Training at the Kodokan part 1

A bit of background before I mention the Kodokan.
I started playing judo in my mid 20's.
I'd always been into martial arts.
I got into karate when I was about 11 after seeing Bruce Lee's 'Enter The Dragon' on the telly.
My Dad was a rugby player, my Uncle was a footballer, but somehow I managed to shun their pressures of joining countless clubs to play either. Well, I did play rugby at high school and football in my late teens/early 20's, but I was more interested in martial arts.
Anyway, I practiced sport karate/Wado Ryu karate from 11, then later I tried wing chun after a club opened in my town. Wing chun was the art Bruce Lee studied at one time.
I began to get pirate copies of the UFC in the mid 90's, and remember seeing Royce Gracie own everybody. Royce is a student of Brazilian jiu-jitsu aka Gracie jiu-jitsu. I now practice this.
So, after witnessing him beat everybody on the ground using grappling, I wanted to get into it. No Brazilian jiu-jitsu clubs in my area, so I joined the local judo club.
I loved it.

I'd been interested in Japan for many years. Again, this was mainly through martial arts. I planned to visit Tokyo.
I didn't want to go to Tokyo just for sight-seeing though. I wanted there to be more of a purpose......judo was the answer.
I contacted the Kodokan Judo Institute (http://www.kodokan.org/) in Tokyo by airmail. A few weeks later, I received a package in the mail, with photos, details, etc. about the Kodokan.
At the end of 2001, I was in regular contact with 2 of the office staff there. They were very friendly. I had arrabged to go and stay at the beginning of March and stay there for 5 months.
At the end of Feb. 2002 I flew out to Tokyo....a gruelling 14 hour flight via Amsterdam.
At the Kodokan, judo player can stay at the dormitory or private rooms on the 3rd. floor.
I had arranged to stay at Hotel Sunroute in Shinjuku for 6 days to get used to Tokyo and get over my jet lag.
I went to the Kodokan to let them know I was in Japan, and to get familiar with it before I stayed in the dorm.
On the ground floor, or first floor in Japan, outside is a statue of Jigaro Kano, the founder of judo. Next to it is the Kodokan international office. I was greeted by the same 2 people who I had been in contact with back in England.
A guy and a girl, both in their mid 20's and very friendly, welcoming people.
I got my Kodokan cards made up, paid my deposit, met the sensei's and had a quick tour of the place....it's huge. A massive 8 story building next to the Tokyo Dome and about 7 minutes walk from Suidobashi station.
The young guy I met had a freshly broken nose, 2 black eyes and sported a lovely pair of cauliflower ears.......nice guy though.

Next: the actual training.