I have...seventeen days left in Japan. Seventeen days to get my fill of Japan for years to come. I think I'm doing a pretty good job of it :)
This weekend was NON-STOP craziness. From Friday at 3pm to Monday at 3am. Craziness.
On Friday I had a dentist appointment to look at where I thought I had a cavity. Going to the dentist in Japan...is very special. They have equipment that is far more advanced than what is in the States, but...the Dentist also does not wear latex gloves. Or any gloves. Bare hands in my mouth!!! D:
Anyway, I had a small cavity, that might actually be a sign that I need a root canal (oh no oh no oh no!) but he fixed the cavity in under an hour, gave me a clear filling, and so much novacane that my face was numb until midnight. (Im going back next week to check and see if I do need the root canal).
I drove from the dentist (with numb face) to the bus center and grabbed a bus to Kobe where I met up with several JETs for a birthday at the Lock- Up.
The Lock-Up is a themed resturant that serves izakaya type food (stuff you eat while drinking) and revolved around a horror inspired Jail house. All the rooms are jail cells that they lock you in, and once an hour there is a " monster show" where people dressed as monsters come out and "attack" you. Its really fun, and I got to sit with several people that I won't see for a long long time. Afterwards we did one hour of the most AWESOME Karaoke ever. It was non-stop amazing.
I had planned to stay up on the mainland for the weekend, and Brenda was nice enough to let me crash at her place near Kakogawa. We got in around 1am and actually did stop talking and sleep before sunrise (which we are usually not so good at doing). Saturday I was up and on the train by 10 so I could get to Osaka by noon (2 hours away).
In Osaka I met up with Mr. Wada, the 84 year old Eikawa student/lumberjack/farmer who we know. He is ...very interesting. He had wanted to take us on a tour of the "dirty" places of Osaka for some time, and we finally all had a free day to do it. Wada was a police officer in Osaka way back in the day, and he wanted to show us (foriegners) that Japan isn't as safe as many people believe. We totally did not take him seriously because, well..he's 84.
It was EYE OPENING. I did not know that places like that were in Japan! AND right in the middle of Osaka! He took us to the homeless village (seriously it was like a refugee camp in its size), to the red-light district that was open and running at noon on a saturday, and which also was...very unquie. The houses on the outside looked like traditional Japanese resturants, with slidding doors for the entrance, but the doors were open and the girls would be sitting RIGHT there where you would take off your shoes. They didn't say anything, just sat there and looked pretty waiting for Mr. Big money to come along. There were SO MANY of them, and all of them were open, and several...had customers. AND...right in the middle of the district..was an elementry school and park. WTF JAPAN.
We walked from there to the "new Ward" where there are lots of shops designed for people to buy pretty much anything and everything. We went into a ktichen store where you could buy ANYTHING ever made, ever! for a kitchen. It was amazing.
We finished the tour in a coffee shop, built to look like a Swiss Chalet. Just for fun.
From there I was due to meet a friend, but she called me to invite me to come to her house instead. In Kyoto. So on the train again, and off to Kyoto (2hours away). I met up with her and we went to a coffee shop and chatted for a bit; I hadn't seen her in 4 years!
Her house is in the mountains of Kyoto, but near enough to down town that it took maybe 20 minutes to get between them. Her parents own a souviener shop at one of the big temples and the house was full of old and traditional things. We went to a very very nice sushi resturant for dinner and afterward we did fireworks in a rice paddy for the 4th of July.
Woke up the next morning VERY early, to drive to Lake Biwa, which is the largest lake in Japan. Many people go out here for the nature and beauty, but I had never gone because it was so far away. Well! I went! For about an hour. It is a very pretty lake, but I liked the drive up there better. We went through the mountains and it was misty and green. Very pretty.
When we got back to her house she had a Tea Ceremony lesson, and I was invited to come along. It was taught by an old tea master at her house, which probably was the most beautiful Japanese house Ive been inside. The ceremony was classic and gorgeous, and I was allowed to participate. We started with flower arrangement followed by the tea presenataion. The Master also gave me a Yukuta that she had that was too long. Quite unbelievable!!
we left early (2 hours instead of 5!!) and headed into the city proper for lunch. I was able to find another Yukata for my mom and several really nice Obi's (the belts) After lunch , I said my farewells and took another train 2 hours back to go to the Hanshin Tigers Baseball game. The Tigers are probably the most popular baseball team in Japan, and the game was WILD. There were chants, and ballons, and noise makers, and there weren't any free seats: the place was packed! We sat in the opposing teams section and did our best to cheer on the Tigers. In the end the Tigers won 4-1 (yay!)
the game ended in time for me to grab the 10:20 bus back to Awaji, which meant...that I got home at midnight. Ugh! The whole weekend was one sleep-deprived trip of awesomness!
Today: I work.
Seventeen days left!
This weekend was NON-STOP craziness. From Friday at 3pm to Monday at 3am. Craziness.
On Friday I had a dentist appointment to look at where I thought I had a cavity. Going to the dentist in Japan...is very special. They have equipment that is far more advanced than what is in the States, but...the Dentist also does not wear latex gloves. Or any gloves. Bare hands in my mouth!!! D:
Anyway, I had a small cavity, that might actually be a sign that I need a root canal (oh no oh no oh no!) but he fixed the cavity in under an hour, gave me a clear filling, and so much novacane that my face was numb until midnight. (Im going back next week to check and see if I do need the root canal).
I drove from the dentist (with numb face) to the bus center and grabbed a bus to Kobe where I met up with several JETs for a birthday at the Lock- Up.
The Lock-Up is a themed resturant that serves izakaya type food (stuff you eat while drinking) and revolved around a horror inspired Jail house. All the rooms are jail cells that they lock you in, and once an hour there is a " monster show" where people dressed as monsters come out and "attack" you. Its really fun, and I got to sit with several people that I won't see for a long long time. Afterwards we did one hour of the most AWESOME Karaoke ever. It was non-stop amazing.
I had planned to stay up on the mainland for the weekend, and Brenda was nice enough to let me crash at her place near Kakogawa. We got in around 1am and actually did stop talking and sleep before sunrise (which we are usually not so good at doing). Saturday I was up and on the train by 10 so I could get to Osaka by noon (2 hours away).
In Osaka I met up with Mr. Wada, the 84 year old Eikawa student/lumberjack/farmer who we know. He is ...very interesting. He had wanted to take us on a tour of the "dirty" places of Osaka for some time, and we finally all had a free day to do it. Wada was a police officer in Osaka way back in the day, and he wanted to show us (foriegners) that Japan isn't as safe as many people believe. We totally did not take him seriously because, well..he's 84.
It was EYE OPENING. I did not know that places like that were in Japan! AND right in the middle of Osaka! He took us to the homeless village (seriously it was like a refugee camp in its size), to the red-light district that was open and running at noon on a saturday, and which also was...very unquie. The houses on the outside looked like traditional Japanese resturants, with slidding doors for the entrance, but the doors were open and the girls would be sitting RIGHT there where you would take off your shoes. They didn't say anything, just sat there and looked pretty waiting for Mr. Big money to come along. There were SO MANY of them, and all of them were open, and several...had customers. AND...right in the middle of the district..was an elementry school and park. WTF JAPAN.
We walked from there to the "new Ward" where there are lots of shops designed for people to buy pretty much anything and everything. We went into a ktichen store where you could buy ANYTHING ever made, ever! for a kitchen. It was amazing.
We finished the tour in a coffee shop, built to look like a Swiss Chalet. Just for fun.
From there I was due to meet a friend, but she called me to invite me to come to her house instead. In Kyoto. So on the train again, and off to Kyoto (2hours away). I met up with her and we went to a coffee shop and chatted for a bit; I hadn't seen her in 4 years!
Her house is in the mountains of Kyoto, but near enough to down town that it took maybe 20 minutes to get between them. Her parents own a souviener shop at one of the big temples and the house was full of old and traditional things. We went to a very very nice sushi resturant for dinner and afterward we did fireworks in a rice paddy for the 4th of July.
Woke up the next morning VERY early, to drive to Lake Biwa, which is the largest lake in Japan. Many people go out here for the nature and beauty, but I had never gone because it was so far away. Well! I went! For about an hour. It is a very pretty lake, but I liked the drive up there better. We went through the mountains and it was misty and green. Very pretty.
When we got back to her house she had a Tea Ceremony lesson, and I was invited to come along. It was taught by an old tea master at her house, which probably was the most beautiful Japanese house Ive been inside. The ceremony was classic and gorgeous, and I was allowed to participate. We started with flower arrangement followed by the tea presenataion. The Master also gave me a Yukuta that she had that was too long. Quite unbelievable!!
we left early (2 hours instead of 5!!) and headed into the city proper for lunch. I was able to find another Yukata for my mom and several really nice Obi's (the belts) After lunch , I said my farewells and took another train 2 hours back to go to the Hanshin Tigers Baseball game. The Tigers are probably the most popular baseball team in Japan, and the game was WILD. There were chants, and ballons, and noise makers, and there weren't any free seats: the place was packed! We sat in the opposing teams section and did our best to cheer on the Tigers. In the end the Tigers won 4-1 (yay!)
the game ended in time for me to grab the 10:20 bus back to Awaji, which meant...that I got home at midnight. Ugh! The whole weekend was one sleep-deprived trip of awesomness!
Today: I work.
Seventeen days left!
- Mood:
sleepy
I'm not very good at writing it seems! Honestly, I sometimes forget that I have this journal, and when I remember its one of those "Oh no!" moments.
Because so much has happened in the past five months, I will be backdating several entries, so please scroll below to see those.
Right now it is June 11, 2009 and I am a month and a half away from my grandest adventure. I will be leaving Japan on July 23rd to go to China. But not just China: I will be flying into the Philippines, then to Shanghai, then taking a train to Beijing (where I get a few days rest) and then hopping on the Trans-Siberian Railway to take a train half-way around the world. We will be stopping in Mongolia, Lake Baikal and Moscow. From Moscow I will be flying into Germany to meet my younger sister and go about a bit.
Sounds amazing yes? I think I am traveling this way, not only for the adventure and once in a lifetime opportunity, but also because I am leaving Japan after THREE years! The reverse-culture shock is going to be incredible. I am already missing stuff that I still have!
Returning to the States isn't just about going "home" because I have made Japan my home for the past three years. Its more about seeing my family and reconnecting with all of those people that I have techincally "dropped" since coming to Japan. There are so many people that I have spoken to only once or twice in three years, and yet still feel like we are best friends. This becomes a problem though because, three years is a long time. Both personally and professionally. I will be heading back looking for a job like a fresh-faced college graduate, when many of my friends will have been working for the past few years. I also have lived the life of an ex-pat, and that freedom isn't something I am expecting a lot of people to understand or relate with.
It comes down to, that I now have a completely different world view and way of thinking- and Ive noticed that many of my "old" friends do not share that same view. Its frustrating. I haven't even left Japan, and yet, when I talk on the phone or email my friends with my return in mind, I completely do not understand where they are coming from or what they mean half the time. I am not up on American Culture or happenings.
Other things that are/will be frustrating are the lack of convience returning to the States. Japan is one big Conbini. Everything is convinent! Im going to miss vending machines, canned coffee, conbinis, trains, ferries, buses, strangers saying hello, Obachans, coming home to fresh vegitables on my door, my students, walking down the streets in Osaka...and so much more.
I know many JETs who leave Japan only to come back for a visit within a few months, and though I have never asked, I now see it as a way of reconnecting your current life with your old one. You leave Japan and you are blindsided with "this is how it is" so you come back just to make sure that you didn't just dream up living here. (because really...so much that happens here COULD be a dream!)
I guess...what I am saying is that I am very excited to leave, and yet...so terribly nervous about what comes next. Seems like three years went by just a wee bit too fast.
Because so much has happened in the past five months, I will be backdating several entries, so please scroll below to see those.
Right now it is June 11, 2009 and I am a month and a half away from my grandest adventure. I will be leaving Japan on July 23rd to go to China. But not just China: I will be flying into the Philippines, then to Shanghai, then taking a train to Beijing (where I get a few days rest) and then hopping on the Trans-Siberian Railway to take a train half-way around the world. We will be stopping in Mongolia, Lake Baikal and Moscow. From Moscow I will be flying into Germany to meet my younger sister and go about a bit.
Sounds amazing yes? I think I am traveling this way, not only for the adventure and once in a lifetime opportunity, but also because I am leaving Japan after THREE years! The reverse-culture shock is going to be incredible. I am already missing stuff that I still have!
Returning to the States isn't just about going "home" because I have made Japan my home for the past three years. Its more about seeing my family and reconnecting with all of those people that I have techincally "dropped" since coming to Japan. There are so many people that I have spoken to only once or twice in three years, and yet still feel like we are best friends. This becomes a problem though because, three years is a long time. Both personally and professionally. I will be heading back looking for a job like a fresh-faced college graduate, when many of my friends will have been working for the past few years. I also have lived the life of an ex-pat, and that freedom isn't something I am expecting a lot of people to understand or relate with.
It comes down to, that I now have a completely different world view and way of thinking- and Ive noticed that many of my "old" friends do not share that same view. Its frustrating. I haven't even left Japan, and yet, when I talk on the phone or email my friends with my return in mind, I completely do not understand where they are coming from or what they mean half the time. I am not up on American Culture or happenings.
Other things that are/will be frustrating are the lack of convience returning to the States. Japan is one big Conbini. Everything is convinent! Im going to miss vending machines, canned coffee, conbinis, trains, ferries, buses, strangers saying hello, Obachans, coming home to fresh vegitables on my door, my students, walking down the streets in Osaka...and so much more.
I know many JETs who leave Japan only to come back for a visit within a few months, and though I have never asked, I now see it as a way of reconnecting your current life with your old one. You leave Japan and you are blindsided with "this is how it is" so you come back just to make sure that you didn't just dream up living here. (because really...so much that happens here COULD be a dream!)
I guess...what I am saying is that I am very excited to leave, and yet...so terribly nervous about what comes next. Seems like three years went by just a wee bit too fast.
- Mood:
melancholy
Today the weather finally turned from "winter" to "spring". I feel that this is false since it is still February, and I have been telling all of the newbies that February is the worst month in Japan. (Which it is!!)
The change in weather though allows me to remember that I only have 6 months left in Nippon. Its a scary and sobering thought. I have no accomplished nearly half of what I wanted to accomplish when I first came to Japan three years ago. And time is running against me!
I had a day off on Wednesday for National Foundation Day, so I spent it getting my aparment in order and mailing some packages out. I really need to start organizing my things into "send home now" "send home later" and "keep for duffle" I can just see myself waiting till the last minute and then scrambing to mail things from the post office the day before I leave Japan. Scary scary!
On a positive note, the flowers are blooming and Im planning on walking down to the path that has wild flowers along it and "stealing" some. (seriously, how can you steal flowers that are on public land?)
I have an enkai tonight, and don't know where or why. I think it might be to reward the 3year teachers for guiding the kids through exams. I kind of don't want to go, but I have already signed up for it and everything. No luck there. Oh, well....I will just have to resign myself to loads of awesome food. oh the torture!
The change in weather though allows me to remember that I only have 6 months left in Nippon. Its a scary and sobering thought. I have no accomplished nearly half of what I wanted to accomplish when I first came to Japan three years ago. And time is running against me!
I had a day off on Wednesday for National Foundation Day, so I spent it getting my aparment in order and mailing some packages out. I really need to start organizing my things into "send home now" "send home later" and "keep for duffle" I can just see myself waiting till the last minute and then scrambing to mail things from the post office the day before I leave Japan. Scary scary!
On a positive note, the flowers are blooming and Im planning on walking down to the path that has wild flowers along it and "stealing" some. (seriously, how can you steal flowers that are on public land?)
I have an enkai tonight, and don't know where or why. I think it might be to reward the 3year teachers for guiding the kids through exams. I kind of don't want to go, but I have already signed up for it and everything. No luck there. Oh, well....I will just have to resign myself to loads of awesome food. oh the torture!
- Mood:
contemplative
Today begins a new era in the United States. Not because Barak Obama was elected, though many say that it is a historic event, but because we have a new president period. Anyone new in office is bound to shake things up, and the people of America are ready for things to be shaken.
Living in Japan, there is a sense of disassociation with American politics. We don't live there. We can't see how everyday people react to things. We weren't there for the election fevor. I don't really feel any different today, than I did a year ago, or the year before.
On the other hand, Japanese politics continue to amaze and confound me. Why?
Because I am in Japan, and anything done by the Prime Minister or the Cabinet directly effect me. Or effect those who I will come in contact with on an every day basis.
I have lived in Japan for two-and-a-half years now. Im a bit removed from what is happening in the states. I don't feel the recession, though I can read about it in the news, and I can talk to my family. But, I can relate to the recession in Japan. Its on a lesser scale, but I can understand it.
The Japanese government has been all over the recession here, and everynight on the News it is the top story. They discuss it. They plan ways to fix it, but ultimatly- nothing happens.
Last night on the News, they spoke about the idea of stimulus checks. In the states, most people have already received theirs and it didn't congress long to issue them.
But in Japan, it is a heavily un-popular move. The Prime minister wants it, but most of the cabinet does not. The people don't trust their government, and so don't really care one way or the other. Mainly because it takes the government SO LONG to do anything. Last night the entire news was about the battle between the PM and Cabinent with Cabinet members saying that they wanted more discussion on the matter. Really? It has been MONTHS with this on the table. What more can there be said? They want to know alternative ways to spend the cash, but no one is making any ideas. The idea would be to postpone the vote longer, AFTER voting on whether or not to hold more discussion, AFTER making several commitees on what to do with that money instead.
Meanwhile the rest of Japan is becoming alarmed over many temp-staff losing their jobs and companies canceling contracts with graduates.
In America the statistics state that nearly 1 million people lost their jobs between October and now. And everyday we hear about more companies cutting back their workforces. Its depressing, its dreary, Americans and talking about it and trying their best to get the government involved.
In Japan, the system works that: when you are in school, either University, technical school, or high school- you will look for a job your Junior year, and sign up with it in your Senior year. Therefore, you will have employment before you are cut loose from school. That is how this system works. People who work in the temp-industry are largely those with no high school diplomas, immigrants, and those who have lost their jobs in larger companies and are forced to work temporary. Temp jobs in no way mean part time either. Many of them have 40-80hour work weeks (Japan is all about the overtime work).
Now companies are firing their temp staff, and in many cases canceling contracts with people preparing to graduate. This is pushing Japanese unemployment sky high, and making many of these unemployed workers homeless.
For many companies in Japan, you live in company housing. Within a week of termination, you must move out of that housing. This has forced a large contingent of homeless technical, and temp workers- who because no company is hiring, are left without the possibility of work.
The government in Japan has done little to stop in, instead quoting the need to allow companies freedom, and the need to discuss this matter more indeepth.
The displaced workers in the meanwhile set up a homeless-camp in one of Tokyo's largest public parks. This was to make their plight more open to the Japanese people.
I have watched the news and followed this closely, but the average Japanese person, either does not know about this, or won't comment on this because they do not want to jinx their own life. Many Japanese people who are interviewed for the News state that while they feel sorry for the unemployed, that they feel there is little to be done about it, and that the government should take care of it. The government on the other hand sees this as a social issue and that communities should take care of these people.
Its a never ending cycle. Its crazy. It makes me shake my head in confusion. Added to that the govenment closed the Homeless camp and told the members to find shelter elsewhere since they were disturbing the image of Tokyo- I have little faith in the Japanese government.
But at the same time, Im not sure I have faith in the American government either. I have no way to gauge the life of Americans currently. Three years isn't a long time, but with the way life shifts, even going back to the states for my 10day holiday left me clueless and bewildered by how much America, as a whole has changed.
My advice to those living in the states and abroad would be to listen to the news carefully. Not just your own country, but other countries as well. Don't stick to whatever comes up in the "World News" page of CNN or Yahoo, but go to a local newspaper in that country and see whats up. It might cheer you about your own countrys' news, or it might depress you. I can't relate to either of my countries at the moment (Japan and the United States) but that doesn't mean that Im going to stop following the politics either. They frustrate me, but I feel more comfortable knowing, than being caught off guard.
Living in Japan, there is a sense of disassociation with American politics. We don't live there. We can't see how everyday people react to things. We weren't there for the election fevor. I don't really feel any different today, than I did a year ago, or the year before.
On the other hand, Japanese politics continue to amaze and confound me. Why?
Because I am in Japan, and anything done by the Prime Minister or the Cabinet directly effect me. Or effect those who I will come in contact with on an every day basis.
I have lived in Japan for two-and-a-half years now. Im a bit removed from what is happening in the states. I don't feel the recession, though I can read about it in the news, and I can talk to my family. But, I can relate to the recession in Japan. Its on a lesser scale, but I can understand it.
The Japanese government has been all over the recession here, and everynight on the News it is the top story. They discuss it. They plan ways to fix it, but ultimatly- nothing happens.
Last night on the News, they spoke about the idea of stimulus checks. In the states, most people have already received theirs and it didn't congress long to issue them.
But in Japan, it is a heavily un-popular move. The Prime minister wants it, but most of the cabinet does not. The people don't trust their government, and so don't really care one way or the other. Mainly because it takes the government SO LONG to do anything. Last night the entire news was about the battle between the PM and Cabinent with Cabinet members saying that they wanted more discussion on the matter. Really? It has been MONTHS with this on the table. What more can there be said? They want to know alternative ways to spend the cash, but no one is making any ideas. The idea would be to postpone the vote longer, AFTER voting on whether or not to hold more discussion, AFTER making several commitees on what to do with that money instead.
Meanwhile the rest of Japan is becoming alarmed over many temp-staff losing their jobs and companies canceling contracts with graduates.
In America the statistics state that nearly 1 million people lost their jobs between October and now. And everyday we hear about more companies cutting back their workforces. Its depressing, its dreary, Americans and talking about it and trying their best to get the government involved.
In Japan, the system works that: when you are in school, either University, technical school, or high school- you will look for a job your Junior year, and sign up with it in your Senior year. Therefore, you will have employment before you are cut loose from school. That is how this system works. People who work in the temp-industry are largely those with no high school diplomas, immigrants, and those who have lost their jobs in larger companies and are forced to work temporary. Temp jobs in no way mean part time either. Many of them have 40-80hour work weeks (Japan is all about the overtime work).
Now companies are firing their temp staff, and in many cases canceling contracts with people preparing to graduate. This is pushing Japanese unemployment sky high, and making many of these unemployed workers homeless.
For many companies in Japan, you live in company housing. Within a week of termination, you must move out of that housing. This has forced a large contingent of homeless technical, and temp workers- who because no company is hiring, are left without the possibility of work.
The government in Japan has done little to stop in, instead quoting the need to allow companies freedom, and the need to discuss this matter more indeepth.
The displaced workers in the meanwhile set up a homeless-camp in one of Tokyo's largest public parks. This was to make their plight more open to the Japanese people.
I have watched the news and followed this closely, but the average Japanese person, either does not know about this, or won't comment on this because they do not want to jinx their own life. Many Japanese people who are interviewed for the News state that while they feel sorry for the unemployed, that they feel there is little to be done about it, and that the government should take care of it. The government on the other hand sees this as a social issue and that communities should take care of these people.
Its a never ending cycle. Its crazy. It makes me shake my head in confusion. Added to that the govenment closed the Homeless camp and told the members to find shelter elsewhere since they were disturbing the image of Tokyo- I have little faith in the Japanese government.
But at the same time, Im not sure I have faith in the American government either. I have no way to gauge the life of Americans currently. Three years isn't a long time, but with the way life shifts, even going back to the states for my 10day holiday left me clueless and bewildered by how much America, as a whole has changed.
My advice to those living in the states and abroad would be to listen to the news carefully. Not just your own country, but other countries as well. Don't stick to whatever comes up in the "World News" page of CNN or Yahoo, but go to a local newspaper in that country and see whats up. It might cheer you about your own countrys' news, or it might depress you. I can't relate to either of my countries at the moment (Japan and the United States) but that doesn't mean that Im going to stop following the politics either. They frustrate me, but I feel more comfortable knowing, than being caught off guard.
- Mood: contemplative
Wow!...its been awhile.
over 6 months! Eeek!
That being said, it is my New Year's resolution to get back to this thing, and actually make updates in a timely manner.
So with no further ado, I give you: New Years in Japan; an Awaji Tale
I flew back to Japan early on December 29th, which made my landing here late on the 30th. Luckily I landed almost and hour earlier than expected and was able to catch an earlier bus to Awaji.
It used to be that you would be able to take a direct ferry from Sumoto to the airport, but they cut that service my first year. Oh, how i miss those days! Now the only way (besides driving) is to catch a highway limosine bus that runs about 10times a day. It cuts through Awaji, up from Tokushima, and deposits you right infront of International flights on the 4th floor of Kansai International Airoport (KIX). Taking the bus from the airport is just as easy, if not easier.
You catch the #1 bus towards Tokushima from the 1st floor of KIX and two hours later are nestled smack-dab in the middle of Awaji farm country. As I made my way to the bus, I was quite overcome with the thought that this was my last time flying from America to Japan, and from Japan to America. No more will I have to endure the 14 hour hell that is the trans-pacific flight. The joy!
I got on the bus, emailed some friends, and settled back with a book. Upon reaching my home stop, I then lugged my luggage down the trecherous steps of Shichi-Seidan bus stop. It took me a while to pick out my car in the dusk, I had only had it for a week when I had left. Loading up my car, I got an email from Cain (one of the new awaji JETs that in my absence on LJ arrived and settled in)- he was cooking up a storm and I was invited.
No better words could be said! I was tired, hungry, unwashed, and in desperate need of some company. The thought of returning to my cold, uncleaned, and lonley apartment was not a welcome one.
Cain's apartment was filled with people and delicious smells. Ali, Wendy, Cherie and Mori were all there and Lasagna was on the menu. Cain is a bit of a chef and loves to make meals from scratch. No one complains, because we are all too busy stuffing our faces. Everyone asked how my trip was, and my reply of "Long" was met with knowing glances of "glad it wasn't me on that flight!"
We ate and conversed and all around had a great time, until I began to fall asleep at the table. I gave my regards, and we planned to all get together the next day (New Years Eve) to have a Bar-B-Que on the beach (no one ever questions the insanity of the plans we come up with. It is expected)
I hurried home and immediatly unpacked, pulled out the heater, showered and passed out.
In the morning (quite early, thank you jetlag!) I cleaned up, did some laundry and all around tried to "winter-ize" my apartment. For the past two years, by the time I left for winter break I had usually already hung blankets on my walls (to insulate), pulled out several space heaters, and put the down comforter on my bed (that blanket is the messiah!). This year I had done none of those things before I had left, so that Wednesday morning i did all. The only problem was the near 50 degree temperature. Sure Japan! Get warm, just as I fix up my apartment!
(later i was proven to be correct in my assesment of winterizing the place)
I went to Jusco to buy food (my aparment was bare) and met with the craziness that Japan becomes in the new year season. The store was packed, people everywhere, food stacked 10 high, everything so cheap that i wanted to buy it all. I settled for some basics: bread, milk, some fresh veg, and a sushi platter (my contribution to the New Years festivites later that night) I escaped while i still could and picked up Cain on my way up to Sumoto.
We had agreed to meet at the beach for our BBQ at 7pm, and so far that day the weather had cooperated. UNTIL 7pm. At 7pm it began to rain, and Cain and I spent several moments pondering whether or not to cancel the BBQ or move it to a semi-enclosed area (the womens washroom). Ultimatly it was the hail that decided it for us. We called up Roy and drove over to Steve's place. His new office is a bit off the beaten track and perfect for get togethers. We couldn't BBQ, but Steve did have a cook burner and a toaster. So it was in his enclosed and warm office that we feasted on handburgers, sausages, sushi, pork roast, and salad. A fine meal!
At 2 till midnight we walked over to the adjacent temple to welcome in the new year. It was a bit low key since none of us had watches, so e did several count-downs via Steves iPhone. At the stroke of tweleve we shouted out, opening champange, and took silly pictures, before going up for the temple to receive the monk's blessing. I gave a monetary contribution and recieved an arrow, a charm, and a plaque with some oxen on it (Year of the Ox, baby!). They then chanted my name with some other stuff and it was a bit weird. Escaping from that we decided to enact PLAN B, which had been going swimming after the BBQ.
Swimming January 1st, is basically frowned upon by people with more than 2 brain cells. We obvisouly are lacking, because I thought it was a GREAT idea (and I was sober!) and I dragged both Cain (a bit tipsy) and Steve into the water with me. It was FRIDGID. very very cold. Your toes became numb almost instantly, and I could barely feel my feet by the time I climbed out (no more than 5 minutes later- it was a quick in-and-out thing). I hadn't fully immersed myself becuase of how cold it was, but Steve had made sure to splash me all he could before I ran away. Luckily, ihad brought a towel (smart) and a change of clothes (more smart) neither of which the guys had thought of. By the time we had made it back to Steves place, my could feel my feet again and was basically warmed up.
We sat and chatted for a bit before heading to ROOTs, the local Sumoto bar hangout, for their NYE party. I drove to the nearby beach (where there was free parking) and then left my car there and walked to the bar. (so I could drink- Japan has a 0-tolerance policy against drink driving). Never having spent much time in Roots (due to said driving) I found it nice. There weren't too many people there and those that were, I didn't know very well. Roy got ill (3 bottles of champange shared between Cain and him) and Cain became very drunk. The amusement did not end since I was due to stay at Roys (because of the drinking). Steve and I roused them around 4 and we made them take the shortest route back to Roy's, which unfortuanly for them involved a steep hill.
The next morning, I awoke fresh faced and feeling fine, while both boys wanted to die. Instead of going home (in deference to Cain who I had given a ride to, and who at this point could barely walk) we stayed in and ate conbini food and watched movies. My Super Ex-Girlfriend was rather bad, but Iron Man and Tropic Thunder sealed the deal on aweosme movies.
At one point I borrowed Roys bike to go retreive my car, and we all ate dinner together again (this time at Gusto).
While my New Years wasn't spent watching martial arts and eating Osetchi, I did visit a temple, and sorta see the sun-rise. a little mix of western and Japanese I believe is the best way to go!
over 6 months! Eeek!
That being said, it is my New Year's resolution to get back to this thing, and actually make updates in a timely manner.
So with no further ado, I give you: New Years in Japan; an Awaji Tale
I flew back to Japan early on December 29th, which made my landing here late on the 30th. Luckily I landed almost and hour earlier than expected and was able to catch an earlier bus to Awaji.
It used to be that you would be able to take a direct ferry from Sumoto to the airport, but they cut that service my first year. Oh, how i miss those days! Now the only way (besides driving) is to catch a highway limosine bus that runs about 10times a day. It cuts through Awaji, up from Tokushima, and deposits you right infront of International flights on the 4th floor of Kansai International Airoport (KIX). Taking the bus from the airport is just as easy, if not easier.
You catch the #1 bus towards Tokushima from the 1st floor of KIX and two hours later are nestled smack-dab in the middle of Awaji farm country. As I made my way to the bus, I was quite overcome with the thought that this was my last time flying from America to Japan, and from Japan to America. No more will I have to endure the 14 hour hell that is the trans-pacific flight. The joy!
I got on the bus, emailed some friends, and settled back with a book. Upon reaching my home stop, I then lugged my luggage down the trecherous steps of Shichi-Seidan bus stop. It took me a while to pick out my car in the dusk, I had only had it for a week when I had left. Loading up my car, I got an email from Cain (one of the new awaji JETs that in my absence on LJ arrived and settled in)- he was cooking up a storm and I was invited.
No better words could be said! I was tired, hungry, unwashed, and in desperate need of some company. The thought of returning to my cold, uncleaned, and lonley apartment was not a welcome one.
Cain's apartment was filled with people and delicious smells. Ali, Wendy, Cherie and Mori were all there and Lasagna was on the menu. Cain is a bit of a chef and loves to make meals from scratch. No one complains, because we are all too busy stuffing our faces. Everyone asked how my trip was, and my reply of "Long" was met with knowing glances of "glad it wasn't me on that flight!"
We ate and conversed and all around had a great time, until I began to fall asleep at the table. I gave my regards, and we planned to all get together the next day (New Years Eve) to have a Bar-B-Que on the beach (no one ever questions the insanity of the plans we come up with. It is expected)
I hurried home and immediatly unpacked, pulled out the heater, showered and passed out.
In the morning (quite early, thank you jetlag!) I cleaned up, did some laundry and all around tried to "winter-ize" my apartment. For the past two years, by the time I left for winter break I had usually already hung blankets on my walls (to insulate), pulled out several space heaters, and put the down comforter on my bed (that blanket is the messiah!). This year I had done none of those things before I had left, so that Wednesday morning i did all. The only problem was the near 50 degree temperature. Sure Japan! Get warm, just as I fix up my apartment!
(later i was proven to be correct in my assesment of winterizing the place)
I went to Jusco to buy food (my aparment was bare) and met with the craziness that Japan becomes in the new year season. The store was packed, people everywhere, food stacked 10 high, everything so cheap that i wanted to buy it all. I settled for some basics: bread, milk, some fresh veg, and a sushi platter (my contribution to the New Years festivites later that night) I escaped while i still could and picked up Cain on my way up to Sumoto.
We had agreed to meet at the beach for our BBQ at 7pm, and so far that day the weather had cooperated. UNTIL 7pm. At 7pm it began to rain, and Cain and I spent several moments pondering whether or not to cancel the BBQ or move it to a semi-enclosed area (the womens washroom). Ultimatly it was the hail that decided it for us. We called up Roy and drove over to Steve's place. His new office is a bit off the beaten track and perfect for get togethers. We couldn't BBQ, but Steve did have a cook burner and a toaster. So it was in his enclosed and warm office that we feasted on handburgers, sausages, sushi, pork roast, and salad. A fine meal!
At 2 till midnight we walked over to the adjacent temple to welcome in the new year. It was a bit low key since none of us had watches, so e did several count-downs via Steves iPhone. At the stroke of tweleve we shouted out, opening champange, and took silly pictures, before going up for the temple to receive the monk's blessing. I gave a monetary contribution and recieved an arrow, a charm, and a plaque with some oxen on it (Year of the Ox, baby!). They then chanted my name with some other stuff and it was a bit weird. Escaping from that we decided to enact PLAN B, which had been going swimming after the BBQ.
Swimming January 1st, is basically frowned upon by people with more than 2 brain cells. We obvisouly are lacking, because I thought it was a GREAT idea (and I was sober!) and I dragged both Cain (a bit tipsy) and Steve into the water with me. It was FRIDGID. very very cold. Your toes became numb almost instantly, and I could barely feel my feet by the time I climbed out (no more than 5 minutes later- it was a quick in-and-out thing). I hadn't fully immersed myself becuase of how cold it was, but Steve had made sure to splash me all he could before I ran away. Luckily, ihad brought a towel (smart) and a change of clothes (more smart) neither of which the guys had thought of. By the time we had made it back to Steves place, my could feel my feet again and was basically warmed up.
We sat and chatted for a bit before heading to ROOTs, the local Sumoto bar hangout, for their NYE party. I drove to the nearby beach (where there was free parking) and then left my car there and walked to the bar. (so I could drink- Japan has a 0-tolerance policy against drink driving). Never having spent much time in Roots (due to said driving) I found it nice. There weren't too many people there and those that were, I didn't know very well. Roy got ill (3 bottles of champange shared between Cain and him) and Cain became very drunk. The amusement did not end since I was due to stay at Roys (because of the drinking). Steve and I roused them around 4 and we made them take the shortest route back to Roy's, which unfortuanly for them involved a steep hill.
The next morning, I awoke fresh faced and feeling fine, while both boys wanted to die. Instead of going home (in deference to Cain who I had given a ride to, and who at this point could barely walk) we stayed in and ate conbini food and watched movies. My Super Ex-Girlfriend was rather bad, but Iron Man and Tropic Thunder sealed the deal on aweosme movies.
At one point I borrowed Roys bike to go retreive my car, and we all ate dinner together again (this time at Gusto).
While my New Years wasn't spent watching martial arts and eating Osetchi, I did visit a temple, and sorta see the sun-rise. a little mix of western and Japanese I believe is the best way to go!
- Mood: accomplished
- Mood:
EPIC
Today seems like an average Tuesday. Well, except for the change of class schedule resulting in only one class out of 4 today. Oh! And the fact that school is ending at 2:30 today. And the bit about the gym undergoing renovation and thus all club activities are shifted to accomodate the newly homeless clubs.
Tuesdays.
It is also the end of June, which is a depressing and liberating time for an ALT. Depressing because nearly everyone you know has decided not to recontract and you will be left to fend for yourself with a whole slew of newbies. And liberating in that classes are ending and you will finally get that reprieve from lesson planning and be able to focus your time to newer and more important pursuits. Such as learning Japanese, or finally finally buying those indoor shoes you've wanted so that you can stop wearing the school slippers everyday.
June is also the month that the weather comes out and says "I've been nice, now FUCK YOU" At the begining of June the weather is mild, cool but not cold; warm but not hot; and beautiful. Then rainy season hits and the humidity comes out to play. And then the end of June bites you in the ass by jacking temperatures up into the high 20s (mid-high 80's) and increasing the humidity to 88% EVERY DAY. Then you can begin to complain about July :D
Yesterday we said our farewells to Mr. Ali G. While not a JET and not really an ALT, Ali was one of a kind and I hope he finds his way back over the rainbow to the land of the rising sun once more. His leaving is the begining of leaving season. His party was the first. We ate okonomiyaki and later, after I had retired, I heard tale about bike riding off of piers. Awaji.
This Friday night is the Hyogo-wide JET sayonnara beer garden to say goodbye to as many people as can shove their way onto the roof of Sogo department store. Last September, the opening BG was epic of epic proportions. This one has a lot to live up to.
While I am looking forward to it, I also am going in alone. Most of the Awaji gang has decided not to go, and while I am closer to them, there are tons of people who are leaving this year that I see rarely, but always have a great time with. Im going for them. It may be the last time to see most of them anyway. I tend to stay on island these days. And while I don't nessesarily miss party-ing up in Kobe/Osaka, there is a liberating feel to having a night out and off island every once in a while. That will be my Friday.
I haven't gone to Judo in nearly 3 weeks. Been planning on it, but have always ended up busy recently. Even today I am planning it, but have this sense of "Have STUFF to do" that is making me feel like I should skip. 3 weeks is a long time though, and already I am loosing my flexability and upper arm strength. I need more hours in the day.
I also may need a nap.
Tuesdays.
It is also the end of June, which is a depressing and liberating time for an ALT. Depressing because nearly everyone you know has decided not to recontract and you will be left to fend for yourself with a whole slew of newbies. And liberating in that classes are ending and you will finally get that reprieve from lesson planning and be able to focus your time to newer and more important pursuits. Such as learning Japanese, or finally finally buying those indoor shoes you've wanted so that you can stop wearing the school slippers everyday.
June is also the month that the weather comes out and says "I've been nice, now FUCK YOU" At the begining of June the weather is mild, cool but not cold; warm but not hot; and beautiful. Then rainy season hits and the humidity comes out to play. And then the end of June bites you in the ass by jacking temperatures up into the high 20s (mid-high 80's) and increasing the humidity to 88% EVERY DAY. Then you can begin to complain about July :D
Yesterday we said our farewells to Mr. Ali G. While not a JET and not really an ALT, Ali was one of a kind and I hope he finds his way back over the rainbow to the land of the rising sun once more. His leaving is the begining of leaving season. His party was the first. We ate okonomiyaki and later, after I had retired, I heard tale about bike riding off of piers. Awaji.
This Friday night is the Hyogo-wide JET sayonnara beer garden to say goodbye to as many people as can shove their way onto the roof of Sogo department store. Last September, the opening BG was epic of epic proportions. This one has a lot to live up to.
While I am looking forward to it, I also am going in alone. Most of the Awaji gang has decided not to go, and while I am closer to them, there are tons of people who are leaving this year that I see rarely, but always have a great time with. Im going for them. It may be the last time to see most of them anyway. I tend to stay on island these days. And while I don't nessesarily miss party-ing up in Kobe/Osaka, there is a liberating feel to having a night out and off island every once in a while. That will be my Friday.
I haven't gone to Judo in nearly 3 weeks. Been planning on it, but have always ended up busy recently. Even today I am planning it, but have this sense of "Have STUFF to do" that is making me feel like I should skip. 3 weeks is a long time though, and already I am loosing my flexability and upper arm strength. I need more hours in the day.
I also may need a nap.
- Mood: contemplative
Firstly, before I begin my tale: Apologies for my lack of updating. Its been over 2 weeks. I swore I would get better...and instead I got lazy :/ BUT! To make up for it I bring you NINJAS!!
- Mood: chipper
Rain, rain go away.....
I wish this could actually work. It's rainy season in Japan again. Usually runs during the first two weeks of June. Of course, during June you have to decide whether it is "rainy season" rain to "typhoon" rain. Two things completely different.
Right now, rainy season rain. Its been raining all week off and on. Wednesday it didn't rain at all. This morning, it was sunny and bright until 9am, and then it wasn't. For the past hour half its been straight downpour. Very distracting while in class.
Add to that pitter-pat the sound of frogs coming out and unleashing their mating calls. Very distracting indeed.
I almost feel sorry for the kids who walked/biked to school. But knowing the Japanese they have spare rain suits and plastic bags to cover themselves with. They are never unprepared. Unless they are.
I on the other hand am very grateful for my laziness in not getting out of bed on time this morning. If I had, I would have walked to school in the sunshine and then been miserable and wet on the way home tonight. Lucky me.
I wish this could actually work. It's rainy season in Japan again. Usually runs during the first two weeks of June. Of course, during June you have to decide whether it is "rainy season" rain to "typhoon" rain. Two things completely different.
Right now, rainy season rain. Its been raining all week off and on. Wednesday it didn't rain at all. This morning, it was sunny and bright until 9am, and then it wasn't. For the past hour half its been straight downpour. Very distracting while in class.
Add to that pitter-pat the sound of frogs coming out and unleashing their mating calls. Very distracting indeed.
I almost feel sorry for the kids who walked/biked to school. But knowing the Japanese they have spare rain suits and plastic bags to cover themselves with. They are never unprepared. Unless they are.
I on the other hand am very grateful for my laziness in not getting out of bed on time this morning. If I had, I would have walked to school in the sunshine and then been miserable and wet on the way home tonight. Lucky me.
- Mood: wet
So last year, you may remember, I went to Kyuushu on a road trip for Golden Week.
This year the dates did not fall the same, so in order to get the time off, you would have needed to take 3-4 days nenkyu. Uh-uh!
There was one 4 day weekend that I used to my advantage and Robyn and I planned a trip to Shikoku where we set out along the Shimanomi Kaido.
The Shimanomi Kaido is a series of bridges that jump islands and link Shikoku with Hiroshima Prefecture on Honshu. It should be noted that some of these bridges are listed in the top 20 of longest suspension bridges in the world. (The Akashi-Awaji Bridge is the longest.) There are about 7 islands between the two prefectures.
The trail is made for biking, though you can walk it as well. We biked.
Started out Saturday morning with driving up to the Taco Ferry to pick up Robyn. Along the way she had picked up Luke and Kym since they planned on hitchhiking through Shikoku for the weekend (there was a mass hitch hike organized for charity!)
We all piled into my Mira and headed south. The traffic was horrible, but the company was great. Luke and Kym originally had thought about being dropped off as soon as we reached Shikoku, but instead stayed with us the entire day. Took about 4.5 hours to get down to Imabari (we had taken the wrong espressway and then the scenic route on the local roads) Along the way we stopped off at a beach to watch clam diggers and run through the muck. It was gorgeous out! It was funny because the muck was pretty slimy and there was limited water on the beach. AND there were crabs everywhere. Kym was scared and had to walk daintily.
Once down in Imabari Robyn and I parked and rented two mountain bikes. We discussed the merits of the mountain bike over the mama cherry since the MC had baskets and we had bags; but the Mountain bike won out since it had gears !! Luke and Kym continued to follow us, planning on biking across the first island and then hitching back.
We started around 5pm, and made it across the first bridge and a good part of the first island before it became to dark to continue. One thing that suprised me was that my perception was of just ridding straight across the bridges for the 77klm trip, but in fact you ride up an incline, across the bridge, down a slope and then take the local island roads and repeat all those steps. So by the time it was dark we were in the last town on Oshima (the first island) and starving- with no place to eat nor sleep.
Asked aroudn the town and were turned away by two resturants before the last one took pity on us and made us Gyudon. Then our luck became extra awesome when some other diners heard that we had no place to sleep and called up some friends of thiers that owned a minishuku (bording house type place). Got a room for the night and happily bunked down.
Started out around 9am the next morning and discovered that the island we stopped on is usually not stopped on (explaining the lack of resturants and hotels) and that most bikers stop on the second island (there were places galore!) Luke and Kym left us at the first stop over the bridge on the second island and Robyn and I, afeared that we may get stuck again decided to haul it and try to make Onomichi before dark (end of the line).
We biked, and biked, and biked. The sun was hot, the weather clear and the sunblock flowing. We stopped every hour or so for more water and made an hour pit stop to rest at a beach. The islands were gorgeous!! People smiled, waved, honked at us and made hte entire biking atmosphere very enjoyable. The second to last island was killer and mostly mountainous. Made us both very happy to have gotten the mountain bikes, though our shoulders and backs were hurting from carrying the bags so long. The last island turned out to be a piece of cake and we ever got free oranges from some old ladies who stopped us and asked us questions (where are you from? Why are you biking? do you like Japan?) Very nice ladies! and hilairous too. Made it to the ferry and it cost us 70yen to take it across to Onomichi (apparently the bridge across is very dangerous for bikers so it is encouraged to take a ferry..and really easy to do it too!) Got into Onomichi around 4. And we were both very victorious and very hungry.
We wanted to stop and rest and eat a real meal, but it turned out that there wasn't any place to stay in onomichi (golden week) and that the parking lot back in imabari closed at 8pm. So we got on a bus that took us halfway where we transfered on another bus to take us back the way we biked. The bus didn't drop off directly at the rental place, so we had to get off on the first bridge and walk 30 min to the parking lot. Made it just a little after 7 and rescued my car!
Unfortunatly...we still didn't have anywhere to stay the night and hadn't eating yet. The guys at the rental place spoke english (lived in the states for a while in FLorida) and called a few hotels to help us out. They were all full (again...golden week). So we hemmed and hawed and finally went and got Udon around 9pm. Decided around 10 that we were too tired and didn't want to sleep in the car. Talked about scamming a hotel and seeing if we could sneak each other in. Decided against it (I was against it, i think Robyn really wanted to try it) Got back in the car and drove the 3.5 hours BACK to Awaji (this time taking the correct express way) and passing out at my apartment after 1am.
Monday we woke up late, made french toast and then went back to bed. Glorious vacation day! Finished the day off with a trip to Rabo, the best pizza place in Japan and a movie night.
Tuesday, the last day of the holiday we went to the beach down in Tokushima and sunned ourselves...which ended up in the worst sunburn ive had in years (think blisters and peeling and pain pain pain). dropped Robyn off at the ferry for her return home and came back and slept. Wednesday at school was still dreaming of how beautiful it was to bike across those bridges.
One of the best expirences Ive had in Japan and I would do it again ina heart beat (only this time with more planning!)
<3
This year the dates did not fall the same, so in order to get the time off, you would have needed to take 3-4 days nenkyu. Uh-uh!
There was one 4 day weekend that I used to my advantage and Robyn and I planned a trip to Shikoku where we set out along the Shimanomi Kaido.
The Shimanomi Kaido is a series of bridges that jump islands and link Shikoku with Hiroshima Prefecture on Honshu. It should be noted that some of these bridges are listed in the top 20 of longest suspension bridges in the world. (The Akashi-Awaji Bridge is the longest.) There are about 7 islands between the two prefectures.
The trail is made for biking, though you can walk it as well. We biked.
Started out Saturday morning with driving up to the Taco Ferry to pick up Robyn. Along the way she had picked up Luke and Kym since they planned on hitchhiking through Shikoku for the weekend (there was a mass hitch hike organized for charity!)
We all piled into my Mira and headed south. The traffic was horrible, but the company was great. Luke and Kym originally had thought about being dropped off as soon as we reached Shikoku, but instead stayed with us the entire day. Took about 4.5 hours to get down to Imabari (we had taken the wrong espressway and then the scenic route on the local roads) Along the way we stopped off at a beach to watch clam diggers and run through the muck. It was gorgeous out! It was funny because the muck was pretty slimy and there was limited water on the beach. AND there were crabs everywhere. Kym was scared and had to walk daintily.
Once down in Imabari Robyn and I parked and rented two mountain bikes. We discussed the merits of the mountain bike over the mama cherry since the MC had baskets and we had bags; but the Mountain bike won out since it had gears !! Luke and Kym continued to follow us, planning on biking across the first island and then hitching back.
We started around 5pm, and made it across the first bridge and a good part of the first island before it became to dark to continue. One thing that suprised me was that my perception was of just ridding straight across the bridges for the 77klm trip, but in fact you ride up an incline, across the bridge, down a slope and then take the local island roads and repeat all those steps. So by the time it was dark we were in the last town on Oshima (the first island) and starving- with no place to eat nor sleep.
Asked aroudn the town and were turned away by two resturants before the last one took pity on us and made us Gyudon. Then our luck became extra awesome when some other diners heard that we had no place to sleep and called up some friends of thiers that owned a minishuku (bording house type place). Got a room for the night and happily bunked down.
Started out around 9am the next morning and discovered that the island we stopped on is usually not stopped on (explaining the lack of resturants and hotels) and that most bikers stop on the second island (there were places galore!) Luke and Kym left us at the first stop over the bridge on the second island and Robyn and I, afeared that we may get stuck again decided to haul it and try to make Onomichi before dark (end of the line).
We biked, and biked, and biked. The sun was hot, the weather clear and the sunblock flowing. We stopped every hour or so for more water and made an hour pit stop to rest at a beach. The islands were gorgeous!! People smiled, waved, honked at us and made hte entire biking atmosphere very enjoyable. The second to last island was killer and mostly mountainous. Made us both very happy to have gotten the mountain bikes, though our shoulders and backs were hurting from carrying the bags so long. The last island turned out to be a piece of cake and we ever got free oranges from some old ladies who stopped us and asked us questions (where are you from? Why are you biking? do you like Japan?) Very nice ladies! and hilairous too. Made it to the ferry and it cost us 70yen to take it across to Onomichi (apparently the bridge across is very dangerous for bikers so it is encouraged to take a ferry..and really easy to do it too!) Got into Onomichi around 4. And we were both very victorious and very hungry.
We wanted to stop and rest and eat a real meal, but it turned out that there wasn't any place to stay in onomichi (golden week) and that the parking lot back in imabari closed at 8pm. So we got on a bus that took us halfway where we transfered on another bus to take us back the way we biked. The bus didn't drop off directly at the rental place, so we had to get off on the first bridge and walk 30 min to the parking lot. Made it just a little after 7 and rescued my car!
Unfortunatly...we still didn't have anywhere to stay the night and hadn't eating yet. The guys at the rental place spoke english (lived in the states for a while in FLorida) and called a few hotels to help us out. They were all full (again...golden week). So we hemmed and hawed and finally went and got Udon around 9pm. Decided around 10 that we were too tired and didn't want to sleep in the car. Talked about scamming a hotel and seeing if we could sneak each other in. Decided against it (I was against it, i think Robyn really wanted to try it) Got back in the car and drove the 3.5 hours BACK to Awaji (this time taking the correct express way) and passing out at my apartment after 1am.
Monday we woke up late, made french toast and then went back to bed. Glorious vacation day! Finished the day off with a trip to Rabo, the best pizza place in Japan and a movie night.
Tuesday, the last day of the holiday we went to the beach down in Tokushima and sunned ourselves...which ended up in the worst sunburn ive had in years (think blisters and peeling and pain pain pain). dropped Robyn off at the ferry for her return home and came back and slept. Wednesday at school was still dreaming of how beautiful it was to bike across those bridges.
One of the best expirences Ive had in Japan and I would do it again ina heart beat (only this time with more planning!)
<3
- Mood: pleased
This week Ive had one class.
Which isn't a bad thing since I was barely awake yesterday thanks to the race.
My third years leave for Tokyo tomorrow and my Second years have been volunteering all this week as part of Trial week.
Trial week is when they send out the kids to do different jobs that they can get with a JHS diploma. Its a good thing for them to expirence, and so far they seem to like it.
My first years still have classes, and this is the time of year that they really begin to feel like they belong. As the bottom of the totem pole, during this week they become the top. No upperclassmen to push them around and all the teachers attention focused on them.
Its a good time for me too, because I get to study Japanese for free and get paid to sit around and do pretty much nothing. I went for a walk already today and teased some third years as they were packing for the trip tomorrow.
Tomorrow at Nushima I also get a treat since its the annual trip for the kids to walk about the island and learn the history of Nushima, while picking up rubbish. I can't wait! I love hiking Nushima. Its gorgeous and sweet. The only problem is that it might rain tomorrow afternoon.
My school is having a "thing" on Saturday which includes the parents coming to the school to watch the club activites as well as observe some classes. I learned about it today. I told them that Im not coming. The rule is that if I come in on a weekend I get a week day off, but i can't be assed to come in and sit around since they really don't need the ALT for the day. I could go to the Judo presentation, but I wouldn't have a clue as to what they are saying.
Which means that Saturday is free (the first free one in a while) and I can finally SPRING CLEAN my apartment and organize/trash things. Im super excited...(about cleaning...wtf!).
Might also try to do a BBQ or go to Okonomiyake with whoever is island side.
Ahh.. its gorgeous outside!
Which isn't a bad thing since I was barely awake yesterday thanks to the race.
My third years leave for Tokyo tomorrow and my Second years have been volunteering all this week as part of Trial week.
Trial week is when they send out the kids to do different jobs that they can get with a JHS diploma. Its a good thing for them to expirence, and so far they seem to like it.
My first years still have classes, and this is the time of year that they really begin to feel like they belong. As the bottom of the totem pole, during this week they become the top. No upperclassmen to push them around and all the teachers attention focused on them.
Its a good time for me too, because I get to study Japanese for free and get paid to sit around and do pretty much nothing. I went for a walk already today and teased some third years as they were packing for the trip tomorrow.
Tomorrow at Nushima I also get a treat since its the annual trip for the kids to walk about the island and learn the history of Nushima, while picking up rubbish. I can't wait! I love hiking Nushima. Its gorgeous and sweet. The only problem is that it might rain tomorrow afternoon.
My school is having a "thing" on Saturday which includes the parents coming to the school to watch the club activites as well as observe some classes. I learned about it today. I told them that Im not coming. The rule is that if I come in on a weekend I get a week day off, but i can't be assed to come in and sit around since they really don't need the ALT for the day. I could go to the Judo presentation, but I wouldn't have a clue as to what they are saying.
Which means that Saturday is free (the first free one in a while) and I can finally SPRING CLEAN my apartment and organize/trash things. Im super excited...(about cleaning...wtf!).
Might also try to do a BBQ or go to Okonomiyake with whoever is island side.
Ahh.. its gorgeous outside!
- Mood:
bouncy
THE winner
For me to say all that needs to be said about my weekend I would need more than this pitiful journal. Possibly some glitter. Or at least the 64 pack of crayola crayons.
Sum of it: My weekend ROCKED.
HARDCORE.
Heres a cut!
So Friday I bailed from work early (I had no classes and all my testing finished by 2:30, so I left around 3ish) and hurried home to pack and clean up a bit. Got to Dayna's by 5:15 and picked her up on our merry way to Sumoto where we were meeting everying and getting sorted for the journey down.
Oboke is about three hours (two and a half if I'm driving it seems) from Awaji and DEEP in Shikoku. Its very isolated. There is one convience store ever 20-30klms. And no store anywhere near the rafting site. So we picked up some food and drink on our way in.
At one stop made some friends with these teenagers who fully believed that Dayna and I were sisters and that she was 19 and I was 21. HILARIOUS (Dayna is in fact a few years older than I am)
Got into the camp area about 9ish. We were staying down at the actual river the first night since the Japanese National Team was staying up at the guesthouse. Camped in the locker room at the Basecamp. Most uncomfortable sleep EVER. Kept freaking out about mukkade (we had seen one at the bathroom earlier) and the floor was wooden planks....so not the best surface to sleep. Had a 6am wakeup call when the rafting people came in to the place and began organizing for the race.
Now the race is the annual JAPAN CUP. This year 13 teams registered. 7 of those were proffesional teams and the rest were amatuers (like us). The race began down at WESTWEST Japan and went all the way down the river (about an hour half of rafting total). The race itself was only the first twenty minutes or so of the course though! You had to go through the rest of the course because there was no place to pull the boats up otherwise. So race hard for the first few kilometers and then play around until you can get the boat outta the water.
Our team consisted of Steve, Patrick, Phil , Me and our two guides Katsu and Michael. Will was regulated to another team (lucky for him!) that was one of the proffesional teams!
We did two runs on the river. The first run was to test out the water conditions and practice paddling and commands. We played around a lot and tackled people from other boats and such. Then loaded up and went back to the start line. Had some lunch, but around then was really feeling the lack of sleep and the weary from all the driving on Friday. Lucky the water was cold enough to wake anyone up and we all jumped in prior to the race.
The race itself went pretty fast. It was a couple of Klm's and through some rapids. Only the last 300-400 meters were still water and it was TOUGH. I thought I was gonna die! I had been placed front left on the boat so I pulled accordingly, but I kept hitting my hand against the side of the boat. Ripped some skin off of my fingers and bruised the nail of my index finger. BUT BUT BUT we did EXCELLANT!!! Came in 9th outta 13 (top 10 top 10!!!!!!) and second out of all the ammatuers! Will's team came in third! He got a shiny bronze metal for his efforts. We got a box of towels and lemon tea.(? have no idea why)
After the race was done we still had to finish the course to the boat pick up area so we played around a lot. Did some tricks on the rapids. At one point I sat outward on the prow of the boat while all the guys were in the back. As the boat went through the rapids it would tip into a wheelie and I would go flying. It was AWESOME. Tackled more people out of other boats. Watched people fall out in rapids. GOOD TIMES.
After everything we had a chance to go to an onsen, but there was a BBQ organized for the night and not a lot of time between so I ended up showering at Michaels house and running down to pick up liquor. Also ran all of our stuff up the mountain to the guest house.
Side note: The guest house belongs to Teru, one of the guides for the company. It can fit quite a lot of people in it. It is near the top of a rather steep mountain and the road up puts all the roads near where I live in the states to shame. Its CRAZY. 12% grade, no rails, monkeys crossing the road EVERYWHERE. Quite fun to drive actually. The house has a beautiful view of the surronding mountians and the valley and river itself. That was where everything would be happening after the bbq and where we usually sleep when we go rafting.
The BBQ was down at the base camp and Mark the owner organized it all. We had mountains of meat and veg and a large tub of beer, chuhi, wine, and shochu. The meat was great because there were sausages and patties and chicken!! (rare to find in japan...seriously!) We had beef, lamb, mutton, chicken, crocodile, ostrich, and kangaroo (helps that most people there were aussies and kiwi's!!) Delish. And so so filling.
When the time came we shuttled up to the guesthouse (not many cars can go up the mountain and not many people were sober at this point) and the party continued with dancing, drinking games, massages, and more food.
Plus rain. TORRENTIAL RAIN. RAIN LIKE NOAH. RAIN LIKE A RIVER, RAIN LIKE WHOA.
Everyone was soaked at one point of the night (the toilet was in a seperate building outside the guest house)
Went until a little after midnight. Granted we had started the party around 6pm! Im amazed with how exhausted everyone was that we lasted that long.
Sunday morning, woke up around.....5ish? Didn't get a lot of sleep.
Got shuttled down the mountain around 7ish to get ready for the sprint race taking place that morning. Only. The rain. It was clear and cloudy Sunday morning, but the river was HUGE and muddy from the night before. Got geared up and went to the race site only to have them postpone it till later because the river was too dangerous to race in. I didn't mid since I was knackered. Completely.
So since the race was pretty much cancelled for us (no one wanted to stay till 2 when they were thinking of having the race at) so we went back to the rafting company and talked to Mark and they all decided to do a half-day rafting trip further up the river where there are smaller rapids (made HUGE by the rain) I exnayed on it so I could nap a bit. There was no way in hell that I could have driven back to Awaji otherwise. Napped for about an hour in the car then went out to film and take pictures of the other people while rafting. They went under a bridge near the rafting place so I climbed out and filmed when they did. Kathy, Gabe and Ryan joined me (also did not want to go rafting). Turns out that the simple half day course had become monstorus and they all had a fucking AWESOME time. With boat flipping, kayak rescuing, bloody faced, and brusing involved. Sad to miss it, but desperately needed that sleep.
After all the excitement we said our farewells, and headed back towards the highway. Got some lunch and drove back to Awaji. Came in a little after 5pm and dropped everyone off. Got home around 7ish. And promptly passed out at 8:30. Slept hard till my alarm went off at 7, and am still groggy. Need more sleep.
Lucky for no classes today!! :D Win!
My weekend had more excitement than this but this is the bare bones of my adventure.
Isn't Japan great sometimes?
For me to say all that needs to be said about my weekend I would need more than this pitiful journal. Possibly some glitter. Or at least the 64 pack of crayola crayons.
Sum of it: My weekend ROCKED.
HARDCORE.
Heres a cut!
So Friday I bailed from work early (I had no classes and all my testing finished by 2:30, so I left around 3ish) and hurried home to pack and clean up a bit. Got to Dayna's by 5:15 and picked her up on our merry way to Sumoto where we were meeting everying and getting sorted for the journey down.
Oboke is about three hours (two and a half if I'm driving it seems) from Awaji and DEEP in Shikoku. Its very isolated. There is one convience store ever 20-30klms. And no store anywhere near the rafting site. So we picked up some food and drink on our way in.
At one stop made some friends with these teenagers who fully believed that Dayna and I were sisters and that she was 19 and I was 21. HILARIOUS (Dayna is in fact a few years older than I am)
Got into the camp area about 9ish. We were staying down at the actual river the first night since the Japanese National Team was staying up at the guesthouse. Camped in the locker room at the Basecamp. Most uncomfortable sleep EVER. Kept freaking out about mukkade (we had seen one at the bathroom earlier) and the floor was wooden planks....so not the best surface to sleep. Had a 6am wakeup call when the rafting people came in to the place and began organizing for the race.
Now the race is the annual JAPAN CUP. This year 13 teams registered. 7 of those were proffesional teams and the rest were amatuers (like us). The race began down at WESTWEST Japan and went all the way down the river (about an hour half of rafting total). The race itself was only the first twenty minutes or so of the course though! You had to go through the rest of the course because there was no place to pull the boats up otherwise. So race hard for the first few kilometers and then play around until you can get the boat outta the water.
Our team consisted of Steve, Patrick, Phil , Me and our two guides Katsu and Michael. Will was regulated to another team (lucky for him!) that was one of the proffesional teams!
We did two runs on the river. The first run was to test out the water conditions and practice paddling and commands. We played around a lot and tackled people from other boats and such. Then loaded up and went back to the start line. Had some lunch, but around then was really feeling the lack of sleep and the weary from all the driving on Friday. Lucky the water was cold enough to wake anyone up and we all jumped in prior to the race.
The race itself went pretty fast. It was a couple of Klm's and through some rapids. Only the last 300-400 meters were still water and it was TOUGH. I thought I was gonna die! I had been placed front left on the boat so I pulled accordingly, but I kept hitting my hand against the side of the boat. Ripped some skin off of my fingers and bruised the nail of my index finger. BUT BUT BUT we did EXCELLANT!!! Came in 9th outta 13 (top 10 top 10!!!!!!) and second out of all the ammatuers! Will's team came in third! He got a shiny bronze metal for his efforts. We got a box of towels and lemon tea.(? have no idea why)
After the race was done we still had to finish the course to the boat pick up area so we played around a lot. Did some tricks on the rapids. At one point I sat outward on the prow of the boat while all the guys were in the back. As the boat went through the rapids it would tip into a wheelie and I would go flying. It was AWESOME. Tackled more people out of other boats. Watched people fall out in rapids. GOOD TIMES.
After everything we had a chance to go to an onsen, but there was a BBQ organized for the night and not a lot of time between so I ended up showering at Michaels house and running down to pick up liquor. Also ran all of our stuff up the mountain to the guest house.
Side note: The guest house belongs to Teru, one of the guides for the company. It can fit quite a lot of people in it. It is near the top of a rather steep mountain and the road up puts all the roads near where I live in the states to shame. Its CRAZY. 12% grade, no rails, monkeys crossing the road EVERYWHERE. Quite fun to drive actually. The house has a beautiful view of the surronding mountians and the valley and river itself. That was where everything would be happening after the bbq and where we usually sleep when we go rafting.
The BBQ was down at the base camp and Mark the owner organized it all. We had mountains of meat and veg and a large tub of beer, chuhi, wine, and shochu. The meat was great because there were sausages and patties and chicken!! (rare to find in japan...seriously!) We had beef, lamb, mutton, chicken, crocodile, ostrich, and kangaroo (helps that most people there were aussies and kiwi's!!) Delish. And so so filling.
When the time came we shuttled up to the guesthouse (not many cars can go up the mountain and not many people were sober at this point) and the party continued with dancing, drinking games, massages, and more food.
Plus rain. TORRENTIAL RAIN. RAIN LIKE NOAH. RAIN LIKE A RIVER, RAIN LIKE WHOA.
Everyone was soaked at one point of the night (the toilet was in a seperate building outside the guest house)
Went until a little after midnight. Granted we had started the party around 6pm! Im amazed with how exhausted everyone was that we lasted that long.
Sunday morning, woke up around.....5ish? Didn't get a lot of sleep.
Got shuttled down the mountain around 7ish to get ready for the sprint race taking place that morning. Only. The rain. It was clear and cloudy Sunday morning, but the river was HUGE and muddy from the night before. Got geared up and went to the race site only to have them postpone it till later because the river was too dangerous to race in. I didn't mid since I was knackered. Completely.
So since the race was pretty much cancelled for us (no one wanted to stay till 2 when they were thinking of having the race at) so we went back to the rafting company and talked to Mark and they all decided to do a half-day rafting trip further up the river where there are smaller rapids (made HUGE by the rain) I exnayed on it so I could nap a bit. There was no way in hell that I could have driven back to Awaji otherwise. Napped for about an hour in the car then went out to film and take pictures of the other people while rafting. They went under a bridge near the rafting place so I climbed out and filmed when they did. Kathy, Gabe and Ryan joined me (also did not want to go rafting). Turns out that the simple half day course had become monstorus and they all had a fucking AWESOME time. With boat flipping, kayak rescuing, bloody faced, and brusing involved. Sad to miss it, but desperately needed that sleep.
After all the excitement we said our farewells, and headed back towards the highway. Got some lunch and drove back to Awaji. Came in a little after 5pm and dropped everyone off. Got home around 7ish. And promptly passed out at 8:30. Slept hard till my alarm went off at 7, and am still groggy. Need more sleep.
Lucky for no classes today!! :D Win!
My weekend had more excitement than this but this is the bare bones of my adventure.
Isn't Japan great sometimes?
- Mood:
rejuvenated
I would be lying if I said that I hadn't forgotten about this journal. I did. Completely forgot it. My bad!
To make up for it I have bulleted points:
- Bali was awesome. Best trip of my life. Gorgeous scenery. Gorgeous weather. Gorgeous men. GREAT shopping. All the things a girl could ask for!
-Winter is officially over.
-So is Spring.
-In the Spring went to the annual Himeiji Hanami and got my first sunburn of the season. Well worth it as the cherry blossoms were out in force and the sake was flowing.
-Took a trip back to the states during Spring Break. It seems that you can infact get homesick by putting more than a year between visits. The visit was well needed, and highly enjoyed. My sister are all doing great, and my dad is constantly amazed that his three oldest are all overseas....in Asia.
-Speaking of which, my sister loved Japan, and is planning on coming back this summer. I on the otherhand plan to invade her apartment in Daegu. Turn about is fair.
-Chloe has left Japan. Right before Spring Break. She needed to return to all that she had known, and we are happy that shes happy.
-Steve has taken over Chloes schools. Which has allowed him to see just how awesome it is to be an ALT. He is currently planning to steal my school from my succesor. IF I have one. (hes trying to arrange that not happening)
-SO MANY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING D:
-Awaji BBQ. Hyogo wide. June 6th-7th. Planned by me, to be attended by all.
-This weekend I am partaking in the 2008 Japan Cup for White Water Rafting. Confused? Yes, so am I. I, the least athletic of all my friends is going to be in a WWR race. I may die. I leave all my stuff to Meghan in case that happens.
Thats all for now. But since I have remembered this journal it will be mere days before the next update..and not 5 months!
cheers~x
To make up for it I have bulleted points:
- Bali was awesome. Best trip of my life. Gorgeous scenery. Gorgeous weather. Gorgeous men. GREAT shopping. All the things a girl could ask for!
-Winter is officially over.
-So is Spring.
-In the Spring went to the annual Himeiji Hanami and got my first sunburn of the season. Well worth it as the cherry blossoms were out in force and the sake was flowing.
-Took a trip back to the states during Spring Break. It seems that you can infact get homesick by putting more than a year between visits. The visit was well needed, and highly enjoyed. My sister are all doing great, and my dad is constantly amazed that his three oldest are all overseas....in Asia.
-Speaking of which, my sister loved Japan, and is planning on coming back this summer. I on the otherhand plan to invade her apartment in Daegu. Turn about is fair.
-Chloe has left Japan. Right before Spring Break. She needed to return to all that she had known, and we are happy that shes happy.
-Steve has taken over Chloes schools. Which has allowed him to see just how awesome it is to be an ALT. He is currently planning to steal my school from my succesor. IF I have one. (hes trying to arrange that not happening)
-SO MANY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING D:
-Awaji BBQ. Hyogo wide. June 6th-7th. Planned by me, to be attended by all.
-This weekend I am partaking in the 2008 Japan Cup for White Water Rafting. Confused? Yes, so am I. I, the least athletic of all my friends is going to be in a WWR race. I may die. I leave all my stuff to Meghan in case that happens.
Thats all for now. But since I have remembered this journal it will be mere days before the next update..and not 5 months!
cheers~x
- Mood: chipper
It is officially cold out now. How can I tell? Well... I am wearing two pairs of pants and three shirts for one. And also, I woke up and saw my breath from bed today.
Bad, Japan! Bad!
Christmas is just around the corner, and as I will be celebrating it in style, in Japan, I have some helpful pointers to those out there who wish to do the same:
1- bonsai tree = christmas tree ? NO. It doesn't. Bonsai trees are like 100times MORE expensive than a tiny evergreen. Plus they don't hold lights well.
2- Christmas Carols? Japan does have these, but most Japanese people don't know the word to the llyrics at all. So if they catch you singing along, you get strange looks. (well...you'd get those looks anyway)
3- Christmas Cake? Another NO to the list. Who wants to pay 50$ for a tiny cake? Its not worth it. Gorge yourself on cookies and tiramisu instead.
My sister is flying from Korea to Japan on the 22nd and then we are running around to Kyoto, Kobe and Himeiji. At some point we are making it back to Awaji to DO christmas (presents and food and such) and then we are BOTH flying out on the 25th.
ha...ha...ha.... this is gonna SUCK. Well, its not! but the running and rushing is going to be a tad stressful. My goal for today is to get my teachers to help me reserve bus tickets for the airport, so that i don't have to worry about missing my flight or having my sister miss hers'.
BUT on the positive note, in 8 days I will be in Bali. On a beach. In Bali. How nice is that?!
....today I only have one class....
Bad, Japan! Bad!
Christmas is just around the corner, and as I will be celebrating it in style, in Japan, I have some helpful pointers to those out there who wish to do the same:
1- bonsai tree = christmas tree ? NO. It doesn't. Bonsai trees are like 100times MORE expensive than a tiny evergreen. Plus they don't hold lights well.
2- Christmas Carols? Japan does have these, but most Japanese people don't know the word to the llyrics at all. So if they catch you singing along, you get strange looks. (well...you'd get those looks anyway)
3- Christmas Cake? Another NO to the list. Who wants to pay 50$ for a tiny cake? Its not worth it. Gorge yourself on cookies and tiramisu instead.
My sister is flying from Korea to Japan on the 22nd and then we are running around to Kyoto, Kobe and Himeiji. At some point we are making it back to Awaji to DO christmas (presents and food and such) and then we are BOTH flying out on the 25th.
ha...ha...ha.... this is gonna SUCK. Well, its not! but the running and rushing is going to be a tad stressful. My goal for today is to get my teachers to help me reserve bus tickets for the airport, so that i don't have to worry about missing my flight or having my sister miss hers'.
BUT on the positive note, in 8 days I will be in Bali. On a beach. In Bali. How nice is that?!
....today I only have one class....
- Location:Nandan
- Mood: contemplative
So life on the Island still has not settled. yet.
We are now moving into December, when it gets cold, but doesn't snow. This morning from my warm and toasty bed I realized that I should start getting my apartment ready for the oncoming cold. Last year I wasn't prepared for it and spent too much time and money with half-schemed ideas to keep warm. This year I have all the supplies nessesary for a warm winter.
Now children, here are some facts:
Japan doesn't DO central heating. Or insulation. So when it is 0degrees outside? it is 0 degrees (or colder?) inside.
My apartment in on the fouth floor. With a canal behind it. A canal that goes straight to the ocean. I get all those lovely sea breezes (and they are lovely...in the summer).
Awaji is a very windy place. We have several wind farms. SEVERAL.
So this morning when I was thinking about getting out of bed, it was 45(F) outside....and 43(F) inside. For some strange reason it is always colder inside my place.
To remedy this I will take out and set up my Kohtatsu, hang blankets along my walls ala tapestries to keep out the drafts, take out my space heaters and electric blankets, and pull out all of my sweaters.
This helped me last year enormously. I do have an aircon/heater, but to use that would jack up my electric bill by almost 15$ each month (and I am a cheap cheap person)
Luckily for me, the staff room at school is heated and that when doing Judo, I am warm enough for two.
Any other suggestions to keep warm? (and if you say "get a boyfriend"...believe me, I am working on that!)
We are now moving into December, when it gets cold, but doesn't snow. This morning from my warm and toasty bed I realized that I should start getting my apartment ready for the oncoming cold. Last year I wasn't prepared for it and spent too much time and money with half-schemed ideas to keep warm. This year I have all the supplies nessesary for a warm winter.
Now children, here are some facts:
Japan doesn't DO central heating. Or insulation. So when it is 0degrees outside? it is 0 degrees (or colder?) inside.
My apartment in on the fouth floor. With a canal behind it. A canal that goes straight to the ocean. I get all those lovely sea breezes (and they are lovely...in the summer).
Awaji is a very windy place. We have several wind farms. SEVERAL.
So this morning when I was thinking about getting out of bed, it was 45(F) outside....and 43(F) inside. For some strange reason it is always colder inside my place.
To remedy this I will take out and set up my Kohtatsu, hang blankets along my walls ala tapestries to keep out the drafts, take out my space heaters and electric blankets, and pull out all of my sweaters.
This helped me last year enormously. I do have an aircon/heater, but to use that would jack up my electric bill by almost 15$ each month (and I am a cheap cheap person)
Luckily for me, the staff room at school is heated and that when doing Judo, I am warm enough for two.
Any other suggestions to keep warm? (and if you say "get a boyfriend"...believe me, I am working on that!)
- Location:Nandan
- Mood: chipper
A day early!
So this past week has been like all the other weeks. Busy. But not as much, since we had testing on Thursday and Friday.
Also on Friday we had Rakugo, which is tradtional Japanese comedy (more like an oral story telling preformance) come to our school. Apparently the comedian was very famous as well.
I tried valiently to stay awake. Not that it was boring, but I couldn't understand the majority of what the guy was saying. My students and teachers were cracking up, and I was in my corner doing the head-bob-eye-lid-flutter thing.
Thursday I had my first english lesson with the DR in a month. It was very refreshing and I really enjoy giving them. We talked about food safety and obesity in both American and Japan. I try to keep it on topics that he would need to speak in English on. Its hard since I know more about pop culture and history and he knows more about medical stuff. We usually end up talking about why it is good to learn a second language.
On Saturday I organized the annual Nushima Hike (haha it is now annual!). This year we went to the east side of the island. It was a much better hike than last year, and the weather was wonderful. Unfortunatly two of the cars missed the ferry so we had two groups on the island. Our group (9 people) went east and the other group (7 people) went west. We met up in the town at the end of the day and took the ferry back to Awaji together. This year was a much bigger success since we had four people from the mainland come down to it, and more of the awaji people came as well. Very happy with that outcome.
I was hosting two of the off islanders so after the hike we went back and organized the evning. Dinner at Gusto, Karaoke, and then scary movies at my apartment. Dayna came over as well, and that was nice to have company.
Downside: one of our movies wasn't scary at all. Dark Water... not scary. We also rented Juon, which I had seen before and is really scary, but we watched that the next morning over breakfast.
On Sunday I drove Tam and Luke to the Taco Ferry as they were heading out to a softball game and I was heading to Kobe for some retail-thearapy. Another beautiful day, but pretty chilly.
I picked up a Uniclo fleece, some Ukio-e, mexican food for Sarah, and the Lonley planet guide to Bali. A very good day indeed.
Yesterday I went to Judo with fear in my eyes (it had been over a week since the last time I went), but it went really really well, and I found out that there is a competition in February that I am going to train to participate in. VERY EXCITED about that. Plus I almost..ALMOST threw a kid. I am getting so close there. very happy indeed.
Tomorrow I have adult language class pt.2 and on Thursday english lesson, and then on friday I am flying to korea to visit the sibs.
And next week, Meghan is coming, and the week after that my cousin Mary.
Wow my second year is rocking on JET!!
So this past week has been like all the other weeks. Busy. But not as much, since we had testing on Thursday and Friday.
Also on Friday we had Rakugo, which is tradtional Japanese comedy (more like an oral story telling preformance) come to our school. Apparently the comedian was very famous as well.
I tried valiently to stay awake. Not that it was boring, but I couldn't understand the majority of what the guy was saying. My students and teachers were cracking up, and I was in my corner doing the head-bob-eye-lid-flutter thing.
Thursday I had my first english lesson with the DR in a month. It was very refreshing and I really enjoy giving them. We talked about food safety and obesity in both American and Japan. I try to keep it on topics that he would need to speak in English on. Its hard since I know more about pop culture and history and he knows more about medical stuff. We usually end up talking about why it is good to learn a second language.
On Saturday I organized the annual Nushima Hike (haha it is now annual!). This year we went to the east side of the island. It was a much better hike than last year, and the weather was wonderful. Unfortunatly two of the cars missed the ferry so we had two groups on the island. Our group (9 people) went east and the other group (7 people) went west. We met up in the town at the end of the day and took the ferry back to Awaji together. This year was a much bigger success since we had four people from the mainland come down to it, and more of the awaji people came as well. Very happy with that outcome.
I was hosting two of the off islanders so after the hike we went back and organized the evning. Dinner at Gusto, Karaoke, and then scary movies at my apartment. Dayna came over as well, and that was nice to have company.
Downside: one of our movies wasn't scary at all. Dark Water... not scary. We also rented Juon, which I had seen before and is really scary, but we watched that the next morning over breakfast.
On Sunday I drove Tam and Luke to the Taco Ferry as they were heading out to a softball game and I was heading to Kobe for some retail-thearapy. Another beautiful day, but pretty chilly.
I picked up a Uniclo fleece, some Ukio-e, mexican food for Sarah, and the Lonley planet guide to Bali. A very good day indeed.
Yesterday I went to Judo with fear in my eyes (it had been over a week since the last time I went), but it went really really well, and I found out that there is a competition in February that I am going to train to participate in. VERY EXCITED about that. Plus I almost..ALMOST threw a kid. I am getting so close there. very happy indeed.
Tomorrow I have adult language class pt.2 and on Thursday english lesson, and then on friday I am flying to korea to visit the sibs.
And next week, Meghan is coming, and the week after that my cousin Mary.
Wow my second year is rocking on JET!!
- Location:Nandan
- Mood: happy
So, since I only ever check this journal on Wednesdays, when I am at Nushima, I think I will try to weekly update it. If I remember. If.
So for the past two weeks, I have been a busy bee in Japan.
Last weekend (October 6-7-8) I went into school on Saturday to watch a Judo match between my kids and the kids at Goshiki JHS. My kids did alright, concidereing that we had 3 kids, and Goshiki had 14. On Sunday some of the Awaji girls and I went to Himeiji to see the castle.
I have been in Hyogo Prefecture and live an hour outside of Himeiji for over a year, but still hadn't been to the castle yet. It was quite amazing really. The weather was perfect; sunny and warm. And the castle really is beautiful. You have to walk up through the first wall, and moat, then the grounds then teh first gate then...and so on. It took about 3 hours to see the whole castle.
On our way to the castle we walked past this tiny used book store, and lo and behold, in their front display was one of the books I used to write my tutorial on. Its in Japanese completely, but it has nearly all of the prints I used. I got it for 1000yen. My luck was uncanny and that book totally made my trip to Himeiji. Screw the castle! I got a book!
On Tuesday at Judo Nagao-kun and I were doing our 3 minute match and he threw me to my knees. Had a sharp pain, but not too bad. I still have a HUGE bruise on my knee and can't put pressure on the bruise (though walking and kneeling are okay). That Thursday in Judo I was getting thrown around by Nagi-sensei...with no mats, and that sucked. So we stopped. Friday I didn't go.
On Friday instead I rushed home, packed a bag, and drove like crazy up to Iwaya (to the ferry) to get to Akashi (my my my, it seems like such a hassle when I type it!) to take a train to Nishi-Akashi, to pick up a rental van and 7 people to drive to Shikoku, to go White Water Rafting.
Busy much?
Anyway, the WWR trip was organized by HAJET and I took over for the girl who organized it since she decided that she didn't want to go on it. Unfortuanly she isn't the best at communication and I had no idea what was happening most of the time.
It worked out in the end though. We drove down Friday night, and got in a little after midnight (there was a hold up with the people arriving to get picked up). We stayed at the Happy Raft guesthouse, which was much nicer than I had pictured it. The next morning, bright and way too early, packed everyone back in the vans to take the treacherous (SERIOUSLY) road into town and get some breakfast before our day of rafting.
The rafting itself was simply amazing. The Yoshino River is beautiful; our guides were fun and interesting; and the people on the trip were awesome. Especially my boat. We called ourselves the A-Team, and did such things as run and jump on other boats and stealth attacks to knock other people into the water. We were THAT amazing.
After rafting most people were tired, a little cold and wanted to relax, so we went to an Onsen that over looked the river. Again with the beauty and amazingness. After the onsen Robyn and I organized a BBQ with some of the leftover money. It went really well, except that we didn't buy enough food for everyone (we thought we had bought too much... but underestimated the ammount of food that people can eat!). That night most people stayed up drinking, chatting and playing cards with some of the guides. I was knackered and getting short with people so I went to bed quite early.
On sunday morning we went Canyoning. This was probably more amazing than the rafting, and that is saying something! The mountain that we climbed on really reminded me of the appalachians and I got a little nostalgic. Since we were higher in the mountains and right where the water for the river was coming from, it was freezing. We had to wear two wet suits, and it was still too cold. Though the climbing and descending we did more than made up for it. I got to slide downa waterfall, take a zipline, and be lowered more than 40meters over a cliff. Amazing.
Of course this has made monday suck. and tuesday.
On another note, I am going to Korea to visit Paul and Sarah on the 26th(-29th) and have been planning my x-mas extravaganza to Bali, which I am no longer doing Solo. Meghan is also coming with me. やった！！
This weekend I am organizing a hike out on Nushima, and am a little overwhealmed by the number of people interested in going. Don't know where I'm going to put everyone, but I'm sure it will all work out in the end.
:)
So for the past two weeks, I have been a busy bee in Japan.
Last weekend (October 6-7-8) I went into school on Saturday to watch a Judo match between my kids and the kids at Goshiki JHS. My kids did alright, concidereing that we had 3 kids, and Goshiki had 14. On Sunday some of the Awaji girls and I went to Himeiji to see the castle.
I have been in Hyogo Prefecture and live an hour outside of Himeiji for over a year, but still hadn't been to the castle yet. It was quite amazing really. The weather was perfect; sunny and warm. And the castle really is beautiful. You have to walk up through the first wall, and moat, then the grounds then teh first gate then...and so on. It took about 3 hours to see the whole castle.
On our way to the castle we walked past this tiny used book store, and lo and behold, in their front display was one of the books I used to write my tutorial on. Its in Japanese completely, but it has nearly all of the prints I used. I got it for 1000yen. My luck was uncanny and that book totally made my trip to Himeiji. Screw the castle! I got a book!
On Tuesday at Judo Nagao-kun and I were doing our 3 minute match and he threw me to my knees. Had a sharp pain, but not too bad. I still have a HUGE bruise on my knee and can't put pressure on the bruise (though walking and kneeling are okay). That Thursday in Judo I was getting thrown around by Nagi-sensei...with no mats, and that sucked. So we stopped. Friday I didn't go.
On Friday instead I rushed home, packed a bag, and drove like crazy up to Iwaya (to the ferry) to get to Akashi (my my my, it seems like such a hassle when I type it!) to take a train to Nishi-Akashi, to pick up a rental van and 7 people to drive to Shikoku, to go White Water Rafting.
Busy much?
Anyway, the WWR trip was organized by HAJET and I took over for the girl who organized it since she decided that she didn't want to go on it. Unfortuanly she isn't the best at communication and I had no idea what was happening most of the time.
It worked out in the end though. We drove down Friday night, and got in a little after midnight (there was a hold up with the people arriving to get picked up). We stayed at the Happy Raft guesthouse, which was much nicer than I had pictured it. The next morning, bright and way too early, packed everyone back in the vans to take the treacherous (SERIOUSLY) road into town and get some breakfast before our day of rafting.
The rafting itself was simply amazing. The Yoshino River is beautiful; our guides were fun and interesting; and the people on the trip were awesome. Especially my boat. We called ourselves the A-Team, and did such things as run and jump on other boats and stealth attacks to knock other people into the water. We were THAT amazing.
After rafting most people were tired, a little cold and wanted to relax, so we went to an Onsen that over looked the river. Again with the beauty and amazingness. After the onsen Robyn and I organized a BBQ with some of the leftover money. It went really well, except that we didn't buy enough food for everyone (we thought we had bought too much... but underestimated the ammount of food that people can eat!). That night most people stayed up drinking, chatting and playing cards with some of the guides. I was knackered and getting short with people so I went to bed quite early.
On sunday morning we went Canyoning. This was probably more amazing than the rafting, and that is saying something! The mountain that we climbed on really reminded me of the appalachians and I got a little nostalgic. Since we were higher in the mountains and right where the water for the river was coming from, it was freezing. We had to wear two wet suits, and it was still too cold. Though the climbing and descending we did more than made up for it. I got to slide downa waterfall, take a zipline, and be lowered more than 40meters over a cliff. Amazing.
Of course this has made monday suck. and tuesday.
On another note, I am going to Korea to visit Paul and Sarah on the 26th(-29th) and have been planning my x-mas extravaganza to Bali, which I am no longer doing Solo. Meghan is also coming with me. やった！！
This weekend I am organizing a hike out on Nushima, and am a little overwhealmed by the number of people interested in going. Don't know where I'm going to put everyone, but I'm sure it will all work out in the end.
:)
- Location:Nushima
- Mood: accomplished
I am mightly unhappy this morning.
Why?
Because I came all the way to my island, only to discover that not only was the JTE NOT here today, but that she didn't cancel classes.
I am supposed to teach all the classes by myself, and she only left instruction for the first years. I have NO CLUE what is supposed to be done for my 2nd and 3rd years but I have 50 minutes with them this afternoon.
On the side, she never mentioned that she would not be here today, and didn'T talk to me about it last week, when she had plenty of time. And if you know anything about Japan, its that people don't suddenly decide not to come into work. She knew she wouldnt be here and didn't inform me. I am so pissed off.
On an additional note. I am supposed to be doing Penpals with my kids, and I have contacted a school in Canada and we set up almost everything and my kids wrote their first letters.....and then nothing. I keep emailing my contact and he doesn'T respond. and my JTE is expected everything to just happen magically, even though I have explained to her that it is no longer in my control. We've done everything we can from our side, and are just waiting for the other school to come together. I don't know what else to do.
Today= SUCK
Why?
Because I came all the way to my island, only to discover that not only was the JTE NOT here today, but that she didn't cancel classes.
I am supposed to teach all the classes by myself, and she only left instruction for the first years. I have NO CLUE what is supposed to be done for my 2nd and 3rd years but I have 50 minutes with them this afternoon.
On the side, she never mentioned that she would not be here today, and didn'T talk to me about it last week, when she had plenty of time. And if you know anything about Japan, its that people don't suddenly decide not to come into work. She knew she wouldnt be here and didn't inform me. I am so pissed off.
On an additional note. I am supposed to be doing Penpals with my kids, and I have contacted a school in Canada and we set up almost everything and my kids wrote their first letters.....and then nothing. I keep emailing my contact and he doesn'T respond. and my JTE is expected everything to just happen magically, even though I have explained to her that it is no longer in my control. We've done everything we can from our side, and are just waiting for the other school to come together. I don't know what else to do.
Today= SUCK
- Location:Nushima
- Mood:
aggravated
I haven't seen another JET in almost 2 weeks. This is after I was going days with hanging out at every chance.
I feel adrift.
What, you may ask was I doing these past two weeks that made me a virtual hermit to all other foreigners??
What wasn't I doing!
I had two sports days, an art day, two enkais, atrip to Kobe, a concert, two reports due to two different teachers, Judo, and very nearly almost went to Korea this coming weekend.
My life is too busy for me. That list, you will notice, does not include things like Laundry, and washing dishes...and sleeping.
Because I haven't done much of those things.
Japan, is seriously kicking my ass this year!
Sports day (both of them) was awesome, and even Art day passed expectations. But coupled with that is not getting home till after 7pm, and not getting more than 6 hours a sleep a night. Oh, and having no clean clothes. That kinda sucks too.
Today, I have no plans (omg!!!!!) I am taking a nap after work, and then heading out for coffee with the Awaji-girls.
I couldn't be happier.
On a side note, my Kyouto gave me a chuhi at work today.
weird.
I feel adrift.
What, you may ask was I doing these past two weeks that made me a virtual hermit to all other foreigners??
What wasn't I doing!
I had two sports days, an art day, two enkais, atrip to Kobe, a concert, two reports due to two different teachers, Judo, and very nearly almost went to Korea this coming weekend.
My life is too busy for me. That list, you will notice, does not include things like Laundry, and washing dishes...and sleeping.
Because I haven't done much of those things.
Japan, is seriously kicking my ass this year!
Sports day (both of them) was awesome, and even Art day passed expectations. But coupled with that is not getting home till after 7pm, and not getting more than 6 hours a sleep a night. Oh, and having no clean clothes. That kinda sucks too.
Today, I have no plans (omg!!!!!) I am taking a nap after work, and then heading out for coffee with the Awaji-girls.
I couldn't be happier.
On a side note, my Kyouto gave me a chuhi at work today.
weird.
- Location:Nushima
- Mood:
tired
I may need to change my plans.
I made a few plans, most of them tentitive, and now I am regretting it. I have spent far far far too much money in the past 3 months to do much of anything, and I am regretting that fact. I still want to hit up Nagoya, and Ise, but the funds to do so aren't really here. I do have money saved, but After spending the entierty of my past 3 pay checks.... Im a little warry of dipping into my savings.
Fall is the best time to travel though. The weather is nice and cool, and its easy, and there are plenty of holidays each month (another 3 day-er coming up!)
We'll see how it all works out I guess.
The past two weekends I've spent over 60000yen. Amazing isn't it! I went to Nara twice and Osaka twice. This does not include the Enkai that I still need to pay for or my Judo-gi (which I just got today!!! yay!)
But it does include going to see Dir en Grey last night and I spent quite a bit on goods (2 tshirts!). The concert was amazing, and probably the best live I've been to in a long long while.
This weekend I have sports day on Saturday, and am supposed to go up to Kobe on Sunday. Its more money, BUT, I should be able to get reimbersed for Kobe.
I wonder if I can sneak off for a nap now?
I made a few plans, most of them tentitive, and now I am regretting it. I have spent far far far too much money in the past 3 months to do much of anything, and I am regretting that fact. I still want to hit up Nagoya, and Ise, but the funds to do so aren't really here. I do have money saved, but After spending the entierty of my past 3 pay checks.... Im a little warry of dipping into my savings.
Fall is the best time to travel though. The weather is nice and cool, and its easy, and there are plenty of holidays each month (another 3 day-er coming up!)
We'll see how it all works out I guess.
The past two weekends I've spent over 60000yen. Amazing isn't it! I went to Nara twice and Osaka twice. This does not include the Enkai that I still need to pay for or my Judo-gi (which I just got today!!! yay!)
But it does include going to see Dir en Grey last night and I spent quite a bit on goods (2 tshirts!). The concert was amazing, and probably the best live I've been to in a long long while.
This weekend I have sports day on Saturday, and am supposed to go up to Kobe on Sunday. Its more money, BUT, I should be able to get reimbersed for Kobe.
I wonder if I can sneak off for a nap now?
- Location:Nandan
- Mood: contemplative
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