Working On My Social Abilities!

Let’s just say that I am making up for lost time! This past month has been a social outbreak for Michelle, Jamie and I. The countdown begins…..only 5 months before leaving Japan. This past month has been filled with building better relationships with a variety of people throughout Japan. To leave all of them behind will be a very difficult thing to do but at least I have had the chance to form these relationships. Here is a bit of a briefing from my past social activities…. There is nothing like hitting the slopes on a beautiful weekend! Michelle, Jamie, Christy, Liz, Tiff, Yoshida, Shina and Takumi all tried our skills at Cupid Valley one Saturday! It was a blast driving up there with this crew because you never know what joke will be coming your way. A bunch of American girls and some crazy Japanese guys always equals fun times! The sun was shining and our techniques were coming back which made it all a success. We then hit the onsen (hot spring baths) and then started our drive back to Nagaoka. That night Michelle, Jamie and I decided to round-up a group and have our belated Christmas / New Years Party at last. Michelle and I found a cute little surf bar that offered us a great deal on drinks and dinner. About 20 people came to the event and think all had a great time by meeting new people and catching up with old.

Charlie , Megan and Tokyo Friend

Jamie, Megan and Hase (great ramen master) After hitting the slopes

The following Saturday Michelle, Jamie and I went to the musical performed by the ALTs in Niigata. Every year a group of ALTs put on a production to raise money for children in Papa New Guinea. This year the theme was ‘The Jungle Book’. Besides the entertainment, it is always a great place to see other ALTs and catch up on life. That evening we all headed to a nearby establishment and chatted over drinks and dinner.

The Niigata Girls

The night ended with numerous stories and singing in a karaoke booth for hours on end! Ok…let me be honest here. I love Japan but I hate karaoke! It could be because I simply can’t sing or maybe because I don’t really like to listen to others that can’t sing either. Whatever the case, I will probably miss the mysterious Japanese karaoke infatuation in a few months so should start appreciating it.

This brings me to last weekend where it was back to back entertainment. I headed down to Kashiwazaki where Jamie and I attended another ALTs birthday bash. Many of my Japanese friends were there along with new people that brought great conversations!

A Shina Sandwich!

That Saturday Jamie and I had a lazy day that consisted of eating ramen at the best ramen shop in Japan…Nagisa in Kashiwazaki! Our friend Hase owes this wonderful little surf themed restaurant and cooks the greatest ramen ever! I will have to come back to Japan just for his homemade noodles and special broth! That night Michelle, Jamie and I attended an international event held in the city. Jamie’s adult class, which I know many of, performed a short skit that night. We were front row fans and cheered loudly at there hysterical performance! Her class is a collaboration of all ages but all with the same lively and outgoing spirit!

The Great Play!

A kampai after the play

From ages 30 to over 70 they all are excited to speak English and live life to the fullest. I hope to be as international and full of life at that age as they are. The best part was that they only agreed to participate in the play if Jamie would put together a party afterwards. Of course Michelle and I joined in! The room was filled with Japanese and Americans from all ages which brought wonderful conversations to the table. We all have to laugh at one older man who has confessed his love to all 3 of us….and we do love him too! *smile, smile. The refreshing thing about this class is that they can all joke wonderfully. It is a difficult mission to joke in a foreign language but all of them pass which lightens the mood and brings everyone closer together. Oh and there are always practical jokes such as them trying to secretly feed us natto (fermented soybeans)! What another great evening where I learned a bit of culture, about the individual people and laughed a lot!

Michelle and Kogi

Hodari Matsuri (Fertility Festival)

There are times in Japan when you have to wonder why such occasions are in need of celebrations! This past weekend was a prime example of that phenomenon. In a nearby mountain town, the celebration of fertility captured people’s attention and especially foreigners. There was only one way to start this celebration off with a bang and that was to host a party for all these eager and curious foreigners. Kelly and Michelle live in this little snow covered town and were the host for this raging event! Organization, along with extreme planning, allowed us (I joined in on this event planning process of course!) to host a party consisting of 20+ ALTs.

4 Crazy Teams = Random Determination

Nagano and Niigata Girls We had people traveling from a variety of prefectures including Gunma, Nagano, Osaka (not sure the prefecture name) and from every direction in Niigata. With an apartment filled with enough food and drinks to celebrate with the entire town, we had a blast planning a group game that put a special spin on the party!

Having a Blast!

Team 2 Crazies! Thanks to Kelly, we had a mixture of great Asian cuisine consisting of Tochio’s famous aburage (fried tofu), gyoza, kimchi, onigiri (rice balls), sandwiches and Nagasaki’s special udon. It was certainly a feast and ended with my Mom’s great brownie recipe…thanks Mom, they were a hit! Of course, the night ended in the town karaoke booth where 20 foreigners sang their hearts out to outdated songs along with turning the floor space into our own dance club!

Back in Karaoke!

The next morning it was time for the Hodari Matsuri to kick off! After rounding up the large crew, we managed to direct the line of clown cars to the festival site. I forgot to mention the lovely blizzard that was starting as well. I was hoping spring had sprung that week but my thoughts came too soon when the snow was accumulating on the festival day. Nevertheless, town’s people were gathered around to see the treasured featured of the day….a giant wooden male genital! To correctly celebrate fertility only one thing is necessary and that is to praise and ride a penis. Yes, bizarre but a yearly event that brings all sorts to join in the celebration.

The Giant Wooden...What???

Megan and Scott at the Matsuri We arrived just when the gates were opening for the first viewing and praying of good fortune to the giant monster. After a few camera shots, throwing rice, doing the ritual claps, we all received a shot of sake to welcome the morning. It was then that the uncanny occurrence began….the penis rides began! First three Japanese women in beautiful kimonos climbed on top while about 30 men carried the giant wooden statue up and down the snow covered hill. 100% Japanese Culture The crowd cheered while we were laughing hysterically at this phenomenon that we were witnessing. Bizarre or not we were all ready to ride ourselves so we hopped on. I felt famous being bounced up and down while getting pictures taken from every direction. Only in Japan! Hold on Girls! We were all entertained either by riding, carrying or viewing this Japanese tradition but were ready to head to warmer and dryer land. Once again the Japanese culture pulls more surprises out of its sleeve and leaves us all loving our lives in Japan.