Dont forget that if you want any japanese goods I can look for them for you.

www.japanesecoolstuff.blogspot.com

hello again

Well its been another few interesting days in Japan....

A couple of nights ago I went to a bar with a friend, everything was cool and then she took a photo of the adjacent table as she knew someone on it. The next minute I know there is this incredibly angry man trying to start on my friend and spitting at our table. Through the mediation of his romanian wife we learn that he was very angry at having his picture taken. Thankfully she pacifies him and takes him out. I later learn that he is a japanese pimp and his wife is probably one of his hoes....

Other than that I have been meeting more foreigners out here all of whom seem very nice and pleasant. Its quite easy to get to know people fast. I seem to have bumped into loads of people in the main shopping arcade already. Teaching is going alright although I had my first kids lesson which was a bit of a disaster. The two kids were completely hyper and i couldnt control them. One even flashed his willy and I dont think the mother was too impressed  (they can observe everything.)

My cycling skills are gradually improving, which is pretty impressive considering I had previously hated it. But you cant avoid it over here and its very handy for getting out and about.

Have also been to the cinema which is the only thing I have discovered that is out and out more expensive than the uk, 1700 yen which is about 8.50 a tad pricey. Otherwise things like cds, videos and　books are all the same. Transport is a wee bit more expensive but 100 times better.

ｃｙａ！

Two Weeks in...

It has been over two weeks since my arrival in Japan, it has gone so fast but at the same time it feels like a lifetime ago that I was in England.  This week I have been mainly settling in and getting into the grove of things as they say. Teaching english has been pretty straightforward in terms of syllabus, but challenging in terms of application. Japanese students tend to be on the shy side and it is sometimes quite an effort getting them to talk, particularly if they are lower levels and I get looks of bemusement (wha? wha? me no undastan?)It seems as if it as much about getting them relaxed as teaching them anything. The nightlife out here has been "eventful" and "unpredictable" and generally a lot of fun. Still sampling many delights of japanese cuisine. Theyre obsessed with food over here, even more than the french.  Every other program on tv seems to be about food and you get the obligitory taster with the inevitable chorus of oishi! (tasty.) Right I must be off now as im going to a barbecue!

If you want an idea of some of the interesting people working here go to www.japanagogo.com

sayonara

Stuff to sell

Hi everyone,
 
I have some stuff to sell if anyone is interested, just go to the website above.
Last night I discovered a restaurant that charges 5 pounds for all you can drink over two hours!!!

First Work Day

Well I had my first day of work on firday and it seemed like it went off without a hitch, although I did only have two classes. I was invited by two fellow employees to go over to theirs afterwards. One of them who is a wee bit eccentric methinks asked me to make a bloodstain on her scrapbook. That was no problem as I had a massive scab from a cycling accident (by the way i now cycle unnbeleivebly) The only problem beibng is that it bled massively and I ended up feeling a bit quesy not to mention staining my shirt. Last night I had my first proper proper experience of a mexican restaurant which certainly dispelled the bad experiences I have previously had. Also went to a funky trip hop club where I met some american military police who are stationed not far away. I also met a fellow english teacher who studied french and german at southampton! Small world small world... My Japanese is making tentative steps forward... but im on a steep learning curve.

A week in...

 
Now im a week into the Japanese experience my blood pressure, heart rate and general nerves have come back to normal and im really enjoyinng it out here.
 
The second two days of training were straight forward and easier to deal with than the first. I have also met a lot more people and have been introduced to some great places. There is this crazy tiny bar down a small alleyway which has what looks like about 20000 cds stacked up on the wall and you can choose whatever you want to listen to. They also do an all you can drink over two hours for about 12.50! I mistakingly however started talking about the war with regards to my grandfather. In japan you really dont mention the war, its ultimate taboo. Im also not allowed to talk about sex and drugs in my lessons.
 
I have also discovered this really cool cyber cafe which also has pool tables, darts, video games, and amaaaaazing massage chairs. Everything is charged at an hourly rate, i.e 2.50 which is good value for money. In fact it would seem rather fallacious to think of Japan as expensive... well in relative terms to Britain in anycase.　Books, Cds and Beer is the same if not a bit Cds and Beer is the same if not a bit cheaper. Eating out can also be very cheap. Internal transport is pricey but you get what you pay for, which you don:t in britain.
 
Kumamoto seems to have a relaxed and a very youthful atmosphere (there are seven universities) Bizarreley all the night clubs anｄ music seems to be mostly hip hop and there are even is a small community of　african americans here. There are also a few younguns who americans here. There are also a few younguns who have been to south east asia, have tried pot and become all mellow and chilled!
 
I now have a mobile phone! Very exciting, the camera on it mobile phone! Very exciting, the camera on it is better than my actual camera! I also have a mobile email which I will be using a lot and which you can now email me directly. (N.B i may not give very long replies as im not sure of how much it costs for a long email, but please email me on it anyway as I dont have to pay to go to the chat room to recieve an emil.)
 
I am also thinking of selling japanese stuff so if you have any requests I will be able to do some research and get back to you; www.japanesecoolstuff.blogspot.com
sayonara!

A few days in

Well im a few days into Japan and it has been a crazy induction. I never appreciated what culture shock was untill I came here. I feel like ive drunk about fifty cups of coffee but feel knackered. Theres so much to absorb that it can be a bit overwelming. I feel like a baby just taking everything in and staring aimelessly. I woke up on saturday at three a bit dazed and confused and just walked around and got the feel of the city. The first thing you realise and probably what is the the MOST striking element is the monculutural nature of Japan, thats not to say there is a lot if western influence (the first advert I saw was a picuture of referee Collina advertising profiteroles!!) But there aint many foreigners in Japan (probably 100 to 200 in my city of 661000) and you do stand out. Japanese ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｄｏｎｔ　ｓｔａｒｅ　at you because they consider it impolite but you know theyre pearing at you from the corner of their eye and you get the occasional exclamations of gaijin (foreigner.)Having said that they are incredibly friendly, I had a very broken conversation with some ladies on the train and they seemed really interested in what i was doing and where I was from. Similarly on my second night I went to an irish bar downtown and got asked by a couple of Japanese girls to go to the beach with them. They are incredibly genuine and unduplicitous which I am not used to although you do need to be particularly astute in reading into their feelings because they dont like to reveal to much. They tend to have gone ooooh and aaaah quite a lot which could mean I dont have a f ing clue what you are saying! I have already started to nod incessantly which they all do over here as well which is a sign of conformism.

I started training today which was very scary, particulalry after having drunk half a bottle of absinthe the night before. After 2 hours I was made to conduct part of a lesson and then another bit onto that all within a frantic time limit. I also had to make evaluations about pupils performance. My brain didnt work and I almost felt half dead but somehow I got through, thank god my trainer is nice!

In Japan

Well i have finally arrived in Japan and boy and im tired!
My travels started on thursday afternoon. Upon checking in i was told my visa had expired and I couldnt go. The lady at the desk however then realised she was actually looking at the issue date. Such was her embarrasment that she bumped me up to business class (well thats what i like to think anyway!) So the flight was good, had ample leg room and amazing food. Arriving in Osaka I was greeted by a comical half japanese half irish guy who whisked me off straight onto another connecting flight and relieved me of my two suitcases which was a little worrying but i have them now. When I got to Fukuoka I was then greeted by another fellow who put me on a train to Kumamoto. Thats when I realised I was in Japan. I was alone and it was quite intimidating, fortunately there were some taiwanese who spoke a little english and they made sure i got off at the right place. What was truly terrifying however was trying to find my flat. I was armed with a map but it was of no help to the taxi driver who drove me to the nearest intelligble place to it. I went around asking people pointing at the map but to no avail. Then some ladies took pity and decided to help me and drove me around the block about 40 times trying to figure out where the hell it was. Finally we found it tucked away behind another block where I orginally thought it was (and intruded upon an old lady doing so!)
I have never felt so relieved!

Farewells

Just a quick note to say goodbye. Profound apologies to anyone I haven't had the chance to see in the last few days; I have been in a manic frenzy trying to get everything done in very little time. By the way, I won't be bringing my mobile out as Japan is one of the few countries where it won't work. In any case, as I have personally found out, it can be quite an unecessary burden on your finances. I will be getting a mobile in a week or so - I will email it to everyone in due course.

All that remains to be said is 'sayonara' and the next blog you will recieve from me will be from Japan!