navigating nihon
| 24 days....
|
7.04.2005 |
I know I've said it 100 times but, where oh where have the last 3 years gone. It seems like only yesterday that I was landing in Tokyo and getting lost in Shinjuku. Or asking for a kancho instead of a okanjo at Joyful. Or running after ferries that always depart ontime, to the minute......leaving no room for the Canadian interpretation of a 9pm departure - which translates to no earlier than 21.31 Canadian time. I've now learnt that I can actually set my watch to the JR trains. I can also successfully as for the bill at a restaurant, avoiding any intrusive questions from the waiter. But, I still get lost in Shinjuku, it's the bright lights, they distract me.
I'm busy not only sorting out my things to ship home, but also my memories. (Yes, I'm aware I should write after-school specials for a living). I have loved getting to know Japan and it's people. I will miss this bizarre country.
But as Mari said, I should forget I'm leaving until I'm getting on the plane.
So to that, my fellow departing JETs I say Tanoshimashouuuuu!
emma found her way @ 8:57 p.m. | 2 comments
| Hong visits Mikame :)
|
I'm busy not only sorting out my things to ship home, but also my memories. (Yes, I'm aware I should write after-school specials for a living). I have loved getting to know Japan and it's people. I will miss this bizarre country.
But as Mari said, I should forget I'm leaving until I'm getting on the plane.
So to that, my fellow departing JETs I say Tanoshimashouuuuu!
emma found her way @ 8:57 p.m. | 2 comments
Two weeks ago, which now seems like a life time, Hong came to visit for some good old southern Ehime hospitality! In her honour, a weekend of merriment and more merriment was planned. On Friday, Will organized a little Kyuimonya and kareoke action. The munchies, though good, were not as good as the company! Tom trucked in from Matsuyama, Hong from somewhere up north (us southerners are ignorant), Sara from her rice field, Morgan from her mountain, Juliet(te) from god knows where :) and another ALT whose name I can't remember. But I don't feel bad because I'm sure he doesn't know mine :) In addition to the local gang of Clare, Nat, Angie, Viv, a couple of random guys who glowed green from their contract local power plant and I'm sure if I forgot someone, you'll hang me out to dry. Big nod to Will - whose generosity helped cover the bill. Next beer's on me :)
Tom, Nat, myself and Angie (I love this girl, she is such an upper!). Not that I don't love Nat and Tom :P
Ok, maybe I don't love Tom, hence the bars. And if you look closely, you can see that's he's not living up to what his shirt says....I've never seen a samurai held by a few twigs???
Will, up to his usual, crazy antics :) I'll miss this boy!
This is the famous (if you are from anywhere within 30 min) somen restaurant!So the next day, after some well needed rest - we headed to Honai's *famous* outdoor somen noodle shop! This place is up in the mountains and is beautiful! And cheap to boot - 500yen for all the somen you little belly desires! The noodles rush by in a little stream and you have to catch them with your chopsticks. Then you can dip them in some soya sauce that is mixed with onions and wasabi. The last time I was here, I managed to spill my sauce into the communal somen stream......horrifying at first. Freakin' hilarious now. Typical.
Just a shot of the gang :) P.S. One has to be really carful running the spell check on a word like somen. One mis-placed click and your post will have an entirely different meaning.... also freakin' has some interesting possibilities.
emma found her way @ 7:16 p.m. | 0 comments