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Published: September 6th 2006
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Well it was about time another one of my friends showed up in Japan, and who better then Katie, (a.k.a. munchkin), who I’ve been protecting since our high school rugby days under the alias of “bodyguard”!
*Anyone who gives me hell about still using high school nicknames should unsubscribe to this blog now!!!
Just six hours after my beloved daddio Fred left Japan, my best friend arrived. Makoto and I met her at the Furukawa station and she looked VERY relieved to see us standing there. I can appreciate her anxiety after she had traveled 48 hours by plane (there was a big storm in Chicago) and then came all the way up North by her-lonesome and there, in the middle of nowhere Japan, I was actually waiting for her. We feasted at Gusto burger and drove her back to the cushy little town of Wakuya where Katie would get a sampling of countryside life…”J-Style”!
After chilling out for a day (which was very needed after hosting “The Fred” for a week), I introduced Katie to all things ‘J’. She came to school with me, got bored at work, and came with me to ALL my goodbye parties.
We went out for dinner on Tuesday with all my girlfriends in the area for a final “Girls Night on the Town”. I had to FORCE her to actually try sushi, which she cut into the smallest piece I’ve ever seen and then spat it out. SO disappointing not to be able to share my love of sushi with such a good friend…so very disappointing! But everyone got along great and we had a fabulous evening! This was the first night of the ‘serious’ goodbyes that I was going to be making in the coming two weeks and I was glad Katie was there to pick up the pieces.
Since KT arrived for my last week of my job, she got a free pass to all the soubetsukai (leaving) parties that were thrown in my honor. Meaning that (conveniently) she bore witness to everyone proclaiming their utmost love, affection and appreciation of ME! First up was the Bosukoro group on Wednesday night. We had an amazing dinner! Meredith, Katie and I all went in Yukata (of course😉 to play the role of proper J-folk for the occasion. Makoto also surprised me (and everyone else) with a beautiful musical
presentation. He played my favorite Carol King songs including “So Far Away”, which of course made me cry like a baby. This was especially embarrassing as I was in front of everyone at the time because he made me join him at the front to sing….Oh it was lovely, but heart-wrenchingly sad. We then of course continued drinking into the wee hours of the night, completely ignoring the fact that work was less then 9 hours away.
The next leaving party was Thursday night with the Bijou Takahashi English group. These ladies are so sweet and generous. They welcomed Katie as family (like they did Fred), and we had a traditional bento meal which prompted many strange looks from Katie as she eyed her food and spoke through the side of her mouth to ask me what she was eating. (I lied sometimes just to see her reaction😉
Friday night was the best party yet! My base school, Wakuya Senior High School threw me a great goodbye soiree. Everyone who attended took their turn during dinner to stand up and say something incredibly ego-lifting about me and to also recount their favorite memory of me. Some people pulled
at ALL my heartstrings and others recounted the most hysterical stories and first-meetings. One word that kept popping up with “Powerful”…and in Japanese, that means “intimidating” hahahaha, gee…never heard that one before! (I must get that from Fred) Many of the older men said they felt like they were losing a daughter (my favorite surrogate father actually said I was lucky he wasn’t younger! Which completely ruined the father-figure image I had of him…) We all enjoyed copious amounts of sake and beer and we were all light-hearted until Osamu-sensei unleashed the beetles from HELL! They’re scary, what can I say?! Not to mention HUGE! (Refer to the picture below if you don’t believe me!)
I took Katie to the infamous Matsushima (one of the three great views of Japan) and we marveled at the Zuijangi Temple and the beautiful islands. Rather, Katie ‘marveled’ and I played tour guide as I’ve seen the sights of Matsushima more times then I’d rather admit to.
We also hit up Wakuya Jo (Castle) and we had quite the photo shoot, not to mention some gorgeous views from the top! I’m so glad I live in a town with a castle! I’m
such a lucky girl!!!
Saturday night was another sad but fun night as I introduced KT to the infamous Japanese tradition of drunken karaoke: sitting in a small box with your friends, signing your heart out to old 80’s classics. Usually karaoke doesn’t include Henry’s 14 year old brother getting drunk off sake and continuously trying to touch me, but HEY! There’s a first time for everything… The sad part was when I had to say goodbye to Tim, my big brother…yes Tim, I admit it…I’m going to miss making fun of you.
Katie unfortunately left me on Monday to go climb Mt. Fuji with my good friend Christine, because I wasn’t able to take her back down to Tokyo myself (it being my last day at work and all). She and Christine trekked it all the way to the top and enjoyed the sights of Tokyo for an afternoon afterwards. I wish I had more details to share about their climb but all I heard over the phone was moans and groans from the grueling journey. Kind of humorous actually!
We had a great time in Japan together and I was also very thankful that Katie
Practicing Shodou
(Japanese Calligraphy) took my suitcase home for me! After three years, a girl accumulates a lot! I needed help!
Thanks again to Katie for making the ridiculously long trip out to visit me; I loved every second of it!
Next up is my big trip! Stay tuned for pictures and stories from “Backpack Banwell’s” adventures through South East Asia, beginning August 3rd!
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Thip
non-member comment
Awesome!
Hey girl! You look amazing! I can't wait to meet up with you back in the T dot! Enjoy your travels! love ya!