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!