„Travelling to Otaru“ – Tuesday, 24th September – 7am (UCT±00:00)

After nearly two weeks of strolling through London town it was time for me to leave again…for some bigger adventures!

To be honest waking up early is never too hard for me when it comes to travel. It felt surreal though, to be in Japan very soon. On the one hand I love to travel, finding new trials etc. but as I was planning this trip for nearly one year already, it became so abstract somehow that now was the time where I finally could do something apart from the theoretical planning stuff.

Everything went well. I took the Thameslink from London Bridge to Gatwick, then the shuttle to the Northern Terminal. According to a friend I was lucky to get through that fast, because they have delays pretty often.. Even though the last days in London were wonderful and I could enjoy some very lovely late summer days, on the morning of my departure London seemed to be sad seeing me leaving. I basically was raining cats and dogs. But don’t worry dear London friends, I’m not leaving for good!

As soon as the plane started, dinner was served at 11:30am according to London’s local time (but 6:30pm in Shanghai). Not that I mind the food, but actually I find it very annoying, that you get told that you have to shut down the window shutter to keep sunrays outside. Well, as usual I found myself watching movie after movie…that’s what I can do best in airplanes.

About ten hours later we arrived in Shanghai, stayed there for three hours until the next machine to Sapporo-Chitose started. After nearly 20 hours of travelling I arrived at a very sunny and scenic Hokkaido where my tutor Nao and her friend welcomed me very warm and friendly.

From the airport it took us another one and a half hours to get to Otaru and the dormitory and even then it wasn’t the time to find some rest. I dropped my luggage at the room and changed quickly, just to go down the hill again to buy some basic stuff to get settle. Because unfortunately the rooms in our international house don’t have any kitchen equipment, sheets or whatever you would need in the very beginning of a stay. Anyways I’m happy with my new home now. It is simple, clean and super close to the campus (I might even count it as included to the campus lol). Your daily workout is basically also included because it lays about 120 metres above Otaru city, where I go at least once day most of the time.

My first evening I spent together with some of the international and Japanese students, who became friends very soon😊

Being at places so far away from my home always makes me realize how much it matters to be surrounded by nice people and how little it depends on where you stay or how far away it is to feel happy. Otaru, I’m ready for you and I have a good feeling about the two of us! 😉

Stay tuned, I’ll give my best to keep you updated!