Again

Now they're living in a good, loving home with friends in Portland. Still, I bet they're mad at me for abandoning them. What was I thinking? Sonia went to visit...I was so jealous.

Kawai!

Not Japanese, but still some of my favorite things in life. That's right, I love my cats. Mortimer and Grimus, the best pets ever. They must've been dogs in a previous life, but with much more dignity.

BFF

This is Miyuki and Me at the gardens. Miyuki is one of my best Japanese friends ever. I met her at Kansai Gaidai when she was a mere 18 years old. Now she's all growed up and has a real job and everything. I'm so grateful that she came to visit me just a month after I got here.

Zen Gardens (maybe not zen, though)

The Japanese gardens in Sumpu Park. I went with my friend Miyuki. We drank Houjicha in the tea house, which was both delicious and free. Japanese people kept asking if I was here visiting her, and she politely explained that in fact I lived in Shizuoka and she was here visiting me.

Zigzag

Miyuki on a crazy bridge in Sumpu garden.

Giant Wasabi

This is me standing next to a giant wasabi statue near Sumpu Park. Enough Said.

Here's an example of a hut with the thatched roof. There was a museum about the ruins and the agrarian people who might've inhabited them, but I chose the art museum instead, for obvious reasons.

So this is the sign for Shizuoka City's Toro Ruins. As you could read for yourself, they aren't actual ruins, but a reproduction of what some professor thinks they might've looked like. Kind of a cool experience, but mostly just boring.

Paint on Wood

A little out of focus--due to the lack of flash--but this is an example of the hundreds of paintings on wood blocks that were at the museum. The one in the center is of a woman spraying breast milk...Hmmm.

Wow

This one was my favorite. I know it's wrong, but I had to break the rules and get an in-focus picture of this. I must've stared at it for 20 minutes.

Buddha Buddha Buddha

In the museum I walked into a cylindrical shaped room. The walls wer covered with these amazing Buddhas. All stencil dye work on handwoven silk. These were made between...I forget. Let's just say it was the later half of the 20th century.

Tree & Fountain

This beauiful sight was near the entrance of the art museum I went to today. The art of Serizawa Keisuke was being displayed, and it was incredible.

Cooked Sukiyaki

Now doesn't that look delicious?

Yasai

Veggies! Delicious.

Ainz and Ronnie

This was at the sukiyaki party that was sponsored by the lovely Ainz per my request. Sukiyaki is one of my favorite Japanese dishes, although this photo doesn't make it look so delicious. It's meat, seafood and veggies boiled in a combination of water, sake, soysauce and sugar. Yum.

Beautiful Shinto Architecture

Again, at Kuno.

Me @ Kuno

Lazy Wednesday

Where does the weekend go? It's already my Sunday and I feel like I haven't done anything at all. Yesterday I mailed my first postal money order, which my checking account will be excited to see. That alone was an adventure, as no one at the post office spoke any english. I had a little trouble getting them to understand that I was sending the money back for bills, but when they heard student loans everything was fine.

After that I went on a LONG bike ride. We were attempting to visit Toro ruins, which is only about 4km away from Shizuoka station, but I think we set out in the wrong direction all together. We ended up in a part of Shizuoka called Kusanagi, where my friends Ronnie, Maggie and Martine live. I don't think I've gone that far on bike, and they do it every day as they work in town. After the ride we went and got some cheap Italian food. I ordered a caesar salad, minestrone, spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce, and a mushroom pizza, and proceeded to eat it all. I guess I was hungry. After that I just came home and relaxed with some old friends--Sapporo and Asahi.

Today can only be described as lazy. It's 2:20pm and I have yet to shower. I did start a little laundry though. This afternoon will probably be spent doing chores around the house and various errands near home. I'll also probably watch a movie or read one of the many books I've started recently.

Hope all is well.

-stephen

Mountains, Strawberries & Beaches

This is the view from the top of the mountain, close to the actual shrine. Below are tons of green houses for growing strawberries. Shizuoka prefecture is famous for it's production of green tea, mandarin oranges and strawberries.

Steps, Steps, Steps

Here they are, in all their glory, all 1159 of them. Well, I guess there's less than that in this pictures.

Kuno-zan Toshogu Tori

This is the Tori (Shinto gate) that marks the beginning of the ascent to Kuno-zan Toshogu shrine. Built in 1617, it's 1159 stairs to the top. A killer climb, but it's worth it--the views from the top are amazing. According to the Shinto legend, as you climb the stairs you are purified by the local Kami (spirits, like kamikaze).

michelle and tom

michelle and tom
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

When Leanne's sister was here--they're from Vancouver BC--we went to a bar for a few hours, then to karaoke, and then to the park for a few more drinks. We played for hours on the jungle gym. These bouncy hippos were particularly dangerous, and I have an elbow scar to prove it. I thought it might be a good idea to get five people on one. As you can see, even one person on the hippo doesn't work so well. Michelle is from Florida, and she lovingly pushed Tom the Brit off the equipment. I also injured my foot after climbing a tree. I tried to gently drop out of it, but landed on my heal. Everyone else loves to say I fell. I didn't fall.

megan and monkey

megan and monkey
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

This is Megan. She's from Indiana. A drunk guy gave me the monkey hat in Hamamatsu at the kite festival, but the color coordination is incredible. This was a crazy night at my place. I was sure we were going to get a noise complaint, but luckily we're still in the clear.

honko crew take 2

honko crew take 2
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Same night. Left to right: Ian, Sayou, Imari, Michelle and me.

honko crew

honko crew
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

This night was sponsored by Chi-chan, aka Chigusa, one of the Honko Japanese staff. On this particular night we went to Doma Doma and enjoyed a nomihodai for two hours accompanied by a nine course meal for less than $30 dollars. Incredible. From left to right: Michelle, Orie, Chigusa, Catherin, Vince, Ian, Sayou and Imari.

Locked out.

Locked out.
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Isn't it funny when your friends lock you out on your balcony? Just so you know, I scaled the building and snuck in through David's window. I'm a survivor, yes I am.

Megan and David

Megan and David
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

David (my roommate) and Megan, my fellow american (who ever thought I'd use that as a positivism?). This particular night we stayed up until around 8am I think. Last beer run was definitely around 6:30am. That's the state of my sad life here in Japan, but at least I'm enjoying myself.

Shizuoka Coast

Shizuoka Coast
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

The beautiful Japanese coast. Well, some might say it's beautiful. See the tetrapods. Those are tsunami breakers, used to stop erosion of the Japanese islands into the sea. Ugly, eh? Originally they borrowed the design from Germany, and paid a shit-load because it was patented. Now they have their own, free of charge. Still ugly though.

Sea Hawks

Sea Hawks
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Fuz and I took a bike ride to the beach for a picnic. Japan is so clean (at least the streets, not the air), and yet you'd be surprised how nasty the beaches are here. Ronnie and Kate said it's probably all the american litter floating over from america. I wouldn't doubt it, except the bottles are all Japanese brands. Anyway, we saw this amazing sea hawk. The wing span must've been about four feet. I would've taken more pictures, but it took me about 5 minutes to get my new digital camera ready. I'm still trying to figure that out. We did watch it glide and hunt...the most nature I've ever really seen in this Japanese concrete jungle.

Honey Roasted Peanuts

Honey Roasted Peanuts
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Friends at a great bar; one of the only places in Shizuoka where you can get a half-way decent tequila sunrise for 500 yen. Anti-clockwise from right: Ronnie, Michelle, Rosie, James, Alice, Emi, Kaori, David.

Anti-Nukes Protest

Anti-Nukes Protest
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

I randomly stumbled upon this protest on Aoba Street, what we Novabots lovingly call "tree street". I went over to take pictures and the women started yelling, "no more Hiroshima, no more Nagasaki". I was moved. I bought a button. I told her "ganbatte", which means good luck and work hard. Quite a struggle. There are many small groups in Shizuoka who are working to re-militarize Japan. It's kind of funny because they set up camp right outside of Nova and make announcements over loudspeakers. Obviously they aren't thinking about any kind of reaction from China and North Korea. Pacifism is still widely supported by the Japanese public. But then again, so is passive-aggressivism (if I can take the liberty to make that a word. I'm an english teacher, right?).

Japanese Toilet

Japanese Toilet
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Japan? Technologically advanced? Well, they may make the best toasters and digital cameras, and they're western-style toilets may have heated seats, but public toilets are really lacking. Yes, that's right. It is in fact a hole in the ground. In addition, you generally have to pay for toilet paper, which is actually pocket tissue in vending machines. So think ahead, or you might end up with poopie pants.

Scream Julian, Scream!

Scream Julian, Scream!
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

This is Julian the Kiwi at Karaoke. He escaped Nova and is currently working in a real school in Japan. He's my Weezer karaoke comrade, as he also has a ridiculous appreciation for their music. To his left is David, my roommate. To the right is Naho, his girlfriend (still camera shy), and Burke, an Aussie who came to Shizuoka about a week after me.

Inochi

Inochi
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Me and a few of my friends/employees at our favorite izakaya (Japanese style bar with good food). We're making the kanji for "life" with our bodies, something that my friends Jon and Tadashi did often the last time I was in Japan. At this particular izakaya, Hyoutanya, you get three dishes and all you can drink for 90 minutes for 2100 yen (about $19). Pretty typical here, and we call it Nomihodai. Well, not just us, but the rest of the Japanese call it that too. Funny that.

friends

friends
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Ronnie, Naho and me at karaoke--one of many nights. This particular night Naho was a little camera shy, but I seem happy (drunk?).

Back flips!

Back flips!
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Flipping in Sumpu Park...late night...after karaoke. The adventure never ends.

Nova Shizuoka Honko

Nova Shizuoka Honko
Originally uploaded by gaijin1717.

Yep, this is where I work. On the corner of the busiest intersection in Shizuoka City. The photo was taken looking down Gofukucho, the largest shopping district in the downtown region. It hosts all the best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, if you could actually say that Shizuoka has a nightlife.

Mischief in Japan

Well here I am at my most technologically advanced. Yes, I've entered the world of blog. Blog blog blog. My inner dorkdom has finally come out. I'm like one pocket-protector away from the chess club.

In all seriousness, things are going great here. Japan is good and teaching is wonderful. I got Chibiko trained today, which means in the next few months I should begin teaching english to one to four year olds. Very exciting. Caregivers are present so I'm not responsible for any discipline, which is possibly the best part about it. Training made today great: three lessons of training, one free lesson, lunch, senior kids, voice, and only two real lessons. Cake walk really.

Guess that's it for now, but not too bad for my first blog message, eh?

-peace out