R U Still There?

Ok, so I know I haven't made a real post for quite a while so here goes...

After Christmas things were pretty quiet. Mostly, I've just been hanging out with friends here and exploring Fukushima's izakaya (bars). We've had a couple of parties with all the NOVA teachers and staff which have been pretty great. One of which was a costume party which I will post about as soon as I get the pictures.

We've had three new teachers come in the last month, all of which are Australian, which means the Americans are now out numbered (there is always a running count for some reason). So far they seem to be enjoying themselves and the rest of us are enjoying taking them out drinking.

I finally went snow boarding. It was fun but a lot of work. I was sore for about a week. There really hasn't been any snow in the city. Only a few centimeters for a day at a time. I'm kind of disappointed but I suppose its also a good thing. I'm pretty sure a meter of snow wouldn't be that nice to bike through. I'm so excited to be experiencing actual seasons. I never realized how much I was missing out on. I do have to say that I miss the beach like whoa. I can't wait till it gets warm enough. The first thing I'm going to do is catch a ride to the beach. I can't believe how much color I've lost. I'm not even white, I'm see through.

Recently I've started going to Yosakoi. The best way I know how to describe Yosakoi is by saying its sort of traditional-ish Japanese interpretive dance. Its pretty fun and really good exercise. Every August different dance groups get together at different festivals and perform their dances. We haven't started learning this years dance yet but have been doing "inner muscle training," which is the best translation we could come up with. Oh right, if you want to talk about lost in translation, try taking a class, on anything, in Japanese. Fortunately, body language goes a surprisingly long way, as do electronic dictionaries. I can't even begin to try to explain what "inner muscle training" is, only that its difficult and frustrating, and there is something about a pole from your head to your coccyx and don't forget to gargle.

As I posted before, I'm moving. Not much to say about that really except that I need a bit of a change and I'll have a bit more space at the new place. And I'm serious about the peanut butter.

I can't believe I've been here nearly 6 months now. Feels like no time at all, although I have to admit some days are longer than others. Thanks so much to all of you who have kept me up to date with your letters and e-mails as well as the occasional IM. I have a wall full of all the pictures you have sent as well as some others from home. I hope everyone is doing well and if you're not then let me know and I will send you some chopsticks and funny picture of engrish.

I'm Moving!

Its just across town, no biggie really, but it will be cheaper and have a bit more space. Please send peanut butter (crunchy preferred, hold the salmonella).

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Fukushima-Ken
Fukushima-Shi
1-1 Funabacho
Yoshikawa Bldg. 2F South

Bout Time

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About New Years

...CONTINUED

On Friday the 29th, James and I headed out to the train station to make our way down to Kyoto. As we walked, a light flurry of snowflakes fell from the sky, the first snowfall in Fukushima since James arrived. For someone who was worried from the moment he got to Japan about seeing snow, you'd think he would have been at least a little enchanted... nope. "Oh no, its wet, our bags are getting wet, everythings gonna be wet now. What do we do? What if everything gets wet?" I suppose you can't have your snow and eat it too.

The train ride down was LOOONG, to say the least. When we got to Tokyo we had to switch trains and, by stopping to snag some food to go, we missed the faster train to Kyoto (only five stops) and had to take the slower train (15 stops). When we finally arrived at Kyoto Station we had to cram (and when I say cram I mean couldn't even turn around, let alone reach down to pick up my dropped umbrella) into a subway car and ride 15 minutes to West Kyoto. When we finally arrived at Bola-Bola Guest House it was 9pm and time to eat and call it a night.

The next morning, we made our way north to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. There was a massive amount of people there, all trying to take pictures and mostly just getting in my way. There was still snow in the tree branches from the night before so as we walked around we were rained on by the melting snow. It was pretty amazing but very touristy.

Next, we strolled down the road to see several more temples, a rock garden, and a huge pavilion. We were out all day and exhausted by night fall. The following morning, New Years Eve, we got up (way too) early and traveled to East Kyoto to see Nijo-jo, a castle with floor boards that creak to sound like nightingales. Doesn't that sound cool?!? Yeah, thats what I thought too, which is why I wanted to go. However, we got all the way there to discover the castle was closed for the new year holiday. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, everything in Japan essentially closes down for 3 to 4 days around new years. I was so disappointed. I guess it will have to be for another time. (pics from outside)

So instead of seeing the castle, James and I headed to Tokyo a little early. It was a mad house in Tokyo. People everywhere and no one wants to get out of your way, even when you shove them with your suitcase. We finally made it to Khaosan Guesthouse, a tiny little hostel, and unloaded our stuff. We figured a nap was in order and then a nice dinner. We ended up at this awesome restaurant right off the main road where we ate shabu shabu. Yum.

We celebrated the new year at a little bar where there were a bunch of foreigners. We were staying just down the street from Sensoji Temple, one of the most famous and most visited temples in Japan, so on our way back we ran into about a million people (I don't think I'm exaggerating either). It was pretty amazing. It is traditional in Japan for people to visit a shrine or temple around New Year to pray for good fortune during the upcoming year, which is what all these people were doing. This is the famous temple gate and lantern that can be found on many many postcards and websites.

The next day, we hopped over to the other side of Tokyo on a quest for Mexican food. We never found the restaurant we were looking for but fortunately we found this American pizza house, which not only was our dinner but breakfast the next morning. You may not be aware of this but they don't make pizza here like they do in the States. I miss good pizza like Tinker Bell misses Peter Pan when she gets shunned because she doesn't like Wendy.

Yeah, so, after pizza we walked over to Meiji Shrine, the most popular, most famous shrine in Japan. Someone told me over three million people visit it on new year. It was really interesting to see the people making wishes and praying. Its odd because it seems like such a traditional event yet everything besides the shrine looks completely modern. It was funny to watch this one girl in particular who was wearing six inch stilettos, a mini skirt, a puffy purple down jacket, and bleach blond hair hobble through the gravel up to the shrine to pray.

So that was it for Tokyo. The next day James headed back to the States and I to Fukushima. It was rather depressing when I got back after all the excitement of Christmas and traveling but I eventually got back into the swing of things. I'm looking forward to cherry blossom season at the beginning of April and can't wait for the warm weather so I can head to the beach. This is the first time in my life that I can remember not having tan lines. I feel naked without them.

*all pictures are now updated