So much has happened since I last wrote. Although there are still new surprises everyday, I am settling into a bit of a routine here now. I go to work Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30 (even though students are on summer vacation, teachers work almost everyday. Apparently since they are government workers, when a few years back they stopped going to school on Saturdays, they needed to make up time—alas summer at school). It’s interesting because sometimes kids come for clubs but most of the days it’s just the teachers sitting in their desks in the common staff area reading newspapers and pretending to look busy. Sometimes I really believe they are getting work done, but then again the other day a man was asleep at his desk for a good hour or two. Many are also away at conferences. Me, I just catch up on emails, do a little bit of planning, and mostly make flashcards. Although this time is nice and slack, it’s kind of pointless for me because the Japanese English teacher that I am supposed to work with everyday is in Seattle right now on vacation. Next week I have some presentations on Canada to give at a few English seminars, speech competitions and conferences so preparing for that has kept me from going crazy. The other day we also had a stray dog at school—soo cute- I wanted to adopt it if the owner wasn’t found!!! I also work on my Japanese if I get through the rest of my slack day. Speaking of learning Japanese, this weekend I turned into a first grader again as I could finally read all of the Katakana characters. It’s neat because Katakana is the character set they use for foreign objects such as many foods. So for me, when I can sound it out and recognize the character sounds---all of a sudden I can actually read and understand it (as long as you try to say it with a Japanese accent). Think of it as playing MadGab and trying to say the sounds in different ways. It’s very very exciting for me—whoo reading!
Well mid August now and still hot as heck out here. I imagine this heat will go on for another month or so. However… I made a magnificent find this week when I discovered a place that reminds me of one of my favourite summer activities back home--- the river! The river that runs through Neo is quite shallow but has some cute little waterfalls and is very clear. There are always men fishing there and is my newfound favourite place in Neo. I’m going to buy some inflatable tubes or something to go floating next weekend I hope.
Another thing that August in Japan means is more festivals! This week is Bon. It is a time where families all get together, have a feast and pray for their ancestors. I’m not sure I understand all the intricacies yet, but I am invited to Rika’s family’s Bon Festival tomorrow night. Tonight there are also fireworks in Neo that I am going to go to. Fireworks here are one step up from home- they have multiple colors in one burst and are sometimes in the shapes of soccerballs and smiley faces. Not sure if Neo’s will be quite that extravagant but should be a good evening none the less.
So other than go to school everyday, I also play badminton at the Junior High Gym twice a week with an adult club. Also I may join the Junior High Badminton club and help the kids out at practice—yes I shall be a badminton master soon! It’s funny because they use a lot of English (at least when I am there) with counting the score, and calling “in-desu” or “out-desu.” Everyone is pretty dedicated to their sport here. Even the kids practice in the morning for a few hours—although much of the time is not even hands on, it’s athletic training like running lines and doing pushups—in that heat, yikes! There is another night activity I may try called Indiaka which is apparently a game similar to volleyball but where the ball has feathers attached to the end. Also I have heard there is a tap class at Maleria--- oooh how I miss tap dancing (Yes I know you all think it is cheesy but it’s so fun!) so who knows—perhaps I will go try it out too.
Other things that have been keeping me busy are learning how to work all of the Japanese appliances and looking through my dictionary to understand all of the Kanji! Successful with the rice cooker, vacuum, washing machine and even microwave now! I also made a collage of home to make my apartment seem just a little more like home.
Last but not least I watch some CRAZY Japanese television –mostly BIZARRE game shows. Yesterday I saw West Edmonton Mall on one of the tv shows which got me soooo excited! Apparently I do miss home and am a proud little Canadian! I watch some English dvds and videos too that I brought, Duane burned or Kaki left. Yeah for English sometimes!!! I also have gotten into a great book called “Lamb” it’s the hilarious story of Jesus as a child as told by his best friend Biff. I definitely recommend it!
Random Food Observations:
Japanese people drink anything hot and anything cold. You can buy cans of cold coffee or MICROWAVE! the cans, saki hot or cold, lemonade the same.
I finally figured out where the artificial grape flavouring comes from—real Japanese grapes! You don’t eat the skins and they taste just like grape flavoured anything! (unlike at home—wow I hope that made sense)
Bread, margarine, pancakes, milk and pretty much everything is sweeter here than at home
Other Randomness
The other day I was walking home and got quite the fright by a scarecrow in a garden of my neighbours house. I will attach a photo but at night it scared the bejeezers out of me! And the next morning there was a second one!
Japanese children love bugs and beetles! They all want them as pets!
New Japanese Words
Chugakko- JHS
Shogakko- Elementary School
Seito- my student
Kore wa Nihon-go de nan desu ka.- What is this in Japanese
Sumimasen, mo ichido onegai-shimasue- I’m sorry, could you say that once more please
- still my favourite saying “ a so desu ka” oh I see/is that so—in whatever inflection you want in order to change the meaning
Anyways, time to go to the festivities!!! Bye for now! Thanks for all the comments and keeping in touch!!!
~Julie
P.S. I am still in love with all of the different Japanese toilets! I will write a whole blog on them one day!
P.P.S In one of the pics I have this funny little colorful thing next to me-- it's called a Babloon and I will write lots more about that later too!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
A few days in and first weekend out
I feel like I’m settling in quite well now for sure. Still in the honey moon stage but I am coming to appreciate my situation more and more each day.
I still doubt I will ever get used to the humidity and typhoonish weather but am coming to love my apartment and the idea of living in a village community. It is true you really cannot beat the people and how much they are willing to go out of their way to help you and make sure you and comfortable, happy and shown a good time as a new member of the community.
Friday I went into Motosu to Malaria (Actually Malera but we have already assigned a nickname for it) on my first train trip (get this on a one car train! So cute!) . A sweet lady from the town office accompanied me and another man from the town office drove along in the car later as well. They were a little overprotective and worried about me but they were very helpful and cute. They also helped me open a bank account. We went for lunch in one of Neo’s 3 (?) food establishments and while we were there a prominent person from city hall came and secretly paid for all three of our lunches. So sweet. After lunch I walked to the elementary school and also visited the junior high where I learned that Murachi sensei would be going on a trip to Seattle next week and Monday would be my last day with him there for quite a while. I could be in for a shock/very quiet week!
Anyways, I went to Malaria and met up with Narin and we found a Starbucks (what luck!), I did some grocery shopping then went to his place. Narin and Kiri (new ALT’s from Melbourne) live in the same apartment building and only a block away from Malaria. It makes it quite convenient!! Then we ventured off on our own to find Gifu City and meet up with the regional ALTs. Keith (our regional prefecture advisor) set it up for everyone to meet at the train station in Gifu (which is about 40 minutes by bus out of Motosu (which is an additional 40 minutes outside of Neo)). It was great having our first group night out in our new home area and getting to swap horror and new Jet stories. Although JET always reminds us not to compare ourselves with each other, it was quite inevitable and made me feel quite reassured that I got a great set up. Not to brag but I have way more space, a much more competent and friendly supervisor, less rent, and a fantastic Japanese Teacher of English (JTE). Whooo!! And the three of us were pretty much the only ones with Ketei’s (cell phones) so far. I also don’t know what I would do without Kiri who speaks almost fluent Japanese! ‘Tis fantastic indeed! We went out to a cute little bar/pub a block or two away from Gifu station. I think we might end up there quite a bit! We caught the last train home and then I stayed over in Motosu since Neo trains stop running at 9:30 on weekdays and something like 4 on weekends!! Craziness eh? Makes me glad I bought the beast of a car (hopefully I will have insurance on it tomorrow and can start learning to drive here soon!)
I also called home to Mom in PEI and Duane in Edmonton to let everyone know I am still alive and well after Tokyo. It’s good that I’ve been kept so busy lately but I eagerly await my internet connection so I can post these blogs, and catch up on emails and hopefully Skype with everyone.
Saturday we had another Gifu Jet activity in Gifu city. This time I invited Rika (whose father had a welcome party for me on Thursday night). Rika met Narin, Kiri and I at Malaria and then we took the train back to Gifu. We went on a walking tour around the city, I tried shopping for a yukata (summer kimono) with no luck, we had lunch at a cute café (have to admit I’m really enjoying Japanese food and experimenting with things I would never have tried before!) Afterwards we walked for another 2 hours (not even joking) through the massive crowds of people in yukatas to the Gifu fireworks to meet up with all of the JETs who had come from all over the prefecture. I still cannot believe how many people were there and how many fireworks there were! I heard an estimate of 50+ JETs, 250,000 people, and 30 THOUSAND fireworks!!!! I couldn’t even imagine how expensive it must have been! Luckily there were companies that sponsored each part, but still, ahh pollution! Apparently each city has a major fireworks festival each year. My favourite part was called “Niagara falls” where they had a line of fireworks all across the river and they were the kind that slowly started to drip as well. Hard to explain and the pics didn’t really turn out but it was so cool! Plus everything was set to music. I think it was my first moment when I really looked around at everyone and realised I was in Japan. (I know it sounds silly but it’s hard to explain what I’m going through because I’m the sole foreigner for 40 km but at the same time I meet up with the other JETs so easily that it seams like we are all there on some big trip together.) I have further fallen in love with Japanese babies and have decided if I ever am looking to adopt I want a cute little Japanese child! *there’s my completely random thought of the day but they are adorable! Maybe I’ll post some pics later). To end the night Rika’s dad picked us up from Gifu (so nice of him) and drove us all home.
Today I woke up to a phone call from Murachi-sensei saying that my neighbour the vice principal of the junior high school would like to meet me and would be by in a few minutes. I rushed to put on clothes and pull my hair back and two minutes later I was standing outside my room giving my self-introduction in Japanese. The rest of the day was quite slack as it was Sunday and I finally had some time on my own to really settle in. I am completely unpacked now and have been going through loads of paperwork and things that Kaki (my predecessor) left behind. I’ve had many lovely surprises of household items, movies, and Japanese books that will be very helpful I think. As Keith (from Gifu) was saying I think I really lucked out on my apartment because Kaki kept it clean and organised. Pretty immaculate actually. Oooh and I found an air conditioner today thankfully!!! So today was a relaxo day where I just cleaned and organized pretty much the whole day. In the afternoon I decided I needed to get out of the house and took myself on a walking tour of the whole village (yes it is that small!) I saw the famous Usuzumi Sakura (oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan I do believe) and oriented myself to find the grocery store, town hall, and the two schools I will be working at. It was my first time really on my own and I got a few odd looks of “who’s the gaijin (foreigner).” When I found the grocery store just as it was closing (at 6pm) I popped in and decided to buy something, anything just to see if I could do it. Anyways I ended up walking home with a bushel of 8+ bananas (first thing I knew what it was!) and hoped that the monkeys wouldn’t find me. The walk home made me feel like I was in the jungle as there were many scary sounds (mostly of birds, bugs and monkeys), heaps of spiders, and I got quite a fright when I just about stepped on a large dead (I think!) snake. That- I was definitely not prepared for!
At 6 o’clock every night in Motosu the anthem of the city comes on the speakers all around the 4 towns that make up Motosu. It’s kinda cool but somewhat creepy and reminds me of that Dianne Sawyer special on North Korea. That was a good indication it was time to start heading home. Anyways home now safe and sound. It’s 7 o’clock and pretty much completely dark outside. I’m going to go study by Katakana (want to have it all down pat by the end of the week so I can start on my Hiragana (the more complex alphabet in Japanese).
Konbanwa-Good Night!
I still doubt I will ever get used to the humidity and typhoonish weather but am coming to love my apartment and the idea of living in a village community. It is true you really cannot beat the people and how much they are willing to go out of their way to help you and make sure you and comfortable, happy and shown a good time as a new member of the community.
Friday I went into Motosu to Malaria (Actually Malera but we have already assigned a nickname for it) on my first train trip (get this on a one car train! So cute!) . A sweet lady from the town office accompanied me and another man from the town office drove along in the car later as well. They were a little overprotective and worried about me but they were very helpful and cute. They also helped me open a bank account. We went for lunch in one of Neo’s 3 (?) food establishments and while we were there a prominent person from city hall came and secretly paid for all three of our lunches. So sweet. After lunch I walked to the elementary school and also visited the junior high where I learned that Murachi sensei would be going on a trip to Seattle next week and Monday would be my last day with him there for quite a while. I could be in for a shock/very quiet week!
Anyways, I went to Malaria and met up with Narin and we found a Starbucks (what luck!), I did some grocery shopping then went to his place. Narin and Kiri (new ALT’s from Melbourne) live in the same apartment building and only a block away from Malaria. It makes it quite convenient!! Then we ventured off on our own to find Gifu City and meet up with the regional ALTs. Keith (our regional prefecture advisor) set it up for everyone to meet at the train station in Gifu (which is about 40 minutes by bus out of Motosu (which is an additional 40 minutes outside of Neo)). It was great having our first group night out in our new home area and getting to swap horror and new Jet stories. Although JET always reminds us not to compare ourselves with each other, it was quite inevitable and made me feel quite reassured that I got a great set up. Not to brag but I have way more space, a much more competent and friendly supervisor, less rent, and a fantastic Japanese Teacher of English (JTE). Whooo!! And the three of us were pretty much the only ones with Ketei’s (cell phones) so far. I also don’t know what I would do without Kiri who speaks almost fluent Japanese! ‘Tis fantastic indeed! We went out to a cute little bar/pub a block or two away from Gifu station. I think we might end up there quite a bit! We caught the last train home and then I stayed over in Motosu since Neo trains stop running at 9:30 on weekdays and something like 4 on weekends!! Craziness eh? Makes me glad I bought the beast of a car (hopefully I will have insurance on it tomorrow and can start learning to drive here soon!)
I also called home to Mom in PEI and Duane in Edmonton to let everyone know I am still alive and well after Tokyo. It’s good that I’ve been kept so busy lately but I eagerly await my internet connection so I can post these blogs, and catch up on emails and hopefully Skype with everyone.
Saturday we had another Gifu Jet activity in Gifu city. This time I invited Rika (whose father had a welcome party for me on Thursday night). Rika met Narin, Kiri and I at Malaria and then we took the train back to Gifu. We went on a walking tour around the city, I tried shopping for a yukata (summer kimono) with no luck, we had lunch at a cute café (have to admit I’m really enjoying Japanese food and experimenting with things I would never have tried before!) Afterwards we walked for another 2 hours (not even joking) through the massive crowds of people in yukatas to the Gifu fireworks to meet up with all of the JETs who had come from all over the prefecture. I still cannot believe how many people were there and how many fireworks there were! I heard an estimate of 50+ JETs, 250,000 people, and 30 THOUSAND fireworks!!!! I couldn’t even imagine how expensive it must have been! Luckily there were companies that sponsored each part, but still, ahh pollution! Apparently each city has a major fireworks festival each year. My favourite part was called “Niagara falls” where they had a line of fireworks all across the river and they were the kind that slowly started to drip as well. Hard to explain and the pics didn’t really turn out but it was so cool! Plus everything was set to music. I think it was my first moment when I really looked around at everyone and realised I was in Japan. (I know it sounds silly but it’s hard to explain what I’m going through because I’m the sole foreigner for 40 km but at the same time I meet up with the other JETs so easily that it seams like we are all there on some big trip together.) I have further fallen in love with Japanese babies and have decided if I ever am looking to adopt I want a cute little Japanese child! *there’s my completely random thought of the day but they are adorable! Maybe I’ll post some pics later). To end the night Rika’s dad picked us up from Gifu (so nice of him) and drove us all home.
Today I woke up to a phone call from Murachi-sensei saying that my neighbour the vice principal of the junior high school would like to meet me and would be by in a few minutes. I rushed to put on clothes and pull my hair back and two minutes later I was standing outside my room giving my self-introduction in Japanese. The rest of the day was quite slack as it was Sunday and I finally had some time on my own to really settle in. I am completely unpacked now and have been going through loads of paperwork and things that Kaki (my predecessor) left behind. I’ve had many lovely surprises of household items, movies, and Japanese books that will be very helpful I think. As Keith (from Gifu) was saying I think I really lucked out on my apartment because Kaki kept it clean and organised. Pretty immaculate actually. Oooh and I found an air conditioner today thankfully!!! So today was a relaxo day where I just cleaned and organized pretty much the whole day. In the afternoon I decided I needed to get out of the house and took myself on a walking tour of the whole village (yes it is that small!) I saw the famous Usuzumi Sakura (oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan I do believe) and oriented myself to find the grocery store, town hall, and the two schools I will be working at. It was my first time really on my own and I got a few odd looks of “who’s the gaijin (foreigner).” When I found the grocery store just as it was closing (at 6pm) I popped in and decided to buy something, anything just to see if I could do it. Anyways I ended up walking home with a bushel of 8+ bananas (first thing I knew what it was!) and hoped that the monkeys wouldn’t find me. The walk home made me feel like I was in the jungle as there were many scary sounds (mostly of birds, bugs and monkeys), heaps of spiders, and I got quite a fright when I just about stepped on a large dead (I think!) snake. That- I was definitely not prepared for!
At 6 o’clock every night in Motosu the anthem of the city comes on the speakers all around the 4 towns that make up Motosu. It’s kinda cool but somewhat creepy and reminds me of that Dianne Sawyer special on North Korea. That was a good indication it was time to start heading home. Anyways home now safe and sound. It’s 7 o’clock and pretty much completely dark outside. I’m going to go study by Katakana (want to have it all down pat by the end of the week so I can start on my Hiragana (the more complex alphabet in Japanese).
Konbanwa-Good Night!
Introduction to My Life in Japan
Wow! What a whirlwind few days! Tuesday night we went out with the Canadians to the Canadian Embassy. Although the speeches were quite mundane, afterwards we all went to Shabuya(?), a busy nightlife area in Tokyo that was pretty incredible and then up to the 45th floor of our hotel where we saw a magnificent view of the city! I survived and thrived in my first Tokyo Subway experience and saw the biggest city in the world at night! : ) Pretty great day! The next day I also achieved a new feat when travelling on the Shinjuko bullet train! Very fast and enjoyable! There was so much excitement as about 40 of us travelled together into Gifu Prefecture. We also were fortunate to have a clear day and be able to see a great view of Mount Fuji (although my pics didn’t quite turn out unfortunately).
In any case, maybe more about Tokyo later but now I want to talk about the meat and potatoes—my new home! Yesterday Kiri, Narin (new Melbourne ALT’s in Motosu City) and I were picked up by Tanaka-sensei and Fukuyoa (?). I have honestly never been so nervous as I was stepping off the escalator from the bullet train and arriving into the new life that lay ahead of me. Luckily they had smiles, signs, and best of all the three of us got to leave together! Tanaka-sensei I learned would be my supervisor and although doesn’t speak much English is “the coolest man in Motosu” according to Fukyoka-sensei who has quite the command of a wide English vocabulary. They took us out for lunch (which included quail eggs) and then off to meet the mayor and all the VIPs in our lives in Motosu for the next 12 months. It was quite intimidating doing our introductions and everything because of the whole greeting customs (bow 1up, 2down, 3up) not to mention that Kiri and Narin both studied Japanese for many many years and here I am a fish out of water. Although I do think people appreciated my mangled attempt at Japanese. My intro, be it as it may “Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Julie Beck desu. Watashiwa Canada-jin desu. Dozo yoroshku onegi shimasu” got a few smiles and some claps throughout the day. During tea with the mayor and vice mayor they brought out a frame with four pictures from Devon on it. They really are excited that I am from Devon- it is definitely scoring me some big points I think!
We got melons from the people at city hall which I have now learned that, along with Kaki fruit are famous in Motosu.
Next up was applying for our Alien registration cards, meeting some education people in Motosu-city and loading the suitcases from the Board of Education into the van….. if anyone has ever seen me (or any Beck/Kofin for that matter) pack you will be able to imagine how much fun it was packing for a whole YEAR in a foreign country. Both my bags were the absolute max limit (70lbs—thankfully it’s before October when the limit is going down to 50) when I left Edmonton, and then in Tokyo I picked up an additional 20 lbs of books and paperwork not even joking. It was a great challenge to fit everything into the 2 MASSIVE suitcases and backpack and laptop case. But it was done. Much to my embarrassment yesterday however, although I shipped the bags from different times and places they all ended up at the B.O.E at the same time which made me so ashamed of how much I had brought in comparison to the Australians who were only allowed to bring 1 50lb bag! Yikes! I think I broke a few Japanese backs while the men carried my suitcases and had to make arrangements for another car to drop the others off since we couldn’t all fit in the van anymore! Oh geez.
In any case, I said goodbye to the others as Tammy (Education Exchange Coordinator from the B.O.E) as a translator, Tanaka-sensei (my supervisor) and I ventured off into the booming metropolis of Neo (Population: 2,000).
The countryside here is so beautiful! I think I will really love it! The village really is right in the mountains and there are so many lush trees! I feel like I am in a rainforest with all of the humidity. It is so much more (beautiful!!) here than in Tokyo and cities along the drive. And for now anyways—I am adjusting to the idea of being in a tiny remote community in the middle of the mountains.
Tammy and Tanaka took me to the Neo B.O.E where I met so many happy people. It was just bustling with energy! They were all so very very very excited and kind! After yet another somewhat awkward introduction and exchange of business cards, I learned AGAIN just how wonderful it was that I was from Devon.
We had a quick meeting to decide the next day’s schedule and I learned that I would soon get to see my apartment and then be whisked away to my welcome party!
My apartment is a lot nicer than I thought it would be. Although it is small everything seams relatively new. It’s well decorated and the size will be enough for me. (Plus is has a western toilet and a bed- yeah!!). It’s very hot and humid (I’m sure the fan will become my new best friend) and I’ve only been completely grossed out by 2 bugs so far—one was the largest I’ve ever seen, and could fly!). So far no bugs inside by many in the hallways—ewwwww!
Everyone from the Neo B.O.E came over to help me move in—remember those suitcases- bam yet again a source of embarrassment! Did I forget to mention I live on the 3rd floor and there is no elevator? Yah, there was a lot of sweat coming from those men by the time they reached the top. Everyone was so nice and helped get everything set up and showed me how to use things in my apartment. Toilet (write later how smart water)
They also bought me new blankets, sheets, pillow, toothbrush, a towel and some toilet paper to get me started. Neo does not have much in the way of shopping—aka one store that is open at random I hear.
I was soon taken to my Welcome party across the street from the B.O.E. It was so much fun!!! Lots of drinking! (I really like Japanese beer and it’s sometimes so impossible to get them to stop filling p your glass!) The food was pretty good and I tried my first scary new Japanese food- RAW chicken. Yes yes I was pretty freaked out but when in Rome! I also has some onegiri (rice ball wrapped in Nori/seaweed). Murachi sensei- who I am sure I will get along with very well- came to help translate, along with a boy from a neighbouring town. There were lots of laughs, some pictures, tonnes of drinking and it was a very good time. I can’t get over how friendly and nice everyone is!
I came home happy and unpacked as much as I could before falling asleep. After sleeping with the fan on all night and having a cold shower I still feel a little hot. I explored my apartment a bit, looked outside at the beautiful view and sat down to write this. I have about 15 minutes until Murachi sensei comes to pick me up and take me on a trip to the JHS and start the rest of my action packed day. Time to go get ready! Wish me luck!
In any case, maybe more about Tokyo later but now I want to talk about the meat and potatoes—my new home! Yesterday Kiri, Narin (new Melbourne ALT’s in Motosu City) and I were picked up by Tanaka-sensei and Fukuyoa (?). I have honestly never been so nervous as I was stepping off the escalator from the bullet train and arriving into the new life that lay ahead of me. Luckily they had smiles, signs, and best of all the three of us got to leave together! Tanaka-sensei I learned would be my supervisor and although doesn’t speak much English is “the coolest man in Motosu” according to Fukyoka-sensei who has quite the command of a wide English vocabulary. They took us out for lunch (which included quail eggs) and then off to meet the mayor and all the VIPs in our lives in Motosu for the next 12 months. It was quite intimidating doing our introductions and everything because of the whole greeting customs (bow 1up, 2down, 3up) not to mention that Kiri and Narin both studied Japanese for many many years and here I am a fish out of water. Although I do think people appreciated my mangled attempt at Japanese. My intro, be it as it may “Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Julie Beck desu. Watashiwa Canada-jin desu. Dozo yoroshku onegi shimasu” got a few smiles and some claps throughout the day. During tea with the mayor and vice mayor they brought out a frame with four pictures from Devon on it. They really are excited that I am from Devon- it is definitely scoring me some big points I think!
We got melons from the people at city hall which I have now learned that, along with Kaki fruit are famous in Motosu.
Next up was applying for our Alien registration cards, meeting some education people in Motosu-city and loading the suitcases from the Board of Education into the van….. if anyone has ever seen me (or any Beck/Kofin for that matter) pack you will be able to imagine how much fun it was packing for a whole YEAR in a foreign country. Both my bags were the absolute max limit (70lbs—thankfully it’s before October when the limit is going down to 50) when I left Edmonton, and then in Tokyo I picked up an additional 20 lbs of books and paperwork not even joking. It was a great challenge to fit everything into the 2 MASSIVE suitcases and backpack and laptop case. But it was done. Much to my embarrassment yesterday however, although I shipped the bags from different times and places they all ended up at the B.O.E at the same time which made me so ashamed of how much I had brought in comparison to the Australians who were only allowed to bring 1 50lb bag! Yikes! I think I broke a few Japanese backs while the men carried my suitcases and had to make arrangements for another car to drop the others off since we couldn’t all fit in the van anymore! Oh geez.
In any case, I said goodbye to the others as Tammy (Education Exchange Coordinator from the B.O.E) as a translator, Tanaka-sensei (my supervisor) and I ventured off into the booming metropolis of Neo (Population: 2,000).
The countryside here is so beautiful! I think I will really love it! The village really is right in the mountains and there are so many lush trees! I feel like I am in a rainforest with all of the humidity. It is so much more (beautiful!!) here than in Tokyo and cities along the drive. And for now anyways—I am adjusting to the idea of being in a tiny remote community in the middle of the mountains.
Tammy and Tanaka took me to the Neo B.O.E where I met so many happy people. It was just bustling with energy! They were all so very very very excited and kind! After yet another somewhat awkward introduction and exchange of business cards, I learned AGAIN just how wonderful it was that I was from Devon.
We had a quick meeting to decide the next day’s schedule and I learned that I would soon get to see my apartment and then be whisked away to my welcome party!
My apartment is a lot nicer than I thought it would be. Although it is small everything seams relatively new. It’s well decorated and the size will be enough for me. (Plus is has a western toilet and a bed- yeah!!). It’s very hot and humid (I’m sure the fan will become my new best friend) and I’ve only been completely grossed out by 2 bugs so far—one was the largest I’ve ever seen, and could fly!). So far no bugs inside by many in the hallways—ewwwww!
Everyone from the Neo B.O.E came over to help me move in—remember those suitcases- bam yet again a source of embarrassment! Did I forget to mention I live on the 3rd floor and there is no elevator? Yah, there was a lot of sweat coming from those men by the time they reached the top. Everyone was so nice and helped get everything set up and showed me how to use things in my apartment. Toilet (write later how smart water)
They also bought me new blankets, sheets, pillow, toothbrush, a towel and some toilet paper to get me started. Neo does not have much in the way of shopping—aka one store that is open at random I hear.
I was soon taken to my Welcome party across the street from the B.O.E. It was so much fun!!! Lots of drinking! (I really like Japanese beer and it’s sometimes so impossible to get them to stop filling p your glass!) The food was pretty good and I tried my first scary new Japanese food- RAW chicken. Yes yes I was pretty freaked out but when in Rome! I also has some onegiri (rice ball wrapped in Nori/seaweed). Murachi sensei- who I am sure I will get along with very well- came to help translate, along with a boy from a neighbouring town. There were lots of laughs, some pictures, tonnes of drinking and it was a very good time. I can’t get over how friendly and nice everyone is!
I came home happy and unpacked as much as I could before falling asleep. After sleeping with the fan on all night and having a cold shower I still feel a little hot. I explored my apartment a bit, looked outside at the beautiful view and sat down to write this. I have about 15 minutes until Murachi sensei comes to pick me up and take me on a trip to the JHS and start the rest of my action packed day. Time to go get ready! Wish me luck!
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