Japan: Fujinomiya and the Japanese school

So I left Yokohama and had to go to my friend's from camp - Yu's - place in Fujinomiya which is a small town close to the biggest mountain in Japan - Fuji. My adventures began with the fact that I had to use the railway pass for the first time and get on the right train. Fail. This was the biggest and the only mistake I made during my trip - I got on the wrong train (wrong line, the railway pass was not valid for only one line - and I got on that one), even though going the right direction, but not stopping in Fujinomiya. The first stop was Nagoya. Only 200 km off the route. Even though technically I had to pay for my ride, the lady in the train was so nice and patient with me, she even gave this little paper where she wrote where I have to change the trains, what platform, etc. So nice, though I bet there are tons of foreigners failing to get on the right train, (there were around 5 English tourists in the same situation as mine two seats away). Anyways, so I managed to change the trains and get to Fujinomiya where my friend was already worried. Lol. First thing we did was going to a sushi restaurant where among all amazing dishes I found another thing I hate - nato, the rotten beans. Never ever again.

The next day we went to Yu's school. I had to change my shoes into those rubber slippers that were pretty uncomfortable though the heat was so epic that I did not care. Everyone was pretty much starring at me but I didn't care about that either. Yu's classmates were all soooo sweet and excited to see me, I had so much fun. It was the last day of school so they had to clean the building - I went around with my camera not helping them, very nice of me, yet that's why I have pictures to show you guys.

my friend Yu

After the cleaning they had assembly which was an interesting thing to see indeed (the cheering team with their performance out of the blue was hilarious) and then we headed down to the city seeing mountain Fuji in front of us. That day I pretty much experienced a normal teenage girl's schoolday - we went to the shopping mall, had lunch there, walked walked walked and walked around the shops till I thought I'll drop dead. Not used to this variety of things. We did purikura, played computer games...did everything. The next day I was ready for a calm tour seeing the park and Hiroshige art museum.

inside the teahouse (next to Hiroshige art museum)

a worker in a tea field

my lovely friend's lovely family. Had sooo much fun with them.

and my bed - futon - in the Japanese style room. Love the feeling of tatami on the floor.

Next stop - Nagoya. Big city again and first time couchsurfing. Hell yeah.

oh well

since I'm mostly putting pictures, time to write something. But oh well, there's not much happening. As you have probably noticed already, right after I came back from Japan I went to the seaside, first Palanga and then Nida (the beach there is the 2nd best beach in the world). Both of these places are simply awesome because I'm a sea addict and I love every single thing about Baltic sea. Just because it's my sea. The first week I mostly slept. Maybe the stress I kept inside while travelling (3 weeks on your own is still a challenge) got released. Then the next week as we moved to Nida I just enjoyed...and got to work on my school stuff a bit. Also spent some quality time with my parents (like like like). Watched random movies, like "Peacock"...impressive one I'd say. Basically I don't remember any other time when I relaxed as much as I did now.

And then came back, going around with A4 size to-do list and getting a bit nervous about my trip to Germany. Nah, I don't care about going to Italy, same thing. But reunion! Can't wait to see how everyone has grown.

Apart from that I enjoy just being in my room, listening to music (holy crap, so addicted to Shinee recently, another Asian pop band...can't help it, I have some kind of fetish for guys with one side of the head shaved) and going through old things - memories. Also looking for universities and colleges...if anyone has suggestions for art unis - you're welcome, I really need some help.

Putting some pictures of my fav outfits at the seaside and going back to listening "Obsession" and "Lucifer" by Shinee. Loser. Btw, if someone wants good music, check out Phantogram. Awesome.

i live

i live sea

i live sand

i live space

i live freedom

i live loneliness

i live water

i live sky

i live emotions

Japan: Arriving to my dream country and Yokohama

Well as promised, I'm starting to tell my stories from the epic dream-come-true trip to Japan. First of all, I already wrote how thankful I am for all the people who helped me out, but just to remind - thank you! Everyone! For inspiration, for supporting, for helping with practical things. Much love.

Ok, so it all started with the fact that because of some bank stuff I pretty much almost missed my flight from Riga to Moscow. The lady at the reception was totally angry at us, but nevermind her, I got on the plane and safely landed in Moscow where I had to wait for 5 hours till my flight to Tokyo. Needless to remind you (I was complaining on fb and twitter already), the staff in Russia was pretty UNfriendly, especially with people travelling without visas (including me), like if we all want to escape from the airport and live in Russia instead of going to Tokyo (dream on). Anyways, as the place was getting full of Asians I was getting more and more excited and then finally realised that if back home I was looking at Asians with curiosity, now they could do the same with me. The flight was ok, I watched Madagascar, spoke to this French guy and then all time confused landed in Narita. Shoya, my co-year in Italy, picked me up and we headed to Yokohama. It was hot. Like, really hot. I've never experienced such different heat, but somehow didn't find it too uncomfortable. Overall once I got to Japan I felt like if I'm home. Everyone was so polite, so nice, the guy checking my suitcase has put such a huge smile on his face when I spoke Japanese to him. Oh, miss that already.

So we got to Yokohama, Amika, my second-year in Italy, picked us up and then we went to rest a bit and afterwards around in the city. Continuing with pictures.

Shoya and Amika. It was windy:)

the sound of these bells is supposed to make the Japanese feel colder. I found the sound very pleasant and the bells were pretty much everywhere.

On the second day in Yokohama we went to China town. Very cool place with small streets. I didn't see such cute street anywhere else in Yokohama, because it's a big port city, lots of space and light.

Amika and I were watching kids from a Chinese school practising how to handle the dragon and make it move. So cool, never thought you actually have to put so much effort in doing this.

Older people paint and draw a lot on the streets of Yokohama. Very nice. On the very same day I ate onigiri for the first time in my life and I can also say that it's still one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. The food is amazing in Japan. Tempura, omg *drools* Ok, since I'll soon drool over the keyboard, I'll write about my visit to Fujinomiya plus not a very successful way how I got there next time. じゃ、またね！

ただいま！

a picture of a necklace I made before my trip which travelled with me all the month. Meet the cat Čiobrelis.

Well hello everyone, Ieva is back to Lithuania, traffic-time-language confused and having tiny bits of jetlag. I was lucky enough not to have it when I came to Japan, so I guess I have no right to complain about it. Anyways, so I'll write a short note just to feed your curiosity.

Overall, the trip was super-ultra-mega-turbo awesome. And I mean it. There were of course some hard times but mostly only when I was too tired to absorb the awesomeness of the Japanese land and...when I broke the lens of my camera. Felt like having my hands cut for a few days till I got to borrow the lens from my friend's father. I left mine to repair in Japan and have only portrait type lens I managed to borrow today from my dad's friend, so probably not gonna do that much of photography in coming days. Which does not really matter since I have a lot of school work to do and also around 1.500 pictures from Japan that have to be edited.

I met so many amazing and kind people. Can't express my gratitude. Thank you.

I'm going to the seaside for two weeks or so. There probably won't be any internet access, so I'll start posting my adventures a bit later. Nevertheless, the pictures will be ready by that time so please look forward to upcoming posts. And also, if anyone reading wants to contact me for whatever reason, please e-mail or text to my cellphone. I won't be online in skype.

Omg, I love sea. Can't wait to go there tomorrow. Also need to put my thoughts in order.