Dear all,
How is everyone? I'm sorry it's been so long.
Quite a lot of things have happened since my last post about the homestay which seems ages ago even though it was only last month. Firstly I briefly popped back to the UK for just under two weeks to catch up with people from home, followed by two weeks back here in Kobe chilling out by myself, and finally my parents came to visit. Right now I have another couple of days here to sort out bits and bobs before I fly out to Indonesia on Monday to visit a friend from Oxford.
I should also clear up at this point something regarding a previous post of mine- the one where I had a rant about Kobe. It seems that this post might have upset a few people from the UK who are worrying about me and my wellbeing here in Japan. I must say that I am absolutely fine and not traumatised in any mental or physical way: this post was simply written at the end of a long term by me on a bad day, and is not reflective of my stay here in Japan as a whole which has been thoroughly enjoyable. So please don't worry because I'm absolutely fine!!!!
I do not, however, retract what I wrote though which is why whilst I was back in the UK I had a meeting with the programme coordinators in the Japanese faculty about ways to improve the university experience for next term. This was followed up with numerous meetings between senior staff from both parties so I'm sure by next term many of these teething problems will be sorted.
Anyway now we've got that out of the way: I had a fabulous time back in the UK and I really would like to thank everyone at home for being so hospitable as I couch-surfed across London and Oxford. It was really beneficial for me to go home for just a short period of time to catch up, relax and refresh myself ready for next term. The best thing about going back, I must say, was that it showed me the UK was just the same old place as when I left with its own good points and bad points just like anywhere else, as I started to idealise the place somewhat whilst being here.
After returning to Japan I had about two weeks by myself until my parents arrived. I mostly spent this time catching up on some studying and applying for some summer internships. I also had a wonderful day out with my friend Chizuko in Kyoto where we went to Tenmangu (a temple) to view the plum blossoms since the sakura cherry blossoms were not quite out yet. We then stopped off for some sushi and went to look round Kinkakuji (The Golden Temple)- and iconic landmark of Japan. Despite the weather it was a wonderful day out :)
If you held on for this long, thanks! :)
Sean
Quite a lot of things have happened since my last post about the homestay which seems ages ago even though it was only last month. Firstly I briefly popped back to the UK for just under two weeks to catch up with people from home, followed by two weeks back here in Kobe chilling out by myself, and finally my parents came to visit. Right now I have another couple of days here to sort out bits and bobs before I fly out to Indonesia on Monday to visit a friend from Oxford.
I should also clear up at this point something regarding a previous post of mine- the one where I had a rant about Kobe. It seems that this post might have upset a few people from the UK who are worrying about me and my wellbeing here in Japan. I must say that I am absolutely fine and not traumatised in any mental or physical way: this post was simply written at the end of a long term by me on a bad day, and is not reflective of my stay here in Japan as a whole which has been thoroughly enjoyable. So please don't worry because I'm absolutely fine!!!!
I do not, however, retract what I wrote though which is why whilst I was back in the UK I had a meeting with the programme coordinators in the Japanese faculty about ways to improve the university experience for next term. This was followed up with numerous meetings between senior staff from both parties so I'm sure by next term many of these teething problems will be sorted.
Anyway now we've got that out of the way: I had a fabulous time back in the UK and I really would like to thank everyone at home for being so hospitable as I couch-surfed across London and Oxford. It was really beneficial for me to go home for just a short period of time to catch up, relax and refresh myself ready for next term. The best thing about going back, I must say, was that it showed me the UK was just the same old place as when I left with its own good points and bad points just like anywhere else, as I started to idealise the place somewhat whilst being here.
After returning to Japan I had about two weeks by myself until my parents arrived. I mostly spent this time catching up on some studying and applying for some summer internships. I also had a wonderful day out with my friend Chizuko in Kyoto where we went to Tenmangu (a temple) to view the plum blossoms since the sakura cherry blossoms were not quite out yet. We then stopped off for some sushi and went to look round Kinkakuji (The Golden Temple)- and iconic landmark of Japan. Despite the weather it was a wonderful day out :)
Chizuko and me at Tenmangu temple
pink plum blossom
delicious sushi lunch
white plum blossom
I don't know what these little sticks of wood are called in Japanese but you essentially write what you are praying for at the top and your name beneath. One person by the name of Morimoto had written quite a few with the same wish: 合格祈願 (goukakukigan), a prayer for exam success
this big umbrella is called a 'bangasa'
it's bigger than Chizuko!!
stopped off for some takoyaki as a snack. Takoyaki is octopus in a ball of batter topped with Worcestershire sauce- it's lovely I promise you!
This is Kinkakuji (the golden temple)
Side view
As I said, the following week my parents arrived in Japan. This was something I had been looking forward to for a long time, firstly because I hadn't seen my parents since last October and secondly because we were going on a big tour of Japan together. I have a couple of photos but most will follow in another post since they are on my parents' camera!
The first two days were spent in Kobe where I had the pleasure of introducing my parents to Chizuko and my host family. We went for walks around Kobe, visited the museum of the 1995 earthquake, went to a Japanese pub, looked round the sake breweries, and had a nice meal in Chizuko's flat. Chizuko, by the way, holds a kimono-dressing license (such a thing does exist! putting on a kimono actually requires a lot of skill!) and demonstrated her skills on my mum!! My dad and me had a go at some calligraphy too.
I actually did this one at Chizuko's house a couple of days before hence the different haircut!
mum in Kimono
Then we were swiftly off to Kyoto where we did all the sights. Inevitably I was back at the golden temple just the next week! Chizuko actually came to Kyoto one day to guide us round a little which was lovely. She also had made us all packed lunches which we had in the sun at Nijojo castle. Fantastic!
Back at Kinkakuji!
Next it was Kanazawa, a smaller city to the north east of Kyoto. Kanazawa is historically a wealthy city and used to be a playground for the rich samurai. Thus it was home to a magnificent castle and some beautiful gardens in particular Kenrokuen that must've cost a few quid to build! I particularly liked this place for it's international vibe despite being a relatively small city. Unlike Kobe, Kanazawa has a centre especially for foreign expats with free advisory service, library, and a notice board for Japanese seeking English teachers or simply foreign friends. I thought this to be a precious community resource we unfortunately don't have here in Kobe.
The next place was called Takayama- literally high mountain, in the heart of the Japanese alps. We were starting to get worried as we looked out of the window on the train seeing snow about a metre thick which we totally weren't prepared for but luckily most had melted in Takayama. Takayama really open my eyes to two things: firstly that Japanese culture, despite all the talk of homogeneity etc., is actually surprisingly diverse. With its relatively isolated location, it had seemed to develop its own style of cookery, architecture and dialect which was a million miles away from Kobe. Secondly I developed a new appreciation of the Japanese country side through Takayama's wonderful old style buildings, natural springs and mountain views. Photos will follow as soon as possible!
After Takayama it was Hakone which was more essentially of the same. Hakone is closer to Tokyo though and it is where many Tokyoites like to go for the weekend to get away from the city. We also stayed in a traditional Japanese inn (called a 'ryoukan') which was quite hilarious. We had to wear 'yukata' which is traditional clothing and wonder around in slippers- an experience I won't forget any time soon!
We rounded the trip off in Tokyo. It was great to be back in Tokyo and I find the more time I spend here the more I fall in love with it. We did the whole lot: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, Tokyo Dome...ok so this probably doesn't mean anything to most people but when I get the photos I will upload everything and explain exactly what we did!
Needless to say I think my parents very much enjoyed seeing me and learning a bit about my life here which made me very happy. I am sorely missing living in hotels though- back to reality of the panic room I guess (this is what I call my dorm now).
Got a lot of stuff to do tomorrow sorting things out for Bali so I will have to leave it here for now. I leave on Monday morning (its Saturday evening right now). Obviously really excited.
Sean
