It's Sunday night and I am at home resting my liver once again (the metro stops running around midnight, so if you're out and about, that time is "Do or Die" for "waiting" until the first train at 5 am. Maybe it's more "Do AND Die" for me, however...)
A fantastic Golden Week (a week of national holidays, no school/no work!) has passed us by and left me reveling in what can only be described as the "Honeymoon Period" of the Culture Shock that I will surely endure while living here in Japan.
In studying SLA, culture shock came up a lot, and, for those of you who don't know, it works a little something like this...
Not everyone experiences culture shock in the same way, so, hopefully I will skip the worst parts and move right into feeling "at home". However, for the time being, I am running around being delighted by everyone and everything...
Case in point...
Mount Takao (Takaosan) day trip!
A few friends I walked up a moderately tall hillside and looked out over Tokyo and the surrounding verdant hills. Along the way their were plenty of vending machines, so not to worry! I was completely safe and well provided for the entire 1.5 hour walk. Also there was a beer garden at the top which was a great motivator!
 |
| "Fresh fish...We catch them, you buy them!"(Name that Disney movie... Jaclyn ...) You can't get much fresher than eating from the tank of fish located directly next to the BBQ! |
 |
| My travel buddies at the top of the mountain, aren't they cute with their eyes closed?
Other fun I've been having includes....
...Tutoring adorable children in exchange for Japanese lessons!
Found on craigslist!.... the language exchange... not the children...
...Standing under Japanese flags at 2 in the morning!
...Eating delicious Osaka food (Okonomiaki)
...Checking out "old Tokyo" which wasn't bombed during WWII (Kawagoe)
...and sitting near koi ponds!
So, overall it's been a FANTASTIC week. My coworkers and housemates are proving delightful travel buddies and friends. We even encountered a Cinco de Mayo party in Yoyogi park which made my heart SING for the nearness of pseudo Mexican food and beer. There were even beer crafters from OREGON who gave me the "Seattle deal" as I called it, which was two for one pints!
Work is going well but it was nice to have a few days off for exploring. My next post will include my upcoming trip to HAWAII for my cousin's wedding! Excitement every which way!
Love you all, feel free to post comments. Juh-neh (see you!).
Jenn
|
No comments:
Post a Comment