"BEIJING, China (Reuters) -- Six students were trampled to death at a middle school in eastern China and 39 were injured when a sudden panic caused them to swarm into a staircase, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.
It was unclear what triggered the panic following an evening class on Saturday at a school in Duchang County in the province of Jiangxi."
This is why America doesn't panic, I suppose. =)
I have a newfound love. I love karaoke. I never was a fan of it before - but we went to a karaoke bar for Dave's 22nd birthday two weekends ago. In case you are unaware; the Japanese LOVE karaoke. I came here knowing that at some point I would have to be a part of the culture and do it. A karaoke bar - I wasn't really sure what it was before going there; I had a rough idea - but since I had actually never been to one - I didn't know what to expect. It turned out to be really cheap since we had so many folks. But basically, you rent out a room per hour that is equipped with a karaoke TV, microphones, and a little remote to input whatever song you wish to sing. There are couches that circle a table and the TV is directly in front of you. You can bring in your own food, alcohol, whatever you want. From there - you just wait until your song comes on and then sing your little heart out. In which, I did. For those of you who knew my summer song - let me tell you; I sang "my hips don't lie" like a champ. So, Sam, Ben, Jon - thanks for putting up with my lame ass summer song. This past weekend was lovely. Friday - I stayed in - as I am starting to feel a bit old - and after 40 hours - I am tired and not really in the mood to do much anymore. Wierd because I used to put in more than 40 hours of work & studying at college - and play just as hard - but I guess everything was so much more convenient. Saturday, I slept in for the first time in probably two months. Cleaned up my house a bit (anyone want to be a maid in Japan? Free housing...) and headed into Ishinomaki to celebrate Mandy's birthday. We went to the ever - famous nomihodai aka all you can drink and some food for two hours. Following that, we went back to the apartment where we continued drinking since Mandy got 17 litres of alcohol for her birthday. Woke up Sunday and came back home...
Music lesson number 2. I always am asked to do things by people - but never really know exactly what I am doing with the language barrier. So - Sunday, I had agreed to go see a man in my Adult conversation class sing. It was lovely - a great cultural experience. And - since you can't come to Japan - I am bringing Japan to you.
This first video - I don't particularly find the song to great - but I love the ending - ya'all can get some good feeling on what it is like to sit through things that are entirely in Japanese. Enjoy!
This second video - I really enjoy the music. Maybe - you will too.
This third video - again, I find the music pretty intriguing. Maybe by this point, you're sick of hearing this man sing. He isn't the man in my class - but someone else who must have been like the "star of the show" because he sang for about 30 minutes. The man in my class sang one song and then came out in the end to sing with everyone again.
This last video - might make you a bit dizzy. Sorry - I was trying to clap along with them. I want to show it though because the man from my class is in this one. He is the tall man, in the middle wearing the white kimono with black sash.
Again, grateful for the ticket to see this show. Something, I would never be able to find on my own. Following the concert, I still had 1.5 hours of daylight and it wasn't raining. I had been seeing signs for the park that was obviously nearby...so I decided to go on an adventure and find it. I followed the signs, crossed under a torii and drove up an incredibly steep hill. I parked where you could no longer drive anymore. I got out of my car and picked a way to go. I walked and saw a shrine or temple in the distance amongst the trees. It was so quiet and peaceful up there walking amongst the color changing trees all by myself. I finally got to the temple. It was old and decrepid, but so lovely just up in nature like that. I took out a hyakuen (= $1.00) and threw it in and for the first time in years, put my hands together and prayed. I don't know who I prayed to - but I prayed.
Following my brief visit to this holy place - I started backtracking and decided to go up another hill that was a fork in the road. I hiked and hiked and finally reached to where there was a sign and the trail started to become a bit overgrown. Common sense told me to stop here. I will go back - as I took a picture of the sign and am going to have someone translate it to make sure it is okay I will go back. But, it also wasn't too intelligient with the dark setting in less than an hour, in inappropriate clothing, no water, and with a cold nonetheless.
I went back downhill and headed back towards my car. I got to the area and then went up a different way. I found another little torii passed under it and came to a small little prayer box. I checked it out and went back as it was a dead end. I continued up and up a really steep hill. I came to another path - but a big sign in Japanese with the NO sign meaning I probably shouldn't go down it. I took a picture again, to get it translated for me. I headed more and more uphill until I reached a really green, grassy knoll. I walked, walked and walked. I came to another shrine! And many other smaller buildings. At this point, I felt like I was on top of the world. I was the only one in this entire park, with such beautiful surroundings. This is exactly what I have been looking for since I've been here. Something Japanese, peaceful, nature, and while being in solitude, wanting that solitude there. I just stood at the top, for a while, wishing I had paper to write. I had a feeling overcome me. One that I can't describe - but it was a good feeling. The grass was so green, the sky was not raining down on me, I was up there with the birds, I could see the Pacific Ocean, I could see Ishinomaki City, I could see the country, I could see the hills - I was finally eye level with the hills, I could see the way to my house, the way to the gym, it was so rewarding. I am just so stoked to have found this park. On warmer, sunny days, I fully intend on being there all day long. I hope it is as desolate year round as it was on Sunday - and not because it's a bit chilly in November.
I saw a sign that I believe offered a lot of hiking trails. I cant' wait to just put my boots on and go. Oh, a place to explore only 40 minutes from my house. YESSSSS!!!! Can you tell how excited I am?
So, I took a picture so you can see how country I am. This is the best one I've got so far -because to this point - I haven't been this high up near my house. Take a look at all the rice fields - they look pretty ugly since they are all harvested now. However, the green ones you saw a few months ago - do make it pretty before harvest. And - the nice hills that are around my area.
The beautiful green, grassy knoll I found is below. And the hills in the distance.I would have taken more photos but my camera died. Atleast you get an idea! YAY for this park! YAY YAY YAY!
After my park adventure, I made a real American dinner of salad, spaghetti with a homemade sauce and garlic bread for Mitsue. We followed it with tea and a strawberry cake she brought. Yummy! I showed her pictures from Plattsburgh and Tokyo. I showed her the "real" Sara. Atleast the real Sara from college - the crazy, party animal. I don't know who the "real" Sara is at the moment. She enjoyed the pictures and laughed a lot. Mitsue told me it was the same for her at college and she drank alot. Next time, she is going to bring pictures of her college and friends to show me. I can't wait!
Alright, that's all I feel like writing for now because I don't want to bore everyone. I hope all is well at home. HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!
The Chinese fire drill. This involves stopping at a red light and everyone running around the car and making it back in before the light turns green.
The Japanese fire drill. I experienced the Japanese fire drill last week. I have to share it because it is rather different from the fire drills we have at home. I was laughing. So - this is what happens. Their version of a fire drill goes off and an administrator goes running out of the school with a huge flag. All the students, come running as fast as they can out of the school, across the soccer field. Of course, I was told I needed to participate too, so there I am running with the other teachers as fast as we can away from the fire. I was laughing, hysterically. Just imagine a whole school running!
Following the run out, there were some speeches in Japanese that obviously I couldn't understand. Followed by a fire extinguisher demonstration whereby, students practiced. A few more speeches by the fire department and it ended. The whole ordeal took nearly an hour.
The administration asked me if it is the same in America. I answered No, and tried to explain with my limited Japanese and gestures - just what we do in America. I suppose, even though I laugh at the Japanese fire drill. They probably think our fire drills are wierd too. We walk, single filed, no talking out of a burning building. I understand the reasoning behind this is to ensure no one panics - but to walk, quietly out of a burning building does seem a bit more unreasonable than running as fast as you can, screaming fire, out of a burning building. They also thought it was strange that our students don't practice using fire extinguishers. Which, thinking about it, I agree...it is kind of stupid that our students don't receive demonstrations on how to extinguish a fire.
So, that, my friends and family, is a Japanese fire drill. Run as quickly as you can out the building. I think it's funny, but maybe it's one of those things where you have to be there.
Tim had wanted to see “real Japan”. So – we did. I looked through my bible, the Lonely Planet and asked if he'd be willing to take a long train ride up North to see a place called Nikko. I wasn't really too sure what Nikko was – but it looked like it might be “real Japan.” Here's a bit of the history I'm lifting right out of my Lonely Planet,
“Nikko's history as a sacred site stretches back to the middle of the 8th century, when the Buddhist priest Shodo (735-817) established a hermitage there. For many years it was a famous training center for Buddhist monks, before declining into obscurity. That is, until it was chosen as a site for the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the warlord who took control of all of Japan and established the Shogunate that ruled for over 250 years until the Meiji Restoration ended the feudal era.
Tokugawa was laid to rest among Nikko's towering cedars in 1617, but his grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu, in 1634, commenced work on the shrine that can be seen today. The original shrine, Tosho-gu, was completely rebuilt using an army of som
e 15,000 artisans from across Japan. The work on the shrine and mausoleum took two years to complete and the results continue to receive mixed reviews.
Tosho-gu was constructed as a memorial to a warlord who devoted his life to conquering Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu was a man of considerable determination and wasn't above sacrificing a few scruples in order to achieve his aims. He is attributed with having had his wife and eldest son executed, because at a certain point, it was politically expedient for him to do so. More than anything else the grandeur or Nikko is intended to inspire awe; it is a display of wealth and power by a family that for nearly three centuries was the supreme arbiter of power in Japan.”
Needless to say, that sounded enticing enough to bring Tim to. We woke up bright and early on Monday to get our way there. We navigated our way back to Asakusa – found the train station – after a bit of confusion – got our tickets, had some Starbuck's and was on our way to Nikko. It was going to be a two hour train station from Asakusa.
The train ride was very nice for me since this was Tim's first time seeing Japan as Japan and not as Tokyo. We were riding past small towns, ride paddies all the while seeing hills & mountains in the distance. I was able to relate some of what we were passing to what my town is like. It seemed so normal to me and so foreign to Tim (since it was). It took me a bit to realize that he was experiencing these sites for the first time. I smiled at the thought of that. We had to make a switch – and so we reached the station – saw a train in front of us and just hopped onto it – never really double checking to make sure it goes to Nikko.
Like I said though – we just kind of did our thing without maps and were making it okay to that point. We realized that once we reached Nikko we really had no idea where to go or what to do. Plan A – follow the whitey. There was another Western woman on our train – and we figured – well, she's probably a tourist. At the same time, I was glancing through my Lonely Planet as to find out what to do. Whitey led us right to a bus – which we hopped on. Good thing we didn't follow her completely because she didn't get off where you needed to in order to see the sights. Thank you Lonely Planet.
We got off and just followed the crowd. I read in my lonely planet that you can get a “Combination ticket” that allows you to see many temples & shrines for 1000 Yen or $10.00 USD. We spent about 20 minutes searching for that. We weren't really sure where to go since we didn't have a map of the area (so unprepared!). We walked all over – turned the wrong way a time or two. We kept ascending with stairs and small hills until we came across a huge temple – and with it a little booth selling this combination ticket. Score!
The first temple we visited was called Rinnjo – Ji. It was a large, red temple that was founded 1200 years ago by Shodo Shonin. We walked up some stairs, were greeted by a lady monk whom punched a hole in our ticket – and went on in. We walked around until we came to the “gold” of the temple. The reason so many people come to this temple and are inspired. You turn the corner and right before your eyes are three towering Buddha statues. The name of this area is Sambutsu – do or the Three Buddha Hall. All Buddhas are gold lacquered with special meanings. The Buddha on the far left is named Kannon, the goddess of Mercy and compassion. The central Buddha is Amida Nyorai, a primal God in the Buddhist sect. The Buddha that was to the far right was Bato – a horse – headed Buddha whose special domain is the animal kingdom. On your way out of the temple, there were several Buddha statues lining the wall.
The next area we came to was called Tosho – gu. You enter underneath a huge stone torii (marks the entrance to a Shinto Shrine). As soon as you enter, to your left you see a 5 story Pagoda. According to the lonely planet, That particular Pagoda was originally built in 1650 but rebuilt in 1818. The pagoda has no foundations but is rumored to have a long, suspended pole that swings like a pendulum, which will restore equilibrium when an earthquake hits. Once you cross into this area – you are first overwhelmed by how beautiful your surroundings are. Everywhere you turn, there are old, ancient, gold – lacquered buildings. At this point – you also see how touristy Nikko is. Of course, it is – I mean it is a World Heritage Site. To all sides of you are ancient buildings. My Lonely Planet helped clarify the importance of each building. The one building exhibited a carved elephant made by an artist who had never actually seen an elephant, nor a picture of an elephant. The carving was actually impressive once you learn that. It actually did look like an elephant, after all. The other cool thing we got to view was the original carvings of the monkeys that depict, “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil”. You walk around this level of buildings – and then you approach some more stairs. You climb up these stairs, pass through another torii and have a whole new set of buildings to explore.
We entered another building which is famous for their ceiling. On the ceiling, there is a painting of a dragon, known as the Roaring Dragon. Then, there is a monk in there who is probably telling about this place, not that we could understand. However, at the end of the speech, he bangs two wooden sticks together which is supposed to represent the roar of a dragon. It doesn't really sound like that – but it is also used to demonstrate the acoustics of the hall.
You cross through Yomei-mon – a sophisticated gate that has carved leaves, animals, flowers, mythical beasts. Once through the gate, you are again inundated with more divine buildings. The building straight in front of you – you can go inside. You take your shoes off – go in – and can see the worship hall.
After this area, we headed to Futarasan Jinja, another shrine that was founded by Shodo Shonin. This shrine area was dedicated to mountains. You can view the inside of the shrine from the outside, but then you can go into it's “yard” area and see around it. There was a cute, little pond, a little restaurant of some sort, basically, and REALLY old Cedar trees (my favorite!). Right outside of this area was a HUGE torii. See picture.
The last spot we visited in Nikko was called Taiyuin-byo. You climb up many, many stairs to reach it. Once there, you see more buildings. We entered one of the shrines to see the inside – absolutely wonderful. We walked around out back and came to a gate. Just visiting the sites and taking it all in. After that, we left the temple and shrine site and started walking back to look for lunch/dinner. We came back across the famous bridge – an icon of Nikko. The name of the bridge is Shin-kyo. It's a red bridge that crosses the Daiya River. The original one was constructed in the 17th century. It has become famous as the spot where the Buddhist monk – Shodo Shonin – who first established a hermitage in Nikko in 782 was carried across this river on the back of two huge serpents. Believe what you want!
After walking around a bit, we found a place to eat. Following the late lunch, we hopped onto a bus and returned to the train station. We had another 2-3 hours ahead of us. What did we do? We cracked open a beer. Then another, and then another. It was actually quite funny because everyone around us was drinking.
We got back to Shinjuku – a little tipsy. Relaxed a little before headed out for some dinner. I took Tim to this alleyway (shocking, I found it again) that I had gone to my first night in Japan. We ordered some beers and got dinner. This being the last night we would spend in Japan together.
We woke up rather late on Tuesday and went to Denny's for breakfast. Had a bit of a family chat, packed and walked back to the station. We said our goodbye's – but not sadly as I'll see him again at Lisa's wedding.
Chapter 5
Headed North
I got myself back onto the Shinkansen – even though I wasn't entirely sure it was the right one. I have relied on asking numerous people for help. The way back to Sendai – I again admired the landscape, started writing my blog, listened to music. The landscape certainly inspires me to write. It makes me dig deep down inside of me. This whole experience has me questioning who I am. I arrived into Sendai, bought my train ticket back to Ishinomaki, only to learn of a new challenge. There was one train that was going somewhere else at 4:50. My train wasn't coming until 4:59. It was 5:00 when the train arrived – I asked the woman next to me if it was the 4:50 or 4:59 train. She said it was the first and said the next train is the Ishinomaki train. Then, she continued to tell me it wasn't going to Ishinomaki. I asked her when the next one to Ishinomaki was. She kept telling me no train to Ishinomaki. I was really confused, and a little bit lost in translation. We finally got it figured out that due to a typhoon, they were not having any more trains go to Sendai for the rest of the night. Shit. What do I do? I was supposed to go to Japanese class tonight, and I need to work tomorrow.
I call Brian to get my advisor's phone number. I call him and ask if I can crash on his floor tonight. I certainly did not want to pay for a hotel and I was really confused. He said no problem. I waited around for him and finally I see his face looking for me. He asked me if I would take a bus, where I said I didn't care – I really just wanted to get home. Thankfully, he was able to arrange and translate and get me to the bus. He waited with me (cause he's awesome) and I boarded the bus. An hour and some minutes later – I was back into rainy, windy, cold Ishinomaki.
In reflection to my trip, I feel like I understand Tokyo much better and can navigate around it pretty well. I don't know all of Tokyo but for a city that is so big – I surely did get around just fine.
As always - to view more photos from my trip - check out the link "pictures" to the right.
Friday – the day I had been anxiously anticipating for over a week now. The past week, I had felt like a child does on Christmas Eve. Do you remember that feeling when the next day was going to provide you with everything your little heart dreamed of? Barbie, hot wheels, care bears, the coolest new toy, it didn't matter because the surprise of it all is what mattered and how you just couldn't wait any longer. That is how I had been feeling about going to Tokyo and meeting Tim there. I packed really late Thursday night – wasn't completely finished – so I had to continue that when I woke up in the morning. I packed up, hopped in my car and drove into the Ish bright and early. Things were going smoothly and I got into Ishinomaki really early. I have all these tickets from a travel agent to get me to Tokyo. I wasn't really sure which one got me to Sendai – since I can't read.
I went to the ticket booth and said:
watashi wa sendai ni ikimasu demo kore wa wakarimasen.
I go to Sendai but I don't understand this (while pointing to my numerous tickets).
He points to the one I need and tells me the time of the next train. I get on and sit next to two young men. The entire way to Sendai – I studied my Japanese. I was scrunched between my two young men and two older women. Sitting across from me was a couple clearly in love. The young men were chatting away and laughing, the older women were helping each other out, and the young couple was holding hands and smiling at each other. I missed normal social interaction at that point. I reached Sendai really early since I made it to Ishinomaki so quickly. I exited the densha and decided since I had two hours before my scheduled Shinkansen ride; I might as well go reflect in a Sendai Starbucks.
I ordered myself a caramel machiatto and a blueberry scone and sat down. I wrote in my journal, i “people-watched”, listened to my iPod and looked like the typical young backpacker.
I realized that I love traveling – I loved that feeling in Starbuck's. I realized I missed coffee shops. I realized I miss a lot of my friends. At this point – I don't think that I even knew it was my birthday. It was for sure the most bazaar birthday I've had to this age.
The time came when I had to figure out what to do with the rest of those tickets I received from a travel agent. I asked a man how do I get to the Shinkansen? He told me go to the next floor up – I was lazy and took the escalator. It was pretty busy at this point – I was traveling on the national holiday of “Culture Day”. It was like a bumper car game. At all points, I am dodging being knocked out by a busy person. I had to watch all sides of me because it was like pinball – people were flying every which way.
I went to the ticket office upstairs, stood in line. I reached the lady who helps you. I said to her the same thing as I said earlier. I held out my remaining tickets, and said “I am going to Tokyo, but I don't understand these.” She pointed to the correct ticket to use for this train and told me where to go stand. “sweet” I thought, “I'm getting somewhere here.”
I go to platform 13 and randomly choose my next victim to try to understand my Japanese. I choose a woman all dressed up and with a hair updo. I asked her - “here, train goes to Tokyo” I am giving you my literal translation - what I am literally saying to people are these horrible translations demo but enough to get my point across. She thinks about it, confirms with the woman standing behind her and tells me hai, yes. I go stand behind a man. I'm standing, wishing the train would get there sooner because my bags are heavy. I notice the man in front of me is eyeing my ticket that I have in my hand.
He keeps looking, compares it to his ticket, looks at the sign hanging over us, walks around a bit and comes back. The suited up man tells me that I need to stand in this other line – which is literally just standing next to them. I was confused, but thanked him. My train was scheduled to arrive at exactly 1:26pm. A train arrived at 1:20 – I thought it was mine. Everyone boards, including me. However, the suited man that helped me earlier was trying to tell me something. His hand gestures made me think that he was telling me I needed to get off. Yet, it was 1:20 – only 6 minutes early. I thought to myself, “could there possibly be another train only 6 minutes after this one?” My question was answered when the woman next to him said one word to me “next” - where I realized, “ahh, I guess there will be another train only 6 minutes after this one.” I get off and stand back where I was, hoping I am right and they are right. Their train pulls away and I do the standard Japanese bow to the man to thank him for helping me.
1:26pm on the dot and my train arrives. Hmm, no room for error in this country. I board, I lift my overweight bag over my head – just barely knocking out the passengers sitting near me to place it into the storage. I say a few gomen nasai's and sumimasens. (I'm sorry and excuse me). I plop down in my seat to get comfortable as I have another one hour and fifty minutes before I arrive to Tokyo. I'm sitting next to a man – who ate his bento (lunch box), read the free Shinkansen magazine, and then napped.
I spent my time admiring the landscape, writing in my journal and studying my Japanese. It felt like no time and here the PA system was announcing next stop – Tokyo station. I quickly put away all my mind occupying books and prepare for departure of the train. I get off, realize the beautiful temperature change and that I have no idea what I need to do at this point. I stop, gather myself, take off some layers and get out the directions Iprinted from the hostel web page and my Lonely Planet guide. Ahh, I need the Yamanote line – okay great. There are like 5 platforms for that line. Hmm. I choose one – get up there and see that it is headed the opposite way I thought I needed to go. This train eki (station) is much more crowded than Sendai. If I thought I was avoiding pinballs in Sendai, I was dodging bullets in Tokyo. I took off my cumbersome bag to re-evaluate my Lonely Planet's map of Tokyo's vast subway system. Here I am crouched in the middle of the platform, sweating bullets, trying to figure out where to go. Suddenly, I hear the heavenly words of “Can I help you?” I look up and there is a young man wanting to help me. I let out a sigh of relief. I tell him I need to get to Asakusa but need to get to Akihabara to get there. He says “okay” - whips out his ketai (cell), does a quick search to tell me that the next train is leaving in two minutes – in the platform straight across from where we are. Two minutes. I thank him a million times over and run. I made it! I hopped onto the train and hoped I really grabbed the right one.
I don't remember how long it took me to get to Akihabara – but I made it. Next, I needed to find the Tsukuba Express train. Hmmm. Followed the signs but they lead me outside. I asked someone where to go – got it worked out. Hopped onto this nice train and bam – into Asakusa!
Next challenge – find the hostel. I look at a map of this city and think I know where I need to head to. There was a festival going on to commemorate the Culture Day holiday. It was certainly crowded – and wow, other foreigners. I was a bit out of my element – other foreigners, weird. I walk around and find my hostel. A hostel!!!! I haven't been to one since last December – when I went to Quebec City. I love hostels. I check in and explain to them that my cousin will be calling if he gets lost – so I'll be hanging around and please find me if he calls.
I go up to our room – drop off the bags, grab my Japanese studying materials and head back down. I realize the time – and that Tim won't be landing for another hour or two. That means I don't need to sit around in case he calls. I venture into Asakusa – extremely excited to be here. Asakusa isn't as crazy as the heart of Tokyo – but very touristy nonetheless. I really couldn't get over the amount of diversity I was encountering. I knew there was a famous temple here – so I went to find it. It didn't take too long to find this holy ground. The temple's name is Senso – ji.While this temple had been standing for a very long time – it was destroyed during the bombings of WW2 and rebuilt in 1950. It was absolutely gorgeous from the outside, but the tourist crowd on the inside seemed to take away from the holy effect. Standing in front of the temple and facing away from it – your eyes can rest upon a red five- story Pagoda. I really liked the pagoda – as it was the first one I've actually seen in Japan. Also looking away from the temple, you see a large incense cauldron. According to my Lonely Planet, the smoke is said to bestow health. I headed away from the temple, towards the entrance. I apparently entered from the side and not the official entrance. I pushed my way through the crowds and reached a street full of vendors. This street is called Nakamise -dori. It is filled of vendors selling souvenirs, food, all sorts of stuff. I was turned off immediately as I couldn't even move. It is always crowded to begin with since this is a tourist spot. However, it was tenfold due to the festival. I pushed myself out of this mobbed street to find a combini (convenient store). I found one, grabbed some dinner and found my way back to the hostel.
I ate dinner and studied at the hostel,
also observing those around me. I talked to some folks. The one that stuck out the most at this point was a Korean boy. He was 24 years old and just came back from Australia. He went there for 6 months to learn English. I was talking to him how I talk to all people who have
English as their second language. I talk not naturally fast, but not really slow. He asked why I was speaking to him so slowly – so then I said okay and talked naturally fast and he couldn't understand me. He was kind of awkward to be around. You could sense he was really nervous but did want the conversation with me . The hostel was holding a traditional Japanese night and I had signed up to participate in the tea ceremony. Thankfully, it was time for that – allowing me to escape the awkward conversation I had started with this guy. There were 7 of us – watching one of the hostel staff demonstrate tea ceremony. She made the first cup and asked the Korean boy to try it first. He continued to be awkward about it – but did it. The next cup went to a European woman –
who was much better at being the taste tester. From there, we were asked to go up to the tatami to make our own tea. I went up there first with Mr. Korea, Miss Europe, and another European man. We were handed our cups and the mixer. We were instructed to whip the tea until it had many small bubbles. From there – we were to taste. Shockingly, the tea was much tastier than any of the other green tea that I had tried to this point.
The second group went up – and I came into conversation with the web designer for the hostel. He was taking our pictures for advertising for the hostel. So, yes, I am now on the hostel web page. To see me on the web page go here
The web designer man whose name is Ryuhei had wonderful English capabilities but allowed me to practice my Japanese with him. We chatted for quite some time and exchanged e-mail addresses. He was a great resource, informing me of random tidbits of information regarding Asakusa – including the correct way to pronounce how to say the name. He had spent time in Hawaii, New Orleans, and Harvard ( I think that was the University he said). Very open – minded and understanding. I certainly enjoyed my conversation with him.
Following the tea ceremony, a girl who worked at the hostel and her sister performed some Noh Drama for us. They were phenomenal! I had seen Noh last week at the talent show I had gone to – not realizing I was viewing Noh. This time – I had a sheet in English explaining it to me. Noh drama usually has a drummer, flutist and a singer/dancer. The singer/dancer reflects a particular person – usually a demon or ghost. Since the
re were only two actors for the hostel – they did different sections representing how the drama would be shown if you saw the real thing. I was so impressed with these girl's voices. The one section where they were demonstrating the drums to us – was great. The one girl was singing, the other girl singing and playing the drum in sync to the whole rhythm. Great job!
After the traditional displays – I was just sitting around and studying. I turned around and there was Tim! I got up and gave him a huge
hug. Finally, the moment I had been waiting for – Tokyo with Tim. We went upstairs and put down his bags, talked a bit and decided that he wanted to eat. All the street vendors had closed at this point and so I took him to the combini that I had gone to earlier to pick out some food. We went back to the hostel, ate his dinner and cracked some beers. We chatted until the rest of the host
el came back from their pub night out in the city. That evening, I chatted away with them Japanese girls in Japanese (to practice of course). It felt good because this trip was starting to reveal just how much I have learned since being in Japan. The other Westerners sitting at the table with us asked me how long I have been studying Japanese – I said 2.5 months. They were shocked that I could say as much as I could – and understand what was being said
to me in such a short amount of time. In reality – it is true – but at the same time – what we were discussing in Japanese was simple and very incorrect and I substituted some words with English. It felt good though – I needed it very much in my life.
Friday night ended, ending my 23rd birthday in Tokyo.
Chapter Two
Welcome toooo Tokyoooooo.
8am. We're awake. Check out isn't until 11am at this hostel and check in isn't until 1pm at the next hotel. We decide to go walk around Asakusa and see the sites. First, we wanted breakfast. We went to McDonald's for breakfast.
Why? Well, I never eat a Japanese breakfast anyways. To be honest
, I wouldn't know where to go or where to take Tim to get a Japanese breakfast. I wanted pancakes badly, and McDonald's offered just that. Following that, we walked around Asakusa - saw the temple again, went down the overflowing Nakamise -dori again. Took some photos, saw Asakusa. We went back to the hostel – got directions to where our next hotel would be – located in the heart of Tokyo – Shinjuku. I navigated us there – and bam we're spit out in yet another station chock-full of rushing humans. We check into the Century Hyatt – because Tim can't travel cheaply. Held a small conversation with the man checking us in and we headed to our room. Now, I must mention we had a really cool key because it was. It was a skeleton key – sweeeeet. I also noticed how happy people are when I try to speak Japanese to them. It seems that as long as I try – they are happy. It's nice when people appreciate it even though what I am saying is very horrible Japanese. It's encouraging to keep trying.
We got into our room, unpacked, and decided shit, it's already lunch time. We walked around Shinjuku – allowing Tim to take in Japan and at the same time allowing myself to be shocked at being in such a large, diverse city for the first time in 3 months.
Diversity. Wow. So many foreigners.
I was just as overwhelmed as I am sure Tim was. I took him to Mos Burger – which is a Japanese fast food type place. Laughed at the music being played, while at the same time wishing I knew who was singing cause I liked it. After lunch, we walked around a bit more. We came across a street festival – with all sorts of interesting food. I was a bit bummed that we hadn't come across that first – because it would have been a better Japanese experience for Tim to eat festival food over Mos Burger. It was right around this shrine – the shrine we had found my first three days in Japan. Unfortunately, Tim did not get to see the shrine in the same way I had as it was overflowing with people from the street festival. Nonetheless, the festival was also good for him to see. He particularly like the fishes on a stick. Soon, it started raining – so we ducked for cover since Tim only sees rain like once a year in LA and wasn't a fan of walking in it. Tim noticed a few Japanese things today:
Toilet paper is handed out in the streets or you have to buy it at a toilet paper machine dispenser since public restrooms don't have it
There are no garbage cans in the city (to prevent terrorism)
Women's fashion is skirts and knee high boots (and he loves it)
We went back to the hotel to take a nap cause we had been up early and were both tired. We had big plans to head into Roppongi – the night life district. It was like turning a Republican to believe in Democratic views getting Tim out of bed. He was a bit jetlagged to say the least. Finally – success! I dragged him out and got directions to Roppongi and off we went. We got into this section of the city, walked around. We saw Tokyo tower – which is a spitting image of the Eiffel Tower. It was lit up red and read 2006 across it. Which is interesting since Japanese don't go by Western years but rather the time period of what family is in power. That means right now their year is 19 in the Heisei era. I wanted to take Tim somewhere Japanese to eat for dinner. We decided on this one restaurant which ended up being really interesting. I don't know what they were trying to get at – the waiter came to us and said in English, “I speak Spanish.” Ok, but I don't. They were playing rap music and had a mix of a menu. I wanted to order some stuff “without” the meat. Yet, it couldn't be done so I ended up with pizza. After leaving this restaurant, we wanted to choose our watering hole. We walked around Roppongi – not really sure where to go. To this point, we had been very unprepared with maps, things to do, and places to eat. This not changing in Roppongi.
We finally decided on a place called Motown. We walked in and immediately were surrounded by tourists – not my ideal place to drink – but it was better than nothing. We squeeze our way in to order ourselves Asahi beeru. Eventually, we make our way to the back of the bar and sit at a table with an old man with large glasses and who doesn't stop laughing. He was just this jolly man, laughing and cheering on all the drunkards dancing. He soon left – and we were eventually joined by a Japanese man and woman. The woman knew enough English & I knew enough Japanese that we could talk. I was translating for Tim and she was translating for the man she was there with. The man really wanted Tim to learn some Japanese. He was teaching Tim the word kampai which translates to Cheers! We were kampaiing incessantly – then they called over two University girls to kampai with the one Japanese word that Tim now knows. I don't remember too much after this. According to Tim, I was just singing, drinking & dancing the night away with the University girls.
Some of the original friends we made – had their friend meet us as well. The accountant. Tim got his business card and was experiencing the fun language barrier of trying to meet people. I had a blast at Motown – they played awesome music(including Shakira's – hips don't lie) – and even though it was touristy- we ended up only hanging out with Japanese folks – giving the Japanese experience I wanted Tim to have. I don't remember leaving, but according to Tim, we took a taxi ride home where I constantly told him I was going to throw up, and was basically carried into the hotel. We had a successful night in Roppongi.
Chapter Three
The after – effects of Roppongi
If, successful in Roppongi, then, waste the next day. We never saw Sunday morning – we slept straight through it. We woke up past noon. Oops. Tim had wanted to see Tokyo Bay – but we certainly overslept. I broke out my Lonely Planet – found Tokyo Bay and got directions. We navigated ourselves through the Tokyo subway system maze. We ended up on the monorail – which was pretty cool. It kind of brought us up level wit
h some of the higher buildings, allowing us to see down into the cities. We got off at Odaiba – which according to the Lonely Planet is the place to see the bay. It was crowded there – but we walked around, didn't see much of anything except apartment buildings. I'm not really sure exactly what Lonely Planet was talking about – but they were wrong. We saw some groups dancing on the street and entered into a huge building full of cars. There was a ferris wheel and that was about it. Certainly, not what either of us had expected. Bummer. We were losing daylight at this point.
We decided to go to Shibuya – which is the shopping district in Tokyo. The first thing we saw – straight from the train station – was quite possibly one of the busiest intersections in the world. (that's in our opinion, of course). We taped it – and hopefully I will get it up here for you all to see. Imagine hundreds of people, crossing the street all at the same time. After laughing and recovering from the initial shock of that many people – we decided it was our turn to go be a part of the craziness. We walked around the streets of Shibuya – blending in with the hundreds upon hundreds of people walking amongst screaming TVS, blinding neon lights, enormous buildings, overpriced material goods, and numerous eating places. We took it all in, commenting on how Shibuya is even more crazy than Shinjuku. Sat down, on the side walk and just people watched.
After Shibuya – we headed back to Shinjuku to rest a bit before finding a place to eat. I took Tim to a Japanese style restaurant – we ordered many small dishes – including gizzard – which thankfully, never came. Tim was intrigued with the Japanese room – with all the folks having a nomihodaia aka – all you can drink for two hours with lots of food. We made it an early night because we didn't want to waste the next day as we had today.
I want to share Monday because to me – it's a clear reflection of how my life is shaping up around here. After a day at elementary school – thankfully,my last Halloween lesson plan for a year – I met Meg at a central location where we ran. It was so nice to get out and do a run with her. After that – we both headed over to Katie & Akira's where they were preparing a birthday dinner for me. Meg gave me a lovely little cactus for my birthday. She complimented me by saying she bought the cactus because it reminded her of me. Both my personality and the cactus are able to withstand so much outside pressures and still come out alive. Katie & Akira gave me some toe socks and prepared this delicious all – vegetarian meal for me. We had a great dinner – and even Brian stopped by for a bit before his Japanese tutor lesson.
I went home after dinner – just feeling so good about being here. I am slowly learning that I am an independent woman. Yet – at the same time – I long for those relationships with others that enrich my life. I don't know if that makes me dependent on others – but others can provide so much to our lives that it's silly to think otherwise. It feels good building relationships with others – and learning, growing, laughing. Life is where it should be.
I'm writing this blog on the Shinkansen ride back from Tokyo for my birthday extended weekend. I am so far behind on my blog since I've just been crazy busy. But – those of you that know my habits - know I tend to keep myself overly busy.
I've been wanting to write about last Sunday – October 29th. I had a jam packed day. It was full of spending time with the Japanese folks that are in my life. I volunteer to teach adults English in my community. I don't get paid because in my contract I sign with this program – I agree that I will not take any second jobs – even if it would just be teaching adults once a week. Well, money was never the issue for me anyways. I agreed to do it knowing it was on my own time. Money, to me, could never make up for the experiences these people bring me. Nearly any weekend that I don't have some sort of weekend trip planned – they have offers to do something together. The different types of events that I do with each and every one of them – surely enriches my time in Japan moreso than any money could ever do for me. I am so grateful they are a part of my life here and they are allowing me to be a part of theirs.
Sunday morning – I woke up and went to see one of my adults students – Mitsuhiro. He gave me tickets to see this talent/act show he would be singing in. I arrived at 11:00 and had a wonderful time. I sat by myself but it was great being a part of this. I had to leave at 1:00; but in between that time I saw many women and men singing, dancing, and even a bit of Noh Drama. It was like nothing I have been to before – simply because it was all in Japanese.
Following the talent act show – I went to go play the most popular sport of ParkGolf. This was with another man from my Adult class – Saitoh Sensei and with Brian Sensei (the other teacher with my class.) ParkGolf is kind of a cross between putt putt and regular golf. The differences are the ball is a rubber ball – and a bit bigger than a regular golf ball. The club is well – different from a putt putt club – but I am not really sure what kind of club to compare it to for regular golf. You hit the ball off a tee and pars are generally par 3 -5. Now – since I haven't really played golf in probably 4 years and only played twice – I think I did okay. I was never really a big golfer at home – which is why I haven't played in 4 years. I usually got pretty frustrated at home. It seems that most things I wouldn't do at home – I am willing to give it a go here. I actually enjoyed it a lot and had a really pleasant experience. We played 4 rounds of 9 holes. From most easy to most difficult – and I could definitely feel the difference between the courses. I have a fairly crappy long shot.
After ParkGolf – we went to Saitoh Sensei's house and I met his wife. We had some snacks and coffee before quickly going out to dinner.
Dinner was at this amazing building. It was in the shape of a castle! I had some sort of Japanese pasta – that was really tasty. We talked a bit about the USA's geography, our family – and just getting to know each other better.
Following dinner, I went to meet with Mitsue – my young teacher friend – for some coffee. It was so nice to finally get out with her. I have been wanting to hang out with her – but all teacher's work like 60 hour weeks here which makes it really difficult for me to make friends with my co-workers. It was also so nice to see her not in her professional attire, with cute clothes and makeup! She definitely looked like a 24 year old to me. I invited her to come out with my friends and me sometime – I hope she takes me up on the offer.
That was my Sunday – but I really wanted to share it just simply to scream out that money isn't everything.
I started this on Wednesday. Sorry it took so long to post!
I just had a wonderful evening. All day I was nervous because I was having Japanese women over. I didn't really know how to entertain them. As I've mentioned - Japanese people are just so hospitable, proper and polite. Something that I have never been. I am not rude or absolutely ridiculous or anything like that - it's just a huge cultural difference and almost being more reserved. I don't know why I was so nervous. It ended up being a wonderful evening. I have been cleaning my house for days to make it presentable for them. I really just am never home so my dishes, clothes, papers, mail, everything piles up after a while It was a long while since I've cleaned. I was trying to figure out what I could serve them - since they were coming over to show me how to make Japanese food - I didn't want to make anything huge. At the same time, even though they told me not to make anything, I wanted to have SOMETHING. I ended up cutting up my apples and slopping peanut butter over them. While it seems so silly - it was actually perfect. First of all, Japanese people don't eat their apples with skins on them - so right there I was providing some internationalization. Then - peanut butter isn't really too popular here. It's really expensive. But this is something that is so common and popular in America. How lovely of an idea. I also provided some Japanese goodies - even though I wasn't expecting them to eat them - it was the Japanese thing to do to offer it to them. They were here for over three hours and it was just lovely. The one woman speaks pretty decent English and the other one speaks close to none. I am at the point though - where if you substitute some Japanese words with English words I can understand. And I am able to put together certain Japanese sentences with a few English words. So - someone with a bit of English ability I can have a conversation with. A small one - but a good one nonetheless. These two women work at one of the Elementary schools I am at. It was so nice to have people over to my house - using my kitchen, eating and chatting with. I think once I have more language ability - the one younger teacher - aged 26 and I could hang out some more. She loves to drink. =) I find myself letting loose and just being myself - I'm trying to be polite of their culture and at the same time - being myself. As long as I'm laughing - I don't care what culture I am in ! For example - when she asked me if I bought sugar for the sweet potatoes - I proudly brought it over where she started laughing. I bought flour - not sugar. Oops =) That's what happens when you can't read. haha.
Speaking of laughing - it brings me to my Halloween blog of the day. At my Eikaiwa class - we held a Halloween party. It was so much fun. All the members of the class came dressed up! They did such a wonderful job on their costumes for being in a country that doesn't celebrate the holiday! It was great seeing adults coming dressed up and in happy spirits about it.
I wanted to be a cook. In fact, my costume was in the mail - only 24 hours away from making it to Japan. I had to be crafty and be a Christmas tree. I did this in Australia. It is the cheapest and easiest way to be something in another country that does not celebrate the holiday. And last minute. The evening consisted of just good fun - explaining a bit about the customs Brian & I did as kids. For example - using a pillow case to get candy and filling it up so much you need to sling it over your back like you're Santa Clause.
We did bobbing for apples. It was great. I think everyone had a great time doing it. Everyone was really good at it - that is, everyone but me. I definitely took the longest and probably got the most wet. What awesome students I have. Full grown adults dressed up and bobbing for apples. I love them.
After the Halloween party - they had a small Happy Birthday to me. Since Brian and I volunteer for the class - they take us birthday shopping when it's time. Earlier in the week I had gone with a lovely couple. I picked out hiking boots, a shirt and a book. They wrap it up and then presented it to me at the party . It is so nice having a group of people care for you on your birthday - as family would if they were in Japan with me.
I ended up going to a Halloween party on Friday night that was thrown by a bunch of other Western teachers. I was a chef, since my costume came. I had a great time - being 22 again - being really drunk. I stayed up until 4am - partying it up as if I was still in Plattsburgh. It was a good time - even though I fell down the stairs. Haha!
I want to make a difference in this world. I love being in Japan and what I am doing here. But - am I really making a difference? Sometimes - this job is not rewarding at all. I mean - it's rewarding for my personal life. But - as far as this world. Am I really making the world a better place? I want to help others. I want to make someone's life better that has it worse than me.
U2 - this morning, driving to work, made me think these things. Listening to Bad by U2 - while driving to the teaching job made me realize - my life is good - but others aren't. I really want to do something to help others. Time to reconsider where I wanted to go with my life - yet again..
lyrics: If I could, you know I would If I could, I would Let it go...
This desperation Dislocation Separation Condemnation Revelation In temptation Isolation Desolation Let it go
And so fade away To let it go And so fade away To let it go And so to fade away
I'm wide awake I'm wide awake Wide awake I'm not sleeping Oh, no, no, no
im almost 23. i remember when i was a kid I thought kids in high school had all the answers. im 23 and think when will i know the answers? I feel like even though I've entered the real world - I really havent. but i have. I mean I'm in japan - I have my own health insurance, car insurance, car, house, monthly bills and expenses, I clean (or rather, don't clean) my own house, I do as I please. I am an adult. but, I still feel like I'not on my own two feet. everywhere I turn, I am constantly reaching out to others for help here.
I'm almost 23. recently, that feeling that I dont want to grow old by myself is creeping up on me. goodness, I'm ONLY 23. why are these thoughts in my head? before Japan, I had found love - a love I never actually believed existed. but that opportunity has left since I'm here and he's there. but my awesome uncle once said to me that this world is a large place and meant to be traveled and if possible - it'd be awesome to share the world with another person.
I'almost 23. I'm not going to accept a person in my life that is only mediocre. but I want to share this travel bug i have with someone else. tonight I was talking to my awesome mom - and already telling her of my after japan plans. I surely am not ready to leave Japan because as much as ive experienced - i havent experienced it enough. i do think i'll be here for three years. but, already i am thinking of how I will do the peacecorp or maybe teachforamerica or maybe work on a cruise ship when i am done here. i want to see it all, i want to do it all, but want to do it fullheartedly. i dont want to just go to england for 3 days - if im goin to England I want to live there. thats how I am and thats how I work.
im almost 23. i cant wait for halloween. i find so much that when im teaching i wish i was sitting in the seat someone telling me what to do and what to think. sometimes i dont want to think for myself. sometimes i wish i didnt have to teach myself this language that i had a structured class like these kids. when the kids are acting like jerks i think to myself how lucky you are that i am teaching you. i would give anything to be in a structred class to leran your language.
im almost 23 and im proud of myself. i have these horrible classes as ive mentioned. im taking control. my co-teacher has let me get up there and do what I need to do. im up there and lmost shocked at how natural it has become for me to be in control. i dindt go to college for teaching but man i think i am doing a good job. i am up there wishing my friends and family from home could see me in action. i think theyd be shocked at how i control the class.
im almost 23 and i feel like no one knows me. my friends from home dont know the sara in japan and my friends in japan dont know the pre japan sara. i can only talk about what i was like and i can only tlell people from home about my experiences. i cant wait until my friends in japan know the sara that has become sara here and that my past experiences arent as prevalent in my life as they are now.
go Sabres - 8-0 - I hope this is going to be their year - even though it will be hard to be as excited from way over in Japan as opposed to sitting in the bars in Plattsburgh watching since the cable in the dorms don't carry the channel that plays the games. Go Sabres.
I had yet another wonderful weekend. This weekend was so enjoyable thanks to some of the wonderful folks in my English Conversation Class. I tell you - I am so grateful to experience actually living in Japan as opposed to traveling Japan. Thanks to living here - I get to see and do things that you wouldn't ever know about if only traveling. I did so many wonderful things on Saturday that you would never read about to do in a Lonely Planet nor really have the time to on a rushed schedule traveling the country.
A few weeks ago - the English Conversation Class coordinator - Sakurai - San asked Brian san and I to go to onsen(see link back where I explain onsen in earlier post). Of course - we said yes - but I had not anticipated how much more of Japan I would experience on Saturday! Sakurai - san also brought her husband, mother - in law and another woman from our class - all great people.
The onsen destination was Mount Kurikoma - where I went to last weekend. This mountain is a large range and covers three prefectures(states). We headed up a different way from last week. We were going through Akita - ken* - and I stayed in only Miyagi -ken last weekend. On the way there - we stopped at a place called Nuruyu Gobansho. It was a historic ruins museum basically. The building was 400 years old - and had many antiques inside. Our guides explained all the different items inside the building. I thought the inside was cool because of the structure. We were inside a 400 year old house with 400 year old kitchen Gods, ceramics, kitchen items, living room, etc. We got to go upstairs as well and see 400 year old looms and thread spinners. Outside of this building was a 400 year old Cherry Blossom Tree! I didn't bring my camera because I didn't realize we were going in. Gomen.
As we neared closer and closer to the mountain, we went through so many beautiful areas of Japan. Goodness, this country is just so beautiful. The natural beauty of it all - is breathtaking. So many cedars, so many mountains, valleys, unique nooks & cranny's of the landscape. I can't begin to put it into words.
As we started gaining elevation - the scenery just became more orange, red, and yellow from the autumnal color change that I was trying to see last week. I was taking it in the best I could - sometimes I think I could just get lost in an area like that - and not want to find my way back. We stopped at a rest stop to take some photos. Please see below! On Saturday, I also got to experience some of Akita prefecture's famous ice cream. It really isn't ice cream, per se - but more of like a sherbet. It tasted great - it also reminded me of something that I may have had in my past but I couldn't put my finger on it. It's a yellow and red color and quite sweet and soft.
We made one more stop before getting to the onsen - this time to view the onsen we would be going to from a distance and to see a nice lake. The temperate had dropped drastically and it was so cold now! The picture farthest down - if you look hard enough you can see the onsen we were about to head to. And then we reached the onsen! This onsen experience was more intimidating than the others one I had been to prior to this. The first two onsen I had experienced - well - it was basically my western friends & me - and then maybe one or two other women. At this particular onsen - there were much more women and I was the only foreigner. But when in Rome... The onsen really are relaxing and when everyone is naked - who cares? I think it's just such a different concept from most people from Western cultures. There is really nothing back home where you would walk around completely naked in front of complete strangers. Meghann and I discussed it today though - we think there should be. It' s such a healthy way for people to feel more comfortable with their body image. You become much more comfortable with the idea of your body - when you are walking around naked in front of others. Body image is such a huge deal with most women in America - and we think onsen could improve that. It's all environmental - and I hope that if you come visit me - you'd be all about going to an onsen and experiencing it.
Many Japanese people believe it is very good for your health and skin as well. This onsen was beautifully located - situated in the mountains. Sulfuric smelling again -reminding me of New Zealand. We chatted in the outdoor onsen where we got to intake the views of Kurikoma Quasi - National Park. Including the second highest mountain in Northern Japan. I explained to them about "pruny hands" which was funny. They said they had "pruny faces." Haha. Of course - they don't. People in Japan generally have wonderful skin. Women in America look much older and have many more wrinkles than their same aged counterparts in Japan. Maybe - onsen really are wonderful for your skin =)
Feeling wonderfully relaxed we met back up with Brian san and Mr. Sakurai San and we all went to get some lunch downstairs. Lunch was delicious - I had some pasta and it had very tasty sauce.
Following lunch we headed only a few minutes up the street where we entered Iwate Ken.
See the picture to the right. The sign letting us know we are entering the prefecture. The picures on the sign are great - mountains and onsen! We stopped here so they could show us some more outdoor onsen and some of the beauty of this area.
Above: Just a shot from the area we stopped at.
To the left - these people are stopping to dip their feet into the onsen. Very cool. These are the types of stops we made - that you would never know to do from a Lonely Planet book! Then below is where the cool air meets the hot onsen creating a lot of steam!
Following that little pitstop - we kept driving and driving through more of the beautiful mountain range until we reached a gorge. This gorge is called the Geinbikei Gorge.It was a fun stop - got to see the gorge but also this really cool restaurant. This area is famous the for the Dango. According to Wikipedia, a Dango is...Dango (団子,Dango?) is a Japanesedumpling made from mochiko (rice flour), related to mochi. It is sticky and filling. Then they put like a sauce like substance over it. Well up and over the gorge there is this one restaurant that is famous for selling them and they have a most unique way of doing that! Basically - the restaurant sends down a basket to this little picnic area where people can order and get drunks from then. After finishing - they place the dirty items back into the basket - to be brought back up to the restaurant. It was really cool and a unique way to do business - kudos from me - the Marketing major. See the picture below of the basket experience and of the beautiful gorge!
To the left is our English Conversation class members! Well - we had originally wanted to do the basket dango experience - but the restaurant was hanging a red flag which means they are sold out. Since - it was sold out we went to another restaurant to have some. I have tried the Dango once or twice in the past. I have in the past tried the GOMA or Sesame flavor sauce. I liked it but I want to try as many things as possible here. I tried the wal-nut kind on Saturday and I loved it! I also tried Brian's soy sauce flavored one - but I didn't really care for his.
After the dango/gorge place in Iwate - we started heading back. I loved every minute of it - from ancient ruins, to spending time with the women from my class, to ineffable scenery, to steamy onsens, inside and out, a delicious lunch, dangos and gorges. Certainly a day I won't forget.
I got home and headed to bed quite early since I had my 10km race today. Today was such a blast! Meghann and I have been anticipating this day but I don't think either of us expected to have as much fun as we did. In Japan, there is this saying "Gombatte". It literally means "try your best". But - it's a phrase that we hear nearly daily in all and everything we do. It's just a part of the culture - but we find it funny that we just hear it so much. We parked our car at the ALT apartment building in Ishinomaki and were walking to the race to register our numbers.
I am going to try to explain this as best as possible - but I think it's one of those things that a reader can't really understand unless they have themselves lived in Japan and experienced the incessant use of "gombatte, ne". Meghann was expressing to me how she believes we will just hear that phrase over and over - and how funny it will be. Of course - we were giggling about it, when sure enough a man in the street stopped us - and asked if we were going to run. We told him yes and the next thing he says to us is "Gombatte, ne!" Where we agreed with him and then turned around and just started cracking up. It was certainly just the most perfect timing for him to say that. We were still laughing about it a few minutes later, when he drove by us and yelled it out his window again. It was such a wonderful start of our day.
We registered ourselves and then headed back to the car because we still had nearly two hours before it was our time to run and it was freeeezing this morning. We sat in the car and looked at our goody bag - a free sports drink, towel, food ticket, and the race program. We really didn't know what we were doing - I mean we didn't know where the race started, ended, etc. After spending some time in the car - we headed back to the race start area where we watched the opening ceremony. I was on the look out for the man who told me about the race from conversation class named Mitsuhiro san. Finally - he spotted me and I spotted him. I love this man - I really do. He is so happy and full of energy and friendly. He is just such a lovely person. He doesn't speak much English but I fully enjoy his company. I introduced him to Meghann and he brought us over to introduce us to his friends. We met them all and chatted small talk. Mitsuhiro explained the route to me a bit more and I was fully aware of it. Then it was getting a bit closer to the race so we went our own way to warm up. We warmed up - figured out the signs for where the ten kilometer women over age 18 went to . And thank goodness because shortly after we were being led to the beginning of the start. I was standing between Mitsuhiro and Meghann.
We saw some of the people who work at our top Board of Education who we rarely see. They were all very friendly and happy to see us partaking in the Ishinomaki Seaside Marathon - 20th anniversary. They were all very suprised to find out we were running in the 10km as well.
I was really nervous to run this 10km because when training - my feet go numb and it's been a big problem. I was really scared I was going to have to stop half way through and walk a bit until I got feeling back in my feet. I have tried all sorts of things that people have suggested to me - none of which worked. So - I went out there kind of laughing.
It was quite funny because Meghann and I just felt so unprepared to run - these people were hardcore runners - matching track suits, seriously short shorts and running get up. I was running in my old soccer shorts from like 12th grade, and this old tye dye that I have no idea where I even bought with long underwear underneath. Meghann - really in the same idea of clothes. The gun goes, and we start. We were in the front of the pack, but within seconds we were in the back of the pack. We laughed - we were seriously going to be dead last .
It was such a lovely run with Meghann. It was also great - there were surpisingly a lot of people on the sidelines - gombatte, neing us the whole way. We chatted probably for the first 30 minutes. We were really a team - just out there - being in the community - getting in some good exercise along the water. The route was a lovely run, right next to the pacific ocean. Got to see some parts of Ishinomaki that I had not seen yet. Of course - my feet had hurt - but I said screw you feet! I am finishing this!
Basically - what happens is my left foot goes numb - it starts tingling and eventually loses all feeling. It basically feels like what your arm or hand feels like if it falls asleep. You know that tingly feeling? Well - I guess I just need to run it out because after some time - it started feeling a little bit better. It kind of left my left foot and balances out to be uncomfortable in my right foot as well. Either way - it was uncomfortable but I pushed myself. Really - towards the end of the race, all those gombatte's being screamed to us were really helpful. It wasn't until the end where Meghann and I separated. I was feeling really awesome - and just had to go - and I didn't think she would mind so much (cause Meg - you're awesome). Well, I turned the corner and I thought that was the last leg - so I gave it all I could. I was running, sprinting, doing my best. I turned the corner and damn it - I wasn't on the last leg. So, I gave my oomph too early - ha! No worries - I still finished!!!!
We didn't know what our times were or anything. Mitsuhiro came over to congratulate us. He himself had placed third! He's a great runner, apparently! He did it in around 42 minutes I think he said! Awesome! We went over to get some water and stretch - when our big top, head Superintendent man came over to talk to us, named Abe. Abe asked us how we did and we said we weren't sure because there was no clock. He took us over to this one tent where we got our times. I ran it in 55 minutes and 56 seconds and Meg finished less than twenty seconds less than me.
It turns out I placed in sixth place. Abe explained to me that I was getting an award! It was actually quite funny - because I figured it would take me an hour and a half to finish the race and that I'd be in dead last place. Here I am standing there - with an awesome time (in my opinion, not that I know if that is good or not), and placed 6th. Then, we ran into our Supervisor - Yamada Sensei where he congratulated us. (Talk about good public relations for the JET programme, ne?). Mitsuhiro came over as well and gave both Meghann and I gifts. I tell you - Japanese people are the most giving people in this world. He was just so happy for us and so proud of us. Then, while in this circle - Abe comes back and says the newspaper wants to interview Meghann and I.
Apparently, Meg and I are the first ALT's ever to run in the Ishinomaki SeaSide Race. The man comes over, and asks us the same questions and we answer. He asked why I ran and I explained that Mitsuhiro told me about the race and since this is something I like to do at home - I wanted to do it in Japan as well and be a part of the community. He asked what i liked most about the race - and I told him I loved running alongside the ocean and how the community was cheering me on the whole way. I don't remember what else he asked but I think there was one more question. Miss feminist Meghann got in her words about more women need to run in both Japan and America. Haha. I love you, Meg =). He took a "candid" shot of us and took our countries and where we are living now. So - I'll probably be in the paper tomorrow - I hope I get a copy of it. I love it. I absolutely love this country.
The free food for runners was miso soup - which seems silly to us because it is so salty and hot for after a race. It was really delicious though. Mitsuhiro shared with us his onigiri and some fruit and drinks. We had lunch together and then it was the awards ceremony. I got to go stand up since I placed 6th. I won a bunch of sashimi or raw fish. Actually quite funny but sensible since I'm in Japan and running a seaside marathon. I plan on bringing it to school tomorrow to give to my school as a gift for helping me with so much. Good public relations, yet again. I
After the race, Meg and I were just so pumped and in such a great mood. We plan on signing up for another mini marathon that is held the first week of December. It's not 1okm but we had so much fun with this one - we are just avid on doing more. Mitsuhiro I am sure will continue to inform me of more races. He took pictures for me - so hopefully he'll send them to me so I can post them up here.
On the walk back to the car - a man started speaking English to us which was quite interesting. Turns out he lives right near me here in Monou. But - I think he got kind of freaked out when we started asking him his age, if he has kids and things like that. Typical questions in America for a meet and greet but in Japan - some questions aren't totally okay to ask - your first time meeting someone. We then met Katie and Akira for lunch.
What a lovely day! I came home and did some more cleaning. My house is always a mess - if it's clean - it's because I have too much time on my hands =) Just like my dorm room haha.
That was my weekend. As always to see more pictures from my trip - click on the link to the right and look this week for photos named Kurikoma Part two. And I just got the pics from the race in - look for them under Ishinomaki SeaSide Marathon.
I would have taken more photos but my camera died. Atleast you get an idea! YAY for this park! YAY YAY YAY!
