Communism is a croc - China

I made to Beijing alright as well, but once I got off the bus it was a bit of a struggle. Unlike Tokyo and Seoul English isn't so popular. It seems to that taxis wont take a foreigner unless they have the whole cage and bulletproof glass setup (is it my Al Queda beard?). The hostel had said they would pick you up if you called, but after struggling for about an hour when I finally found someone who spoke decent English and would listen to me, when she rang them up they told me to get a cab. I was not impressed. Problem was it was no point arguing with them when I got there because their English was fairly limited. Anyway the first day continued to be a drama as I wanted to catch up with a friend who was here too. However we had phone issues so we missed meeting up with each other. That night I met an Irish girl (who was on her way home after a year teaching in Korea) who was in my room (co-ed rooms, can't complain!) and we decided to sight-see together for the next two days. So that worked well.

So we saw Tiananmen square, some of the forbidden city, the temple of heaven, the museum, and the pearl markets. The museum and Tiananmen square are quite good examples of Communist propaganda, with names like the Hall for the People etc.
My venturing to the markets was interesting. Like Thailand they had English when convenient for them. Especially "sellers English", for example - "special price for you...", "no, no money for that price" "no joke prices mister". I'm glad I had my Irish friend there the first time because she was better at bargaining than I was.
There were some other cool people at my hostel too, like an Afghan guy I was talking to earlier about Bollywood movies and NZ (after talking about Bride and Prejudice) and an eccentric German(?) woman who thought Hitch was the funniest movie in the world. Something interesting also is the Karaoke bar that you access from our hostel lobby. But strangely they don't let foreigners in there, and the waitresses wear vinyl dresses. Apparently Karaoke means something different in Asia (excluding Japan). For two nights I had dinner at a Chinese restaurant (really!) just down the alley from my hostel. The owners had a cute little girl who isn't scared of foreigners so I was high fiving her and hiding from her etc.

The next day I went to the Great Wall. It was interesting but we were followed the length of it by souvenir sellers. They really started to annoy me. They just wouldn't go away. Problem was I was with some American women who would occasionally give in and buy something, which just encouraged them more.

On my second to last night, I ventured onto the subway, (which I wish I did sooner, because it was comparatively simpler than Tokyo and Seoul's) in search of Peking Duck. I had a look at a shoe shop, and was convinced into buying some Reebok trainers. I talked them down to $15NZD so I was feeling happy with myself, but then on the long walk back (I was wearing them) the bottom bit of the sole came off (you know how they usually have different coloured bits on the sole, well the grip came off.) So annoyed! Especially after all the soul searching I had been doing about what to do with my faithful Airwalks that had seen me halfway up Mt Fuji and 10kms along the Great Wall, and how I felt like I was betraying them. So I was not impressed. Its a laugh how much dodgy selling goes on in a supposedly Communist country. I bought so much stuff I didn't want. In retrospect I can laugh about it, but at the time I was so annoyed.
Anyhow, the following day I decided to go to the Summer Palace. After not a lot of help from the hostel staff, I headed that way. There were a few things I would have like to have done had I had the time, but of course it took a longer time to get there than I expected. However on the positive side, I meet a couple of helpful English speaking Chinese people who helped me get back, and restored some of my faith that people weren't just out to get my money.

Once I made it back to pick up my bags, I started to head to the airport. The staff at my hostel couldn't provide me any information on whether there were any more airport shuttles at that time, so I took a taxi to the bus stop. Turns out there wasn't, but because I couldn't read Chinese, I wasn't going to believe the very persistant taxi driver, and would rather wait, especially as I was not in a rush, because my flight was not until the next morning. Of course the taxi driver kept on persisting and got annoyed at me, and I got annoyed at him. So once I had confirmation that there were no more buses (from the bus dropping people off) I "went halves" with a Air hostess with very limited English, of course we didn't take the taxi of the annoying driver. I say halves, because it ended up that we both paid the full fare each, rather than 50/50. But it is hard to argue with someone who doesn't speak your language. So I paid him, and said something in a language he may or may not have understood. Funnily enough he dropped me about 100 metres away from the terminal where there was someone with a trolley conveniently waiting. The person put my luggage on the trolley, and then wouldn't let me push it. When we got the airport, she expected a tip. I told her that it wasn't America, and I wasn't American, and I hadn't asked her to take my luggage, so get stuffed. Of course she wasn't so impressed. Anyhow I spent the night in the airport, so I didn't miss my flight, as planned. I had to put up with scouts trying to get me to come and stay in their airport hotel, but it wasn't so close, and I was wary. I was even less convinced when they tried to sell me on the fact I could have a massage, and indicated the massusse had a large bust.

Crazy Asia - Thailand

Sorry for the delay of this entry. I actually had written it in China, but because of the language issues, and then the subsequent lack of time to do something about it, it never came up on the site.

Thailand was alright, but a bit frustrating. The things I thought were close (ie within an hours travel) were more like 3 hours if not more. The first day I just relaxed and got to know some of the other residents. The next day I went to Ayuthaya, spent 3 hours there, I had a tuktuk guy drive me around, and I managed to see a bit, including riding an elephant. Quite interesting.

The next day I attempted Pattaya, a beach town south of Bangkok. However the bus trip took about 4 hours, and I was getting really annoyed at it, because the guys who collect the money always seemed to be getting off the bus and buying ice creams etc, and wasting time. One even didn't answer me when I tried to ask him how much longer it would take. Eventually I finally got there, after getting a ride on the back of a motorbike. The swim/snorkel that I had waited 2 years for was a waste of time. The water was murky, and the beach was overcrowded. You could walk along the beach and be solicited. Anyway, after a 4 hour journey, I had about 15 minutes in the water, and headed back to Bangkok.

The good thing about Bangkok was the friends I made at the hostel. One was a Canadian lady who was nearing 50, and was teaching English in the North of Thailand. She was the mother hen figure and advice source about Bangkok etc. It was obvious that she was revelling in the company of other native speakers after not having such company for long periods at a time. Another friend I made was a Spanish girl who was living in London. She was on her way to Australia via Bangkok. It turns out she would be in Singapore/Malaysia about the same time as me, so we exchanged emails in the hope of meeting up again there.

The thing I didn't like about Bangkok was the litter in the streets and the dodgy taxi drivers.

Copy of October update email

Hey all,

This is a short email, mainly just to let you know my plan for coming home.

I'll be home on the 20th of November 2006. I am leaving Japan on the 14th, and will visit Singapore and Malaysia on the way home.

Before that, however I am going to very busy, this Saturday (21st October) I am going to Thailand for 4 days, and then on to Beijing for 5 days. I'll come back to Japan, work for 3 days (actually 2.5) then I will go to Nagano, and then to Tokyo for about 7 days total, work 2 days (1.5) and then visit my friend Anandia in Kyoto for 2 days, then jump on the plane on the 14th to Singapore.

After Japan, most of you will know that I am planning to go hard at gettting an Accounting, or more accurately, an Auditing job (hopefully) and finishing becoming a Chartered Accountant - for which I need 2 more years experience and need to do some workshops and a 6 hour exam, after which I hope to go to Britain. When I come home I will probably move to Auckland and join the masses, simply because there is more opportunity and life there.

Since the last email in July, I have been to Seoul in South Korea. That was cool. It was nice to have a comparision to (and a break from) Japan. Im glad I went then, and not now! Seoul was interesting, huge, and seemed to still be celebrating the fact that they held the Olympics there in 1988! English seemed to be a bit more common in Korea.

While I was there, I went up to the DMZ (the border with North Korea). That was interesting. Got to see a huge tunnel the North Koreans had dug (more like blasted through rock) in order to mount an attack on Seoul. Also got to look across the fence towards North Korea. However, the Koreans are more aggressive sellers than the Japanese, especially the taxi drivers at the airport.

Other than that, I managed to see a few more local sights that I hadn't made it to, such as the Ninja museum. That was awesome. Got to throw ninja stars.

More recently, a week ago, I went to Suzuka circuit (1 of 2 famous racing tracks in Japan) and saw the practice day of the F1. That was a cool experience.

Other than that, I guess it has just been working, partying, and planning and sorting out my travels.

Better go, feel free to send me a message sometime, (however I may not get to reply to it until I get home)
Hope to see you soon,

JT

Ping Pong over oceans

Hey,
Back at the internet again. Recently I have decided I was silly to give up the internet connection when Mark left. My logic at the time was that I was wasting too much time emailing etc, and I could save $50 a month by just using the International Association's internet (at the time my income was lower per month as I was on Probation, and was still paying back the advance they gave me at the start), as well as avoiding virus's and also be getting exercise. However, right now it would be so convenient to have the internet at my apartment, and I would probably save time too, as now I don't get so many emails.

Anyhow the update as promised...

I did go and see The Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift - with my Japanese friend. It was quite good, a little different in style to the first two. What made it more enjoyable (and funny) for me was the fact that it was also about a foreigner's experience in Japan. My favourite line: "Why do you have to go after her, why don't you get yourself a cute Japanese girlfriend like the rest of the white guys around here..."
I guess Lost in Translation will mean something totally different to me when I watch it again.

I had my last Japanese lesson - that was a little sad, despite only having this teacher for about 2 months. I guess it was one of the first goodbyes.

That Friday (6th) I went to the Formula 1 practicing at Suzuka Circuit. That was pretty awesome seeing F1 cars in real life. I had to work at 5, so I had to time myself to make sure I had enough time to get back home, and off to work. I also went a little hard on the souvenir shopping, but its all good.

On the 7th (Saturday) I went to Nagoya, went to one of those parties, and caught up with my old workmate. I hadn't intended to, but I decided to do an all nighter, so I could hang with my friend. The next day I woke up at about 1pm, and then from about 3 until 11 spent the day with my workmates, celebrating my fellow Kiwi workmates 30th Birthday.

On the Tuesday 10th I went and sorted out my trip to Thailand and China, and started the process for my visa. That night I decided that to save time and make sure I got it done, I would stay the night in a capsule hotel in Nagoya, and go to the Chinese embassy first thing the next morning, and be back in time for work. So I did that. Typical Government organisations, tried to give me the run around, almost told me I had to go to Osaka, but anyway managed to sort it out OK, and number 1 priority tomorrow is picking it up. It was frustrating, because they are only open 9-12, and then calling them is a mission and a half because they don't answer the phone, (and of course then it is in Japanese) and they had been closed for 10 days (including Monday) for some Chinese holiday.

Yeah, other than that just working. Did my final shift swap ever today (YAY!) Now its all downhill from here.

Today I had a Chibiko (2-4 year olds) class (only the third I have had since I have been here - Nova hasn't broken even on that investment yet - training took 5 lessons- I was here 8 months before I taught a class) They were so cute. One kid would give me a high five, and then would be fascinated with my hairy arms. I think after the first time he just kept touching the hair because he got such a good reaction (laughter) from me and the mothers. On Saturday my last student was a 3 year old kinder kid. She was so good! her english was probably better than mine at that age!

A brief breath

Hey,
Just a quick one, will fill it out later, when I have more time

Just come to book my hotels, cos I didnt want to get there and have no where to stay, aye?

Its taken longer than anticipated (surprise surprise) because I wanted to compare the convenience of the hostels` locations. Anyhow I have choosen some good hostels, one in Thailand won over another because it had a pool. Guess what I am paying for about 8 nights accommodation? Roughly $50NZD - thats all up.

Anyway, must move along. Working at 10 tomorrow, in Yatomi.

BTW, managed to make it to Church tonight. I had wondered once why Jesus had chosen some fools for discipiles - because they didn't seem like great examples for the world. Tonight I came to the realisation that it was because it shows you can keep coming back with your tail between your legs.

Also discovered in my search for hostels, that on Google Maps, you can see my house in NZ! and you can also get a good view of Matira. (Professional procrastinator ne?)

Anyway laters,
Remember, Don't steal, cheat, lie, or drink. Unless you must, then steal away from bad company, cheat death, lie in the arms of a loved one, and drink in the moments.
(Yeah I watched Hitch again).

Hitches in the plan for World Domination

Hey,
In The Princess Bride there is a saying (which may or may not be a real saying) to never try and conquer Asia, because it is just too big. Even Alexander the Great failed, The Brits gave it a good go, and Japan tried too, but no one has had much success.

My plans have meet a similar fate - not so badly, but I have a few hitches. I Won't be going to Hong Kong now, and it will be a little more expensive. However on the plus side, I get to spend more time in Beijing and Bangkok, rather than rush visiting.

Hopefully my Singapore/Malaysia plan won't have anymore problems (previously I had to change my dates because of a limit of time I had with my return ticket).

Other random thoughts - something else I will chow down on when I get home - A meat pie. A while back in Nagoya I went so far as to pay $8 for one at Shooters.

Anyway, must move on

Back to the future

The final countdown has started.
20 working days left.
Its kind of a strange feeling, because I almost don't want to leave now, just because things are getting so comfortable, and I have places that I still want to see, but may not quite get to.

On the other hand, everyone else is leaving too, so it wouldn't quite be the same (but of course I would then be "oldest" which I recall from primary school as being pretty cool.

Since last week:
I went to the car show. It was all good, although a little small. I had a lot of fun doing funny poses with the show girls, including foxy ears, and trying to out-pose one (see left - isn't it funny that she doesn't realise that that doesn't mean peace!).

That night was the farewell party for 3 teachers, including Anandia. It was a lot of fun.

The next day I went to Nagashima Spaland (finally). It was not so great, as it was all roller coasters, and the pool part was closed (because technically it is not summer anymore). The best thing was, there is an outlet mall there called Jazz Dream (for no apparent reason). They have lots of cool stuff, at reasonable prices, so I picked up a All Blacks jersey (not a field jersey or the practice jersey,) with a white collar and the white stripes down the sleeves for about $66NZD. It was actually an enjoyable shopping experience (as Suzanne and Mum will attest to, I am not usually a good clothes shopper). In fact the mall even had a lego shop and a Canterbury shop (but it was very expensive). After having some pizza for dinner, we came back to Yokkaichi and made use of the Haagen Dazs (Ice Cream a.k.a. Aisu Kurimu) 5 flavours for 630yen on days ending with 5.

Other big events? on Thursday night we had a big party at about the only (non-dodgy) club in Yokkaichi. Funny thing is I forgot that I was working the next day at 10 (rather than 5pm) so I got home at 6am, and luckily managed to be woken up by my cellphone vibrating at 8:30 reminding me of the appointment. When I finished my 5 hours, I got a call from the manager, asking me to do 2 more classes, which I agreed to, as they were kids classes (not so much thinking involved) and I would be paid for 3, as I had to travel there. However of course my Friday was a total write-off.

Saturday, after struggling to get myself off to work, the evening was another farewell party, for the same 3 teachers. Beforehand, me*, Kevin and Lee had dinner with Anandia, as a seperate farewell. We had Yakiniku (basically you barbeque pork or beef strips at your table), it was good, the old crew, 6 months down the track. The actual party was cool too, although another late one.

Today was very wet, so I didnt travel as planned. Also Anandia needed a hand moving stuff, so I went and helped her. It was sad saying bye to her at the train. I felt as though I had lost a limb or something.

After that I came here, checked emails, wrote some that needed writing, had sushi for dinner with friends, came back here did more stuff that needed doing... and here I am.

Tomorrow I am dedicating to getting my China visa etc, and in the evening I am hopefully going to see The Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift (or as it is know in Japan - Wild Speed x3: Tokyo Drift) (or closer to Warudo Supiido, if you translate the Katakana)

The * above relates to the fact I don't believe "me and..." statements are grammatically wrong.

Anyway, Im hungry, and this is going to be expensive. So many things to do, so little time.