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Hisashiburi! It's been a bit of a go, go, go past couple of weeks. Parties and class changes and people coming and going and day trips and... well, just a lot going on.
I've always loved spring. I really feel the whole beginning of life metaphor that goes with it. There's something about the weather warming up and trees budding that just really motivates me. Hell, I even like spring cleaning!
Spring in Japan is absolutely beautiful too! The sakura trees with their pink and white blossoms are just awesome! The Japanese celebrate this time of year by heading out for picnics in the parks, under the pretty, bright trees. It's called a hanami party. We had an ACC hanami party and I also headed to Kyoto for a day with Mariko to take in the Heian Shrine garden and Maruyama park at blossom time. Nothing quite like a park full of pink blossoms, masses of people sitting on blue tarps, and the overwhelming smell of beer to welcome the new season. I love the Japanese culture!
The following weekend, Mariko, Lesley, Tracey, Rob and I headed to Takayama for their famous matsuri (festival). Takayama has some
of the oldest, most expensive, and beautiful floats in Japan. We went on a Japanese bus tour that, strangely enough, allowed us only about 4 hours in Takayama, the day AFTER the big parade. Kind of strange. It seems that people get pretty excited about seeing the puppet shows on the floats that were on display along the streets, so that was really the attraction, I suppose. The Japanese floats were definitely amazing though, with very intricate carvings and prints. And really, any trip to Takayama is a good one. A beautiful city with lots of beef-on-a-stick stands... you can't go wrong! Of course the bus ride left much to be desired for us big gaijin crammed into little seats listening to a tour guide ramble on about the weather and informing us on interesting things with about as much specification as, "Look. Over there is a mountain." Well, no shit Sherlock. All part of the experience!
Lesley's mom came to visit for a couple of weeks, so she got to take in a lot of the fun with us. She and Lesley came over one night for dinner and kimono dress-up time with Miyoko. Good times! A couple
of weeks later we had Mariko over for dinner too. Miyoko's been whipping up all kinds of new-to-me Japanese foods. Like niku-jaga, and temaki sushi. Mmmmmm!!!
A few weekends ago, the lot of us went to an internationl festival in Nagoya called Springfest. Our friend Tracey has been doing a lot of really great photography since she's come to Japan, so we went to the festival to check out her booth. The festival was fun and her art is absolutely amazing. If you're interested in photography and/or some beautiful pictures from Japan, Canada, and Cambodia, you should really check out her stuff online. Ardent Earthist Photography. Enjoy!
After Springfest, we headed to an very cool Asian style restaurant called Garuva. The place was a little off the beaten path and very much worth the search. The interior is all black with no lights except right at your table. The hosts actually seat you by the light of a little flashlight. So we were sitting there sipping our drinks and chilling to the mellow background music, when out of nowhere the music changed to a sort of up-beat number and blasted loud enough to make us sit straight up
in our seats. As we looked around bewildered, we saw a belly-dancer making her way around to each table. How cool is that?! Just love Japan... full of surprises!
So... in the midst of all this spring fun, along comes Golden Week! Yes, that's right. Kara had a week off. You can just imagine the trouble I could get into in that time! Ha ha! Actually, I was quite good.
The first weekend, I headed to Osaka to meet up with Mariko and her friends who were visiting from Seattle. Osaka is a very fun city. Takoyaki (octopus balls), shopping gallore, fun people, crazy nightlife! I played my first real round of Pachinko there! Pachinko is like a pinball gambling game but you don't really control where the balls go. There are huge parlours full of these games where your ears ring with the sound of clacking little metal balls. I decided to put in only 1000 yen, so my experience only lasted about three and a half minutes, but it was an experience nonetheless. And of course, a night out in Japan would not be complete without a little karaoke too. Ah, but I will miss this
country!
The following day, we headed to Himeji Castle. This is now officially my favourite castle in Japan. It was sooo beautiful, as were the accompanying gardens. We were lucky to go on a beautiful, sunny day too, so the experience was definitely heightened.
I got to spend the next few days at home, relaxing a little and spending some time with Miyoko before she headed off for her trip to England. Some supper and sauna action... can't go wrong! Then the day after she left, Martijn, my long lost partner from my grade 10 Rotary exchange to Holland arrived for a month stay. Talk about a reunion. Not having seen a person in ten years, and then you're roomies for a month! It's been really interesting to get reacquainted and see how we've both developped and changed over the past ten years.
But of course Martijn wasn't here for 24 hours before we headed off on our first trip. Cecile joined the two of us for a two day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima. The A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum both left me speechless. We learned about the history that led to Japan's role
Kirin Label
I love these little word faux-pas... do you think this drink is meant for prostitutes?in World War II and witnessed horrific scenes and scenarios depicting the days and years surrounding the dropping of the A-bomb on Hiroshima city. We also experienced an interesting contrast to this sad history lesson as we both approached and left the museum. By chance, we were visiting Hiroshima on Children's Day and in the middle of a city festival. Everywhere there was music and dancing and people having a great time! Exploring the museum and the rest of the city, it seems the people of Hiroshima, in the wake of such tragedy, have really moved forward. They have rebuilt a beautful city that does not forget, but works hard to promote peace at home and around the world. They are a very inspiring people.
The following day we spent at Miyajima, a city on the island of Itsukushima across the way from Hiroshima city. This island's main attraction is Itsukushima Shrine and the famous floating torii. The shrine and the torii were beautiful. As was Mount Misen, the mountain that provides the backdrop to the torii. We decided to take the hike up, and though it was a little more physically demanding than we, or rather I, had
expected, it was totally worth it. There were little shrines and temples along the way up and the view from the top, though it was foggy, was amazing. Two thumbs up for Miyajima!
After Golden Week, it was back to work for me! That Monday was my last working with Tommie which was pretty sad. He really made a Monday back to work fun and I miss him tons! We do have some new teachers again though, Claire and Lee. They seem really great so I'm sure the good times will go on!
This past weekend, Martijn and I headed to Kyoto. On this, my fifth Kyoto visit, we took in some new sights that were just awesome! I finally got to see Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. It was absolutely breathtaking. We also enjoyed the Gion district and Ponto-cho Alley which are always full of cultural surprises. We even saw a geisha... and a real one this time. She must have saw us coming though because she was running the other way! Ha ha!
On our second day, we spent some time at Daitoku-ji, a very old temple where past priests and abbots taught Buddhism through Zen
practices. While we were exploring the Zen garden, we actually met an abbot who seemed very in tune with world cultures as he asked us where we were from and then proceeded to sing both the Dutch and Canadian national anthems. Pretty cool guy! Next, we took the train to the Arashiyama area which was absolutely gorgeous with Japanese food and souvenir shops, a flowing river, people boating and mountainous ranges all around. This was a beautiful and relaxing way to end this Kyoto trip.
So there you have it. My busy spring in Japan thus far. I should mention though, that along with spring comes the anticipation of summer. Of course anticipating summer has a much bigger meaning for me this year than usual. Not only time off and time on the beach, but also a long awaited visit from Chris and a big ol' hello to life in Canada again! Moving back to Canada will be bitter sweet though! I love my life in Japan, and even though I miss people in Canada very much, I just wish sometimes that they could all move here instead of me moving home. Or maybe I can take some of
Japan back to Canada with me! If anyone's interested in learning Japanese, I'm trying really hard to convince Miyoko to move to Canada... she can cut your hair too! Let me know if you've got a job for her...
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Levi
non-member comment
Ruv you rong time
Hey sport. Cut that Japan nonsense out and come on home, wouldja?