ENKAI PARTY

Wow... So I just returned from my very own Welcome Party, or Enkai, with the Kakamigahara Nishi staff. For the last few weeks I had been dreading the thought of being whisked away in a bus to a random hotel in Gifu City accompanied by 60 co-workers, the main activity being to get drunk together (only about 3 of whom speak enough English to actually communicate with... and as for my Japanese, I've built up to "Where is the train station?" and "This is delicious!"). But, I must say I had a great time tonight! It was nothing like the boring (and dry) company luncheons I have attended in the past. First of all, the food kept coming in amazing little courses of authentic Japanese dishes. Second, pouring a beer for the principal is an honorable task in Japan. I like the practice that no one must ever pour their own drink - and that doesn't mean you are ever caught waiting. Everyone uses drink pouring for everyone else as an excuse to socialize. It lubes up the conversations in two ways. I actually remembered enough Japanese to have short exchanges with many teachers; and with the help of those who understand English I spoke a bit more at length with many people I'd never even seen at work before. Lastly, and most importantly, I was interrupted 10 minutes into the Enkai by a teacher asking if I liked to sing. Ok, good, he said - then you are going to sing KARAOKE right now! And I was ushered up to the front of the function room, microphone in hand, to do a rendition of "Yesterday" with my Japanese supervisor. What a great way to break the ice... to top it off, two male teachers put on women's blonde wigs and changed into our school's girls uniform - to help you visualize it consists of a small white sailor's top and short navy pleated skirt - and proceeded to sing a Japanese pop song. Later I went up a second time and performed Madonna's "Like a Virgin." They sang the "OOOH!" in the chorus. These are the people who went out for more drinking after the Enkai, but I decided to get back to Kakamigahara, cuz after all the singing and straining to converse in Japanese, I was content to call it a night.

Seiko Noda, Rebel Winner

Seiko Noda won the Gifu Provincial seat in the House of Representatives in the Sept. 11 election. Ms. Noda formerly Minister of Post & Communication, has recently split from the Liberal Democratic Party over Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's privitazation of the National Postal Service. She has been dubbed the "Joan of Arc" of politics for rebeling against privitazation. She is a powerful female political figurehead, in whom the public would like to see run for the position of Prime Minister in the future.

Light an Incense, Make a Wish

At Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto

On the Train

Looking Over the Mountains from My Apartment

So Delicious! So Happy!

Onigiri, the best snack for your money. Available at most convenience stores. Onigiri is a palm-size triangle of rice wrapped up with a sheet of seaweed. It comes with a delicious happy center of something, such as fish, fish eggs, or pickled plum.

Obon Festival

These women are dancing at the Obon Festival, an annual dance-a-thon held in August to celebrate departed family members. Many people, especially women, dress in traditional wear called a Yukata. Everyone can dance, dressed up or not, of any age or gender. The dancers paraded around in a circle. In its center stood a man on a platform playing a drum to the beat of traditional Japanese music.

A trip to Shizuoka Prefecture

More pictures from last weekend in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefecture. The traditional Japanese sandals are still popular, but mostly with older people and for wearing with traditional dress. The earthenware were once used in the Edo Period Inn to hold sake, the famous Japanese rice wine. And the garden with dropping water music and bamboo poles to listen.