Tuesday 15 July

Jadyn being a superstar
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Cultural differences

Sleeping - you sleep on a futon on the floor, they use towels as sheets, perhaps it is because it is so hot and they absorb your perspiration.

Toilets - very high tech, you almost need a licence to use them. They quite often have a basin above them and the tap runs when you flush the toilet and then it goes through the basin where you can wash your hands and it fills the cistern up. The first time I had to run down and see the host Mum and say that the tap wouldn't`t stop running but it was just how they work. There is generally one western toilet at most tourist spots but some of the girls are getting better at using a traditional Japanese toilet.

Signs at the railway crossings
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Shopping - Riccarton Mall will seem like the back blocks in comparison to Sendai. Students think it is heaven. Lots of big department stores especially Loft that is the students meeting point, it has 8 floors and really flash. They gift wrap your purchases in really nice bags or envelopes. Great service.

100Yen shop　- Like the $2.00 shop but better quality and heaps of choice.

Early Mornings - Some students leave at 6.15 to come to school, not unusual to travel 1 hour to get to school. Loren and Sarah are 3/4 hr by car, others have to buses, trains and walk.

Sendai Station area
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Bank - You have to take a number and then go and sit on a couch and wait until they call you. You then see the Teller then sit down again and wait while they do what you have asked, then go back up to the counter when they call you. To change travellers cheques it takes about 20 - 30  minutes. A very formal procedure.

Vending Machines - The school has heaps of vending machines plus two that you order your hot lunch from, you select the number of the meal that you require then put the money into it and out pops your voucher for your lunch. There are lots of vending machines for cold drinks and cigarettes on the streets. There are two types of cigarette ones, one takes your photo as identification and the other one you have to have a card to be able to use it.

Vending Machine at School
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Students

Well yes Elizabeth has lost so far her wallet that she left on a train and luckily her host sister went all the way on a train to collect it from the station at the end of the line. She also lost her Camera at the Museum but she got that back as well, so she has been very lucky so far. Laura still talks all the time the only time she has been quiet is when she was sick on the plane, she was extremely quiet and white then!!! Probably never to be repeated.  Accordingly to Blair`s host sister he has fat sickness. He also had a snake in his room last night. Blair is a cheat when playing four square with all females, but it was fun.

Drums
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This morning it is a beautiful day, nice clear blue sky and it is meant to be 28 degrees. First period this morning it is computer time, luckily we are in an airconditioned room. We then have an English lesson followed by a PE lesson.

First period this morning was computer time, so everyone caught up with home and it gives me a chance to update the blog. This was followed by an International Class lesson which was answering questions in Japanese and English and then demonstrating gestures in your own culture. A funny lesson.

Our Musician
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After this we had PE where everyone played Badminton. Mel was the star player!!! We then practised for the farewell party on Thursday. After lunch we went to a mans house that was about a 15 minute walk from the school to see some traditional Japanese instruments. He demonstrated them and then we all got to have a go at them. Laura M even managed to get a sound out of the Japanese flute which was a huge piece of bamboo. The guitar that he showed us was the same price of a car. (700,000 Yen).  Then back to school to meet with Anna about our day out tomorrow at the Akiu Hot Springs, lots of nervous laughter.