Overwhelmed by Japanese hospitality

I just had the most amazing experience of my life. It has so completely overwhelmed me that I am almost lost for words.
I am on leave today as my base school KTHS is having end of term vacation. I planned to visit Daigo, the northmost part of Ibaraki prefecture. There is a famous waterfall there and the area is famous for onsens.

So I went. I didn't really read up on the area beforehand so I just went to the most convenient attraction which was an onsen. Once there I realised I was too early so I looked around. Autumn has just arrived so while the leaves have not changed, chestnuts are in season and I was amused at this older middle age couple who were trying to get wild chestnuts from the trees nearby. I thought it was fun so I joined them. The husband would climb the tree and shake it real hard while the wife would peel the fallen fruits with her shoes and get the brown flesh inside. I followed suit and passed the bits to the wife.

The magic took effect.

Suddenly the husband asked if I was visiting the onsen and where I came from. After I replied yes and all the self introduction, he brought me in and I just followed him.

It was a whirlwind after that. He ushered me to the tatami room where food is served and introduced me to the other friends of his who were all grandpas and grandmas. I had a very warm reception where they shared with me everything they prepared like seasoned pickles to chestnut tempura (delicious!) and apples from their orchards. At his signal I joined him at the onsen which was really amazing. He was like a father to me and he was very forthcoming. I also became tipsy he kept pouring me beer! I tried to pay but was refused.

Finally before I left an obaasan took out a chain ornament she made herself and gave it to me. Then the husband and wifd drove me to their house which is near the the main train line through the prefecture. Before I left, I was given 2 apples, a corn snack and a train ticket home.

This is just like a homestay! I even got their contact and an invitation to visit them again.

I am so overwhelmed!

CHIN?

Today was quite a fun one in school!

It rained rather heavily this morning so I had to take the bus to school. While walking from the bus stop to the school, a car ran past me and splashed a puddle of water on my work pants! Yikes!

Anyway something funny happened in class today. It was a first class with UT-sensei for a second-year class at KTHS today and as always we would start off with a self-introduction lesson. We had a game where teams race to write answers on the board, and one of the questions required the kids to spell 'CHINA'. However one of them spelt 'CHIN' instead and I tried to explain what it means in English. Rather than focusing on myself, I threw the question to UT-sensei by asking him, "So UT-sensei, what is a CHIN? Can you show us your CHIN?"

UT-sensei momentarily stunned for a moment with a face of confusion. Being KTHS, almost all of the students were male and they all had a mischievious winkle in their eyes. I thought he might not understand what I meant so I in the end took the question back and answered myself.

That was when it struck me.

In Japanese, CHIN means penis!

Gosh!

Tomorrow's a public holiday and I am wondering what I should do. Maybe I should start hunting for nice souvenirs to send home or something.

Racism?

Today's Sunday and I spent the morning doing laundry as always, before heading to MT, the capital of this prefecture, to meet 2 other ALTs for lunch and karaoke.

All was fine till I returned. As it was still early, I thought I would explore the public gymnasium near KTS. Anyway I arrived at 5pm and then tried to ask at the reception.

Me: -japanese- Excuse me, but may I ask how do I go about using the gymnasium please?
Ojisan-A: -japanese- What do you mean? ... -he appears lost-
Me: -japanese- Sorry I don't understand you...
Ojisan-A: -japanese- Would you like to use the soccer pitch, the basketball court...
Me: -japanese- I will like to use the training room..?
Ojisan-A: -japanese- It only opens from 6pm.
Me: -japanese- What time does it close?
Ojisan-B: -japanese- It only opens from 6pm.
Me: -japanese- What time does it close?
Ojisan-A doesn't understand what exactly I am asking for (because I am unsure what on earth the Japanese call a gym - gymnasium? weights room? training room?)
Ojisan-A is flustered and calls Ojisan-B
Ojisan-B: -english- Can you speak English?
Me: -english- Yes I can. This is my first time here and I will like to use the gym.
Ojisan-B: -english- The gym opens from 6pm to 10pm on Sundays.
Me: -english- What about the rest of the week?
Ojisan-B: -english- 9am to 10pm for all days except Monday.
Me: -english- But today is Sunday.
Ojisan-B: -english- Today it opens from 6pm to 10pm.
Me: -english- How much does it cost to use the gym?
Ojisan-B: -english- 210 yen.
Ojisan-B: -english- Are you a Chinese?
Me: -english- Yes.
Ojisan-B suddenly walks away and I definitely looked confused, standing there for a moment before realising the sign in front of the window has the time schedule and all other information. After seeing he is back doing his work behind his desk and obviously ignoring me, I left in disgust.

I heard a couple of weeks ago that some Japanese do not like Chinese, which I do see a couple of mainland Chinese in my town. However this is the first time I experienced such a treatment in Japan. Usually, when I look flustered, the Japanese person will also look sympathetic. But not Ojisan-B.

Emotional

Today is quite an emotional day for me as although my birthday has passed (it was last Saturday), the well-wishes poured in over the past few days and everything suddenly sinked in.

I guess it all started with the KTHS welcome enkai (party) which the English teachers threw in my honour last Friday. I was very touched by whoever that came for the enkai as I really appreciate them setting aside their personal time on my behalf. Everyone had a great time as well and it was very nice when we talked about it today when I finally went back to the school for lessons today. I developed the photographs taken on my camera and gave them to the teachers who came, and they all remarked they had lots of fun.

Immediately after that were the 2 boxes that my family sent about 2 weeks ago. It actually arrived last week, but we had to wait until today where NNST-sensei was very kind to volunteer her time to bring them over to my apartment.

It was also very nice today in school when SIS-sensei talked to me over lunch and FJWR-sensei spoke to me after work. We talked about the Korean (media) wave, whether Japanese people are kind (FJWR thinks so but I think it feels like Singapore as there is different treatment whether you are Japanese or a distinct foreigner). Today's lesson with UTI-sensei was my second in the series and I covered Singapore food. There were some fumbles and UTI-sensei was very accomodating, suggesting ways to improve. I was very happy when he chipped in his share of thought about Singapore food during the presentation I gave which was really nice as the students perked up and paid interest when he endorsed what I said. Then before I left, he talked about the end-of-year party (bonenkai which means forget-year-party) and most probably UD-sensei, my supervisor, will ask me about it soon. That was nice as I felt included.

On my way home, I met with an accident. I was cycling along the road against the traffic when a car turned out from a small lane and only concentrated on the incoming cars without checking the other side. Now I understand why cyclists should not cycle against traffic... anyway it was a light bump as she actually stopped at the junction first before moving off (and knocking me). She apologised profusely and kept on proposing she gives me her number in case of any injury which I told her I did not feel any. Anyway I thought that was a nice gesture and I think I am quite fine, just shakened. I will call her, thank her and assure her I am alright tomorrow. I think a Japanese would do that!

After reaching home, there were the 2 boxes, K's birthday present-book on "Ways of Seeing" which sounds very interesting and also a package arrived. It was a box from PFB, ex-colleagues in RP... what a surprise! In it were some very nice mixes which I thought was really timely as I was feeling very much homesick from all the food presentations. Thanks! I will try them in school if I can, maybe just prepare everything and pour the mixes and serve when teachers have their lunch.

Then in the boxes my family sent were the books and winter clothes. I really felt homesick!

However I must say I am very lucky to have kind colleagues around me. Thank you very much!

Night before first day of school

It is the night before the first day of school. Help!

I go to a grand total of 4 schools each week which is quite a challenging routine. I go to my base school KTT on Mondays and Thursdays, NMT on Tuesdays, KKK on Wednesdays and NMT2 on Fridays. Next week's schedule looks good where I only have a class on Thursday at KTT. The other schools either have exams or would like me to get used to their schools first. Nonetheless, I will have to deliver a couple of self-introduction speeches starting with one to the whole of KTT tomorrow morning. Gosh! Why did I volunteer to speak in Japanese! While on one hand I feel the need to memorise the speech and deliver it fluently so as to set a role example to the students, my supervisor told me directly he does not think much about it and I wonder if he means it literally or maybe to calm me down. I can never memorise 100% (sigh) though I am 80% there.

Actually it was today that I finally felt I am in Japan. I guess I need to run to the countryside to take a look at the vast expanse of paddy fields to feel very different. I am starting to feel homesick as well, where I look at outside food and shudder. I cannot help but compare them with the very affordable prices in Singapore! A simple meal here can easily cost $10. However alcohol is cheap, like Choya is only $15 for a large bottle. Beefeater for only $20?! Fruits are very expensive - 1 momo peach cheapest at $2.60! But boy do they taste delicious!

I've also started cooking especially with the horrific prices outside and also for the sheer pleasure and convenience of it (it can be rather inconvenient to dress up again to step outside for a meal). I've got a few runny stomachs so far but it has been rather fun after a while. It feels like cycling actually, because the first time I cooked I was totally flustered but gradually I became more confident. Hopefully the food became more palatable but I won't know since I would be too hungry by the end of each cooking session that it will taste nice.

I have like pounced on and devoured my first month's salary so far, getting myself a keitai (mobile phone), accessories such as memory card and data cable, electronic dictionary and bits and pieces around the apartment like curtains (finally!) and cooking utensils. I still haven't found the public gymnasium and I heard there is a swimming pool near to that. I was invited to use KTT's swimming pool though, so I guess if I don't feel shy I might consider using now and then. Haven't done that yet so far.

Everyone is rather friendly with me in their own way, which I need to keep in mind as I cannot expect them to charter their spare time to my well being! I won't want to do that for one. If there is any effort, I feel it should be genuine and come from the heart. While I had to do a lot of things myself, such as finding out how to take public transport to the 4 schools which involves a lot of googling (or Yahooing, Japanese people love to use that) in Japanese, I take it as a way to learn Japanese though it is awfully frustrating sometimes! I just hope my colleagues don't take it as skiving!

Oh! Today I went to a barber in preparation for the big day tomorrow. The barber was an obasan who was a nice conversationalist. I think I miscommunicated to her by telling her short when I just wanted it cut, so it looks really short now. I always like short hair, but people think it makes my face look round and childish. A bit like JS's ;). Anyway it cost a lot, around $45 and it covers shaving and eyebrow trimming. It seems like a standard package of sorts. While it was expensive, it was a nice experience.

I'm running out of ideas or things to do. I think I just need a list and I can pick and choose when I suddenly find myself bored on a weekend. Help! The realisation came just now when I suddenly realise the weekend of my birthday is actually a long weekend (the following Monday is Respect the Elderly holiday) so technically I could have done an extensive travel over 3 days. Hmm, maybe I can visit KIC in Fukishima on Sunday/Monday?

Yeah so plans and ideas, so I can spend a day each week exploring somewhere. Like today I went to Hokota where there was a summer festival over the weekend. I didn't realise 1. the big fireworks was yesterday evening 2. the summer festival swings from evening onwards. I reached the place at 1pm just now (after the haircut) and met with 2 floats. And watched people set up the stalls. And I spent $26 on transport. Yay. But it felt good, because the area is rural and the weather was fine. It really reminded me of Mizayaki's previous anime on this little girl who had to rescue her parents who were turned into pigs for eating the food meant for gods. The introduction up till the point where they walked into the town felt exactly the same - the rolling grass fields, ripples in the fields as the wind blew, train tunnels... lovely.

I am in Japan!

bus\=?iso-2022-jp?B?GyRCPVBEJRsoQg==?=shyucho

Today I have no school as we assistant language teachers have a briefing of sorts which seems tome the best reason to have a day out of office.Haha! We start late and end early! Anyway we are going to apply for this reentry permit later so we can leave and return to Japan unaccosted in the future.A one trip permit costs 3000yen and multiple permit costs 6000yen. I'm not sure how long it is valid for though the single trip permit sounds fishy.

On another note,I am very happy that yesterday's classes went rather well! I had only desired for them to speak to me in English as I have read of how awfully shy Japanese students can be in English classes.I thought it was rather successful in the end! Some became rather spontaneous towards the end as well.While there were some students that did not participate or slept through the class,I'm happy that they did not disrupt the others.I must also commend the teachers as well,as they were receptive to my ideas and participated actively.They stand to gain as well I guess as they do not have to prepare!

bus\first day of teaching

My heart is now bursting with excitement from the 3 classes that are scheduled later today. Classes in Japan are 50 minutes long with a 10 minutes break.I was confused when I saw some of my team teaching timetables with h written on them which I guess means hour. My supervisor told me I have a tough afternoon ahead as I will be teaching consecutively for the last 3 periods straight. After yesterday's debacle, I really hope I can survive? As if I have a choice?

bus\managing expectations

Aiyo really different schools have different cultures! Today is my first day at KHS,the kind of school where the students have the goal of entering university.I guess it has got to do with who the coordinator of that school is. The coordinator today gave me a large number of haiku homework to give comments to.while I was only to finish 2 classes that I won't be teaching I finished all as the teaching schedule can change anytime and I don't wish to be caught unprepared. There's a lot of uncertainty because I teach in a different school each day and I don't think I should compromise the time I spend in each school by doing leftover work from other schools.Anyway we had an awkward final conversation where that supervisor questioned my knock off time even though he had no other business for me.He also mentioned about me taking work home in the near future.Goodness! I really hope he understood my
explanation earlier.

bus\debut

While waiting for the bus as always to bring me away from my sleepy apartment to the school of the day, I suddenly thought it might be rather fun to write a mini one on thoughts in my head that morning. So here is the debut episode! Here is picture of the bus stop as well.

The bus is here!