ok let me first say that i there are various stages that you are told about when entering the JET program in terms of culture shock, I am currently in between two stages. Stage one... euphoria, excitement, confidence that the experience your going to embark on is simply awesome, then you enter stage two.... loneliness, anxiety, depression, nervousness, I have been going back and forth between the stages, but today was a good day. I work 8 to four pm at my school, the students are on break so there has not been much to do. As soon as I got out of work my predecessor took me around town to show me the area. I got to see the center of town, train station, a gym, a bike shop, a park, and the mts... it put me in a natural high. Then I was picked up by my japanese team teacher and taking out to dinner and drinks. I was treated to grilled chicken, squid, octopus, sausage, and beef liver, I also drank hot sake for the first time. My co teacher is very fluent in English, so it makes it wonderful to communicate with someone in English, we talked like any two friends would. We talked about women,pop culture, personal values, politics etc.
I then was taken to my second experience in karaoke, its fucking weird, but a trip to be in one of these “karaoke rooms” Just me and him singing 80 s american hits. I belted out Journey, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Guns n Roses, and Bruce Springsteen. Japanese karaoke is funny because while the song is playing they have this strange scenery in the background, its like a music video but filled with cheesy scenes of people from the 80’s. So for example, Born in the USA had this video of an american guy who looked like fabio in the 80 s sitting at a bar daydreaming about seeing his long lost love and wearing stone washed jeans and a tank top, a fucking trip. Well my co teacher and I slugged down four beers each and sang for two hours. So in Japan there is zero tolerance for dui, if you have an ounce of alcohol in you while driving you lose your job, go to prison, pay a fine in the thousands so instead.... they have a service like a taxi but there are two people who pick you up one to drive you home,in your car, and one to follow to pick the driver back up. So not only to you get a ride home but your car is there in the morning, for my glastonbury friends its like an adult safe rides! Anyway I have the weekend to explore, be without internet, and finish organizing the apt. Thanks for listening.
Hi Darren. Thanks for taking the time to keep up the blog. I find your insights very interesting with a touch of humor. Are you really that lonely? I envy the experience that you are going to have over the course of the next year. Take every adventure that comes your way because this is a once in a life time opportunity to be absorbed into a distict culture that is so different than ours. However, I am confident that you will come to realize that the Japanese adults and teens are no different than those in any other culture. Keep your sense of humor and it will get you through the tough times. I have wonderful memories of three weeks of homestays many years ago with diffent Japanese families, most of which spoke no English. Non verbal communication can bridge cultures.
ReplyDeletethanks chris far reading, its lonely but not unbearable, lisa will be here in a few weeks so that will help. i m trying to get to know the others here, but of course i am a little shy at first. i posted some pictures of the area on my facebook. the area is very beautiful, filled with lush green trees and mts... thanks for the encouragement and keep in touch
ReplyDeleteGlad you have someone you can speak English with. :)
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