|
Settling in: 7-25-99 I got brave today and went exploring around Ube on my own. I am starting to get the hang of the bike, and feel more confident navigating the streets of the town. This is my fifth day in Ube, and I’m getting to like it more and more. It’s urban enough so I don’t feel like I’m stranded in the middle of nowhere, but has a small-town feel. So far, I’ve been to Tokiwa Park, which is apparently about three hundred years old. There’s a big lake and a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. The park is home to a number of pelicans, who choose to stay. It’s a really nice park. I’ve also been shown the video store my predecessor mentioned in his initial message to me. It’s about five minutes from my apartment, and it turns out that it’s a huge Sam Goody store! I was expecting something very small, with not much selection, and instead I find an American chain store with just about everything- videos, music, and books (lots of manga!). Oh, and it has a toy store too. I bought the cutest pair of Tare Panda slippers! The night before last, I went out with Peter and Chris, the two other JETs in Ube, along with a private English teacher and his adult students. We went to a bar. I was the only girl in a group of about fifteen guys. It was crazy! There was all sorts of “toilet humor” (the students’ new English phrase of the day) and I got set up on a mock omiai (arrange marriage meeting) with some guy who wanted to talk to me. Ha ha! It was funny. I got a few free drinks out it, anyway! And a waiter brought me a small dessert for free- just for being foreign and female, I guess! Oh, and I met the mayor. He was nice, but I’m afraid his Japanese was too advanced for me! I was also formally introduced to everyone who works at City Hall, and was interviewed and photographed by some reporters- must remember to buy a paper! Last night, I went to a party at another JET’s apartment in Asa, a couple of towns over from Ube. Asa is very small, rather charming. The road we walked along to reach the JET’s apartment was decorated for Tanabata… so pretty! The party was nice and the hostess has a beautiful, homey apartment. She’s been in Japan for two years, so it makes sense! I hope I can turn my apartment into a home as well. It’ll take time, but it would be nice! Anyway, the party was a nice way to catch up with some of the other new JETs I had met at the Tokyo orientation. It was fun to hear how everyone is setting in. On the train back from the party, I met some girls who will be my students- a group of very genki junior high girls all dressed in yukata, having just come back from fireworks viewing. So cute! So anyway, here I am in my living room, very relaxed on a Sunday evening. I’m watching what appears to be some sort of art history program on TV. Not that I understand much of it. I am proud of myself for having made a nice dinner of curry rice. This is the first time I ever used a rice cooker, and I managed it very well! I think I will survive here. :) |