The Benefits of not Knowing the Language

For all of those reading from Florida, I apologize for showing you something outside the realm of palm trees and sand, you will be burning with jealousy and here is what I saw on my first walk to campus:

This, my dear reader, is what we call a Sakura tree, aka cherry blossoms. These are the trees that greeted us on our walk and everywhere else in Tokyo, Thank god for coming in Spring, it is literally the most gorgeous time to be in Japan. During Orientation, there was a time where those who knew Japanese had to take a placement test. Due to my complete ignorance, I was able to have 2 hours of free time while the others suffered the grueling test of Kanji knowledge. What can one do with 2 hours of free time while in Tokyo? Why, go to Yoyogi park and enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms, of course!

No, this isn't a postcard. I really did take this picture.

Look, an American in the park.

Even after being here for one month, this is still one of my favorite memories. As I was sitting in the park and enjoying the company of others, I realized I was the only American there. I was sitting there with students from Japan, Korea, France, and Mexico. This is what I have always wanted from a study abroad experience, meeting others from other countries. Yes, I've been to Greece and, yes, I lived in Germany for 3 months, but both of those experiences were very limited to hanging out with other Americans. Not only other Americans, but other Americans from my school. Here I am hanging out with people from across the globe. Even in my apartment I am getting to know people from Italy and Colombia. I am not only experiencing Japan, but I am experiencing many different cultures and I am loving every second of it.

3 AM....a normal time to start a story

And so it begins, I write to you from the Orlando airport via my phone. So when you see things such as "on Tokyo", "but me", and "ducking" you know what autocorrect is really trying to say. I started my morning at the bright and early....excuse me, the horribly dark and early time of 3 am. I feel for the unfortunate soul who has to sit next to me, they may indeed get drool on their shoulder. Soon, I shall be embarking on a journey to the far off land of Japan where I will be living in Tokyo for 4 months. I will be studying Japanese and taking a few other history classes while I am there (tbd). Now let me demonstrate to you my beautiful use of the japanese language


Yes, that is a blank space. No, I do not know how to write your name, or much of anything else, in Japanese. This will be struggle number 1 when I go to order ramen when I first arrive....here's hoping they have pictures. This experience is going to be full of cultural challenges and barriers, but that is why I chose to do it. So, if you want to keep up with my struggle bus tour through Japan, with a splash of adventure and the occasional blurb of intellect and wit, please follow this blog. I will be posting videos from time to time and, hey, maybe you can learn something from my travels, but first stop New York and then on to Tokyo!