Blogs from Koka, Shiga, Japan, Asia - page 3

Showa No Hi is the previous emperor's birthday (which he shares with a little bundle of kawaiiii-ness called Isabella!). His name was Showa (go figure). We are currently in the Heian era of emperors. I was born in 359 (the 59th year of Showa) so I feel special. I gte a new birthday here and everything! Since he was such an important man, it was actually on holiday and I didn't have to go into work, which was nice seeing as I had been invited to a Japanese Barbecue. Think not of those metallic beasts which roam yon hills and deserts in that land of Oz, for they roam not here. Here dost reside the box of fiery coals and delicate grills.....which one must tame with only a small piece of wood..... Basically...it's camping without the ... read more

Minakuchi Hikiyama Matsuri It's about time I posted this... Last night was the eve of the Minakuchi Hikiyama Matsuri, an annual festival which takes place at the Minakuchi shrine. The main attractions of this festival are the large Hikiyamas. These are 10 metre tall 200 year old wooden carts, decorated with hanging lanterns, curtains, gold leaf and topped by papier mache figures. Inside each cart is a group of musicians, playing drums, flutes and some metal instruments all of which are combined to make some catchy and happy traditional matsuri music. They also set up a small marketplace in the park next to the shrine, where they serve delicious food, sell bb guns to the kids, and also have some stalls of masks and trinkets, and carnival type games. The eve of the festival is a ... read more

Asparsement continued… 11th April, 2008 I think the other teachers are taking pity on me, because the head teacher, M. sensei told me that if I needed to, I could take home the school microwave! How’s that for kindness?! He asked me if I’d bought a rice cooker yet, and I told him that I was going to wait for that as it was a bit expensive ($99!) so he said, well, you have some pans right? And I said no, as I don’t have a stove…or a toaster…..or a fridge, but I have a kettle! That’s when he said, how about a microwave? And I just kept laughing and said no. You HAVE to laugh at these things….because stressing about it won’t make them come any quicker! I think I got some Genki points for ... read more

Hotel Living and First Impressions. From April 5th- April 8th Well, I’m STILL living out of a suitcase…. But I have my own shoebox - I mean, room. I have some pictures to show you what I mean. I know I don’t need that much space, but it’s just something I have to get accustomed to. I’m just glad I’m not claustrophobic you know? The hotel (Minakuchi Century Hotel) is right next to a cinema and a shopping centre. Then again, everything is close to everything here….it’s not that big. Koka city is made up of 5 smaller cities…. Konan, Koka, Minakuchi, Shigaraki and the fifth one I always forget… Kosei? There is another girl staying here who will be teaching around this area too. She has lived in Japan for almost 2 years, and her ... read more