My Last Days in Japan... (for now anyways;)

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IT’S OFFICIAL! I’m unemployed; I have no house and no car! And I feel so FREE!

Hahahahahahahhahaha…maybe it’s just the hysterics of the moment talking, but I’m fine! (For now anyways!)

August 3rd. That’s the magic date I’ve been counting down to, since August 2nd of 2003. Three years of service to the country of Japan. That’s 1095 days, too many embarrassing moments to count, 3 trips home, 36 paychecks…and a HECK of a lot of sushi! So what do I do now?!

TRAVEL! That’s what I’m going to do!

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From August 3rd to August 13th, I bounced around from house to house, learning how to play the nomad role. I stayed with my Japanese mommy Toshiko-sensei for two days, which was so sweet. She gave me my own room, did my laundry, cooked for me and of course threw me another leaving party. I was sad to say goodbye to such great service! I mean, the woman brought me a wet towel and a bottle of water on a tray each night before bed! You don’t get much better then THAT!

I then took over Tammy’s apartment for the week, as she was off at a conference. It was so nice to have an apartment (although not my own) all to myself. I made it my ‘home base’ from which to venture off from to more goodbye lunches and dinners.

Saturday morning rolled around and I left from Yamagata to meet up with Lucy. She’s working in the neighboring prefecture to Miyagi for Interac, another JET-like Program, also teaching English. I was so glad that I had time to see her new apartment before I left, especially since it’s usually her coming to see all of US. I left the following morning for Tokyo. It was a longer then usual bullet train down to the city centre, but it was worth it, as I was able to meet up with Nicky on her way back from Mongolia and Russia.
We lunched in Harajuku at an awesome vegetarian restaurant and I met Nicky’s friends Masako and Tsuyoshi who actually put me up that night. I’m off to a good start at this point: 11 nights on the road and I haven’t paid for accommodation yet!

Monday August 14th, I left Tokyo’s Narita airport for Beijing, China.

Oh...and did I mention I cut all my hair off?! aaaahhhhh!!!!! Why am I so impulsive?! (I'm joking, I actually love it!)

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Photos

The soccer parents
The Wakuya soccer parents invited me to their little shindig

The soccer parents
mama and papa Sasaki

Tome Girls
Up on the roof top of the Kirin Beer garden...oh good times!

Tome Girls
(and Takeshi)

Goodbye Kumiko
Dinner at Marco Polo in Wakuya

Goodbye Nicky
Nicks brought me back some yummy Russian chocolate, which I ate in China when I first arrived...that chocolate got around!

My beloved pack...
I'm ready to GO!

The drastic cut...
Yes, I stood in front of a mirror and hacked off all my hair. Ya can't call me vain now!

The Oyanaka Family
I spent the night at Masako and Tsuyoshi's house the night before my flight to China. They were LAST minute hosts as my friend Yasu had to be with his family for Obon.

Comments

[Melly B]

You, impulsive....no!
Hello you. Just wanted to make a comment since your wall was so sad and bare. In regards to the title, yes girl you are the most impulsive woman i know! You will probably show up in Canada with a husband and a few adopted babies/animals that you picked up on your travels! Cant wait to see you! Bye for now. oxox

[anonymous]

New Hair!
Your hair loks fab in the picture, its been ages. Just checking in and reading your blog, i read it from time to time. Hope you are well and safe and enjoying the travels x

[David White]

AFRO
Krysta - grow an afro! It's great, I miss mine. Weird people start talking to you, it's warmer in the winter, and you can hide stuff in there!

[mommy]

Great Haircut!
you can do mine when you get home! i will start preparing jeffrey (my hairdresser) now! he just won't be the same without my golden locks!! love, mommy xxxooooxxx

[deleted_36378]

My first post!
Hey Krysta. You told me to post, so here it is! As I told you, I don't think it matters what you do with your hair because you have such a pretty face :). I hope you're not embarrased that I wrote that. You get to censor this, don't you? You'll probably censor me!