Can I do it justice?

Hey.

I just tried putting up some photos by emailing them - but it didnt work, so you`ll have to wait I`m sorry.

The weekend was pretty awesome - especially for a quiet one.

Saturday night, Lee (my new flatmate) and I went to one of the few bars in Yokkaichi for a bit. Nothing great to report there.

On Sunday I had my Japanese lesson, and then we went to Nagoya - as we were going to meet up with some other new teachers that Lee had come over with. Anyhow, we got there a bit late, so we went as high as we could in the JR towers (the ones above the train station) and then decided Mexican would be nice for lunch, so we headed to Sakae. It was a nice warm day so it was a great walk - the distance didnt bother us. On our way there we walked past the vodafone shop - where they were having a promotion, so there were promotion girls there. One spoke english, so we talked a bit to her. Then we went and had lunch. We decided we would go back and talk to her again, and see if she wanted to come to Shooters when she finished work. Strangely enough she was keen - gave us her phone number, and got mine.

What was even better was the fact she did came, she brought a friend as well. Japanese people are so friendly and unassuming, its great!

Monday I stayed home and did dishes and cleaned my room (which had been where the mess hid during the inspection). In the evening I went two trainstops north, as I had heard there was a good shop for bulk food, eg mixed veges etc. I found it, with a bit of exploring. It was like a Japanese Gilmours! (of course bulk here only = 1kg...)

Anyway must fly.

Nothing to lose, and gaining

Hey,
My new flatmate moved in on Wednesday. Seems pretty cool so far. An Australian from Adelaide.

Wednesday was my half day, but I have developed a cold/sore throat, so I made the call to have the day off (I start at 5 on my half days, but you have to let them know before 11 if you are calling in sick, otherwise they penalise you - another thing they wouldn`t get away with in NZ) I decided it was better to lose out on the half a days pay, rather than get sicker and lose out on a full days pay, and also avoid customer complaints (re germs and also not being able to understand me).

This morning I went back to the guy who is selling me the microwave, to try out several things - A small dot matrix printer (but uses A4 paper) and a remote control car. The printer worked, so I am getting that. The remote control car was OK, but if I am going to buy junk, I want it to work really well. It didnt quite sat isfy my life-long want of a decent RC car. Anyway, I brought the microwave, some snorkelling gear, a radio (includes CD and tape deck) the printer, and some scales. The microwave and scales were both half the price of the cheapest ones I had seen brand new.

Last night me and my flatmate went to the local cafe/bar for a beer (well I went for a pizza and Iced Cocoa - due to my cold). We decided to try out our Japanese on some girls. So we studied hard the words "Koko ne suwate mo i desu ka" (I think - if Im wrong, I`ve just asked if I can feel here...) which is can I sit here. They said yes, but the body language was a strong no. Anyway we sat down and after a while the bar tenders started talking to us, and talked with them for ages in broken english and japanese. So it was a bit of fun.

I think it will be pretty cool having a new flatmate, as since he is fresh, he is keen to do stuff. I guess I regret not making more of the few opportunitys I had with my other flatmate, but at the time I didnt have a bike, and was really cautious about staying out late.

Just now I have met the new girl that has just come as well.

Im thinking of having a party at my apartment soon to catch up with all the random people I have met so far, and introduce Lee to the other teachers.

Anyway, must go, shower, and work.

Short and sweet

This is going to be short because I need some fresh air.

Saturday night was the Nagoya friends party. It was OK - again free food was the highlight. I managed to get a couple more drinks out of this one. The downside was the venue was so packed. The other thing was there was only two foreign girls there (American) - whom I got talking to - and they actually live around Yokkaichi, so that was cool. I felt a bit bad as I ended up being a bit of a cling-on to them, as I wasnt in the mood for trying to get amongst the people, and then I went home when they went home - as we were going in the same direction.


On Sunday I went to the Nagoya Auto Trend (car show), that was kinda cool. I was a little disappointed there wasnt more Hondas there, but other than that it was quite cool. Admittedly it was rather flashy and fleshy - quite a few pimped out cars, and almost more J-girls than cars. (Show girls - in Japan, Japan is often abbreviated to J, eg J-pop - music etc) For example there was a car with mags with diamantes on them.

Today I again didnt make it to the mountain and onsen. Soon Im going to check out a 2nd hand microwave, and following that, I will probably check out a shopping centre at the next main train stop (which is around where the microwave is).

My new flatmate moves in on Wednesday I think. Hopefully he will be cool.

Anyway, catch ya

Hostels and Capsule Hotels in Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe/Nagoya

OSAKA
Capsule Hotels
Capsule Inn Osaka
Address: 9-5 Doyamamachi Kita-ku, Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6314-2100 / Fax: 06-6314-1281
Access: JR Midosuji Station
Price: 2600 yen per night
Note: sauna and bath / no female guests / restaurant / individual rooms / 418 capsules

Capsule Hotel Daitoyo
Address: 2-1-9 Makazakinishi Kita-ku Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6312-7523 / Fax: 06-6312-7513
Access: Subway Tanimachi line Nakazakimachi Station
Price: 3200 yen per night -
Note: bath and sauna / no female guests / 375 capsules

Sunpre Inn Nagahori
Address: 1-10-3 Higashi Shinsaibashi Chuo-ku Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6243-0777 / Fax: 06-6245-7248
Access: Subway Midosuji line Shinsaibashi Station
Price: 3500 yen per night
Note: shower, sa una and bath / no female guests / restaurant / individual rooms / 194 capsules

Business Lodge Shin-Osaka
Address: 5-16-1 Nishi Nakajima Yodogawa-ku Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6300-0505 / Fax: 06-6300-0564
Access: JR line Shin-Osaka Station
Price: 3900 yen per night
Note: sauna and bath / no female guests / 150 capsules

Capsule Inn Minamimachi
Address: 3-8-21 Nanba Chuo-ku Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6641-0090 / Fax: 06-6641-6545
Access: Subway Midosuji line Nanba Station
Price: 3300 yen per night
Note: sauna and bath / no female guests / 204 capsules

Sauna and Capsule AMZA
Address: 2-9-17 Sen nichi mae Chuo-ku, Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6633-1000 / Fax: 06-6634-7198
Access: Subway Midosuji line Nanba Station
Price: 3200 yen per night
Note: sauna and bath / no female guests / restaurant / 588 capsules

Capsule Hotel Asahi Plaza Shinsaibashi
Address: 2-12-22 Nishi Shinsaibashi Chuo-ku Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6213-1991 / Fax: 06-6212-2859
Access: Subway Midosuji line Shinsaibashi Station
Price: 2500 yen per night -
Note: bath and sauna / restaurant and lounge / no female guests / 487 capsules

Capsule 368
Address: 2-8-12 Nishi Shinsaibashi Chuo-ku Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6214-0368 / Fax: 06-6214-1368
Access: Subway Midosuji line Nanba Station
Price: 3000 yen per night -
Note: shower, sauna and bath / no female guests / restaurant / individual rooms / 368 capsules

New Capsule Hotel Aldebaran
Address: 2-9-4 Nishi Shinsaibashi Chuo-ku Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6212-5001 / Fax: 06-6213-2506
Access: Subway Midosuji line Shinsaibashi Station
Price: 2500 yen per night
Note: sauna and bath / no female guests / bar / 240 capsules

Capsule Inn Nanba
Address: 1-7-16 Nanbanaka Naniwa-ku Osaka-city
Phone: 06-6633-2666 / Fax: 06-6633-5568
Access: Subway Midosuji line Nanba Station
Price: 2900 yen per night
Note: shower, sauna and bath / individual rooms / female guests OK / 160 capsules

Capsule Inn Osaka/Umeda New Japan Sauna

9-5 Dôyama-chô , Kita-ku

Good things come in small packages.

Review The capsule hotel phenomenon continues to attract bemused foreigners who can't believe how small they are. Japan Sauna & Capsule Hotel is in one of Kita's busiest entertainment districts, which makes it the last stop if you miss the last train. All rooms are for men only.

The first capsule hotel established in Japan is located right in the middle of this shôtengai (covered shopping arcade); a very noisy, neon-lit area, which makes it a surprise when you walk into the quiet lobby. The interiors are very clean, with several lounge areas and a restaurant. There is a sauna, a jacuzzi and a massage service (extra charge), so if you do miss the last train you won't regret it. Men who are taller than 180cm will have to 'sleep in a curve' to fit in the bed. Who said size doesn't matter? There is also a cheap breakfast available. The whole experience leads one to lament the lack of capsule hotels in other busy city centres. Save the planet and economise.
(information found at http://gojapan.about.com/cs/accommodation/a/osakacapsule1.htm

Thanks!)

NAGOYA

Capsule Hotels

Welbee, Lejac Building

Capsule Inn Nagoya (カプセルイン名古屋), 7F Kanayama 4-1-20 (on Otsu-dori near Kanayama stn), tel. (052)331-3278,.Showing its age, but kept clean and still a perfectly functional capsule hotel. Reservations accepted and you're free to come and go, payment on arrival by cash only. ¥2800 gets you a capsule for night, plus ¥800 if you want to sample the sauna/spa downstairs (there are no bathing facilities in the capsule levels) and ¥500 extra if you check-in after midnight.

For Hostels in Osaka, Kyoto etc see http://www.hihostels.com/openBookNowScreen.do

Investigations

Hey all.

Just a Friday entry. Im currently at the international centre investigating accomodations in Osaka and/or Kobe and/or Kyoto, in advance, as I am planning to actually make there in a couple of weekends time. For my convenience I am going to paste information I might need after this entry.

Nothing really great to report here. Im just looking forward to the weekend, Saturday night is the international party, Sunday the car show, and Monday hopefully the snow.

I just finished reading another book - Japanese made funny - faux pas (thats such a pretenious word, but then so is "pretenious") made by gaijin (foreigners) for example asking to sit here, but it comes out "can I feel?". Good for learning lots of toilet-humour words in Japanese. Might shed light on what my kid students say behind my back. At the moment I pick up on Buta-sensei (pig teacher) but thats about it.

Just some random thoughts from this week-

Its amazing how fast hair and facial hair grows here. Im not sure if it is just I am more consious of it, (my hair) but I definately think my facial hair seems to grow faster now - because I shave every day (rather than every week). At least I have a cool 5 O`clock shadow now, not so patchy!

I have found riding my bike an adventure. No helmets here. And common practice is to ride on the footpath. Not knowing the road rules doesnt help either. I find riding on the footpath similar to mountain biking, because of all the rises and dips in the pavement, and having to avoid power poles.

End of weekend addenum

I was just here at the International centre checking emails and making inquires about sports and shopping centres, so I thought I would update.

I didnt go to Osaka or Kobe this weekend, nor the snow. I made sure the flat was perfect for the inspectors. Now thats over, I can let it go! live in flith! yeah right. I began to question myself - if I was becoming obsessive compulsive. Anyway, now I have managed to do most of the jobs that had been holding me back, Japan should be fun and relatively plain sailing from here on in.

After the inspection, I decided I would get a haircut, at the cheapest place again (1680 yen about $17/18 - not cheap compared to NZ, but I think I have had this conversation before...) Anyway, I thought it was a good idea to look good for my students LOL, but mainly because I believe having a fresh haircut gives me extra confidence - another conversation I think I have had before. They gave me a shave as well, including my neck, and forehead. Last time I refused the forehead shave as it seemed weird and obsolete, but this time I thought I would give it go - see what it was like... go metro...

On the topic of random things I finally used scales for the first time in 3.5 months. I went to a electronics store and tryed some (saved me from buying them LOL) and I have lost the grand total of 0kgs. A bit dissappointing, but I was glad I hadnt put any on. It hasnt been the "easy-weigh-loss place" that I envisioned it to be. It isnt all fish and rice unfortunately. From now on I have decided to try a bit harder to exercise (should be easier now I have a bike) and make a batch of teas in the weekends, so as to regulate my eating times and habits better.

Another random fact - I have read many books since being here. A list - Wild at heart; Ive been thinking (Prebble,R.); Now its time to act (Prebble, R); Millions of Cousins (about geneology - we are closer related than we think); Insight guide to Japan; Rich Dad, Poor Dad (I had read it before); Stupid White men (Moore, M.); and the latest - Things I didnt learn at school, but wish I had (McIntyre, J.)

Anyway, back on topic. Yesterday I went to lunch with a Japanese friend, and had Chinese, I think Japanese-Chinese might be a more accurate description of it. After that we went to the Yokkaichi Port building. That was cool - could see all around, albeit for the bad weather hindering some of the view. Next Sunday he is taking me to a custom car show at Nagoya port. That should be pretty awesome. On Saturday is another international party, and on the Monday I plan to make it to the snow (maybe I should stop telling you my plans so I stop looking stupid when I never make it! - I guess transparency is good - keeps me honest!)

Right now I am going to head home and get some meat out, and then I will go and see some shopping malls that I have not yet been to (they are in nearby towns).

Keep`em coming. Since not having a computer, I have been blessed to receive around 30 emails each time I log on now! Cheers.

Summary so far...

For those of you who havent had the time to read my past entries, I figured I should post this, an editted copy of the group email I have just sent (11 March) Enjoy!

I had been holding off group emailing until I had created a decent email address for my cellphone (instead of the default random address it had) but have only just done it this week (compared to the rest of my time here, this week has been pretty productive). Anyway if you want it, email me at the usual (yahoo) one (see profile).

I dont check my yahoo email as often now, as I dont have a connection at home (so maybe once a week). So for your communications you can email on the above. However dont send me Forwards, attachments and unimportant things to my cellphones address, keep send them to the yahoo one.

Anyway thats the business side of things done. I was surprised when I discove red that my last bulk email was on 8 Decemeber. So what has happened since then?

- Just after Christmas I went up to Kanazawa to visit my Japanese friend and his family. That was the most awesome time I have had in Japan yet - it was relaxing and "real" Japan - traditional Japanese family meals etc, they made me feel so welcome, and it was a productive time too, I went to an Onsen (hot pools where you go naked) saw Kanazawa-jo (castle) Kenroku-en (a famous garden) and the Ninja dera - a shrine that had all these hidingplaces, and secret tunnels for the old saumuri days.

Next I went to Tokyo for New years. That was OK. I was a little dissappointed I didnt see more while I was there. We only had 3 days there, and that was mainly partying, sleeping and recovering, and being New Years, things were closed. We got the night bus there and back, so it wasnt great for sleep. Anyhow, I saw a few things, including going to the 2 busiest train stations in the world (Shinjuku, and Tokyo central - but obviously not at peak time) and Roppongi station - the deepest in the world - it took 3 steep and long escalators and 3 sets of stairs to get out of it. My experience of Tokyo also included a couple of hours in a love hotel - although not for romantic reasons - we wanted to get some rest before the all-nighter on NY eve. An interesting experience.

Following that I had a couple of quiets days at home, worked a couple of days, and then went to Osaka for the weekend, to visit an old high school mate. We went and saw the castle there, saw a bit of the nightlife, and also went to Kyoto - and saw some shrines etc (including a golden one), and the train station there is massive too - 16 floors above ground I think.

Since then? Not a great deal. Experiencing Japan in small bites. Ive been into Nagoya numerous times, it took me a while to get to se e the sights there - finally I managed it, I saw the castle, went to the TV tower, and went on a ferris wheel that is on the side of a building. Lately I have been to a couple of international partys, a great place to meet people. The last one was even better, all you can eat as well! nice.

The rest of my japanese experience has been of housework - cleaning the flat, ironing, dishes, washing clothes. Its amazing how much free time that eats up. So the other news is just piecemeal. Random experiences.

I went to a Sushi bar the other day - the sushi comes around on a conveyor, and you can chose what you like. That was fun, and sort of a fantasy come true LOL. I accidently chose some Nato (fermented soy beans).

Japanese portions are quite small at restaurants, and even in supermarkets. Its a bit of a pain. What I had been struggling with was the fact that I dont have a microwave (or dis hwasher) or proper oven so my cooking repitore has been relatively limited.

Japan has a lot of Government employees, and no eftpos (just ATMs), and funny hours too, such as banks closing at 3. Ive also been caught in Nagoya at least once due to the trains stopping at 11.30.

Japanese TV seems to be funny - a lot of vareity shows, and dramas - and the dramas all seem to be tragic for the hero, things always go wrong for them.

Thanks for your emails.
Kia Kaha & Arohanui.
JT

Japan, a cleaning odessey

Well here I am again. Back in the mud again.

Im at an internet cafe near my house. Its amazing what you discover once you have a bike. I came here last night after finding out where it was from my workmate, my information source of Yokkaichi and travel. Tonight and last night I didnt want to cook,as it would mean more dishes to clean before the inspection on Monday (finally). I was a bit annoyed, as I have got ultra paranoid, and majorly cleaned. Basically I have been cleaning in one way or another for a month. I was going to go Osaka/Kobe this weekend, but Im not so sure now. Ill at least visit something. I didnt go to the mountain last weekend due to bad weather, so that is now top of the list.

Anyway, interesting positive stuff. In my cleaning efforts, I discovered a fish tank on the balcony, with a live fresh water lobster! Apparently my old flatmate (the one who left in December) had got it out of the drain once. I dont know what it has lived on though, algae? Apparently the drains are full of them in summer.

Re not cooking at home the last couple of days - last night I went to Coco Ichiban (Coco No1) a curry place. It was good. Tonight I went the other Italian place (the one I had been to in Tokyo).

Tonight I also discovered an english speaking church here.

Someone I worked with about 6 years ago is actually in Japan too, I discovered last night, according to Oldfriends.co.nz - so hopefully she replies to me and we can catch up.

Anyway, Ive got to go, time has run out. Note I had a productive week this week - my room is so tidy, and I finally sorted my phone out, including an email address for it.

Everyday in Japan is an adventure

Yo,
Another week in Japan.

I guess Monday is the logical place to start the week. Unfortunately I didnt travel anywhere, just cleaned, washed, and ironed etc. Something I did was registered Marks bike to my name, and got its tyre fixed. Registration was only 500yen, but the tyre fixing costed 4000yen - but I decided it was ok, as a new tyre, new tube and labour. I also went and picked up the parcel from home, and dropped off videos and did some grocery shopping.

This week I worked at a couple of other schools. On Wednesday, I was supposed to be working at a school closer to my apartment, but they had stuffed up the plan or the paperwork, so I did one lesson there, and then had to run to my branch in the 10 minute break between lessons. On Thursday I was at a school on the way to Nagoya. I discovered that they had one of those sushi restuarants that has sushi dishes going around on a conveyor belt, so I went there for tea. It was awesome. I chose something that I didnt recognise, it turns out it was Nato - something my students reckoned I should try - it is fermenting soy beans. It wasnt very nice, but edible. Next door to it is an Italian restaurant that I will visit soon. I have been to another branch of that restaurant in Tokyo, and I remember it was OK, albeit in Japanese sized portions.

Yesterday, Saturday, I didnt have the angels, but I had 3 kinder classes in a row. The tiny cute kid opened his textbook and points to I for Icecream, and goes "Ice Cream!" and then starts to imitate licking an ice cream. After work I rushed to the train to attend a party in Nagoya, at the foreigners bar. It was 3000yen for all you could eat and drink. I ate quite a bit, but only had 2 beers, so it wasnt all that cost efficient.

Tomorrow I am planning on going to the snow near here. There is a mountain with a cable car going up it. And near the station there is an onsen.