chotto sami desu ne! (it's a little cold now!)

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i've probably said it a hundred times already but i'm going to say it one more time just to really emphasize the point... i LOVE the japanese! i cannot get over their kindness and generosity...

a perfect example - i had no classes on friday afternoon and so thought i would do some research about more travel opportunities within japan. whilst it's fine for me to use my free time in school to do (more or less) what i like, i didn't really want to shout about it, so i quietly mentioned to the teacher next to me that i was considering going to hokkaido for the snow and ice festival next february. he then started researching it on the internet for me and telling me what he could in basic english... the teacher behind him then said that she knew a great travel agent and so got straight on the phone and called him up... as they couldn't translate what he had said, they called over one of my english teachers... by this point, half the staff room had stopped what they were doing and were just looking over at us, intrigued by what i was up to! the travel agent said he would get back to this teacher, so i assumed he would call her in a few days ... but oh no - 10 MINUTES LATER, he turned up at the staff room! i was stunned! he then asked me lots of questions about when i wanted to stay and what kind of hotel i wanted and said he would get back in touch with me on monday! i'm hoping to book my tickets today... it sounds like such a magical event, with HUGE snow sculptures and ice carvings... check out the english website:

http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/english/snowfestival/index.html

on friday night, laura and i went to a local restaurant for some yakitori... we had all sorts of chicken, veggies and pork and, as usual, ate about 4 plates of this delicious cabbage! we then came back to mine and watched 'walk the line' with joaquin phoenix and reese witherspoon... i know it came out a few years ago but i was never really that fussed about seeing it BUT i would really recommend it if you haven't watched it - it's fab! i've downloaded all the johnny cash songs now!

on saturday, laura and i had a fun shop in fukuoka... poor laura is struggling to buy boots for her big feet and is convinced that the 'L' size on labels stands for 'little' rather than 'large'!
after dinner, we met up with mindy and went to a concert at bar festa... the live music was great as always, but we laughed at the way the japanese sit there, without even tapping their foot and bopping their head... it's as though they're listening to a really boring lecture!

we didn't make it to the onsen in the end... i was sooo cold going out in just a jumper, that i really didn't think we'd enjoy being naked outside! maybe we'll wait until march!

tonight, dan has invited us to his friend's house for dinner... apparently the whole family want to meet us and have offered us yummy homemade pizza in exchange for some english conversation - i'll do anything for free food, especially when they aren't going to make me eat raw fish and eggs!

all of our friends from training are coming to stay with me and laura from thursday night until sunday (we have friday off for thanksgiving - i am VERY thankful for this!) we'll spend thursday and friday in saga and then on saturday we're heading to fukuoka for the SUMO TOURNAMENT!

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Comments

[elaine]

Hi there, Johnny Cash - download. We'll soon get you to be an Elvis fan as well !! The title of this piece - is that how it is pronounced. It has turned a little cold here now. Sunday we had rain all day and then snow - by 10 at night the cars were absolutely covered - by morning the snow had all gone. Don't get any ideas about the sumo wrestlers! Catch you again Elaine

[sandra]

We had snow on Sunday night.Didnt stay long although everywhere was covered.Rain now,nothing new there.Robert has bought a long bow,he is practicing in the garden.Better watch my ornaments.Its traceys birthday tomorrow cake fairy is cooking our lunch.Have a great time with friends another day off!!! The ice festival sounds great take lots of pics.Bye xthe Hicks

[helen]

I was going to tell you about the snow but they beat me to it. your not coming back are you miss price? sounds like your in for a good weekend, where will everyone sleep my memory recalls a very small bed in your flat. Tracey had her first forest school session today with reception it took half the session to get them in the waterproofs. they had fun though. I start friday. I can't believe Sandras Robert bought a bow i could of made him one. Johny Cash whats that all about! Going to bed some of us have to work all week. love the Clif xx