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Published: December 15th 2008
Tokyo Station
Shinkansen entrance...travel in classI had a full week of presentations, speeches, papers, in more than one language. Looking forward to an awesome winter break of all kinds of surprises with the host family. They never stop amazing me.
This weekend on Friday went to a nomikai with some new people from a student band that played at the school.
Saturday I went to a neighborhood christmas party (first of many to come) and played a little trombone. I had some christmas music shipped here just for that. On halloween made a promise to play at a christmas party. Everyone loved it. It was great to get the chance to interact with some new people. I'm part of a family now, I love being able to do things like that because I would do the same at home. It amazes me everyday how much my two families are alike. Host mother plays the role of the neighborhood crusader. She puts together these parties because no one else steps up to bat. Also big in to volunteer work, helping underprivileged, and always jumps in when something goes wrong around her with a fierce desire to make it right.
Saturday evening after the party
Hotel was overlooking the pacific
If it wasnt raining on Sunday morn could have caught an amazing sunrise I went with the family to Atami on the Izu penninsula. By shinkansen it took about 40 mins. Atami is famous for fish and onsen and I got both. The hotel was fully equipped with spa and the dinner was out of this world.
Kaiseki ryouri (food blog !) After dinner I poached myself in the onsen for probably too long. Note the new profile pic with me, yukata, chopsticks, sashimi, and beer. I think i turned a little japanese in the past three months. If this stuff keeps up maybe I wont come back. I kind of like playing the part of a spoiled japanese rich kid for a year.
Second day we had planned to go out to an island off the penninsula to get some more sashimi but it was raining a ton so we took our time in the hotel (more onsen) and another huge breakfast. Went to see a quick geisha show at a local theater and took a walk down this semi-enclosed street with lots of shopping and food. I was nearing my breaking point on food at this point. Early morning runs have become necessary because of all I eat and want to
eat but I didn't get the chance this day since I was too busy sitting in the onsen. Host mother bought some neat stuff for the house. There is a fish specially (term used loosely) called Himono that is a dried, whole, large fish. It's dried with fans in the air and can be any species. Sometimes they are sweetened. I tried a piece of one but wasn't feeling the leathery texture and the fish/saccharine taste. I'll stick with my sashimi.
Sunday went to see Kabuki. It's 4.5 hours long. Great for one time, necessary even, but probably wouldnt go back, at least for the whole thing. THere were 3 performances. The first two were very traditional. All men actors, traditional music and the guttural japanese grunting/singing that I can't describe with words. The second act featured a bunch of musicians in the back and was more of a comedy. THe last act and longest was more modern. Most speech was commonly spoken japanese and I was able to follow it.
1 more week till break. Looks good. I have Christmas parties on Tues and Friday with Waseda people then on Sat got invited to a friend's host
family for their Christmas party. Sunday is the family Christmas and I've heard talks of a cruise around Tokyo.
Found out a little more about the fam...host father founded a wholesale company called Kobe-ya and retired from the business last year. It's a pretty major company with goods appearing in every supermarket in Japan. I am a spoiled rich kid here and am loving all of it.
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mom
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Atami
wow, it is mind boggling! what a wonderful experience! enjoy it all, just remember... July 21st!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol :)