Swords, Quakes and Cards
I have started making a few notes as things occur to me so that should either mean that the blog is more interest packed or more likely that its full of boring shite...
Japan is a pretty safe country although I'm told that the part of Kyoto we live in is gangster land, I don't think its quite LA though. I saw a chap leaving our local supermarket all dressed up in the traditional garb and though how nice it was, until I realized he had a great big sword strapped across his back. Glad I didn't take the last loaf of bread after all now.
Having survived a typhoon I have now also survived an earthquake. To be honest I thought it was just someone slamming the door to hard at first it was only when I got to work and Dana asked if I'd felt the earthquake that I realised what had happened. It wasn't all that exciting but I am now a survivor.
The teaching continues to be pretty easy although the constant use of American spelling and Americanisms is beginning to sap my will to live. A few things do present problems I spent fifteen mins the other day trying to get someone to pronounce 'it'll' you wouldn't have thought it would be so hard but I really think that tongues here are not designed to make certain sounds!
We have started a weekly poker night in our flat, it provides plenty of entertainment for the five of us (Mike, Jon and two Canadians Jo and Julie) and a stonking hangover for the following day. I managed to get cleaned out at the most recent game the princely sum of ￥100 was lost (that's less than 50p) but it felt like more. The people at work are very nice although I have noticed that a lot of Gaijin (foreign folks) purposefully turn away when they see another non-Japanese coming down the road. Seems a bit pathetic but I think they like to pretend they are the first westerners ever to come to Japan and the sight of me woddling down the street could shatter the dream (it could just be the sight of me of course!).
I'll have more for ye soon,
All the best
Roger
Japan is a pretty safe country although I'm told that the part of Kyoto we live in is gangster land, I don't think its quite LA though. I saw a chap leaving our local supermarket all dressed up in the traditional garb and though how nice it was, until I realized he had a great big sword strapped across his back. Glad I didn't take the last loaf of bread after all now.
Having survived a typhoon I have now also survived an earthquake. To be honest I thought it was just someone slamming the door to hard at first it was only when I got to work and Dana asked if I'd felt the earthquake that I realised what had happened. It wasn't all that exciting but I am now a survivor.
The teaching continues to be pretty easy although the constant use of American spelling and Americanisms is beginning to sap my will to live. A few things do present problems I spent fifteen mins the other day trying to get someone to pronounce 'it'll' you wouldn't have thought it would be so hard but I really think that tongues here are not designed to make certain sounds!
We have started a weekly poker night in our flat, it provides plenty of entertainment for the five of us (Mike, Jon and two Canadians Jo and Julie) and a stonking hangover for the following day. I managed to get cleaned out at the most recent game the princely sum of ￥100 was lost (that's less than 50p) but it felt like more. The people at work are very nice although I have noticed that a lot of Gaijin (foreign folks) purposefully turn away when they see another non-Japanese coming down the road. Seems a bit pathetic but I think they like to pretend they are the first westerners ever to come to Japan and the sight of me woddling down the street could shatter the dream (it could just be the sight of me of course!).
I'll have more for ye soon,
All the best
Roger
posted by Roger at
7:18 pm
4 Comments:
Hi Roger,
Your blogging with such regularity is really great for those of us who choose to live vicariously and is much-appreciated.
In fact, you seem to blog about as regularly as Kyoto has natural disasters! To be honest, I think that if you find out you live near a volcano too, you should consider asking for a transfer. You can only tempt fate so many times you know?
Anyway, I just popped up to say that I'm still reading, and glad to hear you're still doing well.
James
By
Buckley, at 11:06 pm
Well,
you seem to be now an experienced man. You have had your encounters with nature and Japanese people who can't say It'll. I don't think your blog is boring. I am actually learning what it's like to live in Japan. I figure there is a lot of Americanizing over there...
I've heard some Japanese music on internet radio and it sounds almost like American music, only different language. I don't think it's a good thing because I enjoy the differences and if people are starting to become alike, than what's the fun? =(
By
boo boo, at 5:30 pm
Roger,
I have to agree, the "I'm the only westerner in Japan" routine is a little silly really. Maybe you could try the Eddie Murphy routine from 'Trading Places' & walk up to them saying "Bill, it's real good to see you..." & throw your arm around them.
By
jimlobby, at 11:54 am
hey rog, it's a little late 2 comment on this post, but since i read it 2day for the 1st time perhaps you'll xcuse me. since american spelling's bothering u i presume you're from UK or commonwealth. twas always my impression that english spelling was preferred in japan; not to mention driving on left side of road. perhaps you're workin 4 a "progressive" outfit that uses american spelling instead. i grew up in japan & speak the language so i know whereof i scribble, and if it hadn't taken decades to finally get a 4yr college degree i would have long ago done what you're doing, so congrats & good luck, but relocate to kanto(east japan, greater tokyo more or less) as soon as you can. i have a kanto native's disdain/distrust of thing's kansai.
By
yitwail, at 5:43 am
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