Abeno-ku

Erika, Sayaka, Chika...My tour guides (minus Keiko)

OCC, Huge and spacious in comparison to its surroundings



Yesterday was my first full day here...and it was horrible. I woke up dozens of times at night because my internal clock was switched, and when I finally arose at 10, I just wanted a warm shower to calm me down. I spent an hour trying to get the hot water to work! Turns out I was adjusting the volume for and hour, but I finally got it after a few breakdowns.

I had a mini-tour of campus and my neighborhood (Abeno) with Erika, Chika, Keiko, and Sayaka. Erika is very outgoing and talkative, so her and I chatted the whole time. The others hardly spoke, but were friendly nonetheless. I have no idea half of what they showed me because they either couldn't explain it in English or we don't have things like that here (a slot parlor?). Good news is there is a huge grocery store/mall, post office, ATMs, and train station within 5-10 mins walking. That much I figured out. Oh! And there is a KFC right down the street....the Colonel is FAT...I wonder if that's how they see Americans. :-P

Before the tour, OCC campus seemed small, cramped, and noisy. However, after the 2-hour tour of Abeno (I almost got hit by about 1,000 bicyclists), walking back into campus seemed so calm, spacious, and welcoming.

I am really overwhelmed by the crowds and the noise here...maybe once I can understand some of the language I won't be so bombarded. Then again, my English classes will bring some comfort...