We`ve just started classes. The schools were on Summer break when we first arrived, so lots of teachers were on holiday and there was not much to do. I filled the time by making a kick ass self introduction power point and two English boards (notably not so kick ass, but I was limited in materials). Things are a lot more interesting now that there are people around. And now that we finally have the webernet at home! We can actually get connected. Skype us! We got this crazy wifi device from a cell phone company that runs off the cell phone G-whatever network so we can run 5 devices online at once anywhere in the city. Theoretically anywhere period, but we hear that service is pretty poor once you get out of town a bit. We`re still waiting on cell phones though. And waiting to get out of the city. I think this weekend might be our first exploration of Hokkaido at large.
School is shaping up nicely. I love my 1st school (we can`t mention the name of it or post any photos online; scary emails have been sent about consequences and repercussions, two things to which I have a strong aversion) and I`m just getting to know the second. Brian`s still waiting to teach at his first school, trying to fill the time productively. I learned on my first trip to 2nd school that I must be careful with the pronunciation of banjo. There`s no a sound in Japanese like the sound in "hat", so a Japanese speaker tries to fit that sound into either an a like hot or e like elephant. Turns out that benjo with that elephant e means toilet. My supervisor was a bit taken aback when I said I`d brought my toilet from America for my self introduction.
The last few days before school started where really slow because of this festival called Obon. It`s a festival to honor one's ancestors and most people return home to visit their families and ancestors' graves. So there was no one in the office, but there was this sweet little festival in the park near our house.
I love this tiny kimono.
We've also had a chance to explore the city more. We went to the studio Gibli exhibit at the Contemporary Art Museum, we checked out the Art Park and Sculpture Garden (bland), and found Ramen Alley (delicious!) with Charlie and Simon when they were in town for the Sapporo Orientation. And then, finally, after weeks of passing them by, we made it to the arcade. These arcades are similar to the ones in S. Korea, with the drum game and punching bag games (no girl fighter though) and photo booths. But the ones in Korea are infinitely less creepy. Here are some of my favorite creepy little things we found, but there are more in the slide show.
Of course, who could resist the photo booth? That's Rob who's crying blood with Kubricky eyes and Jesse who's talking smiles in the back.
And here are a variety of other photos to convince you to come visit us in Japan.
Still haven't taken photos of the homestead. Coming soon!
