(no subject)
Day 59 - 06/09/01
Okay I guess I lied. This is my last e-mail from Japan. Its friday night in okazakisake and im enjoying my last night in this country.
Today, apart from to thoroughly annoying failed attempt at buying souvenirs, I went to a cool japanese bbq restaurant with my homestay family where we got to bbq marinated meat ourselves; thenn i went to an onsen!!!!!! An onsen is a japanese style bath. I must say i was quite nervous at first cause i didnt know the correct procedure of entering the bath----- my homestay mother was waiting outside cause she said she was too ashamed to go into the onsen.
So basically, this is how its done. You get a key that opens a locker where you put all your belongings - after having stripped off all your clothes, you go and wash yourself at a shower. Then you can get into the bath which is very similar to a jacuzzi - it was really hot.
There were two other japanese people there and I was quite nervous cause they were grandpas and I wasnt sure whether I was doing it right. ah. It was quite refreshing though.
Im going to continue with the Q&A now.
15. What aspect of the culture took the most adjusting to? - the culture? hmmm. Im tempted to say nothing cause I didnt really feel much of a culture shock - lets say that the strangest thing I got used to was how everyone makes such an effort to be friendly. This is mainly with respect to restaurants and shops etc cause whenever your enter everyone yells "Irashaimase" which roughly means welcome. Its a bit strange.
16. When did you feel the most accomplished? - I wish I could say once I got to the top of mount fuji, but naa, that wasnt really that satisfying. i guess it was yesterday when I got my big exam results. I PASSED!!! WOO HOO!! hahaha. This came as as shock cause I did 0 studying for it cause it didnt matter whether I passed it or not (i know, thats a bad attitude but instead of studying i spent my time very productively so Im happy). Oh ya, and of the 10 people that took the exam, only 5 passed.... sooo that made it even sweeter!!!
17. How do you think the trip changed you, if at all? - I guess the trip changed me in the sense that I can communicate in japanese --- although thats not what the question is asking.... if the trip has changed me in a special way, im not yet aware of it :/
18. Most useful thing you learned? - that you dont really use "anata" in japanese which literally translates to "you" in english cause its a bit rude :S
19. Are you sure you're ready to join the FBI? (Cal-train) - As Ive already said, I lost my two bodyguards - that should be proof enough of my determination and skill.
20. What does "kakkoui desu. me mo kirei desu" mean? :D - :P "You're cute. You've got beautiful eyes."
its nearly 10pm now. I think im going to go to bed cause i must wake up at 5amish tomorrow. - ill be taking the bus to the airport. yaayy.
Goodbye.
Okay I guess I lied. This is my last e-mail from Japan. Its friday night in okazakisake and im enjoying my last night in this country.
Today, apart from to thoroughly annoying failed attempt at buying souvenirs, I went to a cool japanese bbq restaurant with my homestay family where we got to bbq marinated meat ourselves; thenn i went to an onsen!!!!!! An onsen is a japanese style bath. I must say i was quite nervous at first cause i didnt know the correct procedure of entering the bath----- my homestay mother was waiting outside cause she said she was too ashamed to go into the onsen.
So basically, this is how its done. You get a key that opens a locker where you put all your belongings - after having stripped off all your clothes, you go and wash yourself at a shower. Then you can get into the bath which is very similar to a jacuzzi - it was really hot.
There were two other japanese people there and I was quite nervous cause they were grandpas and I wasnt sure whether I was doing it right. ah. It was quite refreshing though.
Im going to continue with the Q&A now.
15. What aspect of the culture took the most adjusting to? - the culture? hmmm. Im tempted to say nothing cause I didnt really feel much of a culture shock - lets say that the strangest thing I got used to was how everyone makes such an effort to be friendly. This is mainly with respect to restaurants and shops etc cause whenever your enter everyone yells "Irashaimase" which roughly means welcome. Its a bit strange.
16. When did you feel the most accomplished? - I wish I could say once I got to the top of mount fuji, but naa, that wasnt really that satisfying. i guess it was yesterday when I got my big exam results. I PASSED!!! WOO HOO!! hahaha. This came as as shock cause I did 0 studying for it cause it didnt matter whether I passed it or not (i know, thats a bad attitude but instead of studying i spent my time very productively so Im happy). Oh ya, and of the 10 people that took the exam, only 5 passed.... sooo that made it even sweeter!!!
17. How do you think the trip changed you, if at all? - I guess the trip changed me in the sense that I can communicate in japanese --- although thats not what the question is asking.... if the trip has changed me in a special way, im not yet aware of it :/
18. Most useful thing you learned? - that you dont really use "anata" in japanese which literally translates to "you" in english cause its a bit rude :S
19. Are you sure you're ready to join the FBI? (Cal-train) - As Ive already said, I lost my two bodyguards - that should be proof enough of my determination and skill.
20. What does "kakkoui desu. me mo kirei desu" mean? :D - :P "You're cute. You've got beautiful eyes."
its nearly 10pm now. I think im going to go to bed cause i must wake up at 5amish tomorrow. - ill be taking the bus to the airport. yaayy.
Goodbye.