While some thought the prices of things in Japan would be less expensive than the US, the reality of the matter is quite the opposite.
A couple of examples:
Glass of iced milk: $3 (which doesn't taste like milk anyway)
One game of bowling: $15
Telephone use is charged both monthly and by the minute.
But things like alcohol and noodles are pretty inexpensive, so at least the important items are covered.

My attempts at speaking Japanese coherently are only mildly successful.
Today I had the simple task of asking for my hotel room key.
"Nihyaku roku, please."
Note the blatent use of an English word. A word, I might add, that was one of the first ones I ever learned.

When stepping out of the doors of Osaka Kansai Airport, the first thing I noticed was that my clothes ceased to be filled with that cool canned air of airplane air conditioning, and instead instantly stuck to me in an intense wave of humidity. The feeling has yet to leave, and I am told that it doesn't.
So, I have arrived safely, and in the past two days I have managed to avoid extreme jet-lag, experience the joys of a Japanese breakfast (raw egg, rice, fish, and miso), and find a few lovely little temples and shrines (see links on left).
It's still orientation, so today we went on a Treasure Hunt around Kyoto. I walked the Philosopher's Path, saw the Silver Pavilion, and climbed a bit on Higashiyama (one of the many mountains surrounding Kyoto). Add this to the exploring I did in the rain yesterday, and I have seen a good amount of north east Kyoto. Not much, but I'm getting there.
As a side note, I suggest that everyone try Green Tea Ice Cream. It is delicious.

Whether I can believe it or not, I am only a few short days away from the beginning of a year in Kyoto, Japan. The summer has quickly passed, and despite the great times I had, I think I am ready to head out of the country.
For all who wish to send letters and goodies while I'm abroad, my address in Kyoto will be:

Laura Meyer
Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies
52-2 Hoshoji-cho, Okazaki
Sakyo-ku, Kyoto JAPAN 606-8333

And if anyone in turn sends me their address, I will try my hardest to send each person at least one letter with Japanese stamps.
I will still be using my email, so you can also get in touch with me more quickly by that route. lmeyer@bu.edu

In the mean time, I will be attempting to update this website every couple of days with observations and stories about my experiences in Japan. I hope that the content will not be boring; I am certain to do some pretty stupid things in my quest to understand a foreign culture and language.