Perhaps because I'm lazy these days, or perhaps because I want to shake things up a bit, I thought that this month I would offer some photos instead of a story. Each represent things that I have enjoyed about this experience with a little description as to what I think about it.
I hope you enjoy.
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| This is where I work. I am in the Japanese inaka, or countryside, the nearest city being about thirty minutes away. Before coming to Japan I was afraid of the congestion of people and buildings that I had heard about, but I lucked out to be able to teach English out here. Being in Fukushima I am happy to report that, so far, there have been no radiation effects (good or bad..i.e. no Spiderman-like after effects)! |
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| I have been very impressed with the preservation of ancient traditions that I see all over Japan. Kyudo blends philosophy with the purposeful action of archery to attain perfect action. In high school I studied a lot of Eastern philosophy and I am finding that the Japanese influence is returning me to ask questions about good living, and intentional action. |
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| Many people have been exceptionally kind to me here. I am often invited into people's houses for tea and food. This is especially surprising since, for the majority of this experience so far, I have barely been able to communicate with my hosts; this is a testament to their true hospitality. |
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| These are two of my best friends here, Endo-San and Suzuki-San. The woman is my landlady who always brings me food and invites me to go places with her. The man takes me to the public bath and shows me the proper way to go about enjoying it. That way I don't mess up and make the other old Japanese men think that I am a dirty foreigner. |
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| Food here is generally delicious. Each place pays particular attention to the art in serving the food, making the visual experience as enjoyable as the experience eating the food.. |
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Sometimes however, the food is awful. This is natto, fermented soy beans in some crazy goo. It smells terrible and has a texture like something you cough up when you're sick. You'd think that I could just avoid eating it, but sometimes it is mandatory school lunch, which everyone, especially teachers, is obligated to finish. |
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| The seasons are important here and are usually marked with festivals or celebrations. In the fall I was asked to join a family on a drive to go see the colors change. In the spring (below) my town had beautiful cherry blossoms that people came from other places to see. |
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| Another awesome thing about being here is meeting a lady friend. She's great. |
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| Although Japan has absurdly large cities, it also has very nice natural areas. My one complaint is that there are no places that are as remote as places in Patagonia or the American West. But I am still finding ways to enjoy what nature I can. |
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I think I've pretty much blended in here, like a chameleon, really. Every foreigner enjoys wearing traditional clothes. I am no exception. This is the common outfit you get when you go to a hot springs and stay the night.
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