October 3-9, 2005
Hey everyone
Hope you are all well. I am writing a little late to you all this week because I have been away north of Tokyo in a beautiful mountain city called Matsumoto - it is a long weekend here in Japan - today is National Sports Day.
I have included more people in the mailing list this week - a big hello and hug to Nicole, Nat, Athina and Carly, Anna, Chihpin and Claire and Lori!!Had wanted to email you guys since I arrived here 6 weeks ago but have been very slack!! So hey to you all and hope you are all happy!
Unfortunately I have to start the week off again by talking about another tragedy - last week it was the bombing in Bali - this week is the major earthquake in Pakistan. At last look, 25, 000 people had been reported dead. For me, this is a really big deal - particularly with the fact that Tokyo is well overdue for a major earthquake. Ibviously no one knows when it's gonna occur. But we are all prepared. The authorities in Japan are far advanced in preparation compared to any other country.Hopefully they can share some of that knowledge for the people of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, who have been affected this week.
On a happier note, I had again a very busy week last week - I'll stick to the day-by-day info cause it's easier to type that way.
Last Monday (October 3rd), I went with some of my Waseda Uni friends to see the National Sumo Tournament which was held here in Tokyo. I hadn't seen sumo in person before, so it was a great experience. If you thought sumo was contested by only Japanese people then you are wrong! There were two foreigners in the competition - an Estonian and a Ukranian! Very interesting! Also, in sumo, there is no weight or height limit, so it is possible for a 100 kg sumo and a 180kgsumo to be pitted against each other in the same round! Certainly makes for an interesting showdown!!!I stayed for about 3 hours and watched the sumos battle it out in the arena - a very good cultural experience. Had to rush back to uni for an economics class.
My friend Kanae also came to stay once again, as she was attending her friend's restaurant opening here in Tokyo. We stayed up late again and chatted; I really should get to bed earlier cause I am getting massive bags under my eyes!!
Last Tuesday (October 4th) I had uni in the morning but then left at lunch to go and meet Kanae again. For those of you who went to Davidson, you will know the Psaltis's - they were in Tokyo to meet Kanae, a Japanese student they had hosted last year. So, we all had lunch together - Joanne, Kos, Chris, Kanae and myself. It was funny to see how the Psaltis's had adapted to life in Japan - ordering lunch etc and commenting about their trip so far.We also went to a large shrine in Yoyogi Park - The Meiji Jingu Shrine. Again, I had to rush back to uni for another class, but it was great to catch up with everyone.
After class, a few of my Waseda Uni friends and I met up with Chris Psaltis for dinner...we had a good chat and laughed about old times, when I was in the concert band with him at school.
On Wednesday (October 5th), Kazuya came to Tokyo once again to see me. For those of you who I didn't email earlier, Kazuya is currently working at a hotel/resort about 2 hours South of Tokyo. He gets every Wednesday off, so we meet up.It rained all day, so we just relaxed at my place; watched some telly and told stories etc.
On Thursday (October 6th), I had uni all day, so Kazuya spent the day by himself. After I had finished class, we met up, and along with my Aussie friends Emerald and Ky-lee, we went to a Greek Restaurant at Harajuku. Kazuya loves Greek food, and Emerald, being Greek, recommended some delicious dishes, such as haloumi. It was a really great restaurant - a half Japanese-Greek chef - so he prepared really authentic, meticulously delicious cuisine.
Kazuya stayed again on Thursday night.....
On Friday (October 7th), I again had uni all day ntil 6pm, and Kazuya had work from 4pm, so he went back to Hakone. However, the day before, while I was at uni, he had searched for another job. Even though he only started this job in Hakone last week, he wants to change contracts to another hotel. In Hakone at his current job, he is sharing another room with a fellow colleague. He doesn't like that, plus I cannot stay there if I visit Hakone. So, he applied for a new job at a different hotel in Hakone last Thursday. He was successful in the interview, so from December 1st he will transfer to the new hotel; he will have his own room there and greater privacy. We are both very happy about that. He will work at that hotel on a 2 month contract, and at the end of February, will look for a job here in Tokyo, so we can both live together. That will cut my rent in half and save him the transportation costs of coming to Tokyo every week to see me.I am not pressuring him to come to Tokyo soon, or at all, because I know that his dream was to always work in Hakone - he will move to Tokyo when the time is right.
Hope you are all well. I am writing a little late to you all this week because I have been away north of Tokyo in a beautiful mountain city called Matsumoto - it is a long weekend here in Japan - today is National Sports Day.
I have included more people in the mailing list this week - a big hello and hug to Nicole, Nat, Athina and Carly, Anna, Chihpin and Claire and Lori!!Had wanted to email you guys since I arrived here 6 weeks ago but have been very slack!! So hey to you all and hope you are all happy!
Unfortunately I have to start the week off again by talking about another tragedy - last week it was the bombing in Bali - this week is the major earthquake in Pakistan. At last look, 25, 000 people had been reported dead. For me, this is a really big deal - particularly with the fact that Tokyo is well overdue for a major earthquake. Ibviously no one knows when it's gonna occur. But we are all prepared. The authorities in Japan are far advanced in preparation compared to any other country.Hopefully they can share some of that knowledge for the people of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, who have been affected this week.
On a happier note, I had again a very busy week last week - I'll stick to the day-by-day info cause it's easier to type that way.
Last Monday (October 3rd), I went with some of my Waseda Uni friends to see the National Sumo Tournament which was held here in Tokyo. I hadn't seen sumo in person before, so it was a great experience. If you thought sumo was contested by only Japanese people then you are wrong! There were two foreigners in the competition - an Estonian and a Ukranian! Very interesting! Also, in sumo, there is no weight or height limit, so it is possible for a 100 kg sumo and a 180kgsumo to be pitted against each other in the same round! Certainly makes for an interesting showdown!!!I stayed for about 3 hours and watched the sumos battle it out in the arena - a very good cultural experience. Had to rush back to uni for an economics class.
My friend Kanae also came to stay once again, as she was attending her friend's restaurant opening here in Tokyo. We stayed up late again and chatted; I really should get to bed earlier cause I am getting massive bags under my eyes!!
Last Tuesday (October 4th) I had uni in the morning but then left at lunch to go and meet Kanae again. For those of you who went to Davidson, you will know the Psaltis's - they were in Tokyo to meet Kanae, a Japanese student they had hosted last year. So, we all had lunch together - Joanne, Kos, Chris, Kanae and myself. It was funny to see how the Psaltis's had adapted to life in Japan - ordering lunch etc and commenting about their trip so far.We also went to a large shrine in Yoyogi Park - The Meiji Jingu Shrine. Again, I had to rush back to uni for another class, but it was great to catch up with everyone.
After class, a few of my Waseda Uni friends and I met up with Chris Psaltis for dinner...we had a good chat and laughed about old times, when I was in the concert band with him at school.
On Wednesday (October 5th), Kazuya came to Tokyo once again to see me. For those of you who I didn't email earlier, Kazuya is currently working at a hotel/resort about 2 hours South of Tokyo. He gets every Wednesday off, so we meet up.It rained all day, so we just relaxed at my place; watched some telly and told stories etc.
On Thursday (October 6th), I had uni all day, so Kazuya spent the day by himself. After I had finished class, we met up, and along with my Aussie friends Emerald and Ky-lee, we went to a Greek Restaurant at Harajuku. Kazuya loves Greek food, and Emerald, being Greek, recommended some delicious dishes, such as haloumi. It was a really great restaurant - a half Japanese-Greek chef - so he prepared really authentic, meticulously delicious cuisine.
Kazuya stayed again on Thursday night.....
On Friday (October 7th), I again had uni all day ntil 6pm, and Kazuya had work from 4pm, so he went back to Hakone. However, the day before, while I was at uni, he had searched for another job. Even though he only started this job in Hakone last week, he wants to change contracts to another hotel. In Hakone at his current job, he is sharing another room with a fellow colleague. He doesn't like that, plus I cannot stay there if I visit Hakone. So, he applied for a new job at a different hotel in Hakone last Thursday. He was successful in the interview, so from December 1st he will transfer to the new hotel; he will have his own room there and greater privacy. We are both very happy about that. He will work at that hotel on a 2 month contract, and at the end of February, will look for a job here in Tokyo, so we can both live together. That will cut my rent in half and save him the transportation costs of coming to Tokyo every week to see me.I am not pressuring him to come to Tokyo soon, or at all, because I know that his dream was to always work in Hakone - he will move to Tokyo when the time is right.
So, back on track - last Friday night we had a big Welcome Party at Waseda for all the exchange students. A lot of the Japanese students who are studying English. It was a great night - we all had a free meal and watched one of the Waseda dance groups perform a traditional Okinawan dance.I made friends with a lot of the Japanese students, 2 of which have invited me to join a tennis club and a kendo club - which I look really forward to doing.
Following the party, we went to a Nomihoudai (all you can drink alcohol bar) followed by Karaoke! I really enjoyed meeting everyone and making some friends who I know will be with me for the next year!On Saturday (8th), I left early in the morning on the bus to Matsumoto. My friend Kanae had advised me to go there (seeing it was a long weekend) and her brother also wanted to catch up with me. I spent the day with him and his girlfriend; we had a nice lunch together. He owns a bar called Bar Zero, which is an attachment to his parents house. I helped him serve drinks and welcome customers - some of which stayed until 4.30am!!
And yesterday (9th), we went to a Wasabi Farm to see how Wasabi is made. I always thought it was just a paste, made from some kind of hot, spicy chile. However, it is actually a plant, which is cultivated on a farm. Fresh, clean, water streams flow through the farm to keep the Wasabi plant purified and fresh. The plant is then harvested and the stalk is grated to form a hot paste-like delicassie which is used in a lot of Japanese dishes.I also had Wasabi ice-cream!! They sell Wasabi biscuits, Wasabi paste and Wasabi confectionary! It isn't all hot and spicy!
I also made a nice necklace made of glass and marble, which we crafted under intense heat. It looks really neat!
Following the party, we went to a Nomihoudai (all you can drink alcohol bar) followed by Karaoke! I really enjoyed meeting everyone and making some friends who I know will be with me for the next year!On Saturday (8th), I left early in the morning on the bus to Matsumoto. My friend Kanae had advised me to go there (seeing it was a long weekend) and her brother also wanted to catch up with me. I spent the day with him and his girlfriend; we had a nice lunch together. He owns a bar called Bar Zero, which is an attachment to his parents house. I helped him serve drinks and welcome customers - some of which stayed until 4.30am!!
And yesterday (9th), we went to a Wasabi Farm to see how Wasabi is made. I always thought it was just a paste, made from some kind of hot, spicy chile. However, it is actually a plant, which is cultivated on a farm. Fresh, clean, water streams flow through the farm to keep the Wasabi plant purified and fresh. The plant is then harvested and the stalk is grated to form a hot paste-like delicassie which is used in a lot of Japanese dishes.I also had Wasabi ice-cream!! They sell Wasabi biscuits, Wasabi paste and Wasabi confectionary! It isn't all hot and spicy!
I also made a nice necklace made of glass and marble, which we crafted under intense heat. It looks really neat!
I stayed in Matsumoto again last night, and came back to Tokyo this afternoon. As I said earlier, it is a National Holiday here in Japan. I met up with Kanae again this afternoon and her parents, who were both in Tokyo for the weekend. Next time, I will go to Matsumoto when her parents are at home too, and we can spend time together.
I look foreward to another busy week this week. It looks like it is going to rain for the most part of it, which means I can probably catch up on some study (which I should be doing!!)
I have finally finished reading Bill Clinton's autobiography - a fantastic read - I recommend it to anyone who is interested in American Politics and/or International Relations.
Hope everyone is well and keeping healthy happy and safe!!
Take care guys and keep in touch.
Regards
Tim
xx
I look foreward to another busy week this week. It looks like it is going to rain for the most part of it, which means I can probably catch up on some study (which I should be doing!!)
I have finally finished reading Bill Clinton's autobiography - a fantastic read - I recommend it to anyone who is interested in American Politics and/or International Relations.
Hope everyone is well and keeping healthy happy and safe!!
Take care guys and keep in touch.
Regards
Tim
xx
posted by Tim at 10:46 AM
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