Setsubun: February 3rd 2008

Setsubun is a holiday in Japan and is the day before the beginning of spring. Spring Setsubun can be thought of as a sort of New Year’s Eve, and so was accompanied by a special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. This special ritual is called mamemaki (豆撒き, scattering of beans).  haha explanation of wikipedia. gomen
We all went to Kushida jinja and I remember that day the weather was so awfull. It was raining the whole time, but that didn’t matter. Kushida jinja was really full with people and there was even a line to go praying. We just went in the crowd to wait for kabuki actors who would throw the first beans and other stuff.  When the kabuki actors finally came, all the women were screaming so loudly. haha funny. But the problem was me, Sam and Kris were standing behind Michael, who is 2 meters tall and also Marc, who is also very tall. When they started to throw candy, balls and beans our way they could catch everything. T_T so sad One time Michael even jumped to get something and he almost fell on us. yabai. So we went to stand in the back, becuz als the Japanese people were a little pushy. If you caught the balls you got a prise, a daikon or if the daikon’s were out another vegetable. hahaha I was actually happy I didnt caugt a ball cuz i didn’t want to have a daikon. ^^ After this the priests or I don’t know the proper name for them-people (just old men) came and they sand the hakata song and also throw stuff, while saying 鬼は外、福はうち。or Devil outside, goodluck inside. At the end most people were gone from the place and when they still were throwing stuff I could get some candy (mochi).

After this ceremony we all went back to kaikan. There we would make 恵方巻き　all together. First everybody went to jusco to get some ingredients to put in the roll and then we could start to make it. The tutors helped us to roll the sushi. Then we waited for each other and when everybody was finished we ate each our own makizushi together. While eating we had to face this year’s lucky direction, this time it was the south direction. We had to be quiet while eating or otherwise it would be bad luck. Then after this delicious ehomaki we had to eat beans. We had to eat as much as our age, so I had to eat 20 beans that time. It wasn’t really おいしい, it had a real dry taste. Didn’t like it. After eating the beans we throw some beans out of the kaikan window while saying that same sentence as before and that was it. It was actually really nice to experience this holiday once.

Suzenji elementary school: December 10th 2007

I got to go to a secundary elementary school in Suzenji. There was also a homestay the day before but I didn’t join that. I only wanted to do the school visit. First off we got to see which class we would end up. I would go to one class of the 4th graders. This time I would go alone to one class. Before we would go to the classes we got a tour around the school, their school was pretty normal, like every Japanese school. Then I went to my class, when I came in they all surrounded me and talked about me and stuff. They asked my name, I said Bekky and they thought I said Beckham. So they called me beckham. wtf They went to get an atlas and asked me to show where Belgium is situated. Then the teacher came and I had to listen to the mathematics class. It was soo boring, totally not fun. I just sat in the back of the class the whole time. The teacher made them do a excercise and when they finished I had to sort of correct it, just put a sign that its right and then put my autograph. After the class was finished we went to the big gym and all us students had to sit on the stage, there were maybe 800 students. As I expected we had to introduce ourselves and say goodmorning in our own language. When everybody finished their introduction the children from 1st and 2nd grade started singing and dancing.  They sang head-shoulder-knees and toes and did the dance from algorithm taiso. The 3rd and 4th graders played on the flute for us and the 5th and 6th graders sang the song It’s a small world in Japanese for us.

After this we went back to our classes to eat. They were really proud about their school’s food I think. Every day or week there is another group of children that have the duty to get the food and serve it to the other children. While the kids were getting the food I got to meet some of the children, the girls were really cute and talky. We played a little before we would eat, one boy was really cute he went to sit on my back and we would do high five all the time. I went to sit at my table and there was a boy with a book about fish next to my table. And a girl on the other side of me. So the children gave us the food, first was crabsoup and also a sort of gyoza. We also got bread with blueberry jam and milk. I tell you I really didn’t like it, actually I didn’t like the soup only.

After the food I had to go sit in front and the children could ask me questions, not very difficult. Then we play a game again, something like animal basket that I played in the other school. Except now we used words like eraser and stapler. But the teacher couldn’t pronounce these words so I had to tell the children how to pronounciate it. After this game we went outside to play a game. This was a difficult game for me. I don’t remember the name of the game, but there was like a line in the sand and on every side there was a group of children. When the teacher said go the children ran for the fastest and then did janken pon. (paper-rock-scissors) I wasn’t really good at this game, but it was fun to play with the children. They had to laugh with me sometimes too. haha After the game we took pictures together and then it was time to go. The boy had to go on my back before I had to leave and we gave each other a last high five too.He was really sweet and also some of the girls were sweet. After my visit to their school I got letters from them all, that was really sweet. Most of the times it had the same content, but it was really nice to read.

Osaka trip: November 21th-26th 2007

I don’t remember in what order I went to all the places, but I do know what I did during my trip to Osaka. I went with I-chen and King with the nightbus to Osaka. The busride lasts 9 hours and is really hell if you are not sitting at a good place. I sat next to the window and that time it was so cold. I couldn’t sleep at all becuz every two hours the busdriver would stop to let people go to the toilet and every time the lights would go on. It was really annoying. We arrived in Osaka at 6am, sooo early. Nothing was open, so we had to wait till a cafe would open. The time I got out of the bus in Osaka I really felt terribly sick. I felt like puking the whole time. We waited till the first cafe would open and then went in and wait till the first trains would drive. I made an appointment with my Belgian friends who would come and get me from the station. We met at the café and I was really so sick still. Then my friend Valerie wanted to go to the Mcdonalds to have a drink. On our way to the McDonalds I had to puke on the streets even. (it must have looked like I was having a hangover; but no I was really so sick.) After our drink in the McDonalds we went to my friends’ university Kansai Daigaku. I was still feeling like shit so I passed out on the bench since my friends wanted to eat something they left me there. haha After my short nap we went to Valerie’s dorm and watched a movie, but at 4 or something I had to leave to go to Itami and meet my friend Kanako in whose house I would stay for the following days. I took a train and it was so complicated I had to ask people the whole time which train to take. haha Fortunately I was in Japan and the people would just take me to the place I had to step on the next train. I asked mostly school girls and they were impressed by my Japanese (but this is normal for Japanese people they always say your Japanese is good) But this girl was really surprised I asked her something in Japanese. haha So finally I arrived at Itami station and Kanako was waiting for me. I was really happy to see her and we ran to each other and hugged. aaaw ^^ Then I got to see how her driving skills are, which are very good I think. She had to drive with such a big car through those small streets. I was impressed. We arrived at her house and I met her dad and her cats. sooo cute. I would sleep in the same room as her. But she had to leave so I slept a little and took a shower. When Kanako came back we all had nabe. Sooo delicious. I think very soon after dinner I went downstairs to my bed because I was so tired. Kanako came with me and talked a lot, but I was really so tired. My eyes were even red, but I think this was becuz of the heater. (i think it was on gas and annually in Japan a lot of accidents happen becuz people keep this heater on and the air gets very dry and people die sometimes) I think this heater was on for a while until Kanako came to sleep. During the night Kanako’s cat came to sleep next to me, she was really cute she tapped like on my shoulder to ask if she could sleep next to me. kawaii

The next morning there was a letter on the table and the house was empty. It said I had the house for myself till 2:30 and I could eat the bento her mom made for me. This bento was super super delicious. yammy chicken balls i think with rice and spaghetti with the mentaiko I gave them as souvenir from Fukuoka. ^^ Her mom was just so sweet for me. I decided to watch a movie and the cats watched with me. haha One of Kanako’s cats Gon sat on my lap the whole time during the movie. Also the sofa was sooo comfortable I really could stay in that sofa forever. I watched the movie Pride and prejudice for the first time. I really like it and it was so romantic. When Kanako came home we would go together to her tutor job. She gave English lessons to a 12 year old girl. I was a little nervous that time. Her mom would also join the lesson this time becuz I was there and they had an opportunity to talk to a gaijin. The little girl was also a little nervous. But after a while It was fun. We played English games. Like with cards all over the table and Kanako would say an English word and we would have to find the card with that word. Of course I was good in this. ^^ And after this we had to make English sentences. After the lesson we went out to check the big christmas tree they had outside of their appartment. I think we ate something after this, I don’t really remember. When we came back at Kanako’s house her parents had a welcome cake for me!! waaah so cool. They asked me so much questions too only in Japanese. o_O it was chotto difficult becuz they use Osakaben. But they are very nice!! We watched some tv and then went to sleep. My eyes were again superred, I don’t know how come. I think I had an allergic reaction becuz of something there.

Anyways next morning we went to karaoke with Chiaki. She’s Kanako’s best friend. The karaoke was fun!! I like karaoke better when there are not too many people. Chiaki really sang so pretty and also there was the first time I went to a squatting toilet. I usually don’t like it, but I really had to go urgent and that was the only toilet. After karaoke we went for some food in diamond city if I remember well at the ninyaku. We had too much food. I couldn’t eat everything, but the girls could. I still don’t understand how Japanese girl who are so thin can still eat so much. After this we went to USJ (universal Japan studios). I already went there before, but this time the atmosphere was so nice. Everywhere christmas decoration. I loved it.

We went in some attractions, like spiderman and back to the future. This time I didn’t went in Jurassic Park and Hollywood dream. The last one is a scary rollercoaster. There was a queu that laster 140 minutes. I was so happy I didn’t have to go in that rollercoaster again. haha. In the evening there were such pretty christmas lights and the big christmas tree was also nice. It changed colors every 1 minute.

After USJ we went to eat takoyaki, actually only Chiaki and Kanako ate it. I ate the popcorn I bought in USJ. But Kanako let me taste a little of her takoyaki without the tako. haha But still it was not delicious. We went to shop after this and then it was time to go home. I watched some tv at Kanako’s home and slept.

Next day I went with Chiaki to her university (Kansai uni) to go to an English class with her. I was actually a little nervous to go with Chiaki, becuz she really speaks fast and in Osakaben. Kanako took me to the bus and I had to go to the station. I didn’t know the way at all so I just asked a woman to be certain when I had to go off the bus. I arrived a little late . The ride laster like an hour I think and it went alright with Chiaki, I could understand her a little bit better. After the train we had to take a bus to her school. Her bus was ultramodern, I loved it. They even had a Mcdonalds in their school. sooo cool. So we went to her class and when I went inside they were looking at me. ^^ It was like a translation class from English to Japanese. After class we went to eat! yey Of course I went to the Mcdonalds and it was cheaper than a usual one. We ate it together with some of Chiaki’s friends and they were asking me questions too. After that we went to meet Kanako in  the center. We went shopping and Chiaki had to go to a mensetsu. So me and Kanako went shopping, we saw a really cute shop beside the road that sold bracelets, where they would write everything you want on the bracelet. Of course I bought one for myself. After this we went to the loft and put on crazy hats. really big I tell you. haha Chiaki went to meet us at loft and then we went to eat some oishii cake. When we arrived back at Itami we would go to some tabehoudai with some of Chiaki’s friends. Those friends were older already and we were with a group of 10 people maybe. First of course there was a jikoushoukai. bleeeh And then the food came and beer and we all started to talk. I was so happy Kanako sat beside me becuz I couldn’t understand a lot of what the guys were saying (osakaben again). So Kanako translated for me. The food was really delicious, it was nabe again and I really love that. There was one guy who asked me so much questions and he was always staring at me. So creepy and after a while they became a little drunk maybe. ^^ I was happy when we could go back, though the food was really good. When we came back Kanako looked up on the internet how I should go to Uji. I would go with my Belgian friend Lynn to her friend’s home the next day. Kanako’s mother also gave me and kanako a souvenir from Kyoto she went to that day. So sweet of her.

So the next day I had to go to the station and Kanako’s mother brought me there. It wasn’t so difficult to find my way to our meeting point. When I met lynn we went to Maiko’s place (lynn’s friend). Maiko’s English was really good and she was very nice. Her house was really close to the station only a five minute walk. Her house was really big and so pretty. sugoi. We went in and took off our shoes and met her parents. Her mother made so much food for us. Me and lynn were a little nervous, but her parents are really nice and they even talked in English to us. We spoke Japanese sometimes too. The food was really awesome. There was soup, meatloaf, pizza’s and more. It was really delicious. After dinner we went on our little trip in Uji. First off was the Genji Monogatari museum. In front of the museum were pretty tree with colored leaves. So we had to take pictures of that. The museum was nice, not really so much. Btw Maiko’s mother paid the tickets for us, Japanese people are so nice. We watched a cool movie though and me and Lynn got a discman with info in English. I like the movie.

After the museum we went to Manpukuji. Maiko’s mother was a member of an organization who would guide a group of people in English. Of course they would guide English-speaking people. ^^ Well their English was pretty ok and the temple was very pretty. The tour lasted for maybe 1,5 hour. I really liked it a lot.

So when the tour finished we drove to Byodo-in, this is the tempel that is on the 10 yen. Maiko’s mom paid our ticket again, me and Lynn tried to pay but she said when I come and visit you guys I hope to expect that you do the same. smart ^^ The Byodo-in was really really amazing. I loved it.  After Byodo-in we tried to go to some teahouse, since green tea is the best in Uji. But all the best teahouses were so full. We went back to Maiko’s home and ate some snacks. Maiko’s mom even made a bento for us. soooo sweet. Then it was time to go back and Maiko went with us to the train. I gave my email to Maiko so she could send me the pictures that were taken that day. I really had a lot of fun. Even though I only met Maiko one time I still keep in contact with her. That’s so nice. <3

With going back to Itami I had some trouble finding my way back and there was a really strange guy on the train. I called Kanako and she helped me. We met back at Diamond city, a department store in Itami. Me and Kanako would eat with her mom. She treated us at an izakaya!! soooo nice. <3 The food was delicious again and after dinner we went to the store to buy food for the next day, becuz I would leave then. Kanako’s mom again bought food for me. When we came back I talked a little with Kanako’s mom and she even gave me Otoshidama!!! waaaah. She gave me 10 000 yen for new year that was still a month. I never met such nice people.

The last day we would go somewhere I suggested to Kanako. First I had to bring my luggage already and when I went up to eat breakfast there was a message from Kanako’s mom: レベッカへ <3 またおいでね。See you again. mama. I was really touched by this. So we went to Osaka again, when we arrived with the train we still had to wait a while for Chiaki so we shopped a little. When Chiaki was there we went to eat some Osaka ramen. ( i really like kyushu ramen much more haha) After lunch we shopped at Umeda. We also went to the snoopy and disney store, i loved it and of course I bought some disney stuff. After our shopping spree we went to take purikura and then we would go to the skylark building, the place I requested to go to. In front of the building was a German market going on and we ate some German food and took some pictures. Before we would go up the building Chiaki had to leave, I was really happy to meet her. Then me and Kanako went to the top and the view was really amazing. Also there were christmas songs the whole time, such a nice atmosphere. I love christmas. I really got to see how big Osaka is. really an amazing city. After we saw enough of the city we had to go to the station. Becuz I had to meet King and Ichen to go to the stop of the nightbus. I really had fun with Kanako this little holiday and I also met other nice people. I was a little late meeting King and he was going crazy that we would miss the bus. But we were there just in time and met Ichen there. My way back was a lot more comfortable then when I was going to Osaka. I had an amazing time.

Dazaifu elementary school: November 17th 2007

I went to Japanese schools already before when I did my homestay in Osaka, but those schools were high schools and also universities. This time it was an elementary school. So I was very excited. I sat next to Sam on the bus and she was also very excited, she came instead of Kristina becuz Kristina went orange picking. Becuz the school really requested for a Filipino to come Sam went instead. Then we arrived at the school and it was a pretty normal school I guess. We had to take off our shoes and put on slippers. (this is the usual in Japanese schools) They took us to a room and made us introduce ourselves, becuz there were also other students. I was in the group with Michael (Germany) and Emilie (France). Then the kids came to get us. In the morning we went to the lower grades and in the afternoon the higher grades. The kids that came to get me were such cute girls and they were so shy. Then we went in the classroom and the kids were sitting on chairs and their parents behind them. First they introduced themselves. Usually children say their name and hobbies. But these children they said their name and then their favorite fruit. haha cute Then here was a round of questions, like what is famous in your country and what food do you like the most. Then we sang and dance with the children, the song was called hokey pokey. It was really fun to do that dance with the children. At first I was a little shy becuz the parents were looking at us but then I didn’t care anymore. Next we did the game animal basket. We sat in a circle and the teacher counted till 5. First she said what the 5 animals are in the correct way. Then if the teacher would say pig for example the persons who were pig had to stand up and sit at another seat. But the teacher was the first one to say an animal so she went to sit on a chair and then one person would have to stay and say the next animal. You could also say animal basket and then everybody had to run. I really had a blast. The teacher was really good, she could speak English very well and explained everything very well to us. Also the children were really amazed becuz of Michael, he is very tall so that was fun for them to see. Another thing is that it was soooo cold in the classroom. They don’t put on the heater in the school and even leave the doors open, I was freezing. This is normal in Japan I heard to not put on the heater. crazy Then we went to the next class these were children who were in a higher grade. We had to play a card game bingo with them, with halloween cards. The teacher couldn’t speak any english almost so he didn’t explain at all to us, just in Japanese and Michael didn’t understand any Japanese. We also had to do some strange dance with halloween characters. When he said skeleton we had to shake and some more things, it wasn’t really fun. Next thing was sitting in 3 groups and let the children ask questions to you. Usually that was like what is your favorite fruit, pet and stuff. I didn’t really like this class, but they did gave us cool presents. We got a box full of origami.

Then the next children came to get me for food. They had like coupons for the food I would get. I got curry, oden and more. Outside people were making mochi (rice cakes). The children were really nice and the food was actually good. Again the next set of children came to get me, this time they were 3 girls. They would guide me around their school. We went to the music room, this was really cool. It was like in the movie Swing girls. There were soooo many instruments, i didn’t have that in my school. We went to check out all the instruments and played on them. They also took me to some place were we could make fans and they waited outside for me, so sweet. Next they took me to a room to have tea ceremony. When it was finished they also were waiting for me. They took me to their classroom and we played the hiragana game. I was pretty good at it, though maybe they were just letting me win. haha We also played some other games and then they were doing some secretly things. haha so cute. They were making a letter for me. Then it was time to leave and they gave me their letter. It said please come back and visit our school again. The picture below are me and those girls who guided me around the school.

I really had a nice experience. On the bus me and Sam were saying we also wanted to join the next studytrip to another school. Normally we could only join one of the two. Becuz me and Sam really had a blast at the school we decided to ask Pollack if we could join too. He said he didn’t know yet, but in the end we could join.

Dazaifu: November 5th 2007

For some reason I didn’t went to the second JTW trip, so stupid of me. The second trip was rice harvesting. But I did went to the next studytrip, Sumo stable and Dazaifu. We went with a rather small bus to Dazaifu to first see how sumo wrestlers train. I was never really interested in sumo, but I did want to see how they practise. It wasn’t really shexy to see those fat dudes in diapers, but for half an hour it was ok to see. But I think it wasn’t half an hour but more, so soon I got a little sick of it. After watching the training we could ask questions to a sumo wrestler, apparently the guy who we could ask questions to was a high rank sumo wrestler. ( I think he was ranked 3rd in whole Japan) Pretty cool I think. So Imai sensei translated all our questions. At one time I think he even said something like don’t ask stupid question to a question Amy asked. haha (Imai sensei is crazy) After all our questions we got to take pictures with them.

While walking to the beautiful shrine of Dazaifu, there were a group of school children and they were sooo cute. So we decided to take a picture with them. I asked some of the girls, but they were saying こわい (scary) to me or King. King was saying they were saying it to me, probably he is right becuz I’m gaijin and look very different from them. I didn’t think they were cute anymore then haha. But the boys were much cooler they didn’t mind at all to take a picture with me.   I even put my hat on one of the boys head and he did the same gesture as me on the picture. The time we went to the shrine it was 7-5-3, a holiday. This is a traditional rite of passage for girls of 7 and 3 year old girls and for 3 and 5 year old boys. It was really cute they all went to the shrine in their kimono’s.

The shrine was really amazing, very pretty. We got some explanation by a priest, but I really didn’t listen. I was playing with Eunyoung and the explanation lasted a while so it got boring. We also went to a zen garden. Then we got free time and could eat and buy souvenirs.  We went to eat with a big group and it was lots of fun.

The food was pretty good and afterwards we went shopping, the stores there were really cute. There was a Totoro store <3 and also a very pink hello kitty store. I got a hello kitty from Kahyun and I also gave one to her. So nice. We all took a lot of pictures on this day. I had an awesome time that day. 
And especially for Sam my sumo pose.

Yanagawa: October 27th 2007

We decided to go with a group (Eunyoung, Shin Jung, Michael, Steffi, Kristina, Ichen, King, Kahyun and me) to Yanagawa by train. At the trainstation you could get a package, like train, busride and boattrip together for a cheap price. Yanagawa is not really a big place, but you can have a nice boatride there. The boatride was fun, we had a guy who was dressed in traditional clothes (I think) and he had a funny hat and stuff. The man told us stories in Japanese, which were pretty difficult to understand. Sometimes he would start singing old Japanese songs, which was really cool to hear.

The boat ride lasted for 30 minutes and the view was pretty amazing. When we arrived at the place were it ended everybody was pretty hungry. Now the speciality of Yanagawa is eel (unagi in Japanese haha remember Friends) and I don’t really like fish, but most of the people wanted to eat it. In the end me and Steffi and Michael went to a supermarket for some bread and the rest went to eat eel. Afterwards we just walked around, we went to a souvenir shop and to some shrine and some other places that didn’t really have anything to see. ^^ Yanagawa is a small town that has not really a lot of places to go to. We saw signs that said something about a castle, so we tried to find that. At some time we got lost and it took a while for us to find that castle. When we finally got there, there were actually only ruins left. With ruins only one stone is meant. It was really stupid, nothing to be seen.

The trip wasn’t so special or memorable I think. I did like the boatride, but there was really nothing else apart from that in Yanagawa. Maybe for half day out this is a good place.

 

Nokonoshima: October 15th 2007

We went with a group of people (Kiku, Eunyoung, King, Sam, Steffi, Marc, Pieter, Tuyen, Shin Jung and me) to Nokonoshima, an island in front of Fukuoka city. The weather was fantastic, so we were lucky. We took the bus to the center and then another bus to Noko port to take a boat to Nokonoshima. It was only 400 yen 往復. There are only 800 inhabitants on this island and so there was only one bus and this bus came only once an hour. We also had to wait for the boys who couldn’t come on the boat anymore and had to wait for the next one. So we took pictures because there was really an amazing view on Fukuoka. You could see Fukuoka tower and Yahoo dome and more.

When everybody was together again we waited in line for the bus and started to talk a little. I remember that Steffi got a call from Michael who couldn’t come, it was a video call. (Japan is so cool right) Steffi also started to talk to me and said Pieter is a strange guy. Before when she tried talking to him he only looked at her boobs she told me. hahaha Also Eunyoung started to talk to me and told me what happened with Marc. While we were taking pictures she put her arms out and one arm came against Marc’s thingy. hahaha. Now she felt embarassed around him. funny. The bus came and I sat next to Sam, we talked a little and I really started to like her. She was cute and friendly. The busdriver had to drive up to many hills and it took maybe 20 minutes before we were there. The island was bigger than I thought. The entrance to the flower park was cheaper for students 500 yen, so very cheap. Some people had to go to toilet so me and Sam decided to take tree pictures. Becuz the tree was low I decided to climb in it and so the following picture is the result. ^^

We started following the route and saw a lot of pretty flowers. It was really sooooo pretty. It was also then that Tuyen and Sam found each other. hahahaha There were some cute stores along the way to the climax. ^^ So we arrived at a big open space with a lot of pink flowers called cosmos. I never saw these flowers in my life and I was so amazed. The prettiest flowers I have seen maybe. I was really happy I came that day. I wish I could go back now and check these flowers out again. It was flower heaven. Another great thing is that you had a view on the sea behind the flowers and there was a pad between all the flowers. It was fantastic, breathtaking. The pictures I have from that time are so pretty. I use the third one as my background on my pc.

Then on the other side of the island there was a rabit park, with really sooo many rabits. They were so cute. Only thing left were swings after this and walking back to buy some stuff from the store. This was really a fun day and I became closer to the people who came (not all though ^^).  And now as ending a group picture on the island.

Orientation study trip: October 1-2 2007

I decided to write about the studytrips we had in the JTW program in Japan. I really think its stupid of me that I didn’t write a blog about my time in Japan before. Since I still remember some stuff and I can check the pictures which I had from when I went there I can still write all the memories I have about the studytrips. 

First off the program of the first studytrip:
October 1:
-Ryumon falls + lunch
-Kokonoe Yume Ootsuribashi
-stay at Kuju Training center: first we had a cultural adjustment discussion
-after dinner we had free time (sports, onsen,…)

October 2:
-Normally we would go to Aso, but there were poisonous gasses so we went to some volcanic crater. I don’t remember the name.
-Aso farm
-Suizenji park
-Kumamoto castle

So on the first study trip I didn’t really know anybody yet. Just had like shallow meetings with people; like hello what’s your name and where are you from. This trip was the time we could get to know each other better. I did do some stuff with the English people and met Arisa and Joy the days before. So I decided to sit next to Joy on the bus, since I didn’t really know next to who else to sit. I wanted to talk a little with Joy and get to know her better, but she wanted to sleep (later I would get used to this, since Joy doesn’t sleep a lot during the night she sleeps on the bus and sleeps long) I was happy I brought my mp3 with me. Next to us sat Arisa and Stephanie (that time I already got annoyed by Stephanie), they talked a loooot. ^^ While driving to our first stop, I got to see how beautiful the scenery/nature is in Kyushu or just Japan in general. I knew I would get to like this place a lot then. Our first stop was Ryumon falls, it was a very big waterfall!! While we were there I got to know other people. Like Eun young, she came to me and told me she was my neighbour (I met her before but she looked so tired then, so we didn’t disturb her) and we took some pictures together. She was funny and nice and introduced me also to Shin Jung, a student at her university (Seoul national University) but different faculty. The waterfalls weren’t really that much, they were very big, but I think there are more prettier waterfalls than this one in the world.

I got to know some more people and then we went to the restaurant to get our first teishoku (or set meal), which we would get also in other studytrips. If i remember well the people sitting at my table were Arisa, Mio, Stefanie, Max and Kahyun. I tried to socialize with them and I thought Mio was really a sweet girl. The meal wasn’t that bad, but there was fish which I didn’t eat of course. haha Then we went off again to a bridge in Oita. It is the biggest suspension bridge I thought. When we arrived Joy became sick all of a sudden and so she didn’t went to see the bridge. I took her camera so I could take some pictures. The scenery was really pretty, very green. The only thing is that the bridge was really scary, there were a lot of people on the bridge so it was really shakey. The bridge was so crowded that it was difficult to stay at some place and take pics, but even though I took some. of course When I arrived at the end I had an icecream with Eun young and Shin Jung and a little talk. I really thought Shin Jung was so funny and sweet and Eun young was also funny. The bridge was pretty Joy missed something. And as usual we took a group picture in front of the bridge.

Then the bus took us to the place were we would stay for the night: Kuju training center. The girls were seperated into 3 rooms and the boys had one tatami room. I had Stephanie in my room, so I go to know then how annoying she can be sometimes. Then we had to go for a cultural adjustment “discussion”. I wouldn’t call it a discussion cuz Pollack sensei was usually the only one talking. When I arrived in the room I went to sit next to Emma I think, since I didn’t really bond with anybody yet. Everybody had paper and pen with them and I went crazy becuz I didn’t bring any. So I asked a pen to Eun Young and all of a sudden Shin Jung and Eunyoung had to laugh with me so much. They thought I was so funny. Don’t understand why exactly. Anyways Pollack started to talk and this didn’t stop after 1 hour. He had some slides with people and asked us if they are blinking or winking. wtf He also talked a little about the habits of Japanese people I think.  Then we had to make ourself ready for dinner. At dinner Pollack asked some people of us who have been to onsen already before. I went before but didn’t put up my hand , but Max and Chris did. So Pollack asked them to explain to us what we have to do. Max started explaining, he said almost everything and then Pollack asked Chris if he has something different to say about onsen and he said no. (of course haha later we all would get to  “know” him as saying nothing to the people in JTW) The dinner was btw disgusting. I sat next to King and also Jin, Kiku and Eun Young were at my table. King and Jin made sooo much noise while they were eating, they ate with their mouth open and stuff. I couldn’t believe they even could eat the stuff we got. In the end I just gave my food to King ( he was my trashcan or maybe vacuumcleaner. haha joke) I told them eating like that in Europe is rude. haha They were amazed, but during the year in Japan I got used to the noise King can make while he ate. I really had to put the picture of the disgusting food. bleeh

After dinner we had a girl talk. Actually it was more Asians and me the only European with them. I really didn’t care becuz I didn’t really know a lot about their countries so it was fun to here what they had to say. Joy started to talk about gokiburi (or cockroaches; this would be a subject that came back a lot) She was saying that while she was playing the guitar a cockroach came from her guitar and started crawling on her hand. eeeew disgusting. I think also Kristina talked about her cockroach story in the shed and some more. Also we talked about some funny stuff I don’t remember what. But what I do remember is that everytime something funny was said Eunyoung was sooo freaking loud. She clapped her hands and laughed so loud. I think then we went sporting. I started playing basketball with Eunyoung, Ynna and more people I don’t remember. With basketball I really give my all so I was defending the ball really good haha and Eunyoung was amazed then we played a game of volleyball with all the others. This was really a lot of fun. Eunyoung stood on the other side of the net in front of me and saying funny stuff like watch out for me. haha Usually I don’t really like volleyball but this time I did becuz the people weren’t competitive at all, it was just for fun. I always like people who aren’t so competitive and just play for their own fun. When I played volleyball in high school people always chose me last not that i’m so bad, but I just get nervous by their competitiveness that I miss balls and stuff. This time I was better than usual and I missed some balls but becuz nobody cared I started to do more my best. It was really nice. Then I played some basketball with Ynna again and we bonded a little. Everybody left the sportshall so me and Ynna also left. Then it was time for the onsen and I really needed to wash after all the sporting. Ynna and myself were doubting already a long time if we should go in the onsen since we were a little 恥ずかしい. But also some other people like Sam and Kristina were doubting if or if not to go in the onsen. We waited a while till most of the people went in the onsen and then we went in, but still there were 5 people in the onsen (Mio, Chika, Emilie, Katarina and Morgane), well we were already undressed so whatever. This onsen was a lot smaller and not so pretty as the one I went to the other time. I didn’t feel comfortable while washing myself, cuz I felt like they were looking at me. After a while I just didn’t care anymore and just stayed in the onsen. Whatever I was already naked and they saw me already. I talked a little with Chika, she was really cute. (afterwards we would become great friends, she even treated me on food the last month i was in Japan. I love her, she is so nice to make time for me after her work even though she was maybe tired. <3) Then I went downstairs to watch some tv and met up again with Shin Jung, Eunyoung and Chika. We watched the Japanese news together and tried to read the newspaper. haha I don’t think we did a lot anymore after this and we went to sleep.
Next day we had again an awful breakfast, don’t remember a lot of this anymore. But do know I almost didn’t eat anything of it. We packed our bags and went off to the next destination. During our busride Pollack was calling the Aso observatory center to ask if we could go to Mount Aso, but eventually there were poisonous gasses so we didn’t went. We did went to another place, a caldera and this was also very pretty. The view from there was fantastic,. I got to talk with Sam a little then and afterwards also with Michael and Stefanie.

After this beautiful nature outing we went shopping at Aso farm. Nothing really fantastic there. You could by some souverirs, food and other stuff there. After shopping we had our next teishoku with basashi (raw horse meat). I didn’t eat from the meat thought, I usually don’t eat any horse meat. So sad the cute horsie. When everbody finished eating we went to Suizenji park, finally I got to see a real Japanese garden. We have one in Belgium, but its so small and this one was so big and pretty. We walked a while through it and then left for Kumamoto Castle. I went to a Japanese castle before this already, the most prettiest Japanese castle I have ever seen, Himeji Castle. But I have to say I also like Kumamoto castle (I went back to Kumamoto castle 4 times during my stay). Of course we took a lot of pictures together in front of the castle. The top of the castle had an amazing view over the city.

 

So that was the end of the first trip. I really had fun even though it was a little awkward becuz we didn’t know each other well yet. This trip made me think I would have a great year ahead and I was right. Writing this post and checking all the pictures made me in a real 懐かしい mood. More to come about my studytrips, other trips with friends and festivals.

Zhang Ziyi

Lately I really started to like the actress Zhang Ziyi. I watched the movie Memoirs of a geisha this week and she is so cute in this movie. When she speaks English, its really cute. She has a very soft voice and it was very nice to watch this movie. Although this movie was very controversive in Japan and China, I really like it. It is maybe understandable that Japan was not so happy with this movie, becuz the leading roles went to Chinese actresses. But I don’t think this really matters as long as they can play the role very well its ok with me. 

I read on wikipedia that Ziyi learned to study English by listening to the lyrics of Eminem’s songs. But she didn’t understand what he was talking about, so she wrote down the lyrics. Afterwards she found out that what he was saying is rude. I really wanted to hear her talk in Eminem-style English. hahaha the whole time fuck and stuff. Also this week I watched the movie House of flying daggers. This movie is so pretty, the colors and how they fight. I really loved it. They fought in a bamboo forest and some of the people were also wearing green so they really blended in the forest. I really loved the beginning scene, where Ziyi (Mei in the movie) danced and sang for Jin. The song called beauty song and Ziyi sang this herself. She really has a lot of talents; singing, dancing and good acting. I will watch Crouching tiger, hidden dragon and Hero after this. Also movies from Ziyi Zhang. After I have seen them I will tell if they were good. ^^

In search for a paper subject

I’m going crazy the last few days because I have to find a subject for my paper. The problem is Japan is such a fascinating country and you have a wide range of interesting things to write about. I did already make a short list of topics I could write about. But I still need to find my research question too.

- Kimono
- Fukuoka Matsuri: Hakata Gion Yamakasa (since I experienced this matsuri, it would be easier to write about it)
- holidays in Japan like Setsubun, tanabata and hanami
- yatai (not enough information)
- Ramen ^^ (haha just because I love this food I guess, but I don’t think this would be such a great subject to write about)
- Cosplay
- Maid cafes (since I did already research about this in Fukuoka and been to maid cafes three times this would also be a good idea)
- Onsen/Sento (communal bath) : especially interested in the history of these)
- Geisha (but maybe already too much written about, unfortunately for me)
- Japanese architecture
- Japanese garden

Its actually not such a big list, but its difficult for me to choose just one of these, because they are all so interesting. The one’s in pink are the ones i’m most interested in.