Transportation aside, the past few days have been wonderful and I have been rather tired out to put forth that enthusiasm that I really enjoyed myself. As such, a few hosts might have had their tails stomped by that and I feel quite apologetic.
So how did I usher in the new year? I spent the remnants of 2008 (now it feels confused) in Tokyo and Kamakura which felt more like a dive into the nostalgia of city life. I never speak as much around my Japanese colleagues as compared to other ALTs, so meeting K and running amok around Tokyo, first with Comiket and Tokyo Bay and then subsequently Kamakura was very fun. After returning, the next day which was the 31st came ISZK-sensei's home visit yet again and this time it is my third. I met his children, a daughter of 19 and a son of 21 together with two of their childhood friends over dinner and accepted their invitation to stay since it was too late into the night and I don't fancy troubling ISZK-sensei to send me home. It was quite enjoyable to eat soba and mochi, two traditional staples of the new year. We watched TV, talked a bit though I sadly was feeling reserved. Should have drank more? ;) Then early the next day, I was woken up at 6am to catch the first sunrise, which is a popular activity amongst Japanese to be done on the first day of the new year other than visiting temples/shrines. That was really touching, as ISZK-sensei hasn't done it for a couple of years now and he braved the cold (it was hovering slightly above 0 degrees Celcius) to bring me along. Wow.
After that we were all tired and I was waiting for a good time to leave. I left when the father and son lulled in front of the TV to watch this 6-legged full marathon, catching him just as he nods off to sleep.
That was quite magical, in retrospect. Thank you.
I shall continue with part 2 another time. Happy new year, from Japan to the world.
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