KOBE

Back at the ship we unpacked, showered, and got ready to go out. We heard about a club that a lot of SASers were going to so the plan was to go to a nice dinner and then the club. A club promoter that was at the port terminal recommended a Kobe Beef hibachi type restaurant and told the taxi driver to take us to that restaurant. It turned out to be amazing. Hands down the best meal we had in Japan. Bottom line: I had delicious Kobe Beef in Kobe. We opted not to go to the club because we ran into some SASers who heard that a lot of kids on the SAS trip last year got roofied there. Instead we went to a bunch of little bars and ended up in a single bar for the majority of the night just talking amongst ourselves and having a great time.

The next morning we had one predominant goal: find an internet café. After hitting up a bakery (you are given a tray and tongs and free to select any pastry your heart desires) we found an internet café for an hour of internet. A huge highlight was being able to skype with my only friends online/skype at the time- Wassie and Reb who were together in their room in Florence at 4 AM. I suggest that everyone purchase their wall paper. Post skype-session, we went to Harbor Land. Harbor Land consisted of some live music, shops, and a mini-amusement park- think Santa Monica Pier. After going on a gigantic wheel chair we had a light lunch, we were trying to time spending all of our yen perfectly, and then hit up a post office. A few of you lucky readers may be receiving a postcard in the near future…

Five action-packed days later we were back on the ship and are now one day away from China. Crazy. I had a truly amazing time in Japan and am shocked that it is now in the past. For that matter we are already 25% of the way done with our voyage. Only twelve weeks left at sea. One thing that I have been thinking about is the difference between cultural immersions opposed to traveling. Unlike my friends in London, Florence, Rome, South Africa, Prague, Tel Aviv, Barcelona, and Buenos Aires, I am not actually being completely immersed in any one country. I am traveling. In my mind Semester at Sea is such an amazing and unique program than a typical study abroad program. I definitely don’t think I’m missing out by not being in a single country and I’m happy I’m getting a taste of everything. So far the world tastes pretty sweet.