Japan March 2001



















On Sunday we took the fast train down to Nagasaki. Talk about luxury! The sleek train had huge reclining leather seats and hardwood floors. When we got to Nagasaki it was pretty cold and windy, but intermittent sun kept shining through. Our first stop was Gap. It's just like home, but everything cost twice as much and I don't think I get my employee discount. We then walked up through the picturesque town to the A Bomb museum. The exhibit was an interesting yet chilling account of what happened there on August 9, 1945.

After the museum we headed back toward the center of town to do some shopping and eat lunch at a pizzeria (I didn't have the heart to stop my friends from eating their first pizza in months). Then we walked through the Dutch Slopes and on to the Glover Gardens ­ two historically European sites. Unlike most of Japan, Nagasaki has an unusual amount of European contact. In the 1500’s the Portuguese brought Christianity and in the 1700’s the Dutch brought further Western influence. When we left Glover Gardens it was beginning to snow. Due to the miserable weather and my cold, we decided to head back home.

On Monday we all took it easy so I could get rid of my cold. In the afternoon Barin and I did manage to go out to Mr. Max ­ a store just like Kmart. The Japanese love to put English phrases on everything! Usually this ends up as a hilarious literal interpretation such as "a rich and aroma coffee for relaxing after you come home to enjoy". That night, Michelle and Barin amazed me with their Japanese culinary skills and prepared a traditional okonomiyaki - a cabbage filled casserole/frittata/crepe creation.

Tuesday Michelle and I headed down to Fukuoka as Barin had classes to teach. Fukuoka is a great modern city with lots of expensive shopping malls and beautiful parks. One of our best discoveries of the day was a market on the basement level of one of the nicest malls. Imagine Harrod's in Japan. We found everything from individually wrapped pieces of sushi to American pickles (Michelle was very excited to find those). Everything was pretty expensive, but they had plenty of free samples.

While in Fukuoka we also saw Canal City (sort of like an upscale Universal City Walk), Fukuoka castle, and Ohori park. Only the walls of Fukuoka Castle remain, but the grounds had beautiful plum and cherry trees that were blossoming. Ohori park surrounds a big lake (think Lake Merritt) and we sat and watched all the joggers and dog walkers go by. We took the long way back to the train station and then headed back home. My cold was pretty much gone so I was finally able to enjoy a late evening talking.

On Wednesday I finally went out on my own. In the afternoon I took the train ½ hour north to Kitakyushu. It was a fairly cold day but I was able to walk around in the shopping arcade which was indoors. I also ventured out to Kokura Castle. Although the caste and everything in it was a reconstruction or a replica, it still provided as interesting look at the Edo period in Japan. All of the exhibits were in English and very well done. Wednesday night I returned home and ate on my own as my friends had to work fairly late. I had a great time picking out some half price sushi at the supermarket.

Because my single greatest expense is traveling (it costs $12 just to go to Fukuoka), I decided to stay close to home on Thursday. I went with my friends to the other school they teach at in nearby Fukuma. I had plans to walk out to the beach and explore, but the wind and snow turned me around. I spent the rest of the afternoon reading and relaxing at the school. I got to meet many of Michelle and Barin's students including a class full of giggling older women who were excited to practice their English on me. That night we made Nabe for dinner. Nabe is basically a big pot of broth over a flame with lots of vegetables, chicken and seafood to throw in. Then everyone scoops out of the pot in the middle and in to their own bowl. It's a delicious and fun meal on a cold snowy night.

That's all for now. I hope you are all well - Drea

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