Dickinson College Blog

It’s true.  The ease of just walking down our death trap of a hill to the local Lawson’s, which sells us melon bread, pocky, sushi, oragami paper, and Hagen Daz, is spectacular, and I shall miss its presense.  Yeah, I’ll probably miss you guys too, and the food, and the atmosphere and the subway (I live in the middle of no where, we don’t really do public transportation) and the clubbing and Pastel and a billion other things. I’ll probably miss it all A LOT.  Especially you guys.  But Lawson’s? Man, that will be tough.

I don’t really do well with goodbyes, so I just wanted to say that I had a FABULOUS time.  This has been a wonderful learning experience for me (in more ways than one) and I’m saddened that it’s coming to an end.  i’m still planning on having a blast on the plane ride tomorrow though. So, until then, g’night!

Tonight was our last dinner in Japan, which is slightly depressing. Sarah, Greg, Ben (my last name is Sanders, by the way) and myself took a trek to a little restarant which specialized (I think… I don’t speak Japanese) in eel.   Sarah, the AWESOME japanese speaker asked what didn’t have meat in it for me, and the chef pointed out a few very fishy sushi dishes. After discovering that he spoke english (very well, I might add) she told him no beef, pork, chicken, or fish.  That seemed to shock him, and he exclaimed “No fish?!” Yes. No fish.  It just so happens that they have a sushi dish completely meat free, with some nice tofu and cucumbers. PERFECT.  As pointed out by the others, it was nice to have a dinner that didn’t consist solely of rice (not that I’m complaining… I actually love rice!) I had a lot of fun just sitting and talking, and all the people who worked there were SO nice to us.  I think that it was the perfect end to this trip!

What I also really enjoyed in Japan was meeting the other Japanese students. I always had a difficult time keeping in contact with exchange students I met when I was younger. But I felt a deeper connection with these students. Especially Ryoko. I met her when we went on a trip to Nagoya castle. The ESS students were leading the way, and acting as our tour guides. I learned a lot about Nagoya castle, but I also learned a lot about Japanese students. I eventually reconnected with Ryoko yesterday night. We decided to go to dinner together. I was so worried that I would be late meeting her, but I got there just in time. It was so nice to see her. We hung out for about two hours. Just talking. I think I always have the most fun when it’s me and a few other people and we just sit and talk for a while.

My other highlights on this trip would include karaoke, and going to the club. I had never been to either one before, considering karaoke is ridiculous in America and all the clubs are very far from my home, so I was at first skeptical if I would have any fun. Clubbing was unbelievably fun, dancing for hours. Of course me and Nicci always had to watch out for awkward turtles, but besides the random creepers we had so many fun times.

I have to say that regardless of some of the major suckage I have gone through on this trip, between getting lost, getting ditched in a subway station, and getting sick, I really did enjoy myself. I am surprised to say that I did end up meeting some decent people on this trip, you know who you are, who aren’t afraid to: dance very sexy, talk in ridiculous accents, donate unicorn tears and various other cool things. Those are some pretty cool people if I do say so. I’m really glad I decided to go on this trip, I had a great time. This trip has inspired me to continue my study of the Japanese language, and to plan to further my education in Japan.

The best part about this trip would have to be my two Sensei’s. they made this trip worth while. They taught us about traditional Japan, but they encouraged us to learn what it was like to live in modern Japan. They let us be who we are, and I could never imagine better teachers.

I had a lot of good times in Japan. I think the times I spent with Anna, the mikes, Senaka, and Li happened to be the highlight of this trip. Each time I felt I got to know each person a lot better, and there was so much to talk about every time we have gone out. I think my favorite night was when we went to our favorite restaurant in Kyoto. I had been feeling like crap for about 2 days at that point, but I had been graciously invited to hangout with them anyways. Most of us got eel, Karage Mike apoted for ramen, which was equally good. From there we all split up for a while checking the various awesome shops in the surrounding area. Eventually we all reconnected and went to a nearby bar. We sat there for maybe 2 hours, the minimum, and spent the whole time talking about movies and music, and other interesting topics. It was very relaxing and fun.

My other favorite night would be the night I spent with my roommate Yuki. Yuki and I had decided to make dinner together. We spent a lot of time deciding though, it had to be very Japanese. Then we shopped for food together and spent most of the night cooking and talking for hours while watching some crazy Japanese tv. It was so much fun to just have dinner in and actually enjoy ourselves.

On Friday night, we went out for our last group dinner, and it was fantastic.  We ate so many different types of Japanese food—edamame (one of my personal favorites) and crickets (they were really scrumptious)—among other things.  We were also fortunate enough to have sake or shochu mixed drinks with our meal.  The best part about the dinner was spending it together.  It’s amazing to see how the group dynamic has evolved during our time in Japan.  It feels like we should be starting our trip rather than ending it.  After dinner, a bunch of us went to Club ID—a club we went to previously that Lindsay’s roommate introduced us to.  It was much more fun this time.  All of us just relaxed, danced and had a good time together.

I truly could not have asked for a better trip or a better group of people to share it with.  Not being a Dickinson student, I had my doubts embarking on a Japanese adventure with a bunch of Dickinson students that I had never met before.  I thought I was crazy the night before I left home.  I am extremely fortunate to have met each of you, and I sincerely hope that a simple obstacle like me not going to Dickinson will keep us from continuing our friendships.  Besides, after you call someone a beached whale, you kind of have to be their friend.

So, on Saturday, Ben Fixsen (I use his full name because he continues to mine), Greg, Nicci, and I went to the Iga Ninja House.  We went to the Nagoya Station, and then took a bus to Iga.  If it wasn’t for Ben, I don’t think that we would have gotten there.  Just kidding.  We took an hour and a half bus ride for 1800 yen.  We had an American bus for the majority of the bus ride.  So, we each spread out and slept for the most part.  While at the bus station, I remembered to get a return bus schedule, so that we would know what time to get back on the bus.  Hence, I was named “mom,” by Ben.  Sorry that someone needs to be responsible and prepared.

Once we arrived in Iga, I tried to get Ben to tell us where we were going.  But, I came prepared for the “I don’t know” with the pamphlet that Bates-sensei gave Ben earlier this month.  We finally figured our way to the koen (park), that housed the Ninja house.  Entering the ninja house, I soon realized that it was, indeed, geared towards four-six year olds.  Perfect, for Ben, who participated in hiding in trap doors and hidden staircases, when asked by the woman giving the demonstration.

We also watched a ninja show, performed by “real life ninjas” who used real ninja weapons.  It was pretty fun to watch and we were able to record a number of classy videos of ninjas ninja-ing people.  Ben and Greg later re-enacted portions of the show.  After the show, we moseyed our way throughout the museum.  We also walked through the park around the museum.  There was a castle nearby, and although the name escapes me, it had a beautiful moat surrounding it, so we took some outstanding pictures.  We, then, ended our escapades by walking back to the train station.

I’m glad we were able to navigate ourselves through Japan.

On Saturday, under the guiding eye of Sarah (Momma) Maxwell several of us went on a sweet trip to Iga where we visited what was the preeminent Ninja house of Japan.  It should be noted that Lindsay Gibbons was going to come with us, but in a fit of narcolepsy she fell asleep in an elevator and was unable to join us.  After Sarah figured out what bus we needed to be on we were off.  The bus turned out to be empty, so we had a roomy private bus ride to Iga.  Once we got there we headed for the ninja house, where we were given a tour of all its secret features.  I bravely got up and ninja’d my way inside of a secret revolving door, while other features we were shown included hidden ladders, swords stored under floor panels, secret viewing rooms, and escape tunnels.  After the tour of the house we were getting our learn on by examining the accompanying ninja museum when a man came in to inform us that the live show would be starting.  At the show, the woman who did the introduction (not a ninja) was a women from Germany who spoke both fluent Japanese and English.  She was kind enough to come sit with us, and translated everything said during the show.  The ninja performance was great, and I got some fun videos.  Afterwards guests could pay 200 yen for a chance to throw ninja stars and if you hit the bulls-eye on the target you could win a shirken throwing badge.  I landed my final throwing star on the outer rim of the bulls-eye, and was somewhat unjustly denied my prize.  It turned out that the ninja’s were also masters of being cheap.

Today for our final meal in Japan, myself Sarah Maxwell, Greg Ely, and Nicci somethingerother went out to dinner.  While others opted to re-visit familiar haunts our group aka the “A” team (minus two) went exploring Nagoya and found a nice quiet restaurant that specialized in eel.  During our trip we had experienced the perennial problem of feeding Nicci, our resident non-fish eating vegetarian.  Fortunately the head chef spoke English, and after exhibiting some surprise that Nicci didn’t eat meat OR fish showed her the few vegetarian options that were available.  Since he spoke English, the chef was kind enough to personally take our orders, and even took a picture of us together for our final dinner in Japan.  Sarah and I both had the Nagoya style eel, which was phenomenal.  Personally I thought that eel was a perfect ending to my culinary experience of Japan.  At first I had been dubious that eel could possibly be enjoyable, but thanks to the beautiful and intelligent Sarah Maxwell I had tried it and discovered how amazing it can be.  Even the subsequent onset of two diseases that occurred suspiciously soon after consuming eel couldn’t daunt my eel fervor.  For me eel has been only one of many great surprises about Japan, but my newfound delight in eating eel has certainty been one of my favorites.

Time flys…here, it is the last day in Japan…isn’t that sad?

After one month, I really think I like Japan even more than I did before. This is a fascinating place with fascinating people. It is not only advanced in modern urban culture, but abundant of treasures from its own tradition that passed down generation by generation. All the ancient buildings and other national treasures are preserved so well that one can not even tell they have gone through hundreds of years and through natural disasters and wars. And more than that, it seems the honesty and loyalty of samurai in the past are still existing in Japanese spirit and help to build a country of fairness and equity.

You can actually tell that Japanese people do enjoy their lives everyday from their fashionable dressing, from the food they eat and from the smile on their faces. You will never feel insecure anywhere. All the stores you step in, people greet you with warm and friendly faces. That is the image of Japan. What a nice place!

After all, I am so glad that I made such nice friends in this one month. We travel, study and live together just like a family. That was probably the most valuble thing I got from these transient days.

I hope I can come back again, with all these sweet memories…

I’ve got to say, Japan has some of the absolute best stuffed animals and toys.  The most difficult thing about shopping here is not deciding if I should buy anything, but rather what I should buy.  This being the last day in Japan, I decided to go to Sakae and do some serious shopping for my little man.  I ended up getting some pretty great cars and stuffed animals.  Brenda even has a couple of awesome stuffed animals coming her way.  When she was pregnant with Isaac, her cousin, who was living in Tokyo, mailed us a box filled with Japanese toys and stuffed animals for our son-to-be.  It never really crossed my mind, at the time, that I might ever get the opportunity to come here to purchase some of my own.  Needless to say, I am glad that I had the chance to visit Nagoya, and hopefully, my family will be pleased with what I have to give them upon my return.  Actually, I’m kind of banking on the notion that they will be just glad to see me.

Having spent a month here, I am glad I fulfilled my dream of seeing Japan, studying and absorbing its history and culture, and getting to know some of the people and seeing how they interact. As an E.A.S major, I knew that I would be interested in just about everything here, but I wasn’t prepared for just how fascinating Japan really is. I am still intrigued by their mix of their native culture and values and Western ethics and methods, especially in terms of business (you can’t walk anywhere without seeing a mob of people dressed in really expensive-looking, nice suits). The public transportation system here is excellent, clean and fast, and really made enjoying city life in Nagoya very easy. Nagoya itself is a great city, and the perfect place for Dickinson to have a program in, as it is near tons of cultural centers, near the Nanzan University, where we can interact with the students (even if our Japanese is virtually non-existent, though I have learned some here and there).

I am staying an extra 5 days with my dad, who is arriving tomorrow, so we can see more. I have always wanted to see Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Hakata Bay, and with the rail passes we have got for our stay, we can travel the Shinkansen Train as much as we want for free! Hakata Bay is a special point of interest for me. Anyone who knows me that I like military history, and Hakata Bay saw two massive Mongol invasions of Japan in the late 1200’s - almost 150,000 people, 600+ years before D-day. It is near the city of Fukuoka, in Kyushu. Surprisingly, there really isnt much in the way of tourist sights for this, especially since this event really helped preserved Japanese culture from being swallowed up a foreign power and was a shining example of Samurai skill. I still have to see it - I’ve bugged Bates Sensei with so many questions about it that I don’t care if it’s just a beach. Historical sites are what you take with you.

Anyways, anyone thinking about coming to Japan - do it. It’s well worth the long plane ride, and you’ll see a truly unique culture that is thriving with historical and contemporary aspects. Things aren’t too expensive (with the exception of Cab rides, which really can burn holes in your wallet) if you know how to be somewhat frugal. Japan does have great food, even if it took me a while to get used it. So come to Japan! You’ll like what you see.

The final group dinner on Friday night was a fantastic one.  Any kind of meal in which the food (and sake) keeps coming and coming is OK with me.  I loved being able to try so many different kinds of food in such a short amount of time.  Even the crickets were delicious.  They were reminiscent of pecans and cinnamon, but with more legs.  Awesome!!  I thought it was fantastic to have to whole group together one last time, and it seemed as though everyone was equally happy to be together for the feast.

I also discovered that I truly love sake (pronounced:  sockaaaaaaayyyy!!!!!).  Several difference kinds were in abundance Friday night.  One could say that it was flowing like the Nile.  Good times!!!  Our “last supper,” as it were, was quite a fitting one in that we got to spend a rather large chunk of time just relaxing and reflecting on our trip.  Afterwards, some of the group went clubbing while four of us went and watched Olympic qualifying at a bar.  Beer and long-distance running never worked so well together.

So to most people escalators may just seem like a convenient way to go up and not worthy of too much notice, but there is something about them that has been bugging me for quite some time.  Let me begin with a story.  When I was young, around 7 or so, I remember going to the mall with my mum.  We were in Filenes and needed to get to the second floor(that’s where all the children’s clothes were) and so of course we took the escalator.  I stepped on, put my hand on the moving railing beside me, and settled in for the ride.  But not much later, my hand was suddenly way ahead of me! Why did this happen? I wondered.  How could this be? Well this same thing happened to me yesterday while I was coming out of Yagoto Niseki.  Tired and haggard, a tuna and mayo onigiri in hand, I placed my hand on the rail and soon found it tugging at me.  ‘Start walking!’ it said. ‘No way in hell’ I glared back.  So then it got angry at me and I had to keep adjusting my hand for the remainder of the escalator ride.

Things to discuss:

Why do the railings go faster than the stairs?

Do they still go faster than the stairs when there are no people around?

Did whoever invented escalators decide to do that just to make us wonder at the tiny annoyance?

During these past 5 months, I made some adventures to Sao Roque, Campos do Jordao, Foz do Iguacu, and Salvador. Each of these places were amazingin there own way.

In Sao Roque, I went to Ski Mountian and there I went horseback riding, paintballing and skiing.  Yes I know, whoever thought skiing in Brazil was possible but it is.  After arriving in the city by bus you could see the park located on the top of the mountain and the view from the top of the mountain was even more beautiful as it over-looked the entire city.  The best part of the entire experience was skiing on plastic.  It was different than skiing on snow because sometimes the skiis would become caught in the plastic peices. Fortunately I only fell once.  I certainly stuckout on the slopes as I was one of the only ones who knew how to ski.  Many visitors were Brazilian and the sport of skiing is pretty rare to many of them.

My next adventure was to Campos do Jordao a beautiful European town located in the mountains of the interior of Brazil.  Here people love to drink hot chocolate and eat fondu because it is rather cold here.  I had the opportunity to view the city from many different mountain tops and the water falls here are beautiful as well.  This is a great place to go when trying to escape the city life style.

For the next holiday break, I decided to travel to Foz do Iguacu located on the border of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.  I stayed on the Argentinian side where every night I hate delicious Argentinan steak and drank Argentinan wine.  The first day I took a boat trip around the waterfalls and got soaken wet.  The walk to the boat took awhile but the experience was worth it.  The second day I ventured to Paraguay where there was long rows of cheap fake products.  Many Brazilians and Argentinans travel to this country to buy there cheap electronics.  Outside the stores there is much poverty.  I ate lunch for about $1.50 and that included 1 coke and 3 empanadas.  I was very thankful I did not but anything while in Paraguay or else I would have needed to wait in terrible long lines to pass through customs. On the third day, I had spent all day at the Itaipu Dam.  This dam is shared by Brazil and Paraguay is one of the largest damns in the world. This whole trip was worthwhile and I could not pick a moment that was better than the rest.

My finally excursion while in Brazil was to Salvador.  Since I took this trip during the winter time it was great to escape the cold weather in Sao Paulo and return to the warm weather.  Although the weather was warm, I could not escape the rain. Everyday it rained and I only had the chance to spend two days on the beaches.  I also had a caught a cold while on vacation here, probably because of the change in weather.

All these experiences demonstrated how diverse Brazil is and its surrounding countries.  I am very proud and fortunate to have these experiences because during my time in Brazil the U.S. economy has been very poor and the exchange rate has held many of my friends from traveling.

The afternoon trip was comprised of two public schools located in the west of Sao Paulo that left two completely different impressions.  From the actions of the students to how the tour guides presented themselves was different between the schools.

The schools have many different variables that contributed to the differences.  The first school we had visited was located next to a favela and many of the students lived there.  We were greeted by a woman who looked like she had a long day. The poor public school had a soccer court with a roof, a three floor school which contained several classrooms, a computer room and a cafeteria.  This building occupied two thousand students and staff.  The visit was frequently disturbed with curious students wanting to hear English words.  Many students that attended this school do not have the privilege to take English classes or interact with foreigners.  The second school reminded me of schools from the western part of the United States. The women who gave the tour looked very professionally and walked with pride about where she worked. This school had beautiful large buildings, a theater, a gym and a pool.  It even had more than the average American school.  It also had a skate park, a pond with beautiful surroundings, and multiple soccer courts.  I guess these extra features take the place of the American football fields.  Students at this school did find Americans to be such strangers and were not as curious about foreigners.  Either they are more exposed to other cultures and people or they must have lots of frequent visits to their school with foreigners.

Previously, I have only ever visited schools in poor areas in Latin America and after this experience I realize that there are schools that have good quality facilities.  I felt some relief to see people around the world having access to the same things that I have access too.