1.31.22 - 2.3.22
After a 3:30AM wakeup to get on the NOZOMI shinkansen from Tokyo to Yakage, I finally have arrived in my 2022 hometown. It's an odd feeling to think about being here for a year...I think it has finally hit me that I'll be fully living in rural Japan, an ocean away from my friends and family. Which definitely tugs some heartstrings...*sigh* homesickness is starting to become a less foreign concept to me.
But I'm excited for what's coming. Nervous, but excited. Thus, some first impressions from the last few days:
1. Yakage town: They love their samurai! There's a restaurant called the "Samurai Italian," the new bakery will be called "The Samurai's True Love: Bread" and a coffee shop is called "The House the Samurai Loves." Hopefully I'll enjoy these places as much as samurais apparently do. But more important, the people. I've been here for only 3 days but hospitality has been so kind, from a coworker treating me to okonomiyaki for lunch then being given coffee and monaka and ice cream on the house, to being offered car rides to the supermarket in case I have heavy goods. It makes me hope, even more, that I can give as much as I have been receiving.
2. Apartment: the toilets are VERY fancy. As in not only does it have its own separate room, but there are buttons for a butt bidet, front bidet, seat warmer, water warmer, and flush strength. Yet, I wish the thoughtfulness put into the toilet would be transferred to heating...the heating system is one small unit in the furthest room that blows warm air out. Which means that one room becomes extremely toasty but leaves the rest of the place frigid! But thank goodness for kind neighbors who supplied me with a spare space heater :,) But I have nothing except for gratitude to have a lovely little apartment (with a tatami room!) here. PLUS! I AM NOW A PROUD OWNER OF A KOTATSU, which has been my dream since the age of 5.
3. Hoikuen (Japanese preschool!): the kiddos are so ready to love and to love so wholeheartedly. I've been to two hoikuens so far, and it was really endearing to see the kids instantly perk up when they heard there was a new English teacher. And it was even more comforting when they instantly grabbed my hand to either have me assist them in their puzzles, to teach me how to do hand-crochet, or to watch them do flips on the recess bars.
Of course it's only been two days, but some things that have impressed me: the way the preschoolers weed and take care of school flowers during their recess, the care and time put into school lunches by the school chefs (it smells absolutely delicious when noon comes along), and the preschooler who jump roped literally for 5 minutes without tripping.
4. Yakage Town Hall: This is home base, where my desk waits for me during my outings to schools. Two things that are especially fun. First is the morning synchronized aerobics everyone does. It's pretty neat seeing a bunch of suit-wearing adults (mostly male) really take their stretching seriously. I was actually complimented by two workers at my aerobic abilities, which has boosted my ego a bit. Second is the 5:15 PM cleanup when everyone stops what they're doing and grabs either a broom or a rag to wipe/sweep the floor to wrap up the day. Squeaky clean!
That was a lot of typing, and of course there's a lot more to jot down (I passed three voluminous cats sitting next to an eatery on the way to work today!) but I must respect your time and eyes (if you made it this far.) Thanks for reading and enjoy the pictures if so desired:
the teacher's lounge at hoikuen
plants the kids take care of every recess
small eatery with furry friends near the Yakuba
small altar passed on my way home
small night peek into Yakage life?
display case of the closest bakery to me which happens to be at the top of a mountain HA
Yakage's main road
