Autopilot

So it looks like I'm in Japan! It certainly doesn't look like home, at any rate. Everything's still very surreal, but I'm sure it'll sink in eventually.

The journey was fine - I travelled with a girl called Sarah who I'd met before, she's fun - though we weren't sitting together. The first flight took around nine hours, then we stopped in Seoul for a few hours, before doing the last leg to Fukuoka. Korean Air seems to be nice, though I made the mistake of trying the Korean food - seriously:

 

The goop is rice porridge with green tea - needless to say I didn't eat a whole lot. And can anyone identify the odd pale circular things? They were crunchy and kinda sweet. The other meal was good, though.

We arrived at Fukuoka Airport at around nine in the evening - and it was still incredibly humid. Met a couple of American guys also going to APU, they seem nice. We all got a bus up to the university, which took an hour and a half. From there we were shown around by the RAs, who are lovely (though it was dark, so I couldn't really take much in) and taken to our rooms. They're quite small, but definitely livable in. Only problem is the beds, which are kinda solid:

But other than that, it's all fine. That evening I (eventually) managed to get my internet working, so stayed up a lot longer than I should have! Then this morning, I met Sarah and Scott (one of the other guys I'd met before) and we walked around campus a little. Right now, I'm feeling a little fuzzy from travelling and lack of food, so I ended up staying on campus rather than going into Beppu with the others. But I'm sure I'll get plenty more chances.

My view is awesome, incidentally - I feel very lucky, of the people I know I seem to be the only one with a sea view. But lookee:

It's so pretty! So that's something, even if I'm still feeling a little iffy about the whole thing. I'm sure it'll get better, once I've remembered how to talk. In both Japanese and English. That's another thing, my Japanese is so rubbish and it makes me feel so bad! Really need to work on that, though it'll be a while before I can actually hold a conversation and stuff. There are a few orientation events organised for this week, then we start classes next week - I'm kinda looking forward to it, though I can't remember what modules I've chosen. Not looking forward to having to do a Japanese oral exam, though. Eeep.

First impression-wise, I really don't know what to make of it all. So far it mostly just feels bizarre, especially when I realise just how long I'm going to be out here for. But after I've been here a little longer, I'm sure it'll sink in properly. I'll keep you all updated.

Think that's all for now!
- Rackle (and a pretty picture)