Today was a very interesting day. It started with the normal things, like making tea, watching stuff on my computer, doing laundry... Then about 3 pm, I biked to the station and took a train to Matsumoto. That's where it all started to get a little crazy.
You see, I invited three other teachers- Brendan, Max, and Jazz- to join me in going to Matsumoto to check out the cherry blossoms at the castle. Let's just say when we're all together, it's pretty strange. Half the time I don't know what they're talking about, the other half I know and I want to un-know... XD Joking aside, I'm really glad everyone went, even if I did have to suppress a lot of rage (especially when Jazz kept pretending he couldn't find Matsumoto castle despite it being huge and directly in front of him). ;) We walked around the castle's outer grounds while it was still daylight, ate dinner at a Thai restaurant that was way too fancy for our jeans and t-shirts, and then walked back to the castle to see it lit up. Apparently they thought when I said "lit up" I meant something more spectacular, like fireworks coming up out of the trees, but alas there were simply flashlights illuminating the blossoms. How disappointing. <_< Anyway, it was a pretty fun day! Might have to smack Jazz next time I see him, though...
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| The Japan Alps |
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| From left to right: Jazz, Max, and Brendan |
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| Matsumoto Castle |
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| Some cute Japanese teenagers wanted to take our picture, so I asked them to take one with my camera, too. |
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| The cherry blossoms were so beautiful. :) |
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| Almost in full bloom (but not quite) |
Looks like a lot of fun! I love flowering cherry trees!
ReplyDeleteLol, Jazz sounds like a hoot. Glad you had a good time! What were the crowds like over there?
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty crowded, especially at night when the castle's inner gardens were free to enter, but nothing as bad as Tokyo. I guess I've gotten a little bit used to it so it doesn't bother me too much anymore. :P
DeleteYay!!! I finally have faces to put to these infamous men you keep telling me about! I am sorry that they were being pills but I guess it is to be expected when a group of one track minded men get together. Ugh... I wish I could drop everything and be teaching over there with you right now. It looks like you are having a blast! That castle looks amazing! Were you able to go inside? The cherry blossoms are so beautiful. You take the most exquisite pictures! Have you taught your first official class yet? Is your mom coming to visit you soon?
ReplyDeleteLol, men are strange creatures. :P Aw, I wish you were teaching with me too! I've learned a lot since coming here, things that are different from what I expected, but also things that are just as I imagined. I'm having a good time. I mean, I get a little lonely not having my good friends and family around, but at least I'm slowly making new friends. :) The castle was closed for the cherry blossoms and I went in it last year, so it was okay. Aw, thank you, I tried to take some good pics but it's hard to capture how beautiful the sakura are!! I kind of taught for the first time officially today. I only teach for 15 minutes (and only for the 1st year students), though, and the rest of the time I just assist. My mom is going to be here on April 25th. :) :)
DeleteIndeed they are! I expect we shall never be fully able to understand them. Have you been able to get an internet connection in your apato yet? Let me know and we can set up a skype chat! :-D Congratulations on teaching your first class!!! How exciting! It is probably a relief to not have to teach all the time. What do you get to do when you assist? Do you have any special plans you are going to be doing with your mom? Or just simple enjoying having her there with you and showing her around your new home?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, where are the other teachers from? I have been meaning to ask for a while now. Lol!
ReplyDeleteJazz and Brendan are both from Melbourne, Australia. Max is from Ohio and the other new teacher I met, Eric, is from New Jersey (I believe). No one from the west coast. :P I do have internet now! Probably the only time I'm available to skype is my Saturday and Sunday mornings, which would be your Friday & Saturday at dinnertime. I'll let you know when I'm free. We could always IM on facebook or skype too, if that was more convenient for both of us. It is a relief not to always be the main teacher! When I assist, it's things like passing materials out to the students, reading things to the class and having them repeat, etc. I don't have any special plans for when she comes, really. I'm hoping to rent her a bike so we can go places easier and maybe take a ride around the lake. :)
DeleteWoah! I thought they looked like Aussies. I am glad that you have internet now! Yay! I will get on Skype tomorrow night and see if we are both on after work. I would love to chat with you! Tomorrow at the zoo is Rabbit Romp! It is going to be really crazy! Last year we had almost 14,000 guests in one day! 0_o Let's see if we can break our record. Lol! Those plans with your mom sound wonderful! Just a couple more days till you get to see her! :-D You will need to tell me what Greenery Day is like. I always thought it was cool that Japan has a holiday on my birthday. :-D
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