The little journal entry that could
If I knew where to start with this entry, I would have written a couple of weeks ago. I will try to re-cap for those of you who are interested-
Finished up with the English teaching about 3 weeks ago. I was made to feel special by a bunch of students that threw me a party to say goodbye. There were flowers and there is always cake. It was nice. One student made a speech- which was so nice- I didn’t cry… but I wasn’t far off. Afterwards I thanked Akira for his kind words, and he explained how nervous he gets when making speeches. It was nice that after what seems like a short time, I could leave with good memories. When you consider some of these people I saw at least once a week, you really do start to realise you have an impact on each other.
But with the leaving all over and done with, it was off to the Sapporo snow festival with Peter for four days of snow statue fun times. Flying with the Japan domestic airline was quite a treat- for those of you who have any fear of take off or landing- one of the true perks of these airlines are the real time video cameras filming out front of the plane.
That’s right, you get to see everything- from the plane pelting down the runway to sky… then eventually ground again. Once we got up high enough, the camera turned off. Much more entertaining than the in-flight radio…
Upon arriving in Sapporo, a snow covered, sunny haven- we quickly learned that peter had zero traction on his shoes- this resulting in me having to do such things as help him across roads and at times catch him mid fall. It doesn’t help that he’s almost twice my height- but then who isn’t!
Our Airport hotel was cozy- but if I ever stay in a Japanese hotel again…I’ll be asking for a non smoking floor to avoid stinky, stale smoke smells. That and the excessive heat! We eventually unplugged the heater- to send our housekeeper a subtle hint that we didn’t want to return to a roasting room every day!
Highlights of this trip included:
The ramen fiasco
Pete and I traipsing around Sapporo, on our first day, seeking out where to cash vouchers the travel agent in Tokyo had given us… our hotel couldn’t do it, so they sent us to the Keio plaza hotel- the Keio plaza couldn’t do it- so they sent us to a travel agency- the travel agent didn’t know what to do to help us- so she sent us back to Keio plaza after asking them to help the helpless foreigners.
With vouchers in hand and appetite a plenty, we were off to the ramen restaurant, only to discover it closed!
However, this story has a happy ending… upon returning the next day, we were able to meet the nicest ramen lady ever. Peter insisted on pretending we were visiting from Australia, which didn’t make much sense- but she loved us anyway. He might have also told her we were brother and sister? We loved her and the ramen so much we returned the next day for more! We were greeted like old friends and filled full of ramen-y goodness… I wanted to take photos with our new best friend, but I was overcome with shyness…
Of all the sushi recommendations we had been given prior to departure, it just didn’t happen- however we found a great crab restaurant- although in hindsight maybe cheesy…for our last meal.
The Kidnapping
The sculptures were amazing- some were crappy… but one of the coolest places we went to was the Chitose lake sculptures- our hotel offered a bus tour there- which we were happy to do- because it was free and because we’d have transportation… we figured there’d be others… but it turned out to be just us, which then turned out to us being chauffeur driven there and back... yes at first we feared we might be being kidnapped... they said there would be a bus! that suggested more than two people would go!
Mini random snowpeople
With piles of fresh soft snow EVERYWHERE i couldn't resist the temptation to build little snowpeople everywhere. some of them i even gave arms and faces...snow still fascinates me. even when i can't feel my toes because of cold, i still smile.
Anyway...tired of snow and sculptures, we returned home and parted ways in Shinjuku- Peter to return to work the next day and me off to New York City for the next adventure…
Eventually I will add photos to this entry… and part two. Nyc
Finished up with the English teaching about 3 weeks ago. I was made to feel special by a bunch of students that threw me a party to say goodbye. There were flowers and there is always cake. It was nice. One student made a speech- which was so nice- I didn’t cry… but I wasn’t far off. Afterwards I thanked Akira for his kind words, and he explained how nervous he gets when making speeches. It was nice that after what seems like a short time, I could leave with good memories. When you consider some of these people I saw at least once a week, you really do start to realise you have an impact on each other.
But with the leaving all over and done with, it was off to the Sapporo snow festival with Peter for four days of snow statue fun times. Flying with the Japan domestic airline was quite a treat- for those of you who have any fear of take off or landing- one of the true perks of these airlines are the real time video cameras filming out front of the plane.
That’s right, you get to see everything- from the plane pelting down the runway to sky… then eventually ground again. Once we got up high enough, the camera turned off. Much more entertaining than the in-flight radio…
Upon arriving in Sapporo, a snow covered, sunny haven- we quickly learned that peter had zero traction on his shoes- this resulting in me having to do such things as help him across roads and at times catch him mid fall. It doesn’t help that he’s almost twice my height- but then who isn’t!
Our Airport hotel was cozy- but if I ever stay in a Japanese hotel again…I’ll be asking for a non smoking floor to avoid stinky, stale smoke smells. That and the excessive heat! We eventually unplugged the heater- to send our housekeeper a subtle hint that we didn’t want to return to a roasting room every day!
Highlights of this trip included:
The ramen fiasco
Pete and I traipsing around Sapporo, on our first day, seeking out where to cash vouchers the travel agent in Tokyo had given us… our hotel couldn’t do it, so they sent us to the Keio plaza hotel- the Keio plaza couldn’t do it- so they sent us to a travel agency- the travel agent didn’t know what to do to help us- so she sent us back to Keio plaza after asking them to help the helpless foreigners.
With vouchers in hand and appetite a plenty, we were off to the ramen restaurant, only to discover it closed!
However, this story has a happy ending… upon returning the next day, we were able to meet the nicest ramen lady ever. Peter insisted on pretending we were visiting from Australia, which didn’t make much sense- but she loved us anyway. He might have also told her we were brother and sister? We loved her and the ramen so much we returned the next day for more! We were greeted like old friends and filled full of ramen-y goodness… I wanted to take photos with our new best friend, but I was overcome with shyness…
Of all the sushi recommendations we had been given prior to departure, it just didn’t happen- however we found a great crab restaurant- although in hindsight maybe cheesy…for our last meal.
The Kidnapping
The sculptures were amazing- some were crappy… but one of the coolest places we went to was the Chitose lake sculptures- our hotel offered a bus tour there- which we were happy to do- because it was free and because we’d have transportation… we figured there’d be others… but it turned out to be just us, which then turned out to us being chauffeur driven there and back... yes at first we feared we might be being kidnapped... they said there would be a bus! that suggested more than two people would go!
Mini random snowpeople
With piles of fresh soft snow EVERYWHERE i couldn't resist the temptation to build little snowpeople everywhere. some of them i even gave arms and faces...snow still fascinates me. even when i can't feel my toes because of cold, i still smile.
Anyway...tired of snow and sculptures, we returned home and parted ways in Shinjuku- Peter to return to work the next day and me off to New York City for the next adventure…
Eventually I will add photos to this entry… and part two. Nyc