I'm not in Kansas anymore...

Hmm how to sum up what has been going on? On Wednesday I went up to Tsuruga to a festival. Tsuruga is a nice little city on the water, and they have a beach that is separated from the city by a thin pine forest/park. The beach is surrounded by mountains. I could even see ones in the distance through the length of the horizon. The beach itself is a bit rocky; the sand isn’t as smooth as back home but the water was warmer! Paul and I went in after an initial unease that the water wasn’t clear enough to see to the bottom. But there didn’t seem to be anything underneath besides rocks thankfully!

There were lots of other Fukui JETs there and we had a barbecue. The flag you see on the tree was made just for us by a JET and a JET’s visiting brother. We didn’t need the flag to spot our group though, I’d say we stuck out very easily. I have never been anywhere with so little diversity! Well, I do have to say that there is a lot more diversity between Japanese people themselves than Americans may realize. Though I haven’t seen sizes of people like I do in America, their heights, sizes, and shapes vary quite greatly from each other. However, any foreigner, unless Asian, sticks out a ton. But I think the Asian foreigners have it a little harder, since they are expected to speak Japanese and not do stupid things. A non-Asian foreigner can get away with making stupid mistakes, of which I’m sure there are many.

Anyway, the barbecue food was amazing. I brought some watermelon, lol! I figure if you have too much of something, it’s best to share it. Needless to say it seems everyone was happy. I really like the JETs in general. They seem, among other good qualities, to really care about each other. I feel like if I had a problem I’d have a ton of support.

Pretty much the entire city of Tsuruga must’ve come to the festival. Before the fireworks people lit lanterns and sent them out to the sea. I think it has something to do with the end of the holiday, Oban, and sending ancesters back to the underworld by sea. It was beautiful. The fireworks display started after that, and was amazing. It was probably one of the best and longest displays I’ve ever seen!

Today I bought a broom at a shop around the corner. There is not much near where I am, but I noticed a housewares shop while walking the other day. So I went to get a broom. They only had brooms that looked to be the appropriate height for short Japanese grannies, but I bought it anyway. I didn’t think to look at the price, so when the nice lady rang it up I was shocked to see that it was $14! Ooops… So I bought it, since I didn’t want to offend the lady since I’d probably see her around town all year. The second I bring it outside a little (insignificant) piece breaks off. So much for the phrase “you pay for what you get.”

I think the shops are overpriced because only a few people will go to them every day and will pay for being able to walk there. All the shops are attached to houses, and as I enter there are either chimes announcing my presence or I have to yell “sumimasen!” (“excuse me!”) to get the person from their house. Then the shop owner will open a sliding wood door to expose their husband/wife watching TV sitting on tatami.

I’m definitely not in Kansas anymore…

People have definitely tried to have conversations with me. I can’t wait until I understand more, because I’m sure they’d be interesting conversations if I understood them! The first question I get (and usually the only one I understand) is “Doko kara?” or “Where are you from?” If the conversation is able to go any further it’s because that person studied English in High School, or is really good at miming, lol.

Well that’s it for now. Above are some pics of my apartment. I have 2 tatami rooms (both almost empty, I want to put nice plants or something in them, a nice big kitchen (but with little counter space), and a nice big living room/bedroom. I have plenty of space for visitors!!! So please, come on over! (Just warn me first).

By y’all!
-Lisa

PS: My toilet is amazing! When it flushes water comes out at the top for you to rinse your hands. It has two bidet settings, and heated seats as well. How about that!