Blogs from Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan, Asia - page 3

So back in March, I forgot to mention one of the most memorable free tours I have had yet in Japan. Mike and I joined an EPIC (Ehime Prefectural Information Center) tour offered to foreigners living in Ehime. They provide these tours for free to get us out and about more (knowing not many of us own cars) and to explore the surrounding areas. Our tour started with a visit to the Tobeyaki pottery factory. Modeled after Korean pottery kilns (the original stone kilns flank the hillside, and spread as they move up like an ampitheater to efficiently use all heat) the Tobeyaki factory prides itself in offering original handmade ware at affordable prices. Much of the ceramics in Japan, as my parents quickly learned, is extremely pricey. The tour of the factory was awesome. ... read more

The week was full of activities for me at school, including the debut of the sea turtle skit "Adelita the Loggerhead goes to Japan" that I wrote. Also made the paper puppets for the skit, since Japanese students aren't too big on drama. Don't let anyone talk you into sitting through one of their theater shows. But the kids were great sports about it, anyways. Got to publicize my love of turtles to the kids (and they actually get sea turtles on the beaches in Tokushima, Shikoku, so its more meaningful for them). Also made the lesson into an environmental awareness class about the dangers of sweep-fishing (with nets) or throwing garbage around (a real problem here in Japan...but maybe that's because there are no garbage cans to be found in public areas...hmmmmm). Next event of ... read more

Last weekend started in a blur of jolliness and holly, with the Okudogo Christmas party. JETs from all over Ehime gathered Friday night to celebrate the coming holidays. It didn't matter if you celebrate Christmas at home. We are in Japan now, and I assure each one of us has been asked at least a few times for a Christmas-themed classroom activity or lesson. When I first attempted to explain to one of my teachers that we can't really make Christmas cards in school in the US, she didn't understand why there should be a separation between school and religion. Religion is much of an idea rather than a practice here in Japan. Sure, I know one girls whose father and even her sister are Buddhist monks at the temple near my house. And every morning ... read more

November 25 - 26, 2006 1st Day w/ Host Family I was not disappointed at all with my home stay visit. At the hotel, I was picked up by Kenji, the father, and his youngest son, Gou. The oldest son, Kenta, was at a snowboarding lesson about thirty minutes away at a cool facility. It had an indoor slope for going downhill, along with a couple ramps to jump over. It even had a half-pipe, and I was able to watch a few runs. Then it was time to go to their home to meet Kenji’s wife. Once there, it didn’t take long for lunch to be ready. She was busy behind the kitchen counter, but she had a skillet out on the dining table. She started cooking strips of meat and soon added noodles. This ... read more

Last weekend was a great time visiting Ethan's little island out on the Inland Sea. (Hey fam, check out his blog on the same site. He is one of the only other bloggers in Ehime prefecture.) After just barely making the same ferry as the rest of the party had boarded, it was an extra hour out to his place. Definitely "lost". No grocery store, 4 ferry services each day. And it was wonderful. We made our own fun in the cold rain, hiking around his island. Next time (when its a bit warmer) we are planning a "LOST" party on the tiny island just off his shores. Camping and searching for the "others" will be the events of that night. Can't wait for spring. I had a great Thanksgiving here in Hojo. I think I ... read more