New Blog

~Just a quick note to anyone who stumbles across this page: this blog is finished, but I've started a new blog, Debonair David, at the following URL: http://debonairdavid.blogspot.com/

Sayonara!

~It's been almost a month since I returned to America, and it's about time to wrap this blog up. I enjoyed my time in Japan immensely, and I also enjoyed sharing my experiences with my readers. As a final foray into retrospection, here I'll list a few things about Japan that I miss, and that I don't miss:

I miss...the wonderful friends I made in Japan.

I don't miss...not being able to read bus schedules. Kanji overload!

I miss...my fun students and the games we played.

I don't miss...my insane students and their clueless parents.

I miss...the beautiful mountains and sunsets.

I don't miss...the earthquakes.

I miss...the many festivals of Nagaoka.

I don't miss...most Japanese food. Never developed much of a taste for it. Except...

I miss...koshihikari rice. On second thought, perhaps the local Asian Market carries it...

~There's a lot more to it than that, of course, but if you've followed this blog, then you understand. I'll leave it up as a sort of exhibit about my time abroad. Perhaps I'll start a new blog, when I embark on my next great adventure, whatever that may be. Thanks for reading! ~Sayonara.

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

~My last few days in Japan were a whirlwind of activity as I tried to smooth the way for the new teacher. I was sad to see all of my students for the last time, but I enjoyed giving them gifts and getting gifts from them. Many of them insisted on taking pictures, and I managed to get a few for myself:

^ Wo0-hoo! The final weekly "Hall Party".

^ Two of my "genki" high school girls. They were lots of fun, and I'll miss them!

^ Notice how they all hold up their fingers in a "V" for pictures. I think it's genetically programmed.

^ One of the few students I socialized with outside of class. He's cool!

--As per tradition, I had dinner with all of my coworkers, as a combined goodbye-David hello-new-teacher party. Afterwards, we went out to karaoke.

^ When I was in college, one professor nicknamed me "Devil Boy" because he could never take any pictures of his students without me making a face. I continue to live up to my reputation, Dr. Merck.

^ Some more of my friendly co-workers, including some of the comparatively-new teachers on the right.

Expect one or two more posts as I wrap up this blog with some reflections on my time in Japan. ~Oyasumi!

Ohanami at the Park

~Two Sundays ago, I attended an ohanami, which is a party for viewing cherry-blossoms. Cherry trees have tremendous cultural significance in Japan, and many writers have compared the two-week blooming period of the trees to the Japanese psyche, usually so driven but willing to stop for a glimpse of fleeting natural beauty. At any rate, I had a great time eating lunch with my friends at a park in Miyauchi, along with hundreds of local residents.

Here's a panoramic view of the park (please click on the picture for a much, much better view):

^ The park itself was lined with cherry trees in full bloom, making it colorful indeed.

^ Many families spread out mats and enjoyed the beautiful day. This large group, which I was a part of, was organized by the Nagaoka International Center. We brought our own lunches, but they supplied the drinks (unfortunately, no saké).

^ These girls provided us with live entertainment. They were so photogenic!

^ There were also some games set up, such as this jump-rope contest. Not everyone survived! I also played soccer with some Brazilians. They're scary good. Or maybe I'm just scary bad.

^ The cherry trees remind me of when I lived in the Washington, D.C. area, which is filled with them. As you may recall, the trees were a gift from Japan to America in 1912.

^ Close-up of some cherry blossoms, taken using my camera's macro mode. I think the picture came out well.

^ A path lined with cherry trees at Miyauchi Park. Very peaceful.

~There will be one or two more posts from David Does Japan, with pictures from my farewell party, and some retrospective views of my time spent abroad. Stay tuned! ~Oyasumi.

David, He Returns!

~This is just a quick post to let everyone know that I have returned to America! I'm currently recovering from jet lag, but I'll post more pictures as soon as possible. ~Oyasumi!

I'll Be Back

~This will be my last post from within Japan, because tomorrow I'll be flying back to America. But don't write off David Does Japan just yet, because I still have a backlog of pictures and stories to share with you from the last couple of weeks.

It's been sad for me for the past week as I said goodbye to my students. Some of them gave me presents and notes, which was very kind. Some of the younger children even drew pictures of/for me! I hate to leave them, but I'm confident that my replacement teacher, whom I've been working with for the past week, will be a good teacher for them.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing my friends and family shortly. Stay tuned to David Does Japan for the next week or so as I make another few postings. ~Oyasumi!

O-Hanami

~I've moved out of my apartment and into the erronously-named "Business Hotel" in Nagaoka, which lacks internet sevice. So unfortunately, I won't be posting any pictures until I get back. I did, however, notice yet another amazing vending machine in the hotel: a sake vending machine, which dispenses sake into disposable cups. Brilliant!

Yesterday I attended an "O-hanami", which is a party for viewing cherry blossoms. It was held at a large park in Nagaoka surrounded by beautiful cherry trees in full bloom. Traditionally, you're supposed to spread out a large blue mat under a cherry tree, sit on it in a circle, and drink sake while toasting one another's health. Since there were kids at the party, we skipped the sake and instead played games. Let me tell you, those Brazillians are disturbingly good at soccer... ~Oyasumi

100% FAIL

~On my ride home from work today, I rode past the infamous Hananomachi Avenue. Near the edge, outside of one seedy-looking establishment of dubious repute, was one tough-looking guy...or at least, he was doing his best to look like a gangster. You know what I mean: black clothes, black hat, shoulders hunched over, furiously smoking a cigarette and glaring at everyone who walks by.

...but as I rode past him, I happened to look back, and noticed the writing on the back of his "tough guy" jacket: HAMSTER CLUB. Seriously, that's an instant, 100%, no-question-about it FAIL. ~Oyasumi!

NOTE: I'm in the process of moving, and my internet service here will be turned off tomorrow. This means that I may be incommunicado for a few days. Fear not, David Does Japan will return before I actually leave Japan.