It seems like forever ago. On August 8, I flew from Tokyo to Toyama.
My supervisor and another teacher picked me up from the airport, and we went out to lunch at Sushi Ichi. Uh, wow.
Guys, I grew up in the midwest. I don’t know much about sushi. So far, this is what I have learned:
This is a typical sushi ladder platter, you start with the lighter fish and work yourself around to the more flavorful pieces, ending with the sweetest one (typically eel or a sweet egg). In between, eat strips of ginger to cleanse your palette. I am sure there is much more to it all, but I think these are the basic basics.
Anyway is delicious. Toyama is not famous for much, but we are nestled along the Sea of Japan so the seafood is FRESH, FRESH, FRESH.
After lunch, that is when things went downhill. I went right to work and my self-introductions bombed. (My own fault.) My cold worsened and would not go away. (I remember coughing at lunch.) I gave away all of my money in rent, thanks, cleaning, and key charges. (Still bitter.) I had a million things to do and it was 9,000 degrees. I felt like I stamped my life away.
My hanko, which is a stamp of my name in katakana, and used as a signature for official documents.
So most days after work in the summer before classes started, I did this little routine. Ironed my suits, which we had to wear in the beginning even though it was SOOOOOO HOOOOOOT, read over paperwork, propped up my feet, and drank a cold beer.
I do love your pictures for capturing what we might not. I think the hanko is really neat (though I cannot make out what it says) and I love it that you had a “long-can” of Super Dry.
Thank you Ayako! I need to check out your blog more for Japan tips! Things are getting better over here. I think moving to Japan knowing only three words was my own fault. Once I pick up more of the language, I think life will be easier.
I am finding western Japan really beautiful though. I love the mountains and just took a trip to Kananzawa. WOW. It is my favorite city at the moment.
Kanazawa is lovely. I’ve only been there once but oh, the sushi was good.
Your post brings back memories of our first day in the UK. We made multiple trips to the ATM in order to get enough cash to rent a flat and pay a double deposit because we were untrustworthy foreigners. Thankfully the lease was in English, so at least we knew what we were getting into it
I thought for sure we’d be robbed between the ATM and letting agents when we had £2,250 of cash on us.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. That sounds like my experience, except I was like….um, what am I signing?
You are effective at communicating with pictures.Keep it up.Your blog gives me joy