Spilling over the top

I am having a Japanese overflow at the moment and it sure is exhausting. Japanese people live exhausting lives for the most part and since I have been let into just a small window of it, I am beginning to feel the effects. They are the hardest workers coupled with the hardest partiers I have ever seen. They probably coined the actions `work hard, party harder`. School has started once again and just as usual when things are starting or ending all of the teachers are running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I can`t help but feel pretty worthless. I have some planning to do, but otherwise I have been sitting and taking it all in. And that right there is plenty exhausting.

Yesterday was opening ceremonies for the new school year and it was a opening ceremony to last me the rest of my life. I think I will never need to go to another one again. Parents came, principals from other schools came--it was a big day. Since I had no idea what was being said the entire time, I tried my best to stay awake. That was a task in itself. Listening to all of that Japanese makes me tired, but I cannot say I am the only one. In fact, they warned us about it before we came. They said the constant language barrier and stimuli that you aren`t used to is exhausting and some days it is just over the top. Which yesterday was for me. Even the all the bowing was making me tired. Luckily tomorrow is a picnic at the park all day, and since I have recently fallen in love with that park, I think I will enjoy the day.

Things are finally beginning to sink back into routine, as they will continue to do so in the next couple of weeks. Classes start over next week so that means new students and new teachers to teach with. I am curious to see how that is going to go. The past three weeks has been all over the place, or I guess I should say I have been all over the place. I have been to South Korea, I have been to a wedding, I have been out on the town and I have been exploring the countryside. South Korea was everything I imagined and more. The city was huge and we only saw a small slice of it. We did everything from shopping and spa-ing to castle and night bus tours. We even got to go on a tour of the Demiliartized Zone between North and South Korea. The history between the split nation was tragic and although the video we watched seemed somewhat slanted, it seems like things are still tense now. Well, it IS still tense, that much is obvious. We learned about the secret tunnels the North Koreans had built in their attempts to invade South Korea, and we even got to walk through one built for tourists. The wet tunnels provided for a realistic insight to the frightening idea of the invasion and thoughts about how scary it would have been had it actually worked. We were able to see a view over to North Korea, although it looked like nothing but a barren wasteland. They use all of their trees for fuel, so there was not much to see. They wouldn`t even let you take pictures past a certian point and if you did your camera would have been taken away by one of the miliarty men hovering close by.

Our other tours were just as fascinating--the castles we went to were unlike any I have ever seen and although they looked closer to Japanese and Chinese style castles, they were screaming with color and life. Even though nothing could top the magnificent colors of the temples I saw in Thailand, these castles had a character of their own--so intricately painted with each color representing something different; longevity, masculinity, nature, etc. They also explained the heating system they used--heating from the ground up which my friends and I thought they should tell the Japanese about since they have not really caught on to the whole heating in the house business. It was a perfect day for castle viewing and although it was a bit colder than Kumamoto, the sun was still providing us with comforting warmth.

We hit up the town one of the nights from friends we had met at our hostel. It was easy to make friends in this hostel and aside from the toilet being IN the shower, I felt comfortable and at home for the three days we stayed there. We went out in Seoul--checking out the food and bars, the night life is just that--lively. The city never sleeps and we didn't get much either, noticing the clubs didn't close until the sun came up. Street vendors lined the sidewalks, so it was hard to go hungry as the smell of dumplings and kimchee wafted through the city air. The food was a whole experience in itself. It was a refreshing change from Japanese food because it actually had flavor and spice! I didn't dare try something they considered spicy because the first dish I had was enough for me, and that wasn't even considered spicy! People had been raving about the food, so I was anxious to try it as soon as I got there. I was not disappointed to say the least. Aside from the Korean food there was also lots of western food chains there that they don`t have in Japan. We were able to eat at Outback, Burger King, TGI Friday`s, a delicious Italian place and ice cream, desserts and even more ice cream galore! They love their Dunkin Doughnuts and Baskin Robbins--I have never seen so many in one place! They are also big bakery fans, so they were on every corner right next to a Starbucks. I swear that place is taking over the world. So we were not short on food and when I came back I could barely eat because I was still full. My stomach wasn't used to the heaviness, so it took me a while to get feeling normal again.

For just being an hour plane ride away Korea is a whole other world. They are nothing like the Japanese. They are loud, they are pushy, they are outgoing! Japanese people as a whole are usually shy and extremely polite. These are some of the things I really like and really don`t like about the culture all in one. I was surprised and refreshed to see the difference in the mood as soon as I got there and enjoyed it throughout the trip. It's funny though how vacations work, you can`t wait to get away but after so long you can`t wait to go back home. The last day I was so ready to be `home` and back to the culture I have become so accustomed to. I was craving Japan. As I mentioned we got to go to a Korean spa where we got the traditional "Korean scrub down". And yes it is just how it sounds. Koreans scrub you down. They scrub ALL of you down. It was very interesting. We spent all day laying in tubs, being scrubbed, getting facials, manicures (which was not as impressive as I had hoped) and just being relaxed. Minus the tunnel of doom we had to go in at first, everything was nice. Upon entering the tunnel of doom, we weren't actually told it was the tunnel of doom so we didn't realize we were being put into a giant oven. We walked in and immediately started panicking--there was no air. I was breathing in stagnant and scorching hot heat. The trick was to sit on your knees with the mat you were given over your head and just breath into the mat. After trying to distract ourselves, we asked to get out not even making the three minute time limit. We were drenched in sweat and gasping for air as we crawled out. Needless to say, we won't be doing that again.

After our spa day we went shopping at a THREE STORY FOREVER 21. Now, I am not a shopper, but this was exciting. First of all because I actually really like Forever 21, secondly the won is really weak compared to the yen so we were able to get a lot of bang for our buck, and third I felt like this was a great opportunity to get a dress for the upcoming wedding we were going to. Unfortunately I did not find one that day, but the next day's shopping extravaganzas proved victorious. I was just impressed by the size of this place. We also took a night tour of the city, mostly hearing about the city's countless bridges. They were all built with purpose in mind, so they all resemble different things and the lighting coming off each one also has specific meaning. The night view was beautiful and although we had to run to catch the bus, I was glad we did because it was completely worth it. The city was easy enough to maneuver around, the subway system is efficient and fast, so we were never stuck in one place for too long. It did get exhausting though, so there were certain times where cabs were the only way to go.

The trip was perfect in every way. We were able to experience two different hostels, the city, the people, the food and just a different way of life. Going with just four girls was something I had never done before and it was a blast. If people weren't already starting at the strange foreigners, they would have been because of just how silly we were. I hope we made some good impressions!

Coming back to Japan was tiring, but nice and since I didn't have to teach the next two days, I just hung around school, getting lunch with some teachers, walking around and relaxing. The weekend was a whirlwind though, but I knew it would be. Saturday morning was started off with a lovely wedding in the city, and we were on a bus by the early hour of 9 to begin the festivities. We were whisked off to a beautiful reception hall in the heart of the city by our very own charter bus and herded into a room with the bride and groom`s families. We had formal introductions and then we were taken to the next room to begin the official Shinto ceremony. This was such an amazing experience. The priest sang in old script, his singing was from old times like monotone yet strong kabuki singing. He performed many rituals and there was a lot of standing and bowing and sitting back down, just to stand up and bow again. Of course, we didn't know what was going on so we just followed the lead of everyone around us and it seemed to work fine. The room had a sacramental area where fake food offerings were placed where the priest sang and prayed to the gods. Suzy and Ryosuke (the bride and groom) were placed in the middle in their elaborate kimonos and the were finally made official once we drank our offering and cheers-ed to one another. I felt honored to be included in such a unique ceremony.

After that we were taken to the large reception room where we met the rest of our friends. We had assigned seating at the tables, but it worked out since I was with all the girls. At this part of the ceremony we ate and drank while the bride and groom changed not once, not twice but three times from kimonos to cocktail attire and finally to wedding attire. As they came into the room they were applauded and a spotlight followed them as they made their way through the crowds. Music of their choice played creating a beautiful atmosphere and everyone had their cameras at the ready. While they were in each outfit they would sit at their large table and listen to or make speeches. There was a slide show about their lives and their beginning and plenty of food and drinks for all. It was all traditional Japanese food, so even though I tried it all, I wasn't a big fan of some of it. It was ok though because there were THREE after parties for this wedding. We all said cheers at the end of the two hour reception and headed to the nijikai (second party) for more wedding debauchery. After that we headed to a posh Italian place down the street for the sanjikai (third party) and finally hit up the dance floors at a club called sanctuary. It was a wonderful day, and I know I will always cherish my memories of my first (and most likely my last) Japanese wedding!

Even though we were tired the next day my friend Talia and I went to the hanami matsuri (flower festival) in my town, which was amazing. They had put flowers in crates for people to buy and made beautiful designs out of them. The afternoon was perfect and I fell in love with the park once again as we walked next to the cherry blossom trees and watched the light pink petals fall to the ground like snow. The day made me realize once again how much beauty this place has to offer. I am going to do my best to soak it all in because all too soon it will be gone and I know I will be missing it more than I ever thought possible. I will be going back to that park tomorrow for a picnic with the school, but not before a welcome party tonight with my other school. I am excited to meet the new teachers and see the old one once again. I have another welcome enkai on Friday night as well as karaoke plans on Saturday followed by an Easter BBQ I arranged at that SAME park on Sunday.

This past week I have been keeping busy with swimming and a bit of running (trying to get Korea off me!), I biked to the ocean and it was even nice enough to play some tennis the other day and get sun burnt while doing it! I sure hope the weather stays like this for a while, it is makes me want to get out and be active! Also, I don`t know if I mentioned earlier, but LAUREN IS FOR SURE COMING! I have been counting down the days and as of today it is 15 days until her arrival! I will be meeting her at the airport with open arms! I cannot wait. She is coming during the perfect time--"Golden Week", so I have lots of time off school to show her around. We are hoping to make it down to Nagasaki for a few days as well. It is still hard for me to believe she will finally be here, sleeping on a futon in my little apartment for two weeks. It will be a great eye opening experience and who better to share it with than your best friend!

Well, it was definitely time for a much needed update which ended up turning into a bit of a novel. Again. Gomen (sorry). I think I covered all the bases though, so next I will be posting pictures from everything! Until then, caio amgios.