Back in the USA

I was picked up by my wife and kids yesterday at the airport, 9:00 p.m.

Yesterdays trip was surreal, what with crossing the international date line and all, I believe we were traveling for near 29 hours, in one day 4/29.  We woke at 7:30 a.m. at our last hotel/public bath, breakfast was at 8.  We finished breakfast, checked out and were on the road to Tokyo airport by 10 a.m.  The trip was a total of 3 hours, on the way we hooked up the ipod, as well as did Karaoke.  We arrived at the airport at around 1, and checked in for our flight leaving Tokyo at 4:30 p.m.  The flight went 8 hours, for which Amanda, Erin and I watched movies, and we landed in Seattle at 9:30 a.m., from Seattle to Chicago (4 hrs) and Chicago to Louisville, where my family was excitedly waiting.  

My luggage did not make it, nor did anyone else’s luggage in our group.  Its good to be home, I am looking forward to talking with United today to see what’s up, last time I saw my luggage it was in Seattle, on a Conveyor belt, moving to be loaded.

It was a long day.  Greg, AKA Kitty San, is off in Disney World Tokyo and Disney Sea.  My best to he and his wife.

What a wonderful trip. Thank you Rotary, Thank you Gracious hosts, and thank you traveling companions.

 

Another blog from our crew…. ecw

You should also check out Amanda:s blog at+

http://saitamagirl.wordpress.com

she talks about other parts of our adventures….

later,

e

 

Nikko, Bless You, and Hit the Rock,take 2 -ecw

Terri, my secretary, let me know that most of the last post did not come through.  She:s good at keeping an eye on me and my work, even when I:m on the other side of the world!

The keyboards here have tiny space bars, and in the area where I:d normally hit the space bar w/ my right hand, there are keys that change the text from english to kanji, and i guess i didn:t change it back correctly when i messed it up early on into the last post.  so, i will try again….

My luggage has gotten more and more packed every step of the way. I haven:t even bought very much (which is good, since I can:t use my ATM card to get cash, and I haven:t been able to make it to a bank during business hours yet).  So I:m going to send a box of goodies home via Japan post so that they:ll let me on the plane.  keep your fingers crossed i:ll be able to get rid of enough stuff to make my bags pass the weight limit!!

Last thursday,we did some touring, but not until after we hit the 100 yet store!  the dollar store is much more entertaining in another culture!

then, off to sakitama, the site of ancient burial mounds from the 5th to 7th centuries.  it was rainy that day, but the sights were still amazing.  and, we got there in a karaoke-equipped van!!  ahhh, yeah.  we made a few more stops that day, including another   RC meeting (though I didn:t have to sing at this one!) and a technical college.  Then i got to see a local courthouse, which was a bit different from ours, and very cool.  and i finally learned how to say *prosecutor* in                    japanese – it:s ken sa tsu, btw.

that night, i finally got to go out for karaoke with my host family.  barry joined, and we impressed them thoroughly with our ability to drink bourbon neat, and our amazing vocal stylings.  ok, barry can sing well, but i am horrid.  not that that stopped me….

Friday and Saturday of last week were definitely 2 of the best days we:ve had here. We left Friday morning for Nikko, which isan amazingly beautiful area that is filled with shrines and temples.  I cannot even begin to tell you how beautiful everything was.  the colors were intense, the architecture stunning.  It didn:t hurt that it was our first opportunity as a group to be together overnight, nor did it hurt that we set off in a swank bus equipped with a cooler full of beer and canned cocktails, and barry:s mandolin, plus karaoke, at 9+30 in the morning – sugoi!

We stayed in a japanese-style inn, with tatami mats on the floors, and were invited to enjoy the group (though single-sex) baths.  we were hosted lavishly, ate well, and the evening ended with a couple of hours in a private karaoke room, where all of the men (which was everyone but amanda and me, and about 12 people) were dressed in the traditional lounging robes for post-bath.  it was quite a sight to see!

The next day, we went to Edo Wonderland, which is a theme park-esque place that is built around the theme of Japan in the Edo period.  It was really beautiful, and we got to see somegreat shows featuring ninjas, samuri and geisha, all hightlighted by greg-san:s debut as the vice general, in full costume, and being fed lines one at a time in his ear.  I think about  100 pics were taken.  I:m so glad it wasn:t me  – i:m still getting over the kimono incident…

we:ve done so much more, but it is late…

we did go to a ginormous mall, aeon, as a group.  we only got 26 minutes to shop, though, so i was lucky to get some socks.  we hit another sake factory, and got some cool glassware as souvenires.  we:ve also met a few more mayors, and as i (re)type, we:ve moved in with our 4th host families.  last week, we saw a traditional buddhist fire ritual, and were interviewed for the local news.  it evidently aired about 5times….

tomorrow is a free day, and amanda and i are heading to tokyo for a tour with my current dad, hiro-san, and eddie-san, one of our RC sponsors.  i am sooo looking forward to it!! 

we are heading to a seibu lions baseball game on the 25th, and that is super-exciting as well.  yesterday, we hit the seibu dome, where they were having a flea market in the outfiled. i can:t imagine that in the U.S. on a baseball or football field!

oh, and the meaning of the title+  we have left a slew of host families in our wake who now say *bless you* when someone sneezes.  and we have taught as many people as possible, including many elder and stately rotarians to *hit the rock* when something cool happens.  so knuck it up, buddies.

and keep the emails coming!! i miss everyone very much….

 

 

 

Dad, how did you do it?

FOr those of you who don’t know, my father served twenty years in the US Navy.  As such, when I was a child, he would deploy for months on end… I have been here less than a month and I miss my family terribly.  For all of you who know my wife please give her a call and let her know your thinking of her… I wish I were with her every moment of every day.

So what’s been happening in this piece?  Well, if you can’t tell from the random posting, lots is going on.  First of all, let me thank　all of my gracious hosts, they have taught me much about Japan culture, and have been very accepting to me.

So, what about Japanese culture is different?  Lots.  My favorite is table manners, basically the way we eat in the US (sitting up straight, food to your mouth, no slurping, etc.) is called “eating like a dog.”  It is polite, and good table manners, to slurp your foods (hot or cold, noodles or soup), lift bowls to your mouth, and even hunch over bowls.  My Gran Martie, RIP, would have a field day here teaching people proper table manners.  Other differences… here it is risqee for women to show cleavage, but short skirts (think mini and then take off a few inches) are quite fashionable. 

My group is having fun learning about the japanese culture.  WE have been here just over three weeks and today we went to a district Rotary conferfence and it was a great time to wee old friends and recount good times.  I was able to see my first hosts, THe Kasahara’s, I don’t know if they will ever know how much I appreciated them and their hospitality.

Anyways, I have been blogging for a long while.  Tomorrow is my day off, so I get to visit a local high school’s English class, check out a local university, visit a historic town, and hopefully go to a hot spring.

Take care,

Barry

Nikko, Bless You, and Hit the Rock – ecw

Wow, what a week it:s been since I was last able to post!  I can:t even begin to list everything, especially since it:s getting late, and I have a box of goodies I must pack to ship ｈｏｍｅ．　　Ｍｙ　ｌｕｇｇａｇｅ　ｉｓ　ｂｕｒｓｔｉｎｇ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｅｅｍｓ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｇｉｆｔｓ　ｗｅ：ｖｅ　ｒｅｃｅｉｖｅｄ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｏｓｅ　Ｉ：ｖｅ　ｂｏｕｇｈｔ．　　Ｉｔ　ｗｏｎ：ｔ　ｂｅ　ｃｈｅａｐ，　ｂｕｔ　ｉｔ：ｌｌ　ｂｅ　

ｂｅｔｔｅｒ　ｔｈａｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｒａｔｅ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｍｙ　ｌｕｇｇａｇｅ　ｉｓ　ｗａｙ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｗｅｉｇｈｔ，　ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ｃａｎ：ｔ　ｅｖｅｎ　ｔｅｌｌ　ｙｏｕ　ｈｏｗ　ｓｉｃｋ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｏｆ　ｌｕｇｇｉｎｇ　ｉｔ　ａｌｌ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｈｏｕｓｅ　ｔｏ　ｈｏｕｓｅ！

Ｗｅ　ｄｉｄ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｔｏｕｒｉｎｇ　ｌａｓｔ　Ｔｈｕｒｓｄａｙ，　ｂｕｔ　ｎｏｔ　ｕｎｔｉｌ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｗｅ　ｓｔｏｐｐｅｄ　ｉｎ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　１００　ｙｅｎ　ｓｔｏｒｅ　－　

ｙｅｓ，　ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｒａｃｌｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｏｌｌａｒ　ｓｔｏｒｅ　ｈａｓ　ｆｏｕｎｄ　ｉｔｓ　ｗａｙ　ｈｅｒｅ．　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｌｏａｄｅｄ　ｕｐ！　　ｔｈｅｎ　ｏｆｆ　ｔｏ　

Ｓａｋｉｔａｍａ，　ｔｈｅ　ｌｏｃａｔｉｏｎ　ｏｆ　ｓｏｍｅ　ａｎｃｉｅｎｔ　ｂｕｒｉａｌ　ｍｏｕｎｄｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　５ｔｈ　ｔｏ　７ｔｈ　ｃｅｎｔｕｒｉｅｓ．　　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｉｎ　ａ　ｋａｒａｏｋｅ－ｅｑｕｉｐｐｅｄ　ｖａｎ．　　ａｈｈｈｈ，　ｙｅａｈ．　　Ｗｅ　ｈｉｔ　ａ　ｆｅｗ　ｍｏｒｅ　ｓｔｏｐｓ，　ｉｎｃｌｕｄｉｎｇ　ａ　ＲＣ　　ｍｅｅｔｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｔｅｃｈｎｉｃａｌ　ｓｃｈｏｏｌ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｎ　ｉ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ａ　ｌｏｃａｌ　ｃｏｕｒｔｈｏｕｓｅ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｂｉｔ　ｄｉｆｆｅｒｅｎｔ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｏｕｒｓ　ａｔ　ｈｏｍｅ，　ｂｕｔ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｃｏｏｌ　－　ａｎｄ　ｉ　ｆｉｎａｌｌｙ　ｌｅａｒｎｅｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｗｏｒｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｐｒｏｓｅｃｕｔｏｒ　（ｋｅｎ　ｓａ　ｔｓｕ，　ｂｔｗ）．　　ｔｈａｔ　ｎｉｇｈｔ，　ｉ　ＦＩＮＡＬＬＹ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｏｕｔ　ｆｏｒ　ｓｏｍｅ　Ｋａｒａｏｋｅ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｍｙ　ｈｏｓｔ　ｆａｍｉｌｙ．　　　Ｂａｒｒｙ　ｊｏｉｎｅｄ　ｕｓ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｉｍｐｒｅｓｓｅｄ　ｔｈｅｍ　ｔｈｏｒｏｕｇｈｌｙ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｏｕｒ　ａｂｉｌｉｔｙ　ｔｏ　ｄｒｉｎｋ　ｂｏｕｒｂｏｎ　ｓｔｒａｉｇｈｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｏｕｒ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇ　ｓｉｎｇｉｎｇ　ａｂｉｌｉｔｙ．　　Ｗｅｌｌ， ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｆａｉｒ，　Ｂａｒｒｙ　ｃａｎ　ｓｉｎｇ．　　Ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ｓｕｃｋ　－　ｂｕｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｄｉｄｎ：ｔ　　　ｓｔｏｐ　ｍｅ！

Ｆｒｉｄａｙ　ａｎｄ　Ｓａｔｕｒｄａｙ　ｗｅｒｅ，　ｂｙ　ｆａｒ，　２　ｏｆ　ｏｕｒ　ｍｏｓｔ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇ　ｄａｙｓ　ｔｈｕｓ　ｆａｒ．　　Ｗｅ　ｌｅｆｔ　Ｆｒｉｄａｙ　ｍｏｒｎｉｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　Ｎｉｋｋｏ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｉｓ　ｔｈｉｓ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇｌｙ　ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ　ａｒｅａ　ｔｈａｔ　ｉｓ　ｆｉｌｌｅｄ　ｗｉｔｈ　ａｎｃｉｅｎｔ　ｓｈｒｉｎｅｓ　ａｎｄ　ｔｅｍｐｌｅｓ．　　Ｉ　ｃａｎｎｏｔ　ｅｖｅｎ　ｂｅｇｉｎ　ｔｏ　ｅｘｐｌａｉｎ　ｈｏｗ　ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ　ｅｖｅｒｙｔｈｉｎｇ　ｗａｓ．　　Ｔｈｅ　ｃｏｌｏｒｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｐｈｅｎｏｍｅｎａｌ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ａｒｃｈｉｔｅｃｔｕｒｅ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇ．　Ｉｔ　ｄｉｄｎ：ｔ　ｈｕｒｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｉｒｓｔ　ｏｐｐｏｒｔｕｎｉｔｙ　ｆｏｒ　ｏｕｒ　ｇｒｏｕｐ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｔｏｇｅｔｈｅｒ　　ｏｖｅｒｎｉｇｈｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｉｔ　ａｌｓｏ　ｄｉｄｎ：ｔ　ｈｕｒｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗｅ　ｓｔａｒｔｅｄ　ｏｕｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｒｉｐ　ｉｎ　ａ　ｓｗａｎｋ　ｂｕｓ，　ｅｑｕｉｐｐｅｄ　ｗｉｔｈ　　　　ｋａｒａｏｋｅ，　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｃｏｏｌｅｒ　ｆｉｌｌｅｄ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｂｅｅｒ　ａｎｄ　ｃａｎｎｅｄ　ｃｏｃｋｔａｉｌｓ　－　ａｔ　９＋３０　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｒｎｉｎｇ　　－　　　　　ｓｕｇｏｉ！

Ｗｅ　ｓｔａｙｅｄ　ａｔ　ａ　ｔｒａｄｉｔｉｏｎａｌ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｓｔｙｌｅ　ｉｎｎ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｗａｓ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｔｏｏ　ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ．　　Ｏｕｒ　ｒｏｏｍｓ　ｈａｄ　　　　　ｔａｔａｍｉ　ｍａｔｓ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｌｏｏｒｓ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｉｎｖｉｔｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｒｅｌａｘ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｒａｄｉｔｉｏｎａｌ　ｇｒｏｕｐ　　　（ｔｈｏｕｇｈ　ｓｉｎｇｌｅ　ｓｅｘ）　ｂａｔｈｓ．　　Ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｈｏｓｔｅｄ　ｌａｖｉｓｈｌｙ，　ａｔｅ　ｗｅｌｌ，　ａｎｄ　ｄｒａｎｋ　ｅｖｅｎ　ｂｅｔｔｅｒ．　　Ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　ｅｎｄｅｄ　　　ｗｉｔｈ　ａ　ｐｒｉｖａｔｅ　ｋａｒａｏｋｅ　ｓｕｉｔｅ　ａｎｄ　ａｌｌ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｅｎ　ｓｔｉｌｌ　ｄｒｅｓｓｅｄ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｒａｄｉｔｉｏｎａｌ　ｒｏｂｅｓ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｄｏｎｎｅｄ　　ｐｏｓｔ－ｂａｔｈ．　　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｑｕｉｔｅ　ａ　ｓｉｇｈｔ　ｔｏ　ｂｅｈｏｌｄ，　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｗａｓ　ｈａｄ　ｂｙ　ａｌｌ！

Ｔｈｅ　ｎｅｘｔ　ｄａｙ　ｗｅ　ｈｉｔ　Ｅｄｏ　Ｗｏｎｄｅｒｌａｎｄ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｔｈｅｍｅ　ｐａｒｋ　－ｅｓｑｕｅ　ｐｌａｃｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｈａｓ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｄｅｓｉｇｎｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｒｅｓｅｍｂｌｅ　Ｊａｐａｎ　ｄｕｒｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　Ｅｄｏ　ｐｅｒｉｏｄ．　　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｃｏｏｌ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｌｏｔｓ　ｏｆ　ｃｏｏｌ　ｓｈｏｗｓ，　ｉｎｃｌｕｄｉｎｇ　Ｎｉｎｊａ：ｓ，　Ｓａｍｕｒｉ　ａｎｄ　Ｇｅｉｓｈａ，　ｈｉｇｈｌｉｇｈｔｅｄ　ｂｙ　Ｇｒｅｇ：ｓ　ｄｅｂｕｔ　Ａｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｖｉｃｅ　ｇｅｎｅｒａｌ　ｉｎ　ｏｎｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｈｏｗｓ．　　Ｉ　ｔｈｉｎｋ　ｗｅ　ｂｕｒｎｅｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　１００　ｐｉｃｓ　ｄｕｒｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　ｍｅｓｓ　（ｇｌａｄ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓｎ：ｔ　ｍｅ！！）

Ｗｅ：ｖｅ　ｄｏｎｅ　ｌｏｔｓ　ｍｏｒｅ，　ｂｕｔ　ｉｔ：ｓ　ｇｅｔｔｉｎｇ　ｌａｔｅ．　　Ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｓａｙ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ　ｍａｌｌ　－　ｎｅａｒｌｙ　１　ｍｉｌｌｉｏｎ　ｓｑｕａｒｅ　ｆｅｅｔ　ｏｆ　ｓｐａｃｅ， ａｎｄ　２００　ｓｔｏｒｅｓ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｇｉｖｅｎ　２６　ｍｉｎｕｔｅｓ　ｔｏ　ｓｈｏｐ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｔｈｅ　　　ｔｏｕｒ．　　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｌｕｃｋｙ　ｔｏ　ｆｉｎｄ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｓｏｃｋｓ．　　Ｉ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｓａｙ，　ｔｈｏｕｇｈ，　ｆｒｏｍ　ｍｙ　ｐｒｅｖｉｏｕｓ　ｍａｌｌ　ｔｒｉｐ，　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ　ｌｅａｒｎｅｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｍｕｓｔ　ｂｅ　ｎｏ　ｗｏｒｋ　ｆｏｒ　ｐｌａｉｎｔｉｆｆｓ；　ａｔｔｏｒｎｅｙｓ　ｉｎ　Ｊａｐａｎ，　ａｓ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｆｏｏｄ　ｃｏｕｒｔｓ　ａｒｅ　ｄｒｉｐｐｉｎｇ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｌｉａｂｉｌｉｔｙ　－　ｔｈｅ　ｌｅａｓｔ　ｏｆ　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｉｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｔ　ｓｋｉｌｌｅｔｓ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ｈａｎｄｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｓｏ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｃａｎ　ｃｏｏｋ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　Ｋｏｒｅａｎ　ｈｏｔ　ｐｏｔ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｔａｂｌｅｓ．　　Ａｎｄ　ｉｔ：ｓ　ｆｕｎ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｉｒｓｔ　Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎｅｒ　ａ ｋｉｄ　ｈａｓ　ｓｅｅｎ　ｉｎ　ｐｅｒｓｏｎ　－　ｓｏｍｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅｍ　ｐｒａｃｔｉｃａｌｌｙ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｗａｌｌｓ　ｓｔａｒｉｎｇ！　　Ｉ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｓｍｉｌｅｄ　ａｎｄ　ｗａｖｅｄ．．．．

Ｗｅ　ａｌｓｏ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｔｏｕｒ　ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ　ｓａｋｅ　ｆａｃｔｏｒｙ，　ｇｏｔ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｃｏｏｌ　ｇｌａｓｓｗａｒｅ　ｔｈｅｒｅ，　ａｎｄ　ｈａｖｅ　ｍｏｖｅｄ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｏｕｒ　３ｒｄ　ｈｏｍｅｓ．　　Ｗｅ　ｓａｗ　ａ　ｔｒａｄｉｔｉonal Buddhist　ｆｉｒｅ　ｒｉｔｕａｌ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｉｎｔｅｒｖｉｅｗｅｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｃａｂｌｅ　ｎｅｗｓ　　　ｌａｓｔ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　－　ｉｔ　ｅｖｉｄｅｎｔｌｙ　ａｉｒｅｄ　５　ｔｉｍｅｓ　ｙｅｓｔｅｒｄａｙ．．．　

ＯＫ，　ｉ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｍｕｓｔ　ｇｏ　ｎｏｗ．　　Ｗｉｌｌ　ｔｒｙ　ｎｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｗａｉｔ　ａ　ｗｅｅｋ　ａｇａｉｎ　ｕｎｔｉｌ　ｎｅｘｔ　ｔｉｍｅ！Ｋｅｅｐ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｍａｉｌｓ　　　ｃｏｍｉｎｇ，　ｐｌｅａｓｅ！　Ｉ　ｍｉｓｓ　ｙｏｕ　ａｌｌ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｍｕｃｈ！

 

Ｏｈ，　Ｉ　ａｌｍｏｓｔ　ｆｏｒｇｏｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｅａｓｏｎ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｉｔｌｅ　－　ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｌｅａｖｉｎｇ　ａ　ｓｌｅｗ　ｏｆ　ｆａｍｉｌｉｅｓ　ｉｎ　ｏｕｒ　ｗａｋｅ　ｗｈｏ　ｎｏｗ　ｓａｙ　＊ｂｌｅｓｓ　ｙｏｕ＊　ｗｈｅｎ　ｓｏｍｅｏｎｅ　ｓｎｅｅｚｅｓ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ：ｖｅ　ｔａｕｇｈｔ　ｍａｎｙ　ｏｆ　ｏｕｒ　Ｒｏｔａｒｉａｎ　Ｈｏｓｔｓ　ｔｏ　＊ｈｉｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｏｃｋ＊　ｗｈｅｎ　ｗｅ　ｄｏ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ　ｃｏｏｌ．　　Ｓｏ　ｋｎｕｃｋｌｅ　ｕｐ，　ｂｕｄｄｉｅｓ．

Binto Box Birthday – ecw

Ohayo. It:s Thursday morning here, raining again (though it was absolutely beautiful yesterday) and I am in my new home.  My new family is a couple in their 50s (?) who have kids who are college age.  Their daughter will be home this weekend, but for now it:s just the 3 of us – quite a change from the last bustling house!  Sagawa-san is a dentist, and his home and office are attached to each other. 

Yesterday has to rank as one of the more interesting and random birthdays I:ve had.  We started very early and got matched up with our next leaders – various Rotary Clubs in the area are taking turns *hosting* us, and they lead our tours and daytime activities.  Our first stop was an aluminum processing plant, where they used recycled aluminum and melt and form it into everything from car parts for Bentleys to clothes line systems.  There were some very cool robots in use.  We then went to the aluminum factory owner:s home.  He has a traditional style Japanese home (the kind you likely picture in your mind when you think of Japan) with a beautiful garden, and his wife and her friends performed a traditional tea ceremony for us.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Then, after tea, the owner showed us his personal Samuri sword collection! (Scott Davis is soooo jealous right now…)  He has a room that is essentially his own museum, and he had at least a dozen swords, one of which is made of gold, and lots of various handles and decorative bits.  Very, very cool.

We then headed to the Kumagaya (the city where I*m staying right now) Rotary Club meeting, where we were the guests of honor – our table was at the front facing the RC, and we ate when we got there… there:s nothing like slurping noodles and using chopsticks in front of a room full of natives.  There was music (both national anthems and My Old Kentucky Home, plus Barry gave a little concert on the mandolin) and traditional dance, and we gave our presentation on Kentucky.  Amanda and I tagteam during the Louisville portion, and when it got to the point when she reads that the *Happy Birthday* song was written in KY, she announced it was my birthday, and suddenly 40 or 50 RC members are up and singing to me. 

We then went to the firefighters training school – there should be some good pics with our big heads in some tiny helmets.  And after that we went to a museum/exhibit focused on disaster relief/prevention/preparation, where we got to experience an earthquake, tsunami force winds, and a house fire.  The pics for that will be very entertaining.

Finally, we finished our group activities for the day, and went to our homes.  My host father is president of the Kumagaya South RC, and they had a special meeting and reception for me.  It was very nice, but quite surreal.  Let:s see…. there was a Q and A where I answered questions about the differences between the U.S. and Japanese criminal justice systems (uhhh…) and my feelings on China and the Free Tibet movement (nothing hot button there)…. I had to sing My Old Kentucky Home, Blue Moon of Kentucky, and You Are My Sunshine – a capella…. and I got a birthday cake and flowers and another round of the Birthday song. 

All in all, it was a hell of a day.

 

I better go get dressed for the day. 

To those of you who:ve emailed in the last day or 2, I have tried to respond, but when I click +send+, or at least the button I believe to be send, some kind of message comes up, but it:s in Kanji, and my host family is still asleep.  So, I don:t know if I:ll be able to respond or not, but I can read them, so please, keep :em coming!  It:s nice to hear from home!

Rainy morning – ecw

It’s early Tuesday morning here, and it’s pouring out – has been all night, which actually made for some nice sleeping background sound. 

Yesterday was a great day.  We toured OKI data electronics factory, where we once again got to don funny plastic coverings on our shoes, and we once again got to laugh at Todd, who’s feet are too big to fit into any of the slippers or footwear that we have to wear.  We also saw Waseda University, which is in the city of Honjo (which is where I’ve been living with my first host family), which is used as a film studio and production center for a lot of the filmmaking that’s done here in Japan.  We got to see a set and also a lot of the computers and soundboards where they “make the magic happen”.  It was actually very cool.

Later, after a Binto Box for lunch (which I hear was very good, but was fish-laden, so I can tell you the rice and miso were great!), we met with the Mayor of Honjo City.  We were treated like royalty – given floweres and gifts, and photos were taken.  Governor Beshear had made the Mayor a Kentucky Colonal, so we presented him with that certificate.  It was very nice, and he, of course, referenced Colonal Sanders!

We also toured a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility later in the day – sadly, no free samples were provided. 

Last night, my host father had some kind of business meeting, so he had Luis, who works in his office, take me out to dinner.  Luis is in his 20’s and speaks very good English, so it was a really fun dinner and an oportunity to get questions answered that I’d been afraid to ask others.  We went to a do-it-yourself hibachi-esque place, which was great, and then we played pool after.  It was a very fun night out.

I have to get ready for the day, so I should hop off.  But I really want to chat about going to a mall the other day, so I’ll try to log back on tonight. 

Until next time…

From Erin, by way of Brazil

It is Sunday, our first “free day” on our trip.  I only have a moment, but I thought I’d take it while I can…

I will be heading to a Cherry Blossom Party with my host family in a few, and then we’re off to a flower garden or park.  Saito-san, my host father, tells me to save my digital camera for the flowers, because they will be good! 

Yesterday we toured a sake brewery (because it’s cooked more like beer than distilled like booze) and got to try many, many versions at the end.  It put Anheiser Busch to shame as far as the taste test goes!  Of course, I think a lot of that may have to do with all of the trouble the Rotary Club members have gone to and continue to go to to make sure we have a wonderful experience.

For instance, we were on our way to watch some traditional dance yesterday, and our interpreter told us that we (amanda and I) were going to get to try on some traditional Kimonos.  Well, when we were at the dance center, Masa-san told us that he had been mistaken, and we were only going to be seeing women in the kimonos.  We were of course fine with that, but as soon as our hosts heard about the confusion, they insisted, and suddenly amanda and I were whisked away to a back room where the women literally took the kimono off of their backs and dressed us up in them.  Next thing we know, we are all trussed up, and we are on the floor, being taught the traditional dance.  And if that video shows up on YouTube, Greg will have to answer to me!  By the way, Kimono are not cut for women who are well-endowed in the breast and hip departments….

That is just an example of how generous and thoughtful everyone has been to us so far, and I anticipate, will continue to be. 

I am also getting to learn some Portugese, and eating some great Brazillian food!

I best sign off to be ready to leave for the party. 

 

 

I should’ve brought my computer

So much to say and so little time to say it!  I am on day 4 in Japan. 

Day 1 the flight landed 2 hours late, our welcoming party was waiting for us the whole time!  We arrived from our, cramped, 13 hour flight to a roomy bus.  We were all exhausted and jet lagged from the flight, but we could not sleep due to our excitement to be in country.  OUr busride to Fukuya took 3 hours, we went through Tokyo on what is comparable to the interstate.  Once in Fukuya we quickly dropped our bags off at the hotel and had a welcoming dinner at a traditional restaurant with Rotary dignitaries, chopsticks were used, food was delicious and Sake was flowing.  We made it back to the restaurant, I called my wife Manda, and I was asleep at about 1 a.m. 

Day 2, I awoke at 4 a.m. but refused to get up… so I lay in bed for an hour before giving in and got up to study Japanese.  I met witht he group at 8:45 with the group for a traditional breakfast, and then we were off, visiting local environs.  We started by looking at the beautiful Sakura, cherry blossoms, near the train station.  The current train station is modeled after the Tokyo train station because Fukaya brick built the Tokyo station (pictures will come soon!)  From there we went to the Toshiba factory and learned about their manufacturing process.  A great tour was had, our host, Hary, did a phenominal job, the factory has beautiful grounds and active participation in its community.  After the tour we had our welcoming lunch where we met with district representatives, and exchanged business cards… exchanging business cards is a bigger deal in Japan than in the US.  After lunch we learned about a major statesman, and father of the modern japanese economy, from the Saitama Prfecture.  We visited his home, and several museums built to him.  After the museums we stopped the police headquarters of Fukuya, met the police chief and learned about Japanese crime issues.  Once our visit their was complete we returned to the hotel, and that is where I was met met by Kasahra san (more on Mr. and Mrs. Kasahara later).  Kasahara san, his brother-in-law and I went to dinner at Shabi-Shabu.  We ate a traditional dinner and had an altogether nice time.  I went home and went to bed at around 10 p.m… It was a long day.

Day 3 began with the Kasaharas helping me call my wife, it was a great way start to my day.  We had breakfast, and then off to meet the group at 9:15.  I ordered a quick cup of coffee, ￥400 and then onto the bus.  Our day in Ichibu-chi. We first went to a sake distillery, we learned about how about sake is made, and after the tour was able to try different types.  After the tour we went to a noodle shop for lunch, delicious food, and my use of chop-sticks is getting better.  After lunch we visited a museum devoted to a major festival, the festival of lights.  In the festival major floats are pulled and pushed by many people.  The floats cary many people and many lanterns to thwart evil spirits.  After the museum visit it was off to the police station of Ichibu-chi.

Well, it is time for me to be finished with this post.  I am being a poor guest, I will write more in the future.  A couple of quick thoughts before I return to my host, the people have beautiful gardens, Japan is gorgeous, agriculture is more compact… I could go on and on.  I am loving my visit, honored to be hosted by the Kasaharas, and enjoying their friends and family.

Wow

This place is utterly amazing.  The cherry blossoms are in bloom, and they are beautiful.  The people are so very generous and kind, and seem really happy and honored to have us here.  It’s nice. 

2 issues up front:

1. the typos and punctuation issues must be disregarded and forgiven.  the keyboard is a wee bit different, and I cannot find some keys, and others are not where they claim to be….

2. the way this is set up, I think Barry has to “ok” my post, so until I see that he’s able to do so, and my posts actually appear, I’ll be brief. 

It is day 3 of our adventure, it is early in the morning, and I am the only one up in my host family’s home.  I don’t know if it’s jet lag, or sleeping on a futon, or some combination therein, but I have been quite the early riser in Japan.

My first host family is very kind, and they present an interesting experience.  He has Japanese parents, but was born in Brazil, and lived there until he was 20; he moved to Japan about 20 years ago.  His children (3 in total) speak Portugese at home, and Japanese at school, and they seem to have created this wonderful blend of the 2 cultures in their home.  The wife is very kind, but nervous and worried, according to her husband, because she speaks no English.   But we have managed to communicate with gestures and smiles, and we learned last night that, in a pinch, translation software comes in very handy.  So now the husband has 2 different computers set up for us (1 with the english to portugese window open, and 1 with the portugese to english program up and running) so that she and I can communicate if he isn’t around.

We stayed in a hotel our first night, which was very nice to have some time, even if it was only a few hours, on our own to get ready for the show that was about to go on.  It also provided an opportunity for me to learn how to operate the very technologically advanced toilets without making a total arse of myself in a public restroom, or someone’s home – i’m sure that will happen at some point and for some reason, but hopefully it won’t be about commodes.

I hear the house starting to stir, so I should probably get motivated.  I hope this makes its way to the blog site… If it does, I’ll write more soon.