I feel the healthiest I have ever been in Japan. And I see people dropping around me. (I hope this is not going to prompt anything …). People do live a healthy life here, what with the food they eat, and the exercise that they do. It has certainly had beneficial effects for me as I feel great.
Though I am noticing the arrival of the autumn chill is bringing colds to the masses here. The number of face masks I see in the streets is becoming increasingly common. It is strange to think how some aspects of life can be so normal, so, mundane, so everyday, in one country. And yet, in another country such a habit would be seen to be completely bizarre. I just cannot imagine any English person wearing a face mask in the street. But, yet, thinking about it objectively it makes so much sense! Such a simple method to stop germs spreading is I am sure, one of the most effective.
Of course people get ill in Japan. And although they have a very good method to reduce their catching of a germ – once they`ve got it, in my view, they`re going about it in a bloody stupid way to get rid of it.
The Japanese working culture – the underlying basis of so many of the cultural differences between Japan, and EVERYWHERE else, is once again the reason. People who are ill in Japan struggle into work. No matter how ill they are. Well obviously not if they`re on their deathbed. But I`ve seen teachers turn up for school definitely looking a little green, weak and in general not fit for work. How they thought that they could work effectively is beyond me. But, again, perhaps that is not the point. The point is to show your face, show your dedication to the group despite feeling so bad. It must look good. Though not resting ain`t going to do anything to speed your recovery. Watanabe-sensei turned up to work in a bad state yesterday. But, I could tell he did have a sort of respect from the other teachers from making it to the office.
Watanabe-sensei is one of the good guys. He is a genki teacher. He runs the basketball team with a lot of dedication and enthusiasm. He sacrifices a lot of his out-of-school time for them. He takes his 20 day holiday to go to the hospital (I was told he had taken nenkyu. I was about to ask where he was going on holiday. Later I found out he had used it for going to the hospital! Typical Japanese that!)
This dedication to the team, company, community must have such a strong pulling factor on the Japanese that I can`t even comprehend the scale. It makes people work so hard. So late. However, they feel. Am I a weaker human than them for looking after my personal interests and feelings? I feel like it sometimes. But, maybe I am staying more healthy my way, looking after myself. I like to think I am.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Monday, 20 October 2008
Into the Inaka
The Inaka is the countryside of Japan - rural Japan. It exists all over the country in the mountainous interior I expect. But also definitely present in Ibaraki - outside of the main towns. Most of Ibaraki lies upon the flat Kanto plain so unlike those interior prefectures Ibaraki`s inaka landscape is the rice fields - many, many, many rice fields stretching across the land. I had not appreciated this aspect of Ibaraki existed at all at first. On finding out I would be living in Hitachi I assumed all of Ibaraki to be much of the same - urban areas of industrial development maerging into each other to cover the whole prefectural area. (As it goes Hitachi is a much nicer town than just an area of industry - although lacking in a significant town centre which is my particular little gripe).
But, Hitachi isn`t the norm here - Hitachi is one of the few big urban centres, like Mito and Tskuba. Much of Ibaraki is small towns, smaller towns - and TINY, insignificant little habitations (if that is even a word).
And JETs get placed in places like this. I feel incredulous to imagine this, particularly after my visit to the Inaka this weekend.
Daigo is a town in northwest Ibaraki. Fukuroda (town?) is nearby. It is hard to work out what counts as separate settlements in Japan as things tend to be rather spread. The North West of this prefecture is lovely. In the mountains, which are beautiful to see, with the leaves just beginning to turn different into their varying colours of red and orange and brown. Just lovely. But, to live here Would. Be. Damn. Hard. Typically, in these small towns only one JET is placed. So, for starters there are no foreigners friends here to introduce to the town and their life. Secondly, the youth of 21 + age tends to leave these types of areas as whenever they can. I hear the Ibaraki JETs from these towns often complain that the population of their town is only young children and the elderly. So, even if you can speak Japanese it would seem to be a near impossible task to make any friends of your own age. So, it might be that you become reliant on the other JETs elsewhere in Ibaraki for a social life/ sanity maintenance through human interaction. But, then there is the issue of transport. These inaka towns have bad transport connections. Infrequent trains, the last train which stops at 8 o`clock in the evening. And that`s even if you have a train station. JETs live in towns which don`t. I honestly don`t know how these people are staying sane. I certainly feel very lucky to be placed in Hitachi considering that I could have been rural.
Aspiring JETs do not think about these realities when applying. With a view of rural Japan as living in a Japanese styled house atop of a mountain perhaps with a stream running down, and a temple next door. What a fairytale. And how lucky I was that I did not request a rural placement. (Though nor did Daigo-based Tina who had asked for city. JET is pot-luck, in every aspect).
To live in the Inaka is certainly a different experience from the one I am having. And perhaps it is one of those where the rewards and positive aspects of living in the place come much later on in the year – through the slow development of relationships with the people in your town. I have heard from an ALT living in a small community that she is looked after by everybody in her town – because obviously everybody knows her. So, that may be a positive. (But even I stand out in my big town!).
But it`s the day to day aspect which is problematic for me. To not be able to go out with friends because you cannot go home after 7 pm. To have no supermarket in your town. (Tina eats from the combini everyday). To have no restaurants in your town. (When we visited Daigo we were looking for a restaurant to eat at 7.30 pm. My mouth dropped open in shock to hear the man say that it would be difficult to find a restaurant open at THIS time of night!!). It is like a different world, the countryside of Japan – is English countryside as remote, and out-there as this?? I`m not so sure.
We were starving, and after driving around in car full of hungry JETs I was thinking that the combini was our only option. There was a the whole issue of the last train to contend with so some people didn`t get any supper that night. For, those of us who were staying in the hotel we did eventually find one open okonomiyake restaurant. Of course, full of people (being the only one open in the town at this late hour of 8pm). Thwarted, we were there, because too many of us, and they couldn’t possibly deal with us as it was just TOO LATE.
Evetually we did find a place. Moody and hungry we crowded in and eventually got fed. I was certainly frustrated with the Inaka life. Lovely to visit, beautiful mountains, fantastic onsen, waterfall. But, what a nightmare to live there!! I was happy to come back to my less pretty, urban, industrial, sprawling town.
But, Hitachi isn`t the norm here - Hitachi is one of the few big urban centres, like Mito and Tskuba. Much of Ibaraki is small towns, smaller towns - and TINY, insignificant little habitations (if that is even a word).
And JETs get placed in places like this. I feel incredulous to imagine this, particularly after my visit to the Inaka this weekend.
Daigo is a town in northwest Ibaraki. Fukuroda (town?) is nearby. It is hard to work out what counts as separate settlements in Japan as things tend to be rather spread. The North West of this prefecture is lovely. In the mountains, which are beautiful to see, with the leaves just beginning to turn different into their varying colours of red and orange and brown. Just lovely. But, to live here Would. Be. Damn. Hard. Typically, in these small towns only one JET is placed. So, for starters there are no foreigners friends here to introduce to the town and their life. Secondly, the youth of 21 + age tends to leave these types of areas as whenever they can. I hear the Ibaraki JETs from these towns often complain that the population of their town is only young children and the elderly. So, even if you can speak Japanese it would seem to be a near impossible task to make any friends of your own age. So, it might be that you become reliant on the other JETs elsewhere in Ibaraki for a social life/ sanity maintenance through human interaction. But, then there is the issue of transport. These inaka towns have bad transport connections. Infrequent trains, the last train which stops at 8 o`clock in the evening. And that`s even if you have a train station. JETs live in towns which don`t. I honestly don`t know how these people are staying sane. I certainly feel very lucky to be placed in Hitachi considering that I could have been rural.
Aspiring JETs do not think about these realities when applying. With a view of rural Japan as living in a Japanese styled house atop of a mountain perhaps with a stream running down, and a temple next door. What a fairytale. And how lucky I was that I did not request a rural placement. (Though nor did Daigo-based Tina who had asked for city. JET is pot-luck, in every aspect).
To live in the Inaka is certainly a different experience from the one I am having. And perhaps it is one of those where the rewards and positive aspects of living in the place come much later on in the year – through the slow development of relationships with the people in your town. I have heard from an ALT living in a small community that she is looked after by everybody in her town – because obviously everybody knows her. So, that may be a positive. (But even I stand out in my big town!).
But it`s the day to day aspect which is problematic for me. To not be able to go out with friends because you cannot go home after 7 pm. To have no supermarket in your town. (Tina eats from the combini everyday). To have no restaurants in your town. (When we visited Daigo we were looking for a restaurant to eat at 7.30 pm. My mouth dropped open in shock to hear the man say that it would be difficult to find a restaurant open at THIS time of night!!). It is like a different world, the countryside of Japan – is English countryside as remote, and out-there as this?? I`m not so sure.
We were starving, and after driving around in car full of hungry JETs I was thinking that the combini was our only option. There was a the whole issue of the last train to contend with so some people didn`t get any supper that night. For, those of us who were staying in the hotel we did eventually find one open okonomiyake restaurant. Of course, full of people (being the only one open in the town at this late hour of 8pm). Thwarted, we were there, because too many of us, and they couldn’t possibly deal with us as it was just TOO LATE.
Evetually we did find a place. Moody and hungry we crowded in and eventually got fed. I was certainly frustrated with the Inaka life. Lovely to visit, beautiful mountains, fantastic onsen, waterfall. But, what a nightmare to live there!! I was happy to come back to my less pretty, urban, industrial, sprawling town.
Pickin` Fruit
People do take time off here though (on the national holidays - because that`s the only legitimate way of taking a holiday without appearing weak/ not working for the team/ whatever on earth the reason is that Japanese people never take all of their allotted holiday time).
No, of course not only then, I am (slightly) exaggerating.
And the funny little activities I have done here are worth writing about because it`s not a standard thing to go and pick fruit in autumn - yet I have done it twice in nearly as many weeks!!
It`s a NICE experience. The best word for it. You go along (to an out-of-town establishment), everything is very gentle and friendly. You pay your money, you walk a few steps, and their you are, amoung the fruit trees. Nothing to hardcore, or too over exerting (because remember, this is a fun activity so everything is very safe, signposted and near). I go fruit picking when people have suggested it because I like to walk around in a bit of greenery for once in a while and feel the grass under my feet (a rare lost experience in the Japanese summer I have experienced).
Of course, you have to pay for this fun experience. Of course you do, to enter, and then you pay for what you pick.
Fruit is at a premium in Japan (and vegetables for that matter). It`s so expensive. And definitely makes you appreciate it MUCH more. I would never dream of letting an apple go bad. It is a real treat for me to have an apple in Japan and I savour it definitely. I think they must be a lot sweeter in Japan.
And the nashi pears, - well, they`re in a league of their own. These pears cost upwards of 1 pound fifty EACH. Definitely for special occassions only. If you ate 5 fruit and veg a day you`d be bankrupt in Japan, I`m sure.
No, of course not only then, I am (slightly) exaggerating.
And the funny little activities I have done here are worth writing about because it`s not a standard thing to go and pick fruit in autumn - yet I have done it twice in nearly as many weeks!!
It`s a NICE experience. The best word for it. You go along (to an out-of-town establishment), everything is very gentle and friendly. You pay your money, you walk a few steps, and their you are, amoung the fruit trees. Nothing to hardcore, or too over exerting (because remember, this is a fun activity so everything is very safe, signposted and near). I go fruit picking when people have suggested it because I like to walk around in a bit of greenery for once in a while and feel the grass under my feet (a rare lost experience in the Japanese summer I have experienced).
Of course, you have to pay for this fun experience. Of course you do, to enter, and then you pay for what you pick.
Fruit is at a premium in Japan (and vegetables for that matter). It`s so expensive. And definitely makes you appreciate it MUCH more. I would never dream of letting an apple go bad. It is a real treat for me to have an apple in Japan and I savour it definitely. I think they must be a lot sweeter in Japan.
And the nashi pears, - well, they`re in a league of their own. These pears cost upwards of 1 pound fifty EACH. Definitely for special occassions only. If you ate 5 fruit and veg a day you`d be bankrupt in Japan, I`m sure.
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Leisure
It`s interesting to think about the recognized enjoyable activities to do in Japan.
Enjoyable activities have to be obviously enjoyable in Japan. It`s something I notice again and again. It`s something that frustrates me at times, but now I am feeling mild about it and I`ll just describe it.
I have a theory as to why aswell: In Japan everybody works hard, hard, hard. Five days a week, 6 days a week, 7 days a week from early in the morning to late into the evening. So, of course when they`re not working, they really have to be “not working”. They have to be doing something obviously fun. They have to be told that their having fun, by doing a recognized “fun activity”. It`s like a world of extremes. The office enkai is an example. Getting drunk is needed – it has to be extreme. The fun can`t be mild. Because the work is not mild. The work is extreme. (Of course people like to get drunk all over the world). Why the extremes? Why can`t you have a working day where you have time for a balance. Where, for example, you have time to do an activity you enjoy on a regular basis for example.
The leisure time of the Japanese takes up so much of my thinking time as I try to understand how it is like it is. I love being in parks as part of my leisure time, and Japanese parks are instantly interesting to me aswell. In Japan, in my experience, it is rare that I have come across just a park. There is always an amusement park attached to it (and a zoo in the case of Hitachi Kamine park). Why is this? Because just a park, that you can walk around in, is just not obviously fun enough.
Japanese is so full of contrasts however. Many people have the view of the zen Buddhist gardens of Japan. And this is an aspect of Japan that does exist. There are beautiful Japanese gardens. (Though I haven`t actually been to one yet – though I`m convinced they do exist – they must!).
There must be that contemplatative side of the Japanese people somewhere: where they can appreciate their surroundings quietly, and enjoy it. Afterall, I think the Zen Buddhist tradition with all the meditative customs that come with that originated here in Japan.
But, this side of Japanese society it is not obviously present. And it is not something that I have seen in my time here. In my experience to visit an old temple is a purely superficial experience. Everybody traipses along the designated tourist route to see the sights of the day – whatever they maybe. – a temple building, a garden, a waterfall, a mountain, a garden. They look like commuters. All in a line. There is no spontaneity, there is no extra interest. To me, it seems like they visit these places because they know that this is an enjoyable thing to do. They walk to the designated viewing platform for the subject today – and photograph it. They don`t experience it. They don`t have time. After the photo they move on, following the line of people along the special route, to the next object of interest.
Of course, this aspect of tourism does exist everywhere, and I hate it everywhere. But, it`s striking to me here.
Where is the deeper meaning for the Japanese people in their lives? Is it their family? If it is, they have a strange way of showing it in my view, because they don`t hardly spend any time with their family because they`re at work all the bloody time!!
So perhaps it is their work. Perhaps working towards the common goal of their company is the aspect of their lives with the most meaning to them.
How people spend their leisure does have some kind of reflection on what people value their lives and perhaps the fact that Japanese people take such few holidays away from work, for this leisure time is the most notable fact here!
Enjoyable activities have to be obviously enjoyable in Japan. It`s something I notice again and again. It`s something that frustrates me at times, but now I am feeling mild about it and I`ll just describe it.
I have a theory as to why aswell: In Japan everybody works hard, hard, hard. Five days a week, 6 days a week, 7 days a week from early in the morning to late into the evening. So, of course when they`re not working, they really have to be “not working”. They have to be doing something obviously fun. They have to be told that their having fun, by doing a recognized “fun activity”. It`s like a world of extremes. The office enkai is an example. Getting drunk is needed – it has to be extreme. The fun can`t be mild. Because the work is not mild. The work is extreme. (Of course people like to get drunk all over the world). Why the extremes? Why can`t you have a working day where you have time for a balance. Where, for example, you have time to do an activity you enjoy on a regular basis for example.
The leisure time of the Japanese takes up so much of my thinking time as I try to understand how it is like it is. I love being in parks as part of my leisure time, and Japanese parks are instantly interesting to me aswell. In Japan, in my experience, it is rare that I have come across just a park. There is always an amusement park attached to it (and a zoo in the case of Hitachi Kamine park). Why is this? Because just a park, that you can walk around in, is just not obviously fun enough.
Japanese is so full of contrasts however. Many people have the view of the zen Buddhist gardens of Japan. And this is an aspect of Japan that does exist. There are beautiful Japanese gardens. (Though I haven`t actually been to one yet – though I`m convinced they do exist – they must!).
There must be that contemplatative side of the Japanese people somewhere: where they can appreciate their surroundings quietly, and enjoy it. Afterall, I think the Zen Buddhist tradition with all the meditative customs that come with that originated here in Japan.
But, this side of Japanese society it is not obviously present. And it is not something that I have seen in my time here. In my experience to visit an old temple is a purely superficial experience. Everybody traipses along the designated tourist route to see the sights of the day – whatever they maybe. – a temple building, a garden, a waterfall, a mountain, a garden. They look like commuters. All in a line. There is no spontaneity, there is no extra interest. To me, it seems like they visit these places because they know that this is an enjoyable thing to do. They walk to the designated viewing platform for the subject today – and photograph it. They don`t experience it. They don`t have time. After the photo they move on, following the line of people along the special route, to the next object of interest.
Of course, this aspect of tourism does exist everywhere, and I hate it everywhere. But, it`s striking to me here.
Where is the deeper meaning for the Japanese people in their lives? Is it their family? If it is, they have a strange way of showing it in my view, because they don`t hardly spend any time with their family because they`re at work all the bloody time!!
So perhaps it is their work. Perhaps working towards the common goal of their company is the aspect of their lives with the most meaning to them.
How people spend their leisure does have some kind of reflection on what people value their lives and perhaps the fact that Japanese people take such few holidays away from work, for this leisure time is the most notable fact here!
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Culture Vulture
One of the greatest aspects to living in a culture like Japan – where there are so many big differences, so many subtle differences, things that are unexpectedly similar, and so many things that I`m sure I will NEVER understand completely, is that I feel every day I am understanding more about the Japanese people and the complexities of this culture on an increasingly deep level.
I`m sure this is inevitable, as the result of simply just living in another country but I still find it amazing to feel it happen. Of course, this understanding is helped wildly much by talking to my J.T.Es openly about what I find weird - (having JTEs with whom I can chat so openly WITH, massively helps too!), talking to my Japanese friends and also other international people who have lived here longer than me.
I really knew nothing when I came here. Only the tourist stereotypes of this country. And the tourists know NOTHING.
The sense of building community, the group spirit, the team spirit is HUGELY important here. I had read about this aspect of asian culture before I came – the needs of the group being more important that those of the individual. But, of course you never truly understand something like this unless you live and work in that culture. Why do the Japanese work such ridiculous hours? It is to be part of the group. Spending such a long time with your work collegues inevitably means that you bond with them. And that`s a good thing – to be working together for the good of your company/ organization. The sense of good community in Taga`s staffroom is certainly something that I feel. When everybody stays late after their contracted hours to do so, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed in this room. When everybody is aware that everybody else stays to help, it is a significant thing. It is a very significant thing to know that you and your work collegues together are making an effort by staying late to make your cause/ your company better. And I can understand that. (Though not to such an extent that I am willing to do it myself!! And perhaps that`s the most significant point here, me with my individualist western ways…).
People need time to bond – and this does happen as a result of this work practice. I`ll be very interested to know what it is like to work in an English workplace when I return to England.
Is that bond really worth what they sacrifice? though is of course, the important question.
I`m sure this is inevitable, as the result of simply just living in another country but I still find it amazing to feel it happen. Of course, this understanding is helped wildly much by talking to my J.T.Es openly about what I find weird - (having JTEs with whom I can chat so openly WITH, massively helps too!), talking to my Japanese friends and also other international people who have lived here longer than me.
I really knew nothing when I came here. Only the tourist stereotypes of this country. And the tourists know NOTHING.
The sense of building community, the group spirit, the team spirit is HUGELY important here. I had read about this aspect of asian culture before I came – the needs of the group being more important that those of the individual. But, of course you never truly understand something like this unless you live and work in that culture. Why do the Japanese work such ridiculous hours? It is to be part of the group. Spending such a long time with your work collegues inevitably means that you bond with them. And that`s a good thing – to be working together for the good of your company/ organization. The sense of good community in Taga`s staffroom is certainly something that I feel. When everybody stays late after their contracted hours to do so, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed in this room. When everybody is aware that everybody else stays to help, it is a significant thing. It is a very significant thing to know that you and your work collegues together are making an effort by staying late to make your cause/ your company better. And I can understand that. (Though not to such an extent that I am willing to do it myself!! And perhaps that`s the most significant point here, me with my individualist western ways…).
People need time to bond – and this does happen as a result of this work practice. I`ll be very interested to know what it is like to work in an English workplace when I return to England.
Is that bond really worth what they sacrifice? though is of course, the important question.
My Community
I am having a fantastic time in Japan all in all.
Going, on your own, to live in a foreign country is meant to be hard. Going to live in a foreign country where you can only speak 3 words of the local language, where the language is COMPLETELY unrelated to your own, where you cannot read the script, by rights ought to make the experience that I am having near impossible, and well, a downright awful. Sitting in my flat in a pit of misunderstanding, unable to communicate with other human beings (the most significant aspect of my life I think). And it could have been that my time in Japan WAS like this.
But, it`s not. And the reason is a social group. I arrived in Hitachi to find two other JETs in my town. One of these JETs had been living here for two years previously and therefore has a group of friends here, and I think that base fact, has made the biggest difference to my experience in Japan.
Being here for such a time enables you to really become part of the community. The community of internationals is of course an important primary group of people for any foreigner in Japan. Principally because there aren`t many of you! You stare at each other in the street because you are so shocked to see a non-Asian face. Your job is also a likely source of common ground between you because I think it is fair to say that most foreigners I`ve encountered are English teachers – or at least used to be English teachers. So, on arriving in Hitachi I easily became part of the gaijin crowd here. We go out for meals. Certain restaurants here are well-known popular gaijin haunts, and we become regulars. It`s a nice feeling, ALREADY, to be able to go to the places – with people who are such great friends with owners. The sense of community I have by being here is the greatest, most unexpected aspect of my life here as a foreigner in Japan, but, definitely the best thing. The community which surrounds the Gyouza bar is wicked. The owners are extensive (size-wise!) Japanese men who obviously love to eat Gyouza! Every so often they have parties – complete with LOTS of food, and LOTS of drink. When I first arrived they had a beach party. And coming up is the camping party in NW Ibaraki.
But, equally and perhaps more important than the international community here is the Japanese part of our group. When we go out we are typically half and half Japanese and foreigners. Some of the Japanese people learn English with one of the English teachers who has been out here for 10 years now, so I feel very lucky that I can communicate with people like Maya and Tomoko who are FANTASTIC.
It was great to get to know some of the girls as I had been feeling slightly male dominated. But, Tomoko and I tried flamenco classes together, and now Maya and I do Yoga together every week. It is so good to go with a friend – and more than I ever expected for my first months here.
Yesterday evening we went to Yoga, and then Maya had suggested we went to eat at a café that she knew. It was a wicked little place. Right on the ocean-front with the waves crashing very loudly next to us. And tiny inside. Full, though. With people informally playing live guitar music and singing – Japanese songs, and then for my benefit – the Beatles. We all joined in, there were instruments for everyone - I had such a great evening – with this chilled out bunch of Japanese people – in a tiny café in the dark, by the ocean. SO, SO, COOL.
Going, on your own, to live in a foreign country is meant to be hard. Going to live in a foreign country where you can only speak 3 words of the local language, where the language is COMPLETELY unrelated to your own, where you cannot read the script, by rights ought to make the experience that I am having near impossible, and well, a downright awful. Sitting in my flat in a pit of misunderstanding, unable to communicate with other human beings (the most significant aspect of my life I think). And it could have been that my time in Japan WAS like this.
But, it`s not. And the reason is a social group. I arrived in Hitachi to find two other JETs in my town. One of these JETs had been living here for two years previously and therefore has a group of friends here, and I think that base fact, has made the biggest difference to my experience in Japan.
Being here for such a time enables you to really become part of the community. The community of internationals is of course an important primary group of people for any foreigner in Japan. Principally because there aren`t many of you! You stare at each other in the street because you are so shocked to see a non-Asian face. Your job is also a likely source of common ground between you because I think it is fair to say that most foreigners I`ve encountered are English teachers – or at least used to be English teachers. So, on arriving in Hitachi I easily became part of the gaijin crowd here. We go out for meals. Certain restaurants here are well-known popular gaijin haunts, and we become regulars. It`s a nice feeling, ALREADY, to be able to go to the places – with people who are such great friends with owners. The sense of community I have by being here is the greatest, most unexpected aspect of my life here as a foreigner in Japan, but, definitely the best thing. The community which surrounds the Gyouza bar is wicked. The owners are extensive (size-wise!) Japanese men who obviously love to eat Gyouza! Every so often they have parties – complete with LOTS of food, and LOTS of drink. When I first arrived they had a beach party. And coming up is the camping party in NW Ibaraki.
But, equally and perhaps more important than the international community here is the Japanese part of our group. When we go out we are typically half and half Japanese and foreigners. Some of the Japanese people learn English with one of the English teachers who has been out here for 10 years now, so I feel very lucky that I can communicate with people like Maya and Tomoko who are FANTASTIC.
It was great to get to know some of the girls as I had been feeling slightly male dominated. But, Tomoko and I tried flamenco classes together, and now Maya and I do Yoga together every week. It is so good to go with a friend – and more than I ever expected for my first months here.
Yesterday evening we went to Yoga, and then Maya had suggested we went to eat at a café that she knew. It was a wicked little place. Right on the ocean-front with the waves crashing very loudly next to us. And tiny inside. Full, though. With people informally playing live guitar music and singing – Japanese songs, and then for my benefit – the Beatles. We all joined in, there were instruments for everyone - I had such a great evening – with this chilled out bunch of Japanese people – in a tiny café in the dark, by the ocean. SO, SO, COOL.
Natural Disasters in Japan
Japan is obviously known for it`s natural disasters but it does surprise me the differing levels of seriousness with which they take happenings/ impending happenings.
Haven`t experienced many earthquakes in recent weeks, but there was a few in my first month here. Of course I remember the first one. I was sitting in the audience of an awards ceremony at a speech contest. It happened. A significant rumble. But, nobody even flinched! Or looked around, or anything!
Typhoons are a different story. They are forecast, and of course 99.99% of the population that live in this country CAN understand Japanese (…that would make sense …) and can therefore prepare for such an event when they hear the forecast. I tend to get told by my teachers at school on the morning of the day it is due to make landfall near Hitachi.
Hey-ho. So far, I have been told of two impending typhoon arrivals however both changed direction and headed back off into the Pacific I assume, because they certainly didn`t reach me! So, I acknowledge that I haven`t yet experienced the full force of a typhoon. However, it does seem that they are perhaps a LITTLE O.T.T. about typhoons. I planned to visit Nikko the day a typhoon was due. My teachers were completely taken aback in shock, that I was not planning to lock myself in my apartment and bring in extra food supplies to ride out the storm. Many other ALTs were put off going to Nikko because of a similar reaction from all of their teachers.
As it goes, I went anyway. And had a fantastic day. The typhoon made a gracious exit from the Japanese mainland, took a bow and a turn, and swept off into the Pacific. Leaving Nikko marvellous weather I might add.
Haven`t experienced many earthquakes in recent weeks, but there was a few in my first month here. Of course I remember the first one. I was sitting in the audience of an awards ceremony at a speech contest. It happened. A significant rumble. But, nobody even flinched! Or looked around, or anything!
Typhoons are a different story. They are forecast, and of course 99.99% of the population that live in this country CAN understand Japanese (…that would make sense …) and can therefore prepare for such an event when they hear the forecast. I tend to get told by my teachers at school on the morning of the day it is due to make landfall near Hitachi.
Hey-ho. So far, I have been told of two impending typhoon arrivals however both changed direction and headed back off into the Pacific I assume, because they certainly didn`t reach me! So, I acknowledge that I haven`t yet experienced the full force of a typhoon. However, it does seem that they are perhaps a LITTLE O.T.T. about typhoons. I planned to visit Nikko the day a typhoon was due. My teachers were completely taken aback in shock, that I was not planning to lock myself in my apartment and bring in extra food supplies to ride out the storm. Many other ALTs were put off going to Nikko because of a similar reaction from all of their teachers.
As it goes, I went anyway. And had a fantastic day. The typhoon made a gracious exit from the Japanese mainland, took a bow and a turn, and swept off into the Pacific. Leaving Nikko marvellous weather I might add.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)