Around a month in...
Trip Start
Jul 24, 2010
1
33
53
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Los inn Kochi
#1 Hotel
Kochi City, Kōchi, Japan
Monday, August 23, 2010
I attended a neighboring towns festival (I understand the overwhelming amounts of festivals, but it is what they do here during the summer) in the town of Shishikui. The festival was quite entertaining and I got to meet a local celebrity. She is a young girl who apparently is an extremely good singer. She was roaming around and checking out the festivities and we managed to exchange a few words.
The next festival was in None, but this one was a bit special because I was asked to participate. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous (ref. video). They provided me with the opportunity to lead my preschool kids in a small parade through town. The problem arose when I arrived because I was just asked to show up and was not given any details as to the extent of my participation. You can imagine my shock when I was given a large decorative pole and dressed up in strange attire. I have to admit it was one of the best times I have had thus far and made me reminisce about being a teacher back home.....
This brings me to my next topic of isolation. The home sickness has begun to sink in a bit and it has made me reflect a lot about myself as a person and the actions I perform. I won't go into much detail, but I did realize how much my family and my friends mean to me. I'm often referred to as a kind of nomad who will leave all at the drop of a dime to follow a dream or adventure. This has its truths, but I feel people sometimes overlook or choose to ignore the deep love, respect, and admiration I have for my friends and family. My friends are something that I cannot put into words, something that I wish I could describe in words. This cannot be done without dulling down the true sentiment behind the description. As for my family....you know I love you and well, family is family and will always be there. Enough said!
There was a desperate attempt recently at surfing and I probably need a bigger board. The buoyancy of surfboards here are a bit different....or I'm eating too much rice! Unfortunately, I did not succeed in my first outing at the difficult sport. I have decided to try to take some lessons in a week or two. The summer month leave the water crowded and puts myself and others in danger when my surfboard has a mind of its own.
Since I have arrived I have only been working directly with the preschool kids. It is not easy simply because of their high energy and eagerness to play games. I have tried to make some of my short English lessons as fun as possible, but kids will be kids. Yuzu and Natcha introduced me into a very awkward game. Apparently in Japan, children play a game in which they attempt to poke each other in the butt.... Yes, the butt and it doesn't end there because the poking is not intended for the meat itself. A good poke must make it as close to the opening as possible. You can imagine my surprise once this introduction took place. I tried to explain that this game was not something the I enjoyed, but the more I resisted the more kids that armed themselves with their index finger. I gave in and protected myself with one hand and slapped fingers away, 6 at a time. Fun day!
All the people in the Japanese Teaching Program that are located in Kochi got together in the city for a conference. It was a great time of socializing and sightseeing. The conference consisted of some fun evening outings and a scavenger hunt through the city. It was a difficult task because of the aftermath from the night before and running around a city in 100% humidity is not fun and dehydration was surely taking place. I was also introduced to Rugby and I believe I will be playing on the rugby and ultimate Frisbee teams out here. Something to keep me busy. My most joyous moment was when we took a trip to EON Mall! There is an international store there and I was able to find some products that truly reminded me of home. The best one was definitely the can of Hormel chili. I bought a couple of cans to calm me on those lonely nights. I wanted to buy more, but at $5 a can....I have to be smart about this.
Some things to look forward to:
1. I'm planning a River Float in a couple of weeks. Wait for pics.
2. I hosted my first home party and it was a success. I will describe more with some pics in the next entry.
3. School starts!
4. My garden should be coming to life by the time the next entry comes about.
Thanks for reading and I miss you all. Please feel free to communicate with me at any time. I always look forward to hearing from my friends back home.
Comments
Hi Orlando!
Great post. Your adventures in Japan remind me of when I was in Australia 8 years ago, and when I first moved out to California. I have traveled by myself and I completely understand your description of time moving fast and slow at the same time. I also understand the isolation you are experiecing right now. I think the toughest part of being alone is the fact that you do not have anyone to distract you from your own self. Being without our friends provides a prime environment for introspection, which can be a difficult thing to examine sometimes. However, I think the potential for growth is tremendous, and I firmly believe that being taken out of our comfortable, familiar environment is the best challenge everyone should go through. It really teaches you a lot about yourself, the art of creating friendships, and the confidence to know if you can survive this, you can survive anything.
Great stuff. Sounds like you're having a blast. I really look at people like you and admire the fact that nothing fazes you. We are proud of you and not a bit suprised of your success in Japan. I'm having a blast working around my house fixing shit, planting shit, and trimming shit. Oh, and did I mention it was 110 all last week and I was out coaching the boy's softball team. Yes, Mack gave me the boys. I asked for the girls to hopefully get at least 1 win in honor of last year, but it's all good.
My daughter fills my heart these days and my wife and I love spending lots of time with her as she is growing really fast. We would love the opportunity to visit Japan someday!! I think Karley would enjoy it. Take care of yourself vato. And keep in touch. Have you called your mom yet puto?
Alberto
Great blog entry, Orlando! Looks like you're going through an adjustment phase. But if there's ONE brown dude who can manage to break bread with the Japanese, it's you. Keep doing what you do.
You're missed back at school, pal. Seriously. :)
Hey Mr. Sounds like your having a great time/awesome experience. I look forward to reading your entries. I must say I am one of those that consider you to be a nomad. I could never just up and go like that but I see you are having an amazing experience so good for you! Take care out there!
Seems like people see me as this nomad, but I actually enjoy being home and just like to see new things from time to time. Believe it or not, I'm looking forward to coming home and settling down a bit.
Hey Eric,
Thanks for the comments buddy. Means a lot. I hope work is going ok and you aren't too stressed just yet, especially with the new school calendar.
Hey vato. Glad to hear you are enjoying your time at your new house. I'm actually anxious to do the same, although I will have to admit that it probably won't involve a wife and daughter, but hopefully that comes in time. Yes homie, I have called my mother a number of times. Have you called yours? It is pretty crazy out here and things aren't as easy as I thought, but I'm my own worse critic lol
Hey Jeanette, glad you are enjoying the blog and that you can relate a bit as to what I'm going through at the moment. It can be tough at times, but I"m sure I will persevere. Nothing I shouldn't be able to handle. Hope all is well.
Whaddup O? I look forward to following your travel log homie. What an experience you are going to have, with so much to learn and teach from when you return. But, just for future reference, you best not be trying to play those games that the kids taught you with me, or I'll break you poking fingers, haha. Stay up brothah.