Tokyo pt. 2

Today was set aside for Asakusa where there is a famous temple. This is indeed a famous sight. It was packed with tourists and I made my way through the avenue of merchandise to pay my regards to the temple.




There were many interesting structures such as this pagoda. I loved this water fountain area where people must purify before praying. It was too cool, as it was encircled by dragons.

There were many stone statues including this sitting Buddha. There was a beautiful garden with this running stream and lake with bridges and carps.

Extremely interesting, but a recurring sight, is the fact that deities are clothed. I am not too sure what this is all about. To keep them clean or warm? Is this why doggie clothing is so popular here? So many unanswered questions.

This was the closest I got to seeing anything of the imperial palace and it is a mere tower at the gate. The palace circumference is a popular work out for runners and cyclists.

One of the very iconic photos of Tokyo at night. I believe this is Shinjuku, a very popular place to be.

Christmas decorations are out already, if you can make out the trees.

TOKYO

I had planned my trip to Tokyo for awhile, only to catch a cold days before. I was dismayed, but determined to go through with it. I was planning to catch Tsubasa's performance where she said she would play the odaiko. Alas, I had old information and could not make it to the venue. Left hanging around Yoyogi Park, I decided to make the best out of it and check out Meiji Jingumae, a very famous shrine. Huge cypruss trees form the arch that separates heaven from earth.


It was a long weekend and many children were dressed up to visit the shrine. Many couples were also getting married. It was a neverending stream of events









And the shrine itself. Very beautiful and breathtaking.











Right outside of the shrine was the entry way to Harajuku - teenyboppers paradise. Everyone dressed in their special attire, being someone special for the day. It was a Sunday, so Harajuku was rocking. Kind of reminded me of Camden Lock on a Sunday, but more sugar coated. Punk has been regurgitated and made cute and fuzzy.







The Harajuku crowds and fashion stores in their full glory. One can get a complete outfit here from head to toe. New school punk and very expensive DMs are to be found. Janet, please note in the photo below with the two girls - the shopping trolley gone high fashion. Well it is the suitcase on wheels that every Harajuku girl has to have. What do they put in there? They are everywhere and pink is the color. One cannot leave home without it.



From London's Vivienne Westwood in Harajuku to Louis Vutton on Omotesando, the Rodeo Drive of Tokyo and just around the corner from Harajuku. One fashion designer shop after another. Limousines waiting outside for their rich clients to emerge. Apparently, young Japanese girls will sell their souls,amongst other things, for a Louis Vutton handbag.





Beautiful kimono shops can also be found on Omotesando. And what it that....a Blenz coffee! Indeed.

TOKYO

Tokyo Nov. 26, 2006

Ahh, it was a sad fact, but I was taking off for my Tokyo adventure with all the tell tale signs of a cold. Try as I might to stave it off, I was taking it with me on my trip to Tokyo, the big city. I was quite relieved to have made all my train connections, although I barely caught the Keisei at Nippori on time. But it was quite magickal to have it all work out just fine. I met my cousin at the Keisei Narita train station. I have not seen him in 20 odd years, but he still looked like Go to me.
Back at his home in Narita, I was able to cozy up under a heated blanket and was presented with a plate full of beautiful sushi by his wife. I got the beer I asked for and we conversed about my move to Japan. I stayed in their daughter’s room (who was now living with her grandfather in the Shinjuku area) and had a comfy room to sleep in filled with Barbie doll collectables.

The next day, I grabbed a ride with family into Harajuku. I got out on the bustling Harajuku lane of Takeshita Street. I had a plan to see some Kodo players at the Earth Beat festival. So I trucked my way to Yoyogi Park to see if I could find any signs of the festival. There appeared to be little indications of any kind of festival and then I did what I really should have done long time ago, which was to call the number listed for the earth beat festival. Turns out the concert was at Tiara Koto near the Sumiyoshi station, a fair distance from Yoyogi Park. I hemmed and hawed a lot, pondering what I should do. I knew that I should make my way back to the Harajuku station and find our more information about how I could get to this station. But it was also a Sunday on Harajuku and there was such a buzz. I know in retrospect that I should have just high tailed it to Sumiyoshi, after all, Harajuku on Sundays would always be there, but Earth Beat and a performance by Kodo’s Tsubasa was a once in a life time moment. Well I will just write it off on being delirious from my cold, but I meandered about and thought that since I was there I might as well check out the Meiji shrine on my way to Harajuku station.

And so I did. The leisurely walk amongst other folks, many foreigners indeed, and kimono-clad youngsters, was pleasant. I walked through the giant tori (gate) made of cypress trunks. I caught a wedding taking place and tried to take some pictures. I said some prayers and bought some good luck amulets, figuring I could use the luck these days. On my way out, I caught another wedding procession. I guess it is a popular thing to do around there.

I made my way to the train station, but was allured by the Harajuku hype and decided to take a stroll. It was very Camden like (London) to me, I thought, oozing with tourists and a place where you buy a punk rock look from head to toe. Of course, I loved it. So I decide to finally check out the train routes. After studying the maps, I realize how far Sumiyoshi is from where I am and I lose hope. I think I lost hope when I first talked to the guy who told me it was at least 30 minutes away or so and that perhaps I would not make it. I kind of felt like if I could not be there fro the beginning of the show, that perhaps it would not be worth it, although he did tell me that they would perform at 3:00. I guess I just did not want to trek all the way out there and not be able to find the place or miss the whole damn thing and ruin my whole day completely. Anyway, just another reminder why it is so important to plan well in Japan.
Once I realized that I would not make it to the performance, I felt somewhat free and leisurely explored the area around Harajuku and down Omotesando, filled with designer stores, making my way down to Shibuya. I popped into the Oriental Bazaar, which is supposed to be a great place for gaijin to buy presents to take back home. And it did seem quite good. I then went looking for food. I found an Indian restaurant with palak paneer, so of course I could not resist.
While waiting for my ride back, I caved in and started shopping in Harajuku. First it was a Goth wallet, and then a shirt, then earrings, and then another shirt, and gloves! I was on a shopping roll! That brought an end to my first day in the big city.
The next day I had my job interview in Chiba. This was another reason that I did not want to stay out late. So I made my plans with Go, who would drive me to the station the next morning. I stayed up way too late drinking beer with Go and had a lovely ofuro before dragging myself to bed.
I could have slept forever, as I felt like crap for my interview, but it went fairly well. The interview was long and I sweated over the grammar test, but not too long. That damn active and passive voice showed its ugly head. They wanted me to take the Narita position for mid December and I was not down with that. The distant was too far I realized. But I plowed ahead with the interview and met and spoke with the Japanese manager who complemented my Japanese.

I was very happy to get out of there, change, and hit the town. Except that it took me a good hour to get there. I made my way to Asakusa, as it would be a good place to go if it rained. It was bustling even for a Monday. I have seen pictures of the huge lantern in front of the gates. Walking through the lane filled with stalls, I ended up in front of the temple and smoked myself out before heading up to the big area for prayers. It looked beautiful and very grand. There was a pagoda and many statues of shrines where one could offer prayers. After taking it all in and taking a bunch of photos, I realized I was very hungry and went looking for food, always difficult, especially when one is hungry. I opted for ramen at what turned out to be a Chinese restaurant. I encountered the foulest bathroom since my trip to Japan (even public bathrooms are amazingly clean). It just reeked and I gagged.

I left the area and decided to take a quick look at Shinjuku. I gave myself a brief 30 minutes, not much time really. It was just huge and very neon, very bustling. The mass of humanity. I saw some Harajuku girls all line up in an area that appeared to have a lot of alternative music shops. I assumed that someone hot and famous would be about. I then made my way to Shibuya as I would meet friends later on and did not want to lost and late. Shibuya was huge and of course, I had some problems hooking up, but it all worked out and she took me back onto the trains to go to Shimo-Kitazawa, a happening kind of place. Another friend was waiting for us at a popular seafood izakaya there. By the time I got there, I realize I had little time to hang out, as I would need to catch a certain train to make it home on time, as go wanted me home by midnight. So it was a very rushed session, but so great to see both of them again, in Tokyo of all places.

Kakegawa tea for sale in Shinjuku!

Urban Shrines can be found everywhere........ like this one

The next day after I purchase my ticket back to Kakegawa at Tokyo station, I met up with K-chan who will take me around for the day. We drop by an Okinawa store that is playing some cool Okinawa hip-hop sounds. I get a very thorough tour of Ni-chome with many tips. From there we make our way to Tokyo Han in the heart of Shinjuku. We are on a cake prowl. I think cake is very important for K-chan, as she has mentioned it several times. Fine by me, as I am tired and cold. So K-chan is a Japanese feminist and I mentioned to her about that politician’s anti feminist blurb against gender equality that I read online several months back. She told me of a politician who suggested that women past childbearing age should not receive any health care, as they are of no use! This is a good reason for woman not to remain here for too long. After partaking of coffee and shi shi cheesecake, we check out Tokyo Han and I pick up a calendar. It is called a creative store, so it is like a department store with an artsy angle.
We part ways as rush hour is upon us.

Just one last trip though to Ochanomizu to track down Oedo Sukeroku Taiko. And I can’t believe that I actually tracked it down. I was feeling very sick by then. I had a terrible hacking cough that I could not control and had to run out of the subway when a fit hit me. I discovered that it was the air in that particular subway station that was foul, so I felt panicky, not knowing what to do. Get out, or hop on a train, or get the hell out of the station? I get back on the train and resume my journey. Tough it out.
So I am trying to study the maps at Ochanomizu, so that I can find the taiko mecca, but to no avail. I could not make heads or tails. When I am close to giving up, I find it. Several landmarks catch my attention and when I backtrack to where it should be, I am shocked to discover that it is indeed there, in such an innocuous building, so incredibly forgettable and concealed in darkness with very little fanfare except for a sing above the door. I feel too sick and tired to know what to do. I gather what little courage I have to crack open the door and wow, what a spectacular sight. There is a narrow staircase leading upstairs and the wall is covered with taiko skins and what seems to be percussive like instruments such as uchiwas. Maybe it was all skins. That was indeed the building. All I could do was stand there with my mouth hanging open. I have a string of communications in the form of lost e-mails and this is what prevented me from running up those stairs. I had some time, so I debated with myself. Should I go up? The lights appeared on upstairs. How could I come so far and be so lost only to walk away without saying hi or something. Should I drag myself up there like the person who has crossed a dessert and encountered numerous mirages? I stood there for what seemed to be like forever. I wanted to prostrate myself in front of this plain and ugly building. I wanted to enter, but dare not, for I was in a pitiable state. I finally talked myself into leaving, as it would not be a great first impression to bring my sickly self into the presence of others. It was with a heavy heart that I left. I felt like I had traveled to Japan just to see them, but could not. It was a difficult moment. I felt like a wimp, a coward. But I promised I would return in fine and triumphant form.

My feverish view

ughh

November 22, 2006

Work update. Soma, scat artist from demon school, tried to bite my breast. It might have been all fun and games, but, needless to say, I was not amused. No damage done and no more details.
My rebellious teen class is bothering me less. I accept that they don’t want to be there and do not want to participate. I don’t have a magic formulate to motivate them. I feel sorry for them and don’t want to, nor do I care to, ram the curriculum down their throat. I go through the motions and if they want to learn, they can and I will help them. If they don’t care, nor do I.
I am fighting a cold again that is reminiscent to the last one that knocked me down for like a month. I am bummed. I have a journey to Tokyo that I planned for ages and a job interview there. I am trying very hard to get better.
My latest ploy for bad students is to tell them to leave. They can’t believe that I am trying to kick them out. Hee hee. I love the look on their face. Much easier and faster than a bunch of warnings to call their mothers. I just say, “I want you to leave. Give me your phone number and I will call your mother now.” No beating around the bush here. I am eas going to a point and then that is it. If you make me get ugly, I will get ugly. So much drama back home once again. I am wondering if I should just give up on Japan and go home. Sighhhhh. I feel like I have not done what I came here to do. She came, she got kan-choed and breast bitten, saw tea farms and rode way too many buses and trains, learned how to bow properly, spoke bad Japanese flawlessly, chased after demon drummers and various festivals in obscure villages, ate tons of delicious sushi and sashimi, explored the culinary delights of odens and nabes…….and went home.

Learning Japanese

November 19, 2006

I went to my first Japanese class today. It was offered at the Kakegawa city hall and was a great experience. Now I see how Japanese teachers perform. Perhaps I will adopt a few pointers from them. Unfortunately, it was the last day of the Japanese school for foreigners. A new term will start up in January. I went to the kanji class and tried to remember and absorb all the characters that were being inundated upon me. Now, I see why everyone says it is so difficult. You learn a character and then there are all these references of how it is used in conjunction with other characters. A bombardment of information, but very valuable. I purchased some worksheets so that I can practice on my own. The class was full of Brazilians and there were some Japanese Brazilians, fully Japanese with Japanese last names, but Brazilian. They could speak some Japanese, but not a lot – just like me! I would have loved to have a discussion with them about Japanese descendents living in Brazil and ask some questions about taiko in Brazil.
Hmmmm. An interjection from the TV has caught my attention.. What is it? A commercial about a Shizuoka onsen set against the backdrop of Brazilian samba music. Interesting.

Ready to Quit!

November 16, 2006

I am ready to quit once again. I have had it with these obnoxious teens. It is my C6 at Shimada Nishi. Their attitude is just degenerating. They did not start off so badly. Masumi teacher pointed out to me that they don’t say a word and really drain her. I feel the same way. The thing is that I can at least leave them. I only see them once a month.
They are getting worse. I really did not have a bad attitude going in, although I knew they would be difficult, I decided that I would let things roll off me. But when they ruined my sui kan sho chaku pumpkin game - I had had enough. I am trying to be fair to all the classes, gathering points and trying to do the same for all, no matter how bratty. When Shota (who walked into the class, not even acknowledging me and giving me the evil look as well, started turning cards over randomly, ruining the game really, I lost it. I spurted out in Japanese how they were wasting my time and asked them to leave. I thought, who cares, I am ready to quit. Of course they did not leave. Too bad.
What will I get myself into if I go into the public high school? Worse situations? There is at least supposed to be another teacher and a Japanese staff in a public high school rather than some private babysitting business. Well after yelling at them and trying to kick them out, they pretty much behaved but that attitude lingered. After class, they would not leave! I had to kick them out. Miraculously, they cleaned up their crap. I thought for sure I would be left doing that. It really is wonderful knowing that if you get fired, it would be a wonderful release. I just feel bad for Mas who is stuck with all of them. I did have my interview today with Ai for that Kyoto supervisor position, but may people applied and I feel that I don’t stand much of a chance. However the chance of a Kyoto promotion is what prevents me from quitting. I heard back from Jason that I would not be transferred until a year. So that is one avenue that is blocked. At least it is on record that I am unhappy. I can have a hissy fit and then quit. I hate the fact that the kids all say ‘bye bye’, yet are so disdainful about learning English. I feel like yelling at them, “Don’t you dare speak English if you hate it so much.”

Autumn

A sign of times. The local vegetation is looking like these ornamental items. They sweep the sides of the river in Kakegawa and glisten in the sunlight. Beautiful. The photos do not justice. Autumn is definitelty lurking, although I see few colourful tress, the air is brisk, especially during the evenings. I am forced to buy a hat from the second hand store, it is has become so cold at night, reinforced by the dry wind. Strangely and wonderfully so, the mornings are beautiful and warm.. Just like San francisco. I can heat up my apartment by opening up the curtains in the early morn. There is not doubt that winter is around the corner.



I felt it was important to post a photo of the south side of the train station. It has a different look from the north side, which faces downtown and the bustle of the centre of town. The south side is sleepier and has at its claim to fame - the shinkansen entrance. And this unusual pyramid sculpture. Kakegawa is home to some interesting bits of art.












The bicycle rides along the river is very beautiful and I am certainly enjoying the brisk climate that is autumn. I try to bike along this way everyday so that I can be at peace in the moment.









My 30 cent hat. peace out.

Kyoto pt4 - Golden Temple

I scurried away from the Silver Pavillion in hope to catch the Golden Temple before dusk fell. I could not resist one of the lovely tourist paths that are lined with numerous shrines and smaller temples. This took up a lot longer than I imagined and really requires an entire afternoon to do justice to the experience. I aborted the journedy and hightailed it for the bus that would take me to the other end of town. I rode a lot of buses in Kyoto and it was fun and easy. Very tourist friendly. The picture below is a shot of a shrine, perhaps the mice shrine. I wanted to visit on behalf of T & M and Tim and Russell. Ok, I know they are not mice....but degus, however that is spelt.

So along the way to the Golden Temple, I saw the streets lined with these poor scrawny looking trees. Looks like someone overpruned perhaps. I don't quite get it. It is because of the electrical wires - trees are simply not allowed their full bloom and glory. I heard that pruning of this kind is a seasonal thing, like before the New Years, hedges are seriously pruned. Or is this, a manifestation of bonsai-gone-mad. I am all ears!

And after much rushing around and anticipation.....The Golden Temple just before closing time - 5:00pm. I don't care and pay up and run to take a look before it gets too dark. Ahhhhh, despite the descending darkness, it is beautiful and I take way too many picture, but will demonstrate some restraint by posting only two. I love Kyoto!

Kyoto pt. 3

Kyoto at night and it's many canals - this is in the Gion area

After an exhlilerating concert with Hono O-daiko in Kanazawa, I made my way back to Kyoto that evening and despite being exhausted, could not resist more sightseeing. Like a great passion, I could not resist Kyoto.











The next day it was back to the tourist trails, of which there are numerous. I made my way to the Silver Pavillion, mistaking the reading for the Goldern temple. Oh dear. It was fine, but I kept thinking, "this does not look like the Golden Temple. I was tired and it was an exhausting long weekend, ok. I should have known from the reading, Gin is silver and Kin is gold. Duhhhh








Beautiful rock gardens and very important moss......

I was feeling envious of this bear snoozing away, by late afternoon..............