Our second full day was full of making new friends and so much Japanese when someone spoke in english it took me several seconds to stop my brain from deciphering Nihongo. We woke and made our way to Meiji shrine to meet up with a couple of highschool students, Vankrey sensei's teaching friend and Yokota sensei's Aunt and Uncle.
Through self introductions and broken conversation we toured the site and took pictures with a panda clad man. Got some balloons and tied a purple one to Sensei's backpack in order to see him in crowds. We left and went to Harajuku for shopping and lunch (Icecream, caramel and creme filled crepes). Then it was off to Asakusa where we experienced a temple with huuuuge lanterns and giant sandals on gates. Watched Kodomo Kabuki (children kabuki) and wondered around the shops. By far my favorite part of the day was getting to the meeting site a half hour early and being approached by some college students doing a project about foreign reactions to Japanese culture. They asked the four of us if we would like to participate and we spent the next 45 minutes making some origami, answering questions and getting to know eachother. So much fun speaking that much Japanese.
The final stop of the day was in Shinjuku where we walked a monsterous department store. There was an entire floor devoted to food and the colors were mind boggling. We couldnt find the giant book store so I asked for directions. After a few missteps we finally found it and I 've never been so proud to have followed directions in my life.
Mos burger for dinner and a trip to the top of a tall building to see the city capped off the day and we made our way home to collapse.
Yesterday I feel in love with the fashion of Harajuku and the lights of Shinjuku. It was beautiful and the most amazing place to be. I love Tokyo and leaving for Kyoto was very bittersweet. I hope someday I can find my my back to the bustling streets of my lovely Tokyo. Cheers, Jenny
So i havent done this in a while so ill start with the 13th. when we where in harujuku a cramra crew from Brazil stoped me and asked me questions about lolita clothing (i was waring a sorta puffy skirt). And i bought all the things :). Than yesterday we arived in kyoto and it really felt like places i've gone on vacation before. This sort of intrinsically different. And now its today and im trying to blog on a train while holding on to a bar.
-Charlotte Pope
Okay so this is my first time doing this so lets see how it goes. Over all so far the trip has been an amazing experiance, full of adventure and excitment. I have found particular love for the mountians. The way they loom in the background ever present like venerable stalwart guardians watching over their charges with love and sincerity. The way the clouds roll down their slopes like an avalanche. Well on to more current events. Yesterday we arrived in Kyoto, via Shinkansen. We went to the dojo at which we are currently staying, this place is absolutly amazing to say the least. We slept on futons on tatami mat floors which is the traditional Japanese form. Then after arriving we went to Monkey Mountian. Where we saw well what else, monkeys! Then we went back to the dojo for dinner and bed. Mr. Vankrey shared ghost stories with us which was really fun! But man that stuff was spooky. Well that 's all I got for now till next time! Eli Looper
When we got to Kyoto we headed for Arashiyama. Once here we headed for this shrine which we didn't even go to, but we did get some very good ice cream. Mine was a strawberry vanilla swirl. Other got macha swirl, plain macha, and chocolate swirl. It was very differet then American soft serve because it was very rich and didn't feel like it was full of air. After this we walked past a bridge, past a river, along a mountain, then through a forest to grandma's house... I mean to the top were there was a view point. Here you could see everything. Below us was the forest and the river. That was very pretty but it was nothing ompared to the view of the mountain, when you looked straight. The leaves were changing and the opening in the mountains was just right were we could see the next bit of mountains. After this we walked more throught the village then up a very tall mountain. If it wasn't for what was at the top of the mountain I would have given up half way, but do you know what was at the top of the mountain. If you don't want to know what was at the top 1. Why are you reading this blog 2. You probably already know 3. I'm telling you anyways. What was at the top was a bunch of monkeys. Here we could feed them and take picture, but nothing else or we could have gotten eaten. When it was feeding time the played the can can. The best part of the day was when we go to play at the park.
-Erin McKearnan
Monkeys everywhere and Ghosts in our temple.
-Ian
I was actually really surprised at how tiny Harajuku was. I really expected to see a lot more people in extravagant clothing, but I'm guessing we were out of season or something. I did meet a really friendly shopkeeper who, in addition to being able to speak pretty good English, let me take a picture with him. I bought a Domo-kun change bag from his shop.
The next day we went to Kyoto, where I was only given a peek at the gargantuan Kyoto station. Were staying at a temple now, where Sensei decided to freak us out and tell us stories about how he was possessed by "Derf" the Russian spririt. I'm not buying it. I swear hes just messing with us,
On another note, I met some really friendly elderly women on the ride to Kyoto. They were really easy to understand and spoke very clearly. We all had a laugh together.
Got some really excellent photos at the top of Arashiyama and the monkey island. Really good stuff this week so far. Im just hoping that being in a room with all the guys doesnt end poorly or anything.
- Ben "Strow" Ostrow
Through a hole in the wall.
Tourists will often find comfort in Japan with the fact that, inside the major cities at least, english will accompany the important texts. You know, restaraunt menus, toilet signs, train maps. Most of the people you encounter will even know a handful of english too. However, take away all this and you dive into a whole different world.
As Emma and I were walking to find lunch in Hikone, we stumbled upon a restaraunt tucked away behind potted plants. The lack of windows, and the uninviting doors that we couldn't see through made the place look closed. But after closer inspection, pulling the door open, we soon found ourselves seated inside a restaraunt devoid of any english.
This was one of the few times on the trip so far that i have found myself completely reliant on my Japanese, and the first time I had to translate a menu. Thankfully, after five minutes we successfully ordered our food, and the bathroom; and had only to sit happily while our meals were prepared.
We learned a lot in that hole in the wall. We were placed in a situation completely out of our comfort zones, and survived just on what we walked in with. Thank you hole in the restaraunt, for all the above, and your nikudonburi.
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