KYOTO!

So after just about the longest journey EVER, I'm finally here, with internet, and caught up a bit on sleep!
So Tuesday was my big going-away party where my parents invited people over to say bye. It was a ton of fun, and I got some very useful (and packable!) presents!
Thursday I started my journey with a flight to Chicago, pretty uneventful, and I made it to the Quality inn pretty easily. HOWEVER, I didn't sleep much...
The next 2 flights were... well... long...
I made it to my dorm at about 7 pm Japan time and got checked in, my room is HUUUGE!
After checking in, Akie and I met Sandy (who took Japanese with me and is studying in Hikone) for dinner. my 1st meal in Japan only cost 円300! (a little less than $3).
Overnight, in my lack-of-sleepyness I unpacked my suitcases, everything fit! The next day, I woke up really early and walked along the Kamo River as well as the Gosho park. At 11, I met with Akie, Sandy, Ryder, Daniel, and their friend from JCMU (the other school). We walked downtown (Shijou) and met with Hisashi and Takumi. After this we went to the lower section of my street (Teramachidori) which is a shopping street to have lunch, shop, and play drums! After dinner at a tapas place, we rode the subway back home. I stopped by Akie's apartment (about 15 minutes away and half the size with double the stuff). to use her internet very briefly. Upon returning to my dorm, I met a few people, and after telling them that I moved into Hawaii 102, about 3 of them informed me that they had presents for me from former K students/former 102 residents! I received a Christmas tree!, a tv, a toaster oven (now I have 2...) a claendar, A BYCYCLE!, and an internet router! EVERYBODY IS SO NICE! They are throwing a BBQ for all the new residents soon!
Today I'm going to put the bike under my name so I can get it back if it gets towed! Tomorrow is the start of Orientation, so I may be writing a new entry about how school is going soon!

mata ne
Rob