byouinnn.

Today was an experience. Right now I'm sitting on a bus going home. It:s almost six and there are a lot of Japanese school girls sitting in the rows behind me. They're pretty funny. I went to the Japanese doctor today! It was amazing! The difference between the American medical system and the Japanese one is crazy. Dorsey-sensei and I walked to the place, which was like ten minutes from the school. We got in, signed in, and were seen in about ten minutes. I did my own height and weight and temperature (in my armpit...?). oh, and blood pressure. Then I recorded it, and waited five minutes before the doctor saw me. I don't have Japanese insurance and the price of the visit was the equivalent of $44.75!!!!!! Then I got three different types of common cold medication after waiting only fifteen-twenty minutes: one for sinus/fever, one for cough, and one for.... I forgot. But that cost was only around $22...WITHOUT INSURANCE. Whaaaattttt... I was so amazed. The Japanese really have it figured out. I was also really happy because Dartmouth payed for my illness. And every single person in the palce told us as we were leaving "o daiji ni" or "ki wo tsukete" which means take care. I also learned the phrase "yukkuri yasunde" which is literally "slowly rest" but acutally means relax. Also the entire medical facility was absolutely spotless. Not that I was surprised about that... haha. So anyway, I got my meds and went back to the school, talked to one of the office people for about forty minutes, and now here I am, on my hour long bus ride home, sitting next to this lady who probably thinks it's weird that I'm typing on a bus. I was lucky enought to have caught the 204 bus almost right after I got to the bus stop.
Now it's the weekend!!!! Tomorrow I'm going by bicycle (everyone here rides them and it's rather dangerous. You have to be pretty skilled to maneuver the streets. It's going to be..... interesting.)  to a panya or bread store/bakery. Japanese bread is SO GREAT!!!! More on that later. Then Sunday a bunch of us are going to Jing's host family's house for a party. Should be delightful. But it's farrrr away. So I have to go to Kyoto Eki (Kyoto Station) and take a train to wherever it is.. I have yet to figure that out bahaha. So if you don't hear back from me.., I'm lost in Japan, no big deal. Oh I almost forgot, in the other post I wrote my email incorrectly. It's fixed on there now, but in case you need it again, it's gatewood@softbank.ne.jp . sorry about that.
Japan really is great. The people are nice. It's really safe. Things aren't that cheap, but I mean nowadays what is haha. Right across the street from school, however, is a Hyaku En store or 100￥. just about everything in there is 100￥ or around a dollar. I had onigiri (rice ball!) and some weird veggie potato snack things that Juliana bought. It's impolite to drink or eat food while walking or in public places. Also, I find that almost no one talks on public transportation, and when they do, they cover their mouths so it's even more difficult to understand. Coincidentally, I ran into my homestay mom on one of the busses yesterday. I was so surprised! Bikurishita!! Today I learned words for cold (catching a cold), liver, to put on (sauces), buy something that's new, and rare. Well that's all for now!
Jya~