Friday, December 25, 2009

Happy Holidays!

This year I celebrated Christmas... Japanese style!



No.. there was no cozy fireplace or any pretty trees to put presents under, but there were fireworks! I guess listening to Christmas music (weather its English or the good old Japanese versions of Christmas carols) from stacks of large speakers while watching 花火 is the way they do it here.




So, its my first holiday season away from my usual friends and family, but I think us international students are holding up alright. This year we went to Beppu's firework show. Although Christmas isn't an official holiday here, people still like to put up lights all over downtown and open up booths to sell food, making the occasion very festive. Right on the beach several stacks of speakers were set up. You could hear everything from a Japanese version of Jingle Bells to Jackson 5's Santa Claus is Coming to Town.



For this Christmas occasion, most of still in Oita decided to take it easy. We threw a Secret Santa Party in the Kaikan lobby complete with a few games of 7/11 double. Nobody had to go bankrupt buying presents, but everyone still got something cool. On Christmas Eve we spent the evening eating dinner together at a nearby Izakaya. Later going to McDonald's and Family Mart for ice cream and cinnamon rolls!







Also, for Christmas Day some of us headed to Jun & Jesse's for another evening of fine dining and another game of 7/11 double. Honestly, not a bad holiday experience so far in Japan!



Monday, December 21, 2009

School..school...school


I skype every now and then with a few folks back home and then i remember just how different the things are here with the school system. I can't believe the semester is already over for most of my friends, but i've still got stuff to worry about until the end of January. Even though Christmas isn't a holiday (a huge date day actually), we still get a two week break. To most of us Americans its god awful that we have technically have classes on the 25th. I believe the overall consensus though is that none of us will attend. Luckily though, all of our teachers understand the importance of Christmas for every other country so they are canceling it.

I suppose school in America wasn't so different just ten years ago. I remember when everyone would have a two week break for Christmas, but still have to take finals in January. Then someone finally realized that there is no way in hell that any child, teenager, or grown up would ever consider studying over enjoying the important holiday season. I guess Japan just never adjusted along with the rest of the world. But, to keep things fair, the classes us exchange students take here are for the most part fun. Tomorrow I have a presentation in my Pop Culture class. The topic: Fighting Magical Schoolgirls.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

沖縄 Adventures

This past weekend, a few of us decided to spontaneously buy plane tickets to Okinawa. When I came here, I didn't think of Okinawa as a place that would be on my travel list. After this weekend though, I believe if there is any place in "Japan" i would like to move to, it would be Okinawa. It reminds me alot of San Diego, but a foreign country other than Japan at the same time. It has its nice ritzy looking places and its rastafarian worn down places just like SD has LaJolla and Ocean Beach.


The people here are different too. They refer to themselves as Okinawans and they move at their own pace. Some two hundred years ago Okinawa used to be called RyuKyu until Japan took it over, but alot of their original culture still exists. Something about living in a place where the weather allows you to wear shorts while the rest of the country is wearing double layers of jackets might have some affect on the personalities of these people. Though it was only a short weekend, It was great to learn about Okinawa and its people. Its definitely a different side of Japan. While people in the main islands are "go go go" these guys are laid back and seem stress free. Their families are bigger and they never seem to be in a hurry.

Anyway, I really hope that anyone who has the chance to visit Okinawa takes advantage of it. The most expensive part is transportation to get there (200USD). One there, you can find a number of hostels for 12-18USD. The whole trip was a little less than 4,500yen. About $500.


Aquarium with the larges fish ive ever seen!

These things are called Shisa. Every Okinawan home has two of these guarding each door.


Life Aquatic!


Look! You can see other islands depending on what part of the coast you stand on.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Nagasaki!長崎!


From Oita, it is possible to make a weekend trip to Nagasaki for 30,000円 or less. (About 350 USD) This includes the round trip transportation by bus and train while passing by Fukuoka. Two nights of lodging at the Akari youth hostel and transportation within the city is included. Temple entrance fees and food for three days are covered.

Epic Streetlamp


Nagasaki's Cathedral


Spectacle Bridge built in 1634



Peace Park


One of many album covers to come.


Statue near ground zero



Waterfall near the Seaside Park



The picture doesn't do this view any justice

Seeing Nagasaki is a great weekend getaway from Oita as the scenery changes from a busy bustling town to a smaller peaceful seaside community with a strong feel of historical presence. As eight of us galavanted around this small town, we got to see everything from the Peace Memorial to a view of the entire city from the top of a mountain.

Of course, as Americans we obliged ourselves to visit ground zero and the Atomic Bomb memorial. It was most definitely a sobering experience. Most of us in the states or any country don't give much thought or care to how wars affect innocent populations. Yes, its unfortunate that so many people have to pay the price for the quarrels of such small groups of people in power. It was a sobering experience that reminded me or made me realize, wars are never good. I pray that we all can continue to learn from the past. Overall, Nagasaki was a pleasant mini vacation. Im glad I went with the people I did.


Its made out of paper cranes!