Hi all! Sorry it's taken so long to get to a computer again. I am currently using the computer in the library, so at least I know it works. I don't believe I can check email here, but we'll see. I just wanted to post something before I get kicked off (it's Sunday and busy here). I hope Mom hasn't flipped out from my silence. I think it scared her, because I could feel your prayers for me yesterday.
So, what's been happening? I should have written down key points to mention, but I honestly didn't think I'd figure the Japanese computer out . . .
Last night was the welcome party for group A JETs. Group B should be getting in today and we will meet up with them later. Anyway, we hung out at a gaijin (foreigner) bar, which was actually fun for a while until the place got too loud and smokey. Japan is way behind the times when it comes to smoking regulations, but they sure have a complex way of dealing with waste! Anyway, I took a short walk outside )this is in the center of Kofu) and noticed a festival going on so I convinced a friend to check it out with me. It was so, so neat. There was a center stage (360) with singers and a few dancers and on the ground all around it were people dancing. They were dressed up in robe-type things and obviously knew what they were doing. However, people from the crowd would join in once they got familiar with the pattern. The music was less westernized that most Japanese music I've heard here, and so was the dance. It was very neat. We then went up to the castle and took in the view. It turns out that it's very rare for it to be clear enough to see Mt. Fuji. We could see it the day we moved in because the typhoon had just come through. Darn it! I would have taken pictures, but I figured it would be there every day . . . It's only 30 miles away!!
So, believe it or not, I decided to go out with some JETs to a karioki bar (forgive spelling, I don:t have time). We knew we'd probably have to take a taxi back because of the train schedule. Anyway, it was fun, though I think it was too big of a crowd. I didn't think I'd like it, but I had to try it (I'm in Japan after all!) I was hoping there would be a few songs that I knew, but they didn't have any country songs, which are the only popular songs I know. Too bad, I think it would have been hilarious if I sang "My give a damn's busted." Anyway, we ran to the train and we caught it, but only just in time and because they held it a little for us! By us, I mean a whole load of people. I had invited Kasia (fellow Eastman grad) to crash at my place since her ride didn't want to go out. Apparently the invitation spread and the three of us in Kai city ended up with 7 people wanting a place to stay (even though some could have gotten home). Luckily it worked out, and I had fun teaching Kasia an Irish tune (Star of the County Down) on whistle and Mark read us all (I took in two girls) a bedtime story of Harry Potter. It sure sounds nice with an English accent . . .
Well, I've been given my warnin. I have a bit more time. Yesterday during the day Niko (librarian I met) took Mark and I too a waterfall, a temple (HL, I bought a temple book and had them sign it. It is so, so beautiful! Thanks for the idea. Niko didn't know what I was talking about either!) Oops, my watch is not on library time and I have to go. Sorry! I'll come back as soon as I can!
