I had a great time at the sumo tournament yesterday.
Took plenty of pictures and a few videos.
I'll post some here by tomorrow, so check back.
じゃまった。
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Weekend Adventures
Hey everyone,
I had a pretty eventful weekend. Took LOTS of pictures.
This post may be the first that actually has more pictures than words...well probably, not but here it goes.
Yesterday I went out walking for most of the day with my host mother.
We started off by heading to a discount clothes store near the language school.
Although the clothes were discount, they were still quite expensive. There were button up shirts normally priced at about 150.00 each that were knocked down to the bargain price of 50.00 each.
Next, we were planning on going to a sumo match but when we got to the arena all the reasonably priced tickets for the day were sold out. So I bought a ticket for Tuesday afternoon and I'll be sure to bring my camera when I go. Here are some pictures of the Sumo stadium.
We then walked to a nearby dock and saw this man selling some very very fresh fish.
We stopped by a small aquarium that was nearby. It was hard to get good photos of the fish through the glass, but a I managed to get a few decent shots.
Afterward we went to Canal City, a very big shopping area. The whole place was already covered in Christmas decorations. such as this large hanging sculpture.
Lion King the Musical was also being performed in this shopping mall's theatre. I was unaware of this when I saw these Chia pet-esque sculptures of Timon and Poombah. So I was a bit confused and was trying to figure out what exactly they had to do with Christmas.
Here's another example of how expensive things are here. While walking through Canal City, this "coat" caught my eye.
Just for laughs, I decided to check the price, turns out it was 30450円, just over $300.00. I figured it might be cheaper to buy a normal leather jacket and shrink it myself.
That's all for now. Check back for photos of the Sumo tournament, I should have them up by Wednesday.
I really enjoy reading the comments on the blog, so if you have time please write me one. I hope everyone is doing well.
じゃまった。
I had a pretty eventful weekend. Took LOTS of pictures.
This post may be the first that actually has more pictures than words...well probably, not but here it goes.
Yesterday I went out walking for most of the day with my host mother.
We started off by heading to a discount clothes store near the language school.
Although the clothes were discount, they were still quite expensive. There were button up shirts normally priced at about 150.00 each that were knocked down to the bargain price of 50.00 each.
Next, we were planning on going to a sumo match but when we got to the arena all the reasonably priced tickets for the day were sold out. So I bought a ticket for Tuesday afternoon and I'll be sure to bring my camera when I go. Here are some pictures of the Sumo stadium.
We then walked to a nearby dock and saw this man selling some very very fresh fish.
We stopped by a small aquarium that was nearby. It was hard to get good photos of the fish through the glass, but a I managed to get a few decent shots.
Afterward we went to Canal City, a very big shopping area. The whole place was already covered in Christmas decorations. such as this large hanging sculpture.
Lion King the Musical was also being performed in this shopping mall's theatre. I was unaware of this when I saw these Chia pet-esque sculptures of Timon and Poombah. So I was a bit confused and was trying to figure out what exactly they had to do with Christmas.
Here's another example of how expensive things are here. While walking through Canal City, this "coat" caught my eye.
Just for laughs, I decided to check the price, turns out it was 30450円, just over $300.00. I figured it might be cheaper to buy a normal leather jacket and shrink it myself.
That's all for now. Check back for photos of the Sumo tournament, I should have them up by Wednesday.
I really enjoy reading the comments on the blog, so if you have time please write me one. I hope everyone is doing well.
じゃまった。
Friday, November 14, 2008
End of Second Week
Yesterday was the last day of my second week at the school.
This week was a bit more difficult, as there was a lot more vocabulary to study along with some new verb tenses and grammar.
Last night I finally got the chance to see the city a bit more.
I borrowed my homestay family's bike and rode/walked around for about 3 and a half hours. As it was a Friday night, the sidewalks in certain parts of town were even more crowded than usual, so biking was pretty slow at times.
But I managed to get to Ohori Koen, the big park in town that I visited on my first day.
I rode around the track that circles the big lake a couple times (partially because I missed my exit the first time around). This was about 6-7PM so all the lights from the surrounding buildings were reflected off the water. It was an awesome sight.
It was nice to be on a bike again and it felt good to escape the buildings and crowded streets of the rest of the city. I traced my bike route with google maps so if you're interested in seeing it click HERE.
I then left the bike near a book store close to my homestay and walked around Tenjin a bit. Most of the cheaper restaurants were closed but I eventually found a tempura ticket restaurant that was open. A ticket restaurant is just what it sounds like.
There is a machine outside where you purchase a ticket for whatever food you what, then you go inside and put the ticket on the counter and you are served. The Tempura was quite good but because I was so hungry, I burned my mouth a bit.
Next week I start my two week long WWOOF preparation course. I feel like I'm starting to get a better grasp of the language every school day, so that's a good sign.
I promise I will take some pictures this weekend. But for now, here's a picture of my homestay family's dog "Pudding".
This week was a bit more difficult, as there was a lot more vocabulary to study along with some new verb tenses and grammar.
Last night I finally got the chance to see the city a bit more.
I borrowed my homestay family's bike and rode/walked around for about 3 and a half hours. As it was a Friday night, the sidewalks in certain parts of town were even more crowded than usual, so biking was pretty slow at times.
But I managed to get to Ohori Koen, the big park in town that I visited on my first day.
I rode around the track that circles the big lake a couple times (partially because I missed my exit the first time around). This was about 6-7PM so all the lights from the surrounding buildings were reflected off the water. It was an awesome sight.
It was nice to be on a bike again and it felt good to escape the buildings and crowded streets of the rest of the city. I traced my bike route with google maps so if you're interested in seeing it click HERE.
I then left the bike near a book store close to my homestay and walked around Tenjin a bit. Most of the cheaper restaurants were closed but I eventually found a tempura ticket restaurant that was open. A ticket restaurant is just what it sounds like.
There is a machine outside where you purchase a ticket for whatever food you what, then you go inside and put the ticket on the counter and you are served. The Tempura was quite good but because I was so hungry, I burned my mouth a bit.
Next week I start my two week long WWOOF preparation course. I feel like I'm starting to get a better grasp of the language every school day, so that's a good sign.
I promise I will take some pictures this weekend. But for now, here's a picture of my homestay family's dog "Pudding".
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Some Pics of the Language School
Genki JACS
No Shoes Allowed
Hallway (there's only one)
Break/Lunch/Study Area
No Shoes Allowed
Hallway (there's only one)
Break/Lunch/Study Area
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Start of Second Week
Hey everyone,
It's been a while since I last posted anything, but I've been a bit busy lately.
A few days ago it rained for the first time since I've been here. Luckily the language school has umbrellas the students can borrow.
A week long Sumo tournament in Fukuoka just started yesterday.
I wanted to get some tickets but the only ones I found were equivalent to about $280.
While out walking with my host mother, we saw a group of the Sumo wrestlers dressed in their robes and carrying very manly purses.
I tried to get a few pictures, but it was difficult seeing as I was trying to be sneaky about it.
I'll post the only semi-decent pic below along with a more blurry stealth-shot.
I start my second week of language school today.
So far It's been quite interesting.
The six person class I was in will now most likely be a three person class since a few people have left or dropped back.
Right now my list of things to do, besides learning Japanese, is seeing the city a bit more, and getting a cell phone.
The language school has said it can be hard to get a phone since there has been a rise in crime using prepaid cellphones. And the fact that I'm a foreigner who isn't 20 years old doesn't help me much.
I think I've said this before but, I hope to take more pictures and post them as regularly as I can. I especially plan to post all the funny engrish I've seen, as there has been quite a bunch. (below is one example)
If I don't have time to write a full blog post I may just post a pic instead.
じゃあまった!
It's been a while since I last posted anything, but I've been a bit busy lately.
A few days ago it rained for the first time since I've been here. Luckily the language school has umbrellas the students can borrow.
A week long Sumo tournament in Fukuoka just started yesterday.
I wanted to get some tickets but the only ones I found were equivalent to about $280.
While out walking with my host mother, we saw a group of the Sumo wrestlers dressed in their robes and carrying very manly purses.
I tried to get a few pictures, but it was difficult seeing as I was trying to be sneaky about it.
I'll post the only semi-decent pic below along with a more blurry stealth-shot.
I start my second week of language school today.
So far It's been quite interesting.
The six person class I was in will now most likely be a three person class since a few people have left or dropped back.
Right now my list of things to do, besides learning Japanese, is seeing the city a bit more, and getting a cell phone.
The language school has said it can be hard to get a phone since there has been a rise in crime using prepaid cellphones. And the fact that I'm a foreigner who isn't 20 years old doesn't help me much.
I think I've said this before but, I hope to take more pictures and post them as regularly as I can. I especially plan to post all the funny engrish I've seen, as there has been quite a bunch. (below is one example)
If I don't have time to write a full blog post I may just post a pic instead.
じゃあまった!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Back to school
みんなさん こんにちは！
The last few days of school have been quite fun.
After taking a placement test on the first day I was placed in an elementary level class.
I go to school everyday from 9:30 to 2:30 with two ten minute breaks and a one hour lunch break.
Many students at the school are from non-english speaking countries.
Im my class alone there are students from Holland, France Italy and Kenya.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of the presidential election.
The news tonight said that the results would be in about noon Japan time. So I'll be sure to get online during my lunch break.
じゃまった
The last few days of school have been quite fun.
After taking a placement test on the first day I was placed in an elementary level class.
I go to school everyday from 9:30 to 2:30 with two ten minute breaks and a one hour lunch break.
Many students at the school are from non-english speaking countries.
Im my class alone there are students from Holland, France Italy and Kenya.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of the presidential election.
The news tonight said that the results would be in about noon Japan time. So I'll be sure to get online during my lunch break.
じゃまった
Saturday, November 1, 2008
First full day in the city
Yesterday was pretty packed.
In the morning, my host mother took me for a walk around the city. As it turns out, the apartment isn't to farm from the city's Apple store.
As we walked around she pointed out various stores and buildings and said what they were.
On our walk we came to the Fukuoka Castle Ruins where there was some kind of ceremony going on. As we approached we were given a small bag with two Mochi balls inside and a program of the event that was taking place. There were about 12 men in a line doing some sort of intricate walk/dance whilst doing a loud call and response chant and holding, passing and spinning sticks that each had what looked like Cousin Itt nailed to the top.
Needless to say I had no idea what was going on.
And I kicked myself for forgetting to bring my camera.
Soon the twirling of wig-sticks ended and three men came out carrying antique muzzle-loading Japanese rifles.
They shot them off at the sky a few times. When they were done four men decked out in samurai armor came out out and to my surprise and dismay didn't do anything spectacular.
Then everything seemed to be over.
We left the castle and went to the park, Ohori Kouen, in the center of the city.
There was a long distance race going on and there appeared to be many kids from different schools there to compete.
We then headed back to the apartment and my host mother made sure I remembered the way back.
I then studied Japanese for a few hours and watched a Japanese sing-along TV show until my host mother took me out again.
First went to the book/video store and I found out she is a big fan of the OC.
She then took me to the food floor of one of the large department stores in the city to get some Takoyaki.
After that meal I was ready to go to study a bit more and then go to bed.
But shortly after we got back to the apartment the son and father came home and had not eaten yet. And there was no way I was going to turn down sushi.
We walked to a restaurant close by and had what was probably at least an 8 course meal. They were surprised that I liked all of the dishes, and that I was willing to try things I wasn't familiar with.
They had me try something I then found out was paste of sea urchin eggs, apparently a delicacy.
Still a bit jet lagged, I promptly passed out when we returned home.
I'm looking forward to starting school tomorrow.
I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update my blog once my schedule gets busier, but I'll try and to it at least a few times a week.
じゃまった
Talk to you later
In the morning, my host mother took me for a walk around the city. As it turns out, the apartment isn't to farm from the city's Apple store.
As we walked around she pointed out various stores and buildings and said what they were.
On our walk we came to the Fukuoka Castle Ruins where there was some kind of ceremony going on. As we approached we were given a small bag with two Mochi balls inside and a program of the event that was taking place. There were about 12 men in a line doing some sort of intricate walk/dance whilst doing a loud call and response chant and holding, passing and spinning sticks that each had what looked like Cousin Itt nailed to the top.
Needless to say I had no idea what was going on.
And I kicked myself for forgetting to bring my camera.
Soon the twirling of wig-sticks ended and three men came out carrying antique muzzle-loading Japanese rifles.
They shot them off at the sky a few times. When they were done four men decked out in samurai armor came out out and to my surprise and dismay didn't do anything spectacular.
Then everything seemed to be over.
We left the castle and went to the park, Ohori Kouen, in the center of the city.
There was a long distance race going on and there appeared to be many kids from different schools there to compete.
We then headed back to the apartment and my host mother made sure I remembered the way back.
I then studied Japanese for a few hours and watched a Japanese sing-along TV show until my host mother took me out again.
First went to the book/video store and I found out she is a big fan of the OC.
She then took me to the food floor of one of the large department stores in the city to get some Takoyaki.
After that meal I was ready to go to study a bit more and then go to bed.
But shortly after we got back to the apartment the son and father came home and had not eaten yet. And there was no way I was going to turn down sushi.
We walked to a restaurant close by and had what was probably at least an 8 course meal. They were surprised that I liked all of the dishes, and that I was willing to try things I wasn't familiar with.
They had me try something I then found out was paste of sea urchin eggs, apparently a delicacy.
Still a bit jet lagged, I promptly passed out when we returned home.
I'm looking forward to starting school tomorrow.
I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update my blog once my schedule gets busier, but I'll try and to it at least a few times a week.
じゃまった
Talk to you later
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