An 85 photograph day!

(For 15th April)



My classmate Glenn

I managed to successfully catch the bus to the Language School today (but getting home was another story – more to follow!).

We started the day with written and oral tests to check our levels, then had library orientation followed by a short class.  We’ll start classes in earnest tomorrow.  My eight classmates are a great bunch, ranging in age from about 20ish to 50ish.  We all seem to be getting on very well together.

 

 

 

 



The whole group at Kenrokuen Garden

After class, we had lunch (mine was onigiri (rice ball) and a hard boiled egg, followed by fruit jelly). Nothing like a mixed cuisine.  We then went by bus to Kenrokuen Garden to see the beautiful gardens and what is left of the blossoms.  Unfortunately they are past their prime, but there were a few trees (a different variety, I think, from the ‘standard’ cherry blossom trees).  They really were beautiful.  While we were there, we visited a tea house for a Japanese sweet and green tea, served by ladies in kimonos.

Blossoms!

We went our separate ways for the rest of the afternoon.  A few of us went to use the Wi-fi or computers in the school and then Ulla and I explored a few of the shops in the station building.  As usual, there are gorgeous fashions in the shops – I know that Erin is going to love coming to Japan!

Pretty!

Then things fell apart a bit.  I had in my head that my bus home left at 6.39.  However, that was the time it ARRIVED at the bus stop near home.  I was supposed to get ON the bus at 6.20.  What an idiot!  I managed to avoid getting lost, and then went and missed the bus.  Although there were other buses that would have done, that was the last bus that went to the stop that is closest to home.  The wonderful guy at the bus station lent me the phone to call home and when he heard me struggling with my Japanese, he took over the phone and sorted it all out with my host family.  He then showed me to the correct bus stop and explained to the driver where I needed to get off.  Did I happen to mention that I love Japanese customer service??

Mrs Hyakuman met me at the bus stop and took me home, showing me along the way where I could walk if I needed to take the later bus in future.

Mr Hyakuman - with booze!

We had a wonderful dinner, including beer and shouchuu (stronger than sake!), and a long chat (yes – a long chat; bless Keith for giving me his iPhone, and ‘imiwa’ for providing a great dictionary app which filled in most of the gaps).  I was able to connect to the Wi-fi and show them photos of John and the kids and grandkids.  They were highly amused by the picture of me, John and Erin at John’s niece's wedding, when we dressed up for a crazy photo booth picture.  Then it was off to the bath, a quick Skype to John and that was Monday done.

I’m not expecting so much fun tomorrow night as I expect the mean teachers will give us homework.  Sake and homework – I don’t think so!