July 10-16, 2006

Hey everyone
So my 2nd last email to send to you all from Japan. It has been great keeping in contact with you all over this past year, and not only sharing my stories and experiences, but also hearing yours as well.
This past week has been full of new and yet tried experiences, lots of fun and some challenges too.
Last Monday Kazuya and I set out on our trip to Okinawa - the largest and most famous island south of Japan - it is still Japanese "territory" yet has a distinctive flavour and character to that of mainland Japan. We arrived early on Monday morning and spent 3 full days of fun there. Visited the old castle which used to be home to the King of Okinawa, who actually was killed by the Japanese army when they invaded the island some 300 years ago. The Japanese army killed all of the king's family to ensure that no one could ever claim lineage to the throne. A terrible fate, but and interesting one at that.

Made our way to a cultural centre and tried on some kimono, but Okinawan style and learned a little about the local history.

We tried out traditional Okinawan food, which is actually quite different to mainland Japanese food in many ways. Had dinner on Monday night at an Okinawan pub, where we watched the locals perform on Okinawan instruments - very lively and very exciting. Danced a bit too.

Tuesday was a great day - hot weather and sunshine all day - we joined in on a snorkelling expedition in the morning which saw us climbing down cliffs, and into a cave before swimming out into the ocean, searching for tropical fish. Took some great photos, which I am going to add to my online gallery - more on the gallery later.Amazing experience swimming with so many tropical fish!! Really enjoyed it!Following the expedition, drove to a beach and swam and sunbaked all afternoon. We had hired a car for the 3 days, so made it really easy to dart around the island, which is actually quite large.
Also visited a culutral centre and saw the old-style Okinwan architecture, Kazuya held a poisonous Okinawan snake (under extremely close guidance), and we ate some Nachos okinawan style. Finished the avo off with a coconut drink and a stroll in the sun.


Tuesday night we opted for a non-Okinawan dinner - all you can eat smorgasboard instead! Did some shopping for Omiyage (souvenirs) and crashed into bed a little sunburnt!
On our final day (Wednesday) we had a nice adventure to a Pineapple Farm to see how pineapples are turned into many different products in Okinawa - from pineapple wine, to pineapple cream (good for the skin apparently) and pineapple cake.

Stopped off at the Suizoukan (Aquarium) for an exploration to the bottom of the sea. Saw some amazingly-coloured fish, and a scary shark and sting ray or too, before re-surfacing. The dolphin show was the highlight, with 4 dolphins peforming like ballerinas in the water!


Made our way to another beach and did a picnic thing, before driving back to the major city - Naha - wasted a few hours searching for a petrol station to refill the renta-car and then getting lost on the way to returning it!!!! Made our plane just 10 minutes before take-off!!


Arrived back in Tokyo late on Wednesday evening. Slept well and then met my Grandpa on Thursday morning, who is here for 5 days, before heading onto Singapore to see his son. We caught up, for the first time in a while, visiting his old place north of Tokyo where he used to live when he worked for a Japanese company 15 years ago. Really interesting to see where he lived, and hear some of his stories about life in Japan - interesting to see how they contrasted, yet were in many ways alike to the experiences I have had.

Watched some sumo on telly (which he loves) before eating out at a traditional Japanese restaurant. On Friday we met up again and I took him to Waseda to show him the campus. He was really impressed by the university, and I was happy to show him where I had studied over the past year. We then caught a tram up the line which is a great ride through Tokyo backstreets and backyards!I had to teach English in the afternoon. And then on Friday night I met up with a friend and we had dinner at Shibuya together - nice Thai food - and a chat over coffee. He was volunteering at the 15th Tokyo Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

On Saturday I had a volunteer project of my own to attend at Yokohama. I did another cultural exchange workshop with some Japanese students who have been or will go to New Zealand on exchange for 1 year. Great to chat with them, and give those out-going students some advice about what to expect, and how to cope with life overseas and studying abroad.

I raced back to Ebisu to a house party at 5pm, and helped my friend with some of the cooking. Had a great night catching up with some friends there and meeting some new ones. A really good night all round, finished off with a performance on the piano by my friend Skip who hosted the party.

Today I met up with my Grandpa again, and we enjoyed a tour of Ueno Zoo - which was a bit on the smelly side in all this heat!! We experienced a Japanese market, and then one of the busiest intersection in the world in Shibuya before having dinner with Kazuya at an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Really enjoyed introducing Kazuya to my grandpa, and they chatted over dinner well. I didnt have to steer any of the conversation. Nice fun.
Have come home now, feeling so worn out but satisfied. Have only another 9 days here in Japan, and they are action-packed as usual.
Will send my final email next Sunday. And then it is back to Australia on July 25th. I have my own official blog, of which all these emails have been posted, and am working currently on developing my own website as well as a photo gallery. Once it is all completed, I will email you the links.
Until next week, take care everyone and keep in touch.
Tim
xxxxx

July 3-9, 2006

Hey there everyone. Well this is my third last email from Japan!!
This week was one of the most whirlwind ones I think I have ever had, but all fun just the same. On Monday Kazuya and I climbed Mt. Fuji - not to the peak, but to the 8th stage - which took us 6 hours return, and a lot of energy! The actual mountain is not the cleanest, hence its rejection as a world heritage site. A lot of garbage and mess on the way up - not too much to be impressed about! However, the views of the countryside around were spectacular.

We came back tired as on Monday evening and enjoyed some Greek food out with a friend - nice warm atmosphere here with the Japanese summer well into swing. Nice sitting out on the balcony enjoying some Greek food.
On Tuesday I did a yoga session at Odaiba on the beach which was extremely relaxing - Kazuya has been going there for the past few weeks as his newly-made friend directs the session. Following that Kazuya and I enjoyed a light breakfast before I went to teach English for a few hours. Usually I don't have any lessons on Tuesday, but I offered to take over for one of the other teachers who is away in Canada at the moment.
In the evening Kazuya and I had dinner with one of my English students...
On Wednesday I slept in, as my friend Emerald is staying here this week and we were both very tired. I had 2 separate lessons of English to teach, so that kept me busy for most of the afternoon, before Kazuya and I met up for dinner - all you can eat Yakiniku (cooked meat). The place is one of our favourite eat spots. Learned about the North Korean missile strikes - which didn't come as a shock I must admit. There is a lot of talk going on here in Japan, but I don't think that too much defiance will continue - not with mounting military and economic pressure against them.
On Thursday Emerald and I had planned to go to a Theme Park North of Tokyo, however for most of the day it rained, so we decided against the idea, and instead had lunch out and did some window shopping at Shibuya. I then went to meet my close friend Tatsuya and we had a coffee before heading out to dinner - I organised to meet a lot of friends for a big group dinner - a nice and easy way to say goodbye to everyone at once!!We had a great night catching up and spending time together, before heading to karaoke until the wee hours of the morning. I have made some really great friends here in Japan, and it will be so sad to leave them - some have already parted.
Friday I slept in again, before doing some stuff around the house and then going to teach English - my two usual classes. In the evening I met another student of mine before coming home for some much needed sleep - have only got about 4-5 hours per night - enjoying the Wimbledon Championships once again this week!
Yesterday morning I left for Maebashi on the train - about 2 hours out of Tokyo to visit a friend of mine. Good timing, as there was a festival going on and so I dressed up in a men's kimono and walked the streets with my friend Takuya and his sister! Had an awesome night with them - eating dinner out at a traditional Japanese restaurant, before heading to karaoke. Another great night.
And today, his family drove me to the Japan Sea - incidentally where the North Korean missiles landed in the ocean - we had a nice seafood lunch and a visit to a museum. Returned home tonight late - have just got in to write this email. Extremely tired, but must say I had a very energetic and social week.
Tomorrow Kazuya and I fly to Okinawa at 8am for 3 days in summer's paradise!!!! Be back Wednesday night, and then my grandpa comes to Tokyo to visit for 6 days.
Take care and keep in touch everyone....
Speak to you all soon.
Timxxxxxx

June 26-July 2, 2006

Hey everyone

Well my final week at Waseda University has come to an end! An extremely eventful one. Last Monday was my last Kanji class and we had an extremely heated debate about whether gay marriage should be legalised. Of course our team, for gay marriage, won with an extra 100 points more than the non-afirmative team. A strong win which shows that not all of society is unaccepting of such persons.

Tuesday was spent at uni and then I taught English in the evening.

Wednesday I had the whole day off, so Kazuya and I headed to Tokyo and had a big feed at an all-you-can-eat Thai Restaurant - a very hot day, but I didnt let that stop me from pigging out on some beautiful curries and coconut milk! Kazuya visited an art gallery and got some inspiration for the afternoon, before we headed to the park and relaxed on what little grass Tokyo has!! About a 30 degree day, so ice-creams were eaten in their thousands!

Thursday was my second last day at uni, packed with (not surprisingly) 3 final exams!! A tough day, but felt very relieved and satisfied once all the exams were over! Came home and finalised a report ready to hand in on Friday.

Friday I had my last official class at Waseda - quite sad to say goodbye to all my classmates, but as we all know, life is full of goodbyes, so this time was no harder.
On Friday avo I taught two long classes at the English school before heading out to a bar near the university to meet up with all my graduating friends. Had a long night drinking away and reminiscing about this past year! Managed to catch the last train home!!

Saturday I had my official graduation ceremony which was full of emotion but a satisfying way to finish the semester. Following a lot of happy snaps and handshakes, we all enjoyed a luncheon, getting the chance to say goodbye to those people who are flying out of the country this week, and arranging times to meet others who are staying on a bit longer.
A very emotional afternoon which I cannot really put into words. Kazuya didnt come as he had work, but my friend Tatsuya came to take photos for me.

I then helped my friend Emerald clean up her room ready for the move this week, which I must say was quite the task! Her fridge needed airing for more than 48 hours to get rid of the stench.
On Saturday night we had yet another party, this time to celebrate the post-graduation!! More drinking and laughs! Ended up heading into the city - Shinjuku - and had a few drinks with my friend Tatsuya and some more Thai food!!!! Can't get enough of it!

Sunday I attended a BBQ for handicapped people - all aged around 20 years of age, chatted to them about all sorts of things and really enjoyed the interaction. Started pouring with rain in the afternoon, so headed back to the centre and played some games with them. Really enjoy my volunteering time, and cherish those moments I can spend with people less fortunate than I am.

Last night I headed back to Emerald's place to help with some finishing touches to her room, and said my last goodbyes to some more students that I have been with over this past year.

Today Kazuya and I climbed Mount Fuji - but I will talk more about that in next week's email.
The rest of this week is packed with social events and teaching - now that I have finished uni, I am free for the next 3 weeks until I head home. On Thursday I will head out to an amusement park all day, as well as another farewell party, some karaoke, and next weekend I am heading away for two days to Maebashi to see my Japanese friend.

Take care everyone and email you all again next Monday!

See you all very soon I hope.

Tim
xxxxx