Blogs from Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, Asia - page 3

All good things come to an end, as the saying goes. And sadly October brings the end of my super-duper, fantastic summer tour of Japan. I really can’t speak highly enough about how good it was to see all the different areas of this wonderful country. Japan is so much more than Tokyo and Kyoto, and unfortunately not enough tourists give it the time it deserves. I understand of course that it may seem a little daunting because of the language difference, but really it’s no different to any other foreign country that one may visit. There are plenty of English signs and English-speakers (even if they are shy) throughout the country, the Japanese people are very hospitable and friendly, and then there’s the brilliant Japan Rail pass that foreigners can use. All of this makes ... read more

It happened at the beginning of May, the weather was getting warmer but still cold enough that you needed a jacket. The snow had melted, but I definitely wouldn't have called it spring if I hadn't known that technically it was. That's when they arrived. I knew about their arrival: I had been told to expect it. I just didn't know what to expect in the two months that followed their arrival. There were seven of them in total, which I suppose isn't a large number, but when you're used to being one of the only ones, it seems like an infestation. This coupled with the special outings, special dinners, special classes, in short, special treatment that would take place while they were here, I was (I'm ashamed to admit) feeling a little bit of resentment ... read more

The most important thing I have learnt about Japanese life so far is that it's probably not a good idea to try to ride a fairly old "mama-chari" (or bicycle with a neat little basket on the front) around in the snow. Especially if you haven't ridden a bicycle since you were 10 years old. The result could be that you find yourself upside down in a bush, with snow all over you, your food shopping strewn along the path, and your bicycle 5 feet away, wondering exactly how you actually ended up there. Not that this happened to me or anything. Just a story I heard. Luckily (or unluckily?) the girl who was studying here before left me her bicycle so I have a way to get around. And the best thing about it is ... read more

Japan and I, we've had our ups and downs. Our journey together started back in February of 2005 and although I left her shores in June 2010, my deep love for this life-changing and soul-catching place will continue forever. This is our story. It was early in the morning one day in February, about 9 degrees Celsius, and I was sitting outside Narita International Airport in Tokyo. I had a very large and extremely heavy suitcase stuffed full of everything I would need, and more importantly, a backpack with photos and mementos from home to help me stay connected and feel loved in the lonely moments I was sure were to come. I was all alone, cold, and I won’t lie, scared. What was I doing here? Why had I decided to do this? Was I ... read more