Hachinohe, Japan
– Our first day in Hachinohe and Takko-machi, Japan
Waking up in Japan felt exactly the same as waking up at
home
– groggy, hair a mess, wishing I could roll over for just five
more minutes (although that part was a little better, because of
the time change). However, once I was awake and functioning,
By Carly Apuzzo Special to the Dispatch
Hachinohe, Japan – Our first day in Hachinohe and Takko-machi, Japan
Waking up in Japan felt exactly the same as waking up at home – groggy, hair a mess, wishing I could roll over for just five more minutes (although that part was a little better, because of the time change). However, once I was awake and functioning, everything suddenly became more exciting – even walking down to breakfast this morning was an adventure. There was a huge buffet of food laid out, with “American” style food on one side and traditional Japanese food on the other. Nervously reaching through a sea of arms and plates and chopsticks, we made our way over to tables with trays full of food – bright pink and silver squares of fish, cubes of tofu, bowls of miso soup and slices of pink pickled radishes. After breakfast, we explored the hotel a little, gawking at machines that sell bottles of juice and soda and ice cream. Some of the boys went down to the onsen, a naked, communal spa in the bottom floor of the hotel. Myself and two other girls were going to brave the onsen as well, but it was closed for maintenance when we got there (which was admittedly both a disappointment and a relief).
After checking out, we had about an hour to kill before our performance, so a big group of us walked a few blocks into town and killed time at some little stores. For some reason, buying little things like candy and crayons and make-up is a lot more fun when there are Japanese letters and symbols on the wrappers instead of English words. We returned to the hotel and performed a concert for a lobby full of guests and locals. As we circled the audience to perform a children’s song called Furusato, the faces around us lit up as they joined in singing the familiar tune. Once the concert was over we rushed up to the second floor, kicked off our shoes, and sat down to lunch in the formal dining area; a good time was had by all as we sang karaoke and ate fried rice. Once the meal was over, we were on the bus and off to Takko-machi.
After a long bus ride we finally made it to Takko, where we met the mayor of the town, the superintendent, and a few other elected officials. We proceeded to the community center for a welcome party, where we would meet our host families and share a meal together for the first time. As we pack up our things and drive to our host homes, I think back on the day and feel like it’s been so much longer than that – and while going to sleep tonight will be a great relief, I can’t wait to wake up again tomorrow and do it all over.
