes maximum, once per day. My room is to be kept clean, Kimiko even controls it. Be it when she takes out the trash or when she is supposedly on the search for something. During the night I have to lock my door and the back door (next to my room) or else 'weird people might come in'. Only Kimiko has a key and she won't hesitate to use it, even if I am only late to school and have already been woken up only by her knocking just fine. 

On Sunday evening. dinner won't be served at home, instead we go out to eat where I have to pay for my own meal (Today I politely declined, not being hungry enough, but Kimiko promptly wouldn't believe me. Only after several assurances she let go of the topic). All of these rules have been explained to me one by one. Their proud reason to exist: It's the same in other Air B&Bs.

There is a difference from being a university student who can work and/or has a family they can financially depend on and more. Or a tourist who is in Japan for maybe only 2 weeks. That is  different from a host student. We can't work, our family is thousands of kilometres away and we live in a foreign, unfamiliar environment. We are looking for someone who we can trust and depend on, guiding us. We are not looking for a store where we can buy laundry detergent and toilet paper because we have to 'purchase for our own needs'.

February Part 1 

Since not much happened in this month I had not many topics to write about so I decided to put February and March together.

Mh so first...oh right... this story actually goes back to January. One day I was sitting with Taka in the school's cafeteria. He was studying and I was drawing. While doing our own stuff we listened to music and shared headphones. Suddenly the principal came into the cafeteria. As she passed us to go to a group of parents who were also there, singing horribly, she saw us, laughed weirdly and literally told us that we were sitting too close to each other. Ehm. Excuse me? We were just listening to music? Anyways, both of us were just really perplexed and decided to go home shortly after that. We couldn't stand the parents' singing anyway. On the following school day, which was a Monday, I was told to come to the teachers' room. I figured it was because of some adjustments to my schedule. Turns out I was wrong. Mr Asano sat down with me and actually said to me not to sit too close to Taka anymore, I am a distraction to his studies for university entrance exams and surely I have other friends I can hang out with. Moreover, he knows Europeans might be closer to / have closer relationships with each other but here in Japan people are distant. Means I have to be distant, too. Apparently more than one teacher came up to him, worried about that stuff. (He said everything in Japanese, which I felt a bit to be impolite since he knows my Japanese is not the best. Well, I still understood plenty enough)

I was so bewildered I could only apologize, saying "sorry I didn't know that" and go. That moment was probably one of those in which I felt the worst during my exchange. To be honest I cried a little, simply out of perplexion and feeling marginalized? Didn't make it better to hear that the principal told everyone in the teachers' room how she saw me with Taka sitting 'so close'. After that we either stayed in the library where not many teachers come or went somewhere else after school. Haven't heard anything else after that. Funny thing is, for over a week I was the only one who has been told that. Taka only got a small warning from his homeroom teacher.