Then came the man that everyone was waiting for, the money man. He proceeded to explain the different parts of the allotment and the schedule of payment. The first installment was quite large. I received some money in cash and the rest came in the form of a check. Checks are rare in Japan and this one could only be cashed at the local branch in Tokyo. Then I met with other program directors who explained communication protical to me as well as listening to my plans with great interest. Everyone was extremely nice and willing to help me along the way with my project. After talking to them I really felt that I had received a Fulbright. Another grant recipient came for orientation as well and happened to be from St. Louis of all places. After orientation I went to the bank and cashed the largest check that I have ever held in my life. The stack of money was over an inch thick and now sits on the floor in from of me between my feet. Don’t get robbed now.

Currently I am taking the Shinkansen to Kyoto where I will transfer to the local train to complete my journey to Mimi’s parent’s house in Nara. The Shinkansen or “bullet train” is fast as well as comfortable. Vendors walk by with a smile selling coffee and bentos, Japanese box lunches. Since Japan has no open container laws, myself and quite a few other passengers are enjoying their favorite adult beverage. In my case it is a normal Kirin Lager. After a few days rest in Nara I will go find an apartment in Nagoya and hit the ground running on my project. I want to complete as much as possible in this limited time frame and don’t want to waste any time. Now I will sit back and enjoy my lightning fast train ride to Nara, passing right by Nagoya ironicly.

I thought that since this would be the first time that I wasn’t flying standby since Continental that it would go without a hitch but I was wrong. Mimi called the agency and left a nasty message and eventually got the money back. The flight was uneventful. At the airport after sending our luggage with a takyubin, a luggage delivery service that is very affordable in Japan, we sat down for some long awaited wasyoku, or Japanese food.

I took a picture of me with my reasonably priced donburi and a quite expensive nama beer. I enjoyed the food but jet lag was starting to get to Mimi and I so we started to make our way to the Hotel. It was still over an hour by train from Narita.

We eventually checked into the Daichi Hotel Annex later that night after a long train ride from Narita. The room we stayed in was just renovated and quite nice. The drapes opened with an electric motor by remote control. One could order in room massages as well as on demand movies. Before I fell asleep I watched the Shinkansen and JR trains racing by below my window. Yatto! Finally in Japan.