I had breakfast with everyone on Saturday morning and gave the family a Irish turf-made clock which they loved. After Kaori arrived at the house, herself, myself, Ayumi, and her parents headed out for Nikko, where Tokugawa Ieyasu is buried. I pointed out that Tokugawa Ieyasu was born in Okazaki and is buried in Nikko, and I had come from Okazaki and was then in Nikko.
(more…)
The Yamasa Speech Contest was Friday so the class all left the school in the morning and walked to the Civic Centre down the road. It was pretty good and my friend Scott took first prize with a speech about how Japanese language learners don’t actually interact with the native speakers in the country and just live in their own 外人世界 (gaijin-sekai, foreigner-world) at Yamasa, with people who speak their own native language. After the contest everyone was going to eat Yakiniku together but I had to excuse myself so I could get to Tokyo on time. I would have been able to do that if I’d got on the right train.
(more…)
There’s always been something about my friends from Gunma/Tochigi. I’ve never had a similar relationship in my life. I’m in contact with them all individually but when we meet up, we’re usually together in a group. Honestly, I usually prefer hanging out with my friends one at a time but the more of my Gunma friends I can meet together, the happier I am.
(more…)