Toinks!

The alarm went off at 6:30 AM but the laziness to get out of bed begged for 5 more minutes of snooze time (which I repeated for about 3 times..hihi). I got up at around 6:50 and took a bath in my tiny bathroom. There was hot water so the bath was goooood. I met up with Rouie and Geno at the canteen for breakfast at around 7:40. Wednesday apparently is a buffet day. So I got to try a little bit of everything (well everything that I was willing to eat that is).

After breakfast we headed up back to our rooms to freshen up and get ready for Day 1. Today marked the start of our AOTS training. I was both nervous and excited. I was a student again! Haha! =P As I entered the Lecture Hall, I felt like I was entering a conference at the United Nations. Participants from countries like Vietnam, Croatia, South Africa, Malaysia, Pakistan, Egypt, Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Paraguay, Jordan, and ofcourse the Phillipines were in one room. I told Rouie that I was overwhelmed to see actual people from the Bible (referring ofcourse to the participants from Egypt and Jordan…ahahahah =P ). Oh, the guys from Mexico were kinda cute too. It confirms my hypothesis that a greater portion of the population of Mexico are goooooood looking…hihihi. Chinese participants were also in the same room with us for the General Orientation. They handed us this nifty gadget which we can listen to wherein Channel 1 connected to the Chinese Interpreter and Channel 2 connected to the English Interpreter.

The whole morning and a little after lunch was all orientation. Nothing really interactive for that part. The highlight of Day 1 was the field trip to Adachi City Hall. We walked to Kitasenju Station wherein we were oriented on how to purchase a train ticket (ofcourse, we already did that on the way here yesterday).

We got off at Umejima and walked (or should I say waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalked) to the Adachi City Hall passing by the Adachi City Part first. They say that the Adachi City Hall is one of the strongest buildings in Tokyo, built to withstand the strongest of earthquakes so if ever we experience one, we should find shelter in that building. Ofcourse, after the very exhausting and painful walk there, I think I'll just stay under my desk for now, thank you..hehe =P

After a short tour of the City Hall, we headed back to TKC passing by some place which looked like  a town proper for its lights and a giant TV screen. We passed by several shops and I saw my very first 100-en shop. But looking around, other things here like clothes and shoes really do cost a lot of money. So no shopping for me here (well, at least for now until maybe they go on Sale. haha).

 

The walk back to TKC seemed much much much longer and both my feet we're already throbbing with pain. We headed up to our rooms immediately and i just had to throw my feet up against the wall. Dinner was also served in buffet and while wondering around the canteen I got to meet participants from Egypt, West Africa, and Guinea. I can't remember their names though (sorry if you're the one to read this) but it was indeed a pleasure to meet them.

And so I conclude Day 1 with the things I learned today:

1. You will really have to walk great distances here to get around. So wear rubbershoes from here on (ahahah).

2. When shopping in a grocery store, it is extremely important to use a grocery basket or you will be suspected of shoplifting.. seriously!

3. When going up or down the escalator, stay on the left side if you're not in a hurry because the right side is the "fast lane".

4. The Japanese people are really very disciplined. We should really commend them because everyone - old and young - were brought up to follow and respect rules and laws. Something that everyone should learn and apply in our own lives.

Do you know that they even have Stop/Go signals for pedestrians even for small streets and the Japanese really follow the signals even if no cars seem to be approaching. They also have designated places for smoking so you won't be blowing smoke on anyone's face while you're walking.

5. Japan is very pro-environment. Or at least that is my impression so far. They follow strict segregation of trash and littering is strictly prohibited. Even cigarette butts are supposed to be thrown in a designated bin separate from other trash. They also have this design in Adachi City Hall wherein they placed a garden on top of the Parking Lot basement so that the smoke from the cars would rise and be filtered by the soil and the plants above so that it can be released as clean oxygen. Sugoii!

So here ends Day 1 of AOTS. Tomorrow's a new day. I bid you all farewell and good night!

Jia mata!