MatthewMeyer.net Blog

Sorry to keep you all waiting for the next email, but I've had very little free time. Anyway, just so you know, Leo is a guy who works in the Maxis division at EA games. He actually recruits at Ringling. So I've become pretty good friends with him. He took a bunch of photos and has put them online here.

I can't remember what's happened since last time I wrote, so I'll do a fast email (I don't have much time)... did I write about the Okaeri festival? That was so much more lively than the Otabi festival... The first thing that happened when I got there was I was handed a headband and a beer. The rest of the night was eating in strangers' houses, drinking lots, wandering the streets, screaming WASHO WASHO WASHO over and over. It was really awesome.

We went bowling as well, to make up for the fact that we didn't get to do rice planting. Japanese bowling is funny -- nobody knows the rules, so they go sliding haflway down the lane when they throw the ball. We played Taiko Taiko Revolution, which is DDR but with Taiko drums.

Classes are really really fun. We all get along great and our class is particularly crazy. I don't know how many photos Leo took of Frances and me, but I know the other cameras all have some good weird shots, so when everyone else posts photos you'll see.

The teachers all come to karaoke with us and get drunk. Those nights are pretty nuts too. We went to the ninja temple, but I think I already wrote about that.

Today we had kimono-wearing day. That was really fun. Guy kimonos are nice and cool while the girls had to wear really heavy silk ones. It's really hot here so I don't envy them.

We also went to a tea ceremony and a many-centuries old private garden use by Lord Maeda. There is so much history in Kanazawa.

Oh yea, and we went on an excursion to the Noto peninsula last Sunday. That was really amazing. We saw a really old Shinto shrine, a Buddhist temple, some really amazing rock formations, and we even went to a ryokan (tradition Japanese hotel) and an onsen (hot spring baths). I don't have time to elaborate, but it was such a great trip.

Yesterday we went to an elementary school and spent the day in a 2nd grade class. Nothing is so quite a downer as having 2nd graders correct your grammar, and you still can't understand a word they say. But they were so much fun, so bright and cheerful and insane. I can't imagine how they get anything done because the classes are so large, but the kids are absolutely great. They even clean their own school by running on the floor with towels. It's a really hard way to clean, but it's learned early so the kids do it well.

This weekend I am viewing some temples with my host family and going to Kenrokuen, one of the most famous parks in Japan, with a friend.

Sorry for the really short email, but I really have to get off this computer. If you want to see more photos of Japan, go to www.Engrish.com

Ja matta!