Blogs from Aichi, Japan, Asia - page 7

Last Friday a friend of ours (from New Zealand) took us out in Nagoya for a night of ‘underground’ music Japan style. (www.sonset-strip.com). Literally underground. In a small basement (just like The Adelphi in Hull for those of you who remember the good old days) we enjoyed a surprisingly good Ska band from NZ. At least, I think it was Ska. I had to ask because I’m approaching 30 and I never really understood these things in the first place. It might have been punk. Anyway, sounded a lot like ‘baggy trousers’. I especially liked the guy with the full tan-coloured body stocking who took to shouting ‘Arigato’ a lot. Like me he seemed to have a dreadful grasp on the local language. There then followed Japanese Elvis. I can’t really add much further explanation to ... read more

We are a little behind on our blog...but...better late then never =) (plus, you may get a little chuckle out of this one) After a busy 5 days in Tokyo, we set off on our 1st train ride ever stopping in Nagoya for one night, then off to Kyoto. We bought a Japan Rail Pass to get us around Japan, which now (after our adventures in Japan has come to an end) we can say was worth every penny. We were able to take the bullet trains all over Japan with this pass which was perfect since we wanted to cover alot of ground over our 16 days in Japan. The bullet train was amazing! Always on time...to the minute. For those who know us well...yes we are amost always late for things...but not in Japan, ... read more

Thursday started out well enough with a relatively normal visit to the Tokugawa Art Museum and gardens in Nagoya. Took lots of pictures of us posing with umbrellas next to waterfalls, admired ancient swords and tea caddies. That sort of thing. Took a long walk through Nagoya and ate some fish and chips at The Hub, Nagoya's British theme pub. Food actually very good, if a bit on the small size, beer also good but very expensive at 900 yen a pint (nearly 5 pounds). We had noticed the rain coming down but still decided to venture out and meet some friends for a few drinks. In an attempt to out do each other on who came from the most racially tolerant society (such witty sophisticated remarks as my 'I suppose you are whoever you say ... read more

Took a tour around Kasugai Nishi on Monday and Kusugai Minami today. I have discovered the following differences! Students sit in rows not groups. There are no classroom displays or decoration of any kind. The walls are bare. There is a chalk board and chalk. There is no ICT in the classroom. The students wear uniforms like sailors outfits, the girls wear very short skirts! The students will stay in one room and the teachers move round. It is normal for students to be in school during the holidays. This seems to be for brass band practice, sports activities and school festival preparation. They work incredibly hard for festivals and competition. I like seeing the Kendo (fencing) practice. The staff and students use the same toilets. The students clean the school. If you have ever seen ... read more

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I have been lazy and have put off publishing more of my AMAZING adventures that thrill everyone soo much. First let me start by saying this past weekend I had some AWESOME mexican food this weekend compliments of a new friend who works at a different site. She has a house and invited me over to help cook. Man it was delicious. Any way so in my down time I have made it to a beach, back to Nara and went to see fishing. First off the beach I went to was in Obama, it was Wada beach in Wakusa. Wada beach was VERY nice. There were a small chain of little rocks you could row out to and swim. There were little waves and the water went from shallow to deep gradually. So I ... read more