Time to meet the Host Family!

Today...I went into the wild. Just kidding. But things did get a lot more real! But not before a last little bit of spoiled living! Marina and I used our vouchers to eat at the super nice breakfast buffet (usually costing 2,200 円, or about $30) at the hotel.

A variety of tsukemono in the front row, tamago yaki, packages of natto, and sweet potatoes in the back. 

Although there was the usual bacon and eggs business (though the eggs looked a LOT better than they do in America), I went the more Japanese route!

I got a hot bowl of RICE with various tsukemono and tsukudani, sakana, umeboshi, nori, and....

a baby package of NATTO! 

It was probably the most Japanese bowl of rice you could possibly make...and it was GOOD.

Right after breakfast, all the PII members brought all our luggage down to get all our information and rules, and more importantly, to meet our families for the next two months!

We were all really nervous as they lined us up against a wall, laying down the rules in Japanese, then taking us one by one to meet our hosts. I don't remember being that nervous in a while! Breaking away from my friends and into the world of "No English speaking allowed" was pretty darn scary! Luckily, when I turned the corner to see my family for the first time, I was faced with...

haha. Intimidating bunch, eh?

This is Haruki. He's five and a pretty cool dude. He is probably one of the most tame, well-behaved little boys I have ever met!

Kaho on the other hand...well, she's a two year old ball of spunk and curiosity, all wrapped up with an extra shot of energy! 

After buying my bus card to get me to school for the next couple months, we went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch at...

What a name, right? Dining Resort. Oh dang. That's serious eating. 

Haruki chose this place because he specifically requested ramen. I don't think I've ever met a five-year old who turned down pizza and ice cream for ramen. I told you he was pretty cool...

 I got a lunch set with seafood and vegetables over rice, and a small shio ramen for 980 円 (about $13). 

After lunch, I went to my home for the first time! I was really impressed how spacious and new it was!

The definition of あかるい。

(For Japanese 101/102 peeps: Suzuki-san would be very impressed after her intrusion upon you). 

Here is my room! It's on the second floor and has a lot of light coming through from the windows! 

いいですね！

After settling in and talking through the rules and logistics, we went on a quick walk to show me how to get to the bus stop. 

A few meters away from home

 He really wanted to ride his bike!

The park right down the street

A little tea time for Kaho... 

and some play time before dinner!

 Sukiyaki! 

tai sashimi and gohan with sansho chirimen jako. yums. 

After dinner, we took a short visit to the Kenrokuen Gardens to see the special "light up" event from June 1-3, in which the garden is all lit up for night time viewing. 

Here is a video of a beautiful flute performance on the water...

Although I am returning to Kenrokuen tomorrow with PII, I am happy I got to see it at night! I think it will look completely different during the daytime!

As we were walking back to the car, we passed through the gardens of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. 

I think it's amazing that this ultra modern space exists right across the street from the traditional atmosphere of Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Castle!

Alrighty! First day of school tomorrow! I hope I get there on time, but I guess we'll have to wait and see...