Chocominto?!

It’s a long one, so sit back and relax!

Intro:

1. It’s spring break for school. While some JETs get the time off and are traveling, I get to go into the Board of Education in Town Hall EVERYDAY until schools starts in early April. Lucky me. However, upon my arrival this morning, no one seemed to know that I was even supposed to be here. I could have probably stayed home a few days before they realized anything thing (maybe). Bleh. But it does give me time to plan and revise my elementary lessons though July.

2. The Japanese elderly are probably the rudest people alive. I would say 90% of them fall into the “need to be pushed” category. Maybe it’s just old folk in general. It could be they’re just bitter they only come up to my armpit, if that. Or maybe it’s just their horrible drab clothes and horrible patterns, is there no market for lively colors for them?

OK, let’s begin! (I usually say this in class and throw up my fist, most kids eagerly mimic it too!)

White Day ad (see previous post)

Karaoke aftermath: no cabs at 2am

Watching and laughing at Wallace and Gromit

A 2nd grade class

Saturday March 3rd we held a St. Patrick's Day kids event:

We had Leprechaun bean bag toss, musical chairs, and made leprechaun doorknob hangers.

An amazing "English" menu. Funny thing is, those are practically direct translations from the real Japanese menu. It really did say "Edamame (soy beans): The best friend of beer!" (it doesn't sound like it, but Edamame really is a tasty lightly-salted treat! love it!)

End of year activities the 6th graders put on for the teachers.

How much do I love my mountains?

On a mountain. Aoyamacho and it's wind power.

March 16 (friday) I was able to use the hours I put in for the kids event to take the day off! I went to Kyoto to go to a couple temples (and to wander around) to view Nehan-zu, paintings displayed generally for 3 days a year which depict Buddha entering Nirvana. What's special about this particular detailed painting is it has a cat in the corner. Cats were not painted back then, and thought to be harbingers of bad luck. Rumor has it that the artist was visited by this cat and chased away pesky mice? so he put it in. Also, even though Buddha had said to not cry when he dies, as it is just a part of life, everyone around, humans, animals, spirits, are all sobbing. All except the cat!

First up was Tofukuji. I was there exactly five years ago that day with Andy. There is a giant 16m Nehan-zu painting there. There is also a giant dragon painted on the ceiling. I remember the painting being huge, but it wasn't as big as I remembered it. The dragon however, seemed massive. I wanted to take a picture, last time I know I did. I didn't see any signs saying not too, but no one else had a camera out, so I didn't.

Tofukuji's surrounding area is filled with small temples, little paths, and monks' living quarters. The scenery itself is reason enough to go.

I knew there was ginger sake there, but it was not in the forefront of my mind, Only later did I realize one of the buildings I passed was serving it. Doh!

All moss.

Typical Japan. Blossoming plum blossoms, a concrete pillar, and stylized tree.

I then walked to Sennyuji Temple, where they have the largest Nehan-zu. This painting was certainly much bigger, however, the large thick brush strokes makes it look rushed when compared to Tofukuji's fine lined detail. Almost as if they were just trying to have the record of "largest". I was listening to a monk talk about, and what was interesting is this painting has no animals at all! Just humans and "gods". Also, no ones eyes were open, and Buddha's mother was painted by his feet. He was talking about a cat and mouse, but I wasn't sure what he was saying about it.

Where I ate lunch, look at those flat topped trees.

Raked rocks

Sights from wandering up and down two mountains:

In the last one you can see Kyoto city sprawling below.

Then Saturday it was off to Osaka to see sumo wrestling!


Afterwards we went out to eat at an Iranian restaurant. yum!

Yesterday was the first day of spring and a holiday in Japan. I went to a temple fair in Nagoya .



I bought some fabric, a purse, and a necklace. I was going to get some lovely dried fruits and things, but the man selling them was smoking a cigarette OVER them. I don't want ash in my almonds, thanks!
A wandered aimlessly and browsed around, met up with a friend and had some dinner and got home at 10pm (about bed time) wide awake. And now I'm at work. The end.

Random: Here is a picture from my desk at the junior high. Where did all the teachers go?

Ps- I usually title my posts with some Japanese saying I heard, but today I had nothing. Until after lunch. My supervisor comes into the break room and starts sniffing, saying something smells good. Chris and I had just eaten some Anna's Swedish Chocolate Mint cookies (I will plug them because they're good, vegan, and well priced!). I wasn't sure what he was smelling or how to answer so I made up something in Japanese "Choco-minto...?" "CHOCOMINTO?!" He replies enthusiatically. I'm glad I made up a word that is actually a real thing.