What to do without Walmart?

Brooke Gottmeier 

Spain - Comillas Universidad 

Spring 2019 

I don't even shop at Walmart that often back home. Occasionally, I make a trip to Target, but both superstores are somewhat of an oddity for me. I go there if I need a new charger for my phone, or cheap plates for my kitchen, or new bed sheets—every time whatever I’m looking for is completely random and I always tend to find it. 

However, shortly after I got to Spain I realized that there was no superstore here. I needed all of these random things like tights, and nail polish, and kitchen utensils, and stamps, but I had no clue where to find them. 

One of the first situations that I encountered with this dilemma was with my great journey to find tights. Being that Spain is cold and Hawaii is not, I owned none of these elusive articles of clothing. 

I went to buy some at the Zara near my house and left empty handed. Next, I went to the underwear store—nothing. I tried the closest thing we have to a department store here in Spain, El Corte Inglés, but I only found handbags and watches. 

Yet, on the streets all around me were girls were wearing tights! I had absolutely no clue where they were getting them! Being that I was in Spain, Amazon could not save the day this time. So, I spent the rest of the week frustratingly trying different stores and keeping my eyes out for the secret tight superstore. 

Finally I broke down and decided to ask the “stupid question”:

So, I asked my host mom, “¿Dónde compras medias?”.

She replied, “A la merceria medias”. 

After she gave me directions, I headed over to the merceria medias and was surprised to find the cutest little store jam packed with tights in every inch of it. So this was were everyone was getting them… 

I got a pair and headed home feeling relieved and slightly accomplished for figuring out the mystery. 

Though my great journey to find the elusive Spanish tights, I learned several things that I’d love to share with you guys so you don’t run into the same situation:

1. JUST ASK FOR HELP! No question is stupid. You are in a new country where everything, including the language, is foreign to you. Don’t be afraid! Most people are more than willing to help you out, so even if it’s a stranger just ask. 
2. We are very spoiled in the U.S. with giant superstores and Amazon to answer our every need. 
3. In Europe if you can’t immediately think of where to buy something, it’s likely being sold at a tiny little specialty store. To find it either (A) ask for help or (B) try translating the name of what you are looking for and then google it. If you just google it in English, you likely won't find the best results. 
4. Try not to get frustrated! You will find everything in time, and adjusting to these difference is just a part of life while abroad. To me, I found the tights situation hilarious. The fact that they have a whole merceria just for tights here I found to be so cute and funny. Try to take everything lightly! It’s all a process. 

Buses, Planes, and Trains, Oh My

Tokyo, Japan known for its beautiful sky line, neon lights and.... rice paddies?

When I flew into Japan I landed at Narita airport, which is an hour outside of Tokyo. The only view you get is rice paddies, small towns, and greener for miles, which has a natural beautiful.

After departing the plane you have to go through immigration before being directed off to a room that is on the back wall with one room and and a desk in order to get your residency card.The whole process is fast and easy, you just hand over your documents, scan your fingers and then bam, you got yourself a brand new card. This card will act as your ID card in the country so you do not have carry around your passport if you don't want to.
P.S. The room has a no cellphone use policy so don't be like me and use your cellphone and get stared at by the other people in the room. 😨

Luckily for me, my buddy met me at the airport to help me with the next step of my arrival journey, getting to my place of residence. Due to Aoyama Gakuin assigning you a tutor/guide/buddy before you leave, you are able to have a local's advise, knowledge, and assistance. I HIGHLY recommend you take advantage of that and ask them about anything and everything. Also ask them if they would mind meeting you at the airport. My amazing buddy Soari, better known as Tommy, helped me so much.

I know that many people,myself included, can figure it out on our own if we have to, but why not have help. I know I was kinda of tried from my long flight, and it is a daunting task to figure out not only a foreign public transportation system, but what do with your luggage and where to go, and being slightly starstruck in this new place.

Now the next thing you should think about is cash and what to do with those pesky bags of yours. I recommend keeping either your carry on or whatever small bag you have, and filling it with a two days worth of clothes and send the rest to your residence via the baggage delivery services in the airport. There two companies just to left of the main lobby once you come out of customs. Now the cost depends on how many bags you have and how heavy they are. For me I had a medium and large suitcases both just under 50lbs., for which I paid about $45. Now that may seem a bit much but I was happy because it freed up my hands, made my journey easier, and it was nice not to worry about it.

For more info check out the list on the Narita airport website.
Another tip make sure you get a drop off time from the company you pick encase there is no intercom or front desk attendant to receive your luggage at your place. This is because if no one is there they will not drop off your luggage and you will have to call and reschedule a new drop off time.

Next thing is getting ¥ (yen). It easier to get ¥ (if you don't already have it) in the airport, remember Tokyo is mostly cash operated, so it is best to have cash whenever possible (plus it saves you from those additional charges banks like give when you use your card).

From that point you can move to planning our route, if you haven't already. When in Japan I agree with most local opinions on NOT taking a taxi until you are much closer to your destination, if at all. The taxi system in Tokyo is much like in America, where it is very expense and better to avoid when possible. There is no Uber, Lift, or any other ride sharing services so will have have to take shuttles and public transportation.  I started off my journey to m new home by riding the hour bus shuttle to Tokyo station, I recommend the shuttle because it is cheaper and drops you off a mere 5 minute walk to the station.

For more information on the different options check out the website.

In the station you can buy your train pass. It costs 1,000¥ to buy the pass its self, and then you can put however much you want. I arrived about a week before the semester starts, which means I had a week before I could get my discount student train pass, so I didn't want to put too much on it. For me I put 1,000¥ on my pass so I can go out and explore before that time. Obviously that cost will change depending on how much traveling you plan on doing before you can get your student pass.

Now when you are on the train it can be very busy, especially if get on the train during rush time. The rush time can go from 7 to 9 in the morning and 5 pm (17:00) to 10 pm (22:00). Also note the stories are true they will squish and cram you into the the train to pack as many people as possible. Which why it is better to have less bags with you, so the easier it will be for to move around the train but also the station.

And again I have to say a huge thank you to Tommy for helping me with that last part, so I say it again get to know your own Tommy if you can and they will be your life saver.

After the we had conquered the trains we sat down and ate at a popular conveyor belt sushi place call
Sushi Roll (スシロル) and had an amazing time with great sushi, especially the cheese and salmon. 😋 Before calling it a night.

またね