Kobe/Himeji/Osaka

On Friday afternoon we took a long train ride to Kobe. The scenery was nice, as was my brush with death on a train platform in Kyoto. I will say here that if you yourself ever get stuck in a train door, don't panic, especially if there is a nice red headed samaritan to pull you out of harms way. Anywho, once we arrived, we grabbed dinner at a Mexican restaurant complete with seranading bartender. No joke, this guy busted out Spanish songs on the guit-fiddle while the waiter rocked some congas. Afterwards we met up with Will's friend Jerome who took us to a bar called Bombay. We ran into like five other JETs there and had some cheap drinks.
The next day we decided to go to Himeji and check out the stuff there. We went to an Art Museum which had a figurative show on display with some very impressive pieces, incuding a James Ensor and quite a few Picassos. We didn't go into the castle, but we walked around it and took pictures. It was really pretty. Saw a lot of foreigners. Went back to Kobe and I bought a shirt with a Campbell's soup can on it, how Warhol. After another trip, we ended up in Osaka in an Irish pub televising a rugby match from earlier that day. Who knew that a sport which most Americans know jack about is like some sort of religion in other countries? As far as I can tell rugby is violent, fastpaced and pretty awesome. The bartender had Rancid tattoo on her neck. After that we went to this insanely nice bar with a pool in it. It was like Studio 54 or something. Took a really early train home on Sunday.

Kobe by day.

Outside the art museum. Kids loving sprinklers must be a worldwide thing.

Outside the castle.

Himeji.

Himeji Castle.

This bar was way too nice for the likes of us. Jerome and the ladies.

Osaka at night.

Sports and Curry

Yesterday I spent the morning in the Kurobe gym watching my junior high kids playing volleyball and basketball. In the afternoon I met up with Gill and some folks from the community, because once a month, Colare, the International Center in Kurobe, hosts a big dinner. We made Japanese curry. There were so many people from the community there. All the new JETs had to introduce themselves and whatnot. The cute kids from the BBQ were there, so that made me happy. In a few months it will be my turn to make dinner. I'm gonna make a traditional dish I like to call "Bologna Sandwiches with a side of Cheetos."

These kids are really into volleyball. Everyone keeps suggesting that I join in and play. For those of you who know me, insert a round of laughter here.

This is what curry for 60 people looks like.

Misty Mountain

Yesterday all the JETs in our ken climbed Mt. Tateyama. I am a wuss-ass loser and only made it halfway up before I got dizzy, had a pain in my side and was longing for a hot toddy. But seriously, it was really cold and rainy and we couldn't see anything. Kudos to those who made it to the top and drank some holy sake with the priest up there. Maybe next time, when I haven't had an organ recently ripped from my abdomen, I too will make it to the top. (Man, can I milk this appendix thing for all it's worth or what?)

This was actually a clear shot of the mountain.

Snow!

Bowling and Ninjas

After an all day orientation in Toyama City on Friday, I attended a bowling game with all the Kurobe teachers. It lasted thirty minutes and everyone bowled right after one another picking up each others spares and stuff. The shoes were shiny and awesome. Later that evening we had another enkai, big banquet with massive amounts of food, and I won at bingo! I got a scary little thingy that hangs off of my cellphone. After the enkai I went to Uozu and partied with that crew at a sweet bar called 135's.
The next night I went to a Brazilian club in Takaoka and represented the ATL as I danced to Outkast. Yes I danced in public, they must put something in the water here.
The next day, a large and really cool group of folks went to Kanazawa. We went to the ninja-dera, a 300 year old temple which was at one point used as a look out point for enemies trying to attack the castle. There were tons of secret trap doors and staircases, sort of like Clue. Afterwards we went to the art museum and checked out a massive art exhibit by Matthew Barney called Drawing Restraint. I also got to put on a sack and slide on this large interative art thing too. What a day!

Here's the slide thing we rocked. It was treacherous, but fun!

This was in one of the courtyards at the museum. It's a pool thing and you can see it from above and then below.

Outside the Kanazawa station.

The ninja-dera. We weren't attacked by ninjas, but I think that's because we were so hungover it wouldn't have been any fun for them.

Livin' it up

Yesterday was jam packed with lots of Kurobe fun. In the afternoon I hit the beach to check out the scene down there. In the evening some members of the community who take English classes from Lee invited us over for a cook out. The food was fantastic, as was the company. They made potato salad that tasted like it came straight out of the dirty south, except for the cucumbers. I also got to try dried pork, dried squid, and yakitori.

There were so many rocks on the beach I almost broke my ankle.

This is quite possibly the cutest kid alive. Her and her brother kept passing out beers.

Oh yeah! Grill Master Lee in full effect. Those brown hot dog shaped dealies are eggplant, and you put mustard on them. For dessert they bought the biggest watermelon I have ever seen. 　

These flowers are for Obon. There are a lot of little graveyards around my apartment.

I'm not sure why but the sky turned this crazy color of pink/purple during a storm the other day.

RIP Little Fishes

So I managed to kill my fish within two days of owning them. What's wrong with me? I think I'm going to get some turtles today to make up for the loss.
This week is Obon in Japan. Obon is a Buddhist event in which you pay your respects to your ancestors who are believed to come back and visit for the week. Lanterns are put up to guide the spirits and flowers and lit candles are placed in the graveyards. Hopefully I will have some pictures later.

I need to learn kangi

Over the past week I've been checking out movies at this rental place near my house. The last few times I've been in they've given me these yellow coupons which I assumed were for free movies. The only thing I could decipher from looking at them was that I had to redeem them between 6:00 and 10:00pm on Saturday or Sunday. So I strolled into the movie rental place last night with the coupons and proceeded to take them to the counter with my movies. The guy working there lived in Kentucky for five years and speaks perfect English. He started laughing at me and told me that my coupons were for free goldfish. I followed him outside where I found a huge pool full of them, and he gave me a little scoop to catch some. Free movies, free fish, whatever! I do need help with goldfish names, any suggestions??

Japan, you slay me

Yesterday I went to Takase Juinor High school for a few hours in the morning, and as I was wandering around I heard the band rocking out to the Star Wars theme song. All the kids I've met so far are sort of shy, but really sweet.
I would also like to say that today I made the stupidest mistake I have ever made with a car and the man at the gas station fixed my problem, which took over an hour, and then wouldn't let me pay him for fixing it or for taking up his time. Japanese people are certainly something.
Below are some pictures I took near my apartment.

Japanese Soda

The most glorious things about Japanese Internet cafes, aside from the often colorful adjoining business practices, are the oodles of beverages. Now I'm not one to embibe much soda, but the stuff here is so deliciously free. I'm sure there are some I've not included, so perhaps a revised edition will be available sometime in the future. So here it is, your guide to Japanese sodas.

Calpis: The name says it all. Looks like dishwater, tastes like it too. I'm not even sure what flavor it's supposed to be, maybe mayonnaise?
Real Gold: I would say this is the Japanese Mt. Dew. Supposedly it's chock full of vitamins, but it tastes so sugary I don't see how. Good.
Suntory Melon: This is my personal favorite. Comes in a nice engine coolant shade of green.
Fanta Melon: Suntory's less tasty cousin, but just as green.
Suntory White Water: You ever had Mylanta? Yeah, me too and it tastes just like this.
Aquarius: A sports drink, but carbonated. Kind of tastes like grapfruit. Smooth with a firm finish.
C.C. Lemon: Lemony soda, also full of vitamins. Zesty!

Look out Mardis Gras, here comes Tatemon!

So my first festival was a blast.　The Tatemon Festival, as it is so lovingly called, took place in Uozu near the Suwa Shrine and is supposed to (as far as I understood it)attract fish to the shore, ensuring a successful harvest for the year. There were a bunch of tatemons to be pulled, lots of people to pull them and fun was had by all. I've made a step by step Tatemon Itinerary for any of you who want to try this at home. Don't forget the fireworks and free t-shirts!

Step 1: First you get a bunch of tatemons, big boat looking things with lanterns, like this one. Line them up by the sea and pile on flute players, a drummer, and some adorable childrens.

Step 2: Get a hardworking team to pull your tatemon down to the shrine. We got to wear outfits called "happis". This is part of our team here.

Step 3: Push/pull that sucker hard and scream while you're doing it.

Step 4: Once it gets in the shrine area, spin it around for a while. We weren't able to participate in the spinning because it's so dangerous. If anyone's interested I have a video of this, it was wild. People on the ropes actually fly in the air.

Step 5: Go inside the shrine, give thanks to the gods, and drink holy sake. Pull the tatemon back out of the shrine area and down the street to where you started. Celebrate! Here's Josh, Dan, myself, crazy dude I don't know and Kei.

5 bats = 1 huge test of my patience

So I came home yesterday to find, over the course of a few hours, five bats in my apartment. You might think at this point I have a problem - I agree.
On a much brighter note I went to one of my two Junior High schools today called Koshino. This is where I'll be spending my Mondays and Tuesdays. The Kyoto Sensei (Vice Principal) is very nice and he and my JTE (the person I will be teaching with) showed me around. I have my very own desk, and I already know what my first lesson is going to be about....ME! Seriously, it's a self introduction. It's all really scary, but very exciting. Tonight is the Tatemon festival in Uozu! I think there are going to be fireworks. My very first festival, yay!

If Only

I went to a symposium all afternoon about the new English language curriculum coming into schools here in Kurobe. (My personal translator, Gillian, helped me out.) They stressed the need to begin teaching English at an early age, and talked about why English is an important language to learn. What really impressed me was how many of the speakers pointed out the importance of learning more about other cultures in order to avoid further misunderstandings that lead to things like war. I can't help but think how many Americans could benefit from a similar attitude. I guess that's partly why I don't live there anymore.

Driving in Kurobe

Here is a list of driving rules for any of you who visit, acquire amnesia and then decide to drive a car.
1) 4 way stops: Whoever wants to go can go. Unless you want to wait for everyone else to go. Then you can just sit there until the intersection is clear.
2) Riding Bikes: It is your right, make that your duty, to ride wherever you feel like. Don't bother crowding up the spacious sidewalks, come on out in the road. And don't look into traffic before you pull out, the cars will see you fine.
3) Reversing: If you want to reverse onto a busy road, then go for it. And take your time.
4)Headlights: Strictly optional.
5) Stop Lights: Always stare at the foreigner in the car next to you for the duration of the light.

I am so popular with flying mammals

Yesterday about dinner time, I had another visitor, but this time he was hiding in my toilet paper holder. You can imagine my surprise when I went to blow my nose only to have the little sucker almost bite my hand off. Now I'm thinking they may be living somewhere in my apartment. Aren't bats only supposed to come out at night? Talk about a welcome committee.

My first week here

I've been here for a week now, and things are going well if I do say so myself. The rest of my week is pretty low key. We have a beer garden on Saturday and next week I go to visit with my teachers. There's also a festival this weekend which I'm helping with. I bought a bike for cheap, too! And last night I got a visit from a vicious bat who flew in through my open door. After he dive bombed my head a few times, I screamed like a nance and ran to get Lee. Don't worry, I'm fine and as for the bat, he's probably making fun of me somewhere.

Here is a view from my apartment.

WTF? (This sign was hanging on a bathroom wall.)

Toyama City.

Amber, Gillian and myself on the train. Notice the open beer. And much thanks to random dude who took our picture.

Conveyer belt sushi! Not only is this place delicious, but it's right down the street and when you come in all the employees scream welcomes at you.

Smiling and Bowing

Man, it is so hot here. And on top of that everwhere I go people stare at me like a circus freak. Seriously! It's been pretty okay, yesterday I got some art supplies and ate pizza with corn on it, in that order. Oh, and some advice, don't try to guess on beauty products in Japan. I paid eight dollars for some body wash that I thought was lotion, pretty funny. More soon!