What an amazing and emotional journey this has been!
My date to depart for Japan came so quickly, that there was unfortunately any time to create a pre-departure entry. Instead, I will write about my journey to Japan today. Travelling to Japan has been a dream of mine ever since I was a child. I always wanted to study abroad in Japan, but I never seriously gave it much thought after seeing how expensive it was. And yet, here I am, studying abroad in Japan, and living out my dream! Even though I was super excited about heading to Japan, I wasn’t prepared for the emotions that arose as I said my goodbyes to my family; reality set in that I would be away from home for the first time in my life, and very far at that. However, I’m lucky enough to be sharing my experience abroad with my twin sister, so we got through the emotions together! After a grueling 14 hour and 20 minute flight, my arrival in Tokyo instantly brought on the excitement again! Navigating through Narita International Airport was an adventure itself, as it required me to put my Japanese skills to the test in order to reach my hotel! After successfully boarding the limousine bus to my hotel in Tokyo, I got to enjoy the scenery and how it differs from my hometown in Miami, Florida. To see with my own eyes the many things that I thought I would only see on TV or the Internet is just so surreal! Even more surreal is the view of Tokyo Tower from my hotel room! Knowing that my arrival in Tokyo is just the beginning has me even more excited about what awaits me in Kyoto!