Week 3
Since I'm updating so much information, I'll split it into three posts and also lj-cut it to make it easier.
Thus Begins Week 3...
Saturday, 8/12/06
Well, tonight we had planned to go to the Tokyo Bay Fireworks show, but there was a typhoon and we couldn't go... Wait, that's a little extreme. It just was raining as a side effect of it being the typhoon season. This resulted in pouring rain, thunder and lightning, no fireworks and me staying home tonight. It was still fairly enjoyable. I got some reading done. It was very relaxing.
Sunday, 8/13/06
The weather magically cleared up today. I found out about a mexican place that might have potential in Shinjuku. Lexi and Mark went and said that it was kind of like Japanese Mexican food. We're considering attempting to make our own. It might be a fun endeavor.
Monday, 8/14/06
It seems like I might be allowed to move up to C-Class. We'll find out tomorrow if it's true. After class I went grocery shopping. I'm starting to find meals that are easy to make that aren't too expensive and aren't just junk food. I just need to figure out little ways to add variety now.
Tuesday, 8/15/06
Hurray! Ender and I were permitted to move up to C-Class today. Now we won't be completely bored. I'd rather be challenged and have to work a little bit rather than coast. I'm not here to just sit in a class not learning anything new.
After class, a bunch of us decided to go over to Yasukuni Shrine. Now, there is a little background information I should explain about this. The Yasukuni Shrine is fairly controversial. It is "dedicated to the spirits of soldiers and others who died fighting on behalf of the Japanese emperor," including "convicted" war criminals. Today, August 15th, is the day that Japan commemorates the end of World War II. Several political figureheads, including Prime Minister Koizumi, visit the shrine on this day every year. However, "visits by Japanese prime ministers to the shrine have resulted in official condemnation by neighboring countries since 1985, as they see it as an attempt to legitimize Japan's past militarism." If anyone would like anymore information on this, the following wikipedia article is very informative:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasukuni
As for my experience, it was something else. There were tons of people there, some protesting and others paying respect to the departed. It's a very big shrine and it would be interesting to go back when it's not as crowded. Anyways, as we were leaving we received some interesting newspapers and propaganda from several people there. It offers quite a different perspective. Though, to be honest, it reminds me of the types of people who claim that the Holocaust never happened and that man never walked on the moon.
After one of the people there stopped talking to us, another gentleman talked to us for a moment. This is actually something that was very moving and memorable. The man was obviously a veteran at the shrine to pay his respects. He spoke to us for a couple minutes and then said "Thank you for coming to our shrine on this day." The way he said it, it seemed to really seemed to mean a lot to him. It really touched us that he felt that way.
Wednesday, 8/16/06
Today it started out raining, but thankfully it let up before the fireworks that evening! We went to the Sendagaya JR station and walked from there. The food at the festival was amazing. The fireworks were amazing and were scheduled to last for a bit over two hours. We decided to leave early as to avoid the congestion on the train ride back.
Thursday, 8/17/06
Today was the hardest I've seen it rain in Japan to date. It was torrential. There was, of course, lots of thunder and lightning. Just about everyone stayed in tonight. Thank goodness the rain missed the fireworks yesterday.
Friday, 8/18/06
Wow... the weather in Japan is officially insane. After the pouring rain yesterday, it was clear skies and terribly hot. After class I went to Akihabara and explored. I found some of the coolest toy stores.
Saturday, 8/19/06
During the day, I decided to do a lot of studying. My midterm is next week and I didn't want to be stuck cramming last minute. That evening a bunch of us went out to celebrate Albert's 21st birthday. We went out for Korean BBQ in Akihabara and bought him his first beer. Afterward we went out to Angelo's and did a karaoke party. We got a great deal and had a lot of fun.
Thus Begins Week 3...
Saturday, 8/12/06
Well, tonight we had planned to go to the Tokyo Bay Fireworks show, but there was a typhoon and we couldn't go... Wait, that's a little extreme. It just was raining as a side effect of it being the typhoon season. This resulted in pouring rain, thunder and lightning, no fireworks and me staying home tonight. It was still fairly enjoyable. I got some reading done. It was very relaxing.
Sunday, 8/13/06
The weather magically cleared up today. I found out about a mexican place that might have potential in Shinjuku. Lexi and Mark went and said that it was kind of like Japanese Mexican food. We're considering attempting to make our own. It might be a fun endeavor.
Monday, 8/14/06
It seems like I might be allowed to move up to C-Class. We'll find out tomorrow if it's true. After class I went grocery shopping. I'm starting to find meals that are easy to make that aren't too expensive and aren't just junk food. I just need to figure out little ways to add variety now.
Tuesday, 8/15/06
Hurray! Ender and I were permitted to move up to C-Class today. Now we won't be completely bored. I'd rather be challenged and have to work a little bit rather than coast. I'm not here to just sit in a class not learning anything new.
After class, a bunch of us decided to go over to Yasukuni Shrine. Now, there is a little background information I should explain about this. The Yasukuni Shrine is fairly controversial. It is "dedicated to the spirits of soldiers and others who died fighting on behalf of the Japanese emperor," including "convicted" war criminals. Today, August 15th, is the day that Japan commemorates the end of World War II. Several political figureheads, including Prime Minister Koizumi, visit the shrine on this day every year. However, "visits by Japanese prime ministers to the shrine have resulted in official condemnation by neighboring countries since 1985, as they see it as an attempt to legitimize Japan's past militarism." If anyone would like anymore information on this, the following wikipedia article is very informative:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasukuni
As for my experience, it was something else. There were tons of people there, some protesting and others paying respect to the departed. It's a very big shrine and it would be interesting to go back when it's not as crowded. Anyways, as we were leaving we received some interesting newspapers and propaganda from several people there. It offers quite a different perspective. Though, to be honest, it reminds me of the types of people who claim that the Holocaust never happened and that man never walked on the moon.
After one of the people there stopped talking to us, another gentleman talked to us for a moment. This is actually something that was very moving and memorable. The man was obviously a veteran at the shrine to pay his respects. He spoke to us for a couple minutes and then said "Thank you for coming to our shrine on this day." The way he said it, it seemed to really seemed to mean a lot to him. It really touched us that he felt that way.
Wednesday, 8/16/06
Today it started out raining, but thankfully it let up before the fireworks that evening! We went to the Sendagaya JR station and walked from there. The food at the festival was amazing. The fireworks were amazing and were scheduled to last for a bit over two hours. We decided to leave early as to avoid the congestion on the train ride back.
Thursday, 8/17/06
Today was the hardest I've seen it rain in Japan to date. It was torrential. There was, of course, lots of thunder and lightning. Just about everyone stayed in tonight. Thank goodness the rain missed the fireworks yesterday.
Friday, 8/18/06
Wow... the weather in Japan is officially insane. After the pouring rain yesterday, it was clear skies and terribly hot. After class I went to Akihabara and explored. I found some of the coolest toy stores.
Saturday, 8/19/06
During the day, I decided to do a lot of studying. My midterm is next week and I didn't want to be stuck cramming last minute. That evening a bunch of us went out to celebrate Albert's 21st birthday. We went out for Korean BBQ in Akihabara and bought him his first beer. Afterward we went out to Angelo's and did a karaoke party. We got a great deal and had a lot of fun.