The weekend was packed. Saturday was my school’s festival, and I invited close-by ALTs to come and check out the unique school that is Yaizu Fishery High School. I met the group at the train station and we walked to the student run store. They were selling food canned and preserved by the students, some cool t-shirts with the school’s ship’s blueprints on the back, and some excellently chosen spicy foods. I bought some wasabi infused olive oil. mmMMMmmmmmm
When we arrived at the store, the students were really surprised to see a huge group of English speakers walking around. Some pretty big eyes, I’d say. The same happened when we got to the school.
Like last year, the fishing course students set up a fishing simulator, and this year I caught the heaviest fish (13kg). For a prize, I was given a frozen piece of sashimi grade tuna. mmMMMMMMmmmmmm The others got to try kyudo (archery) and food decorating. Finally, we stopped by the engine room (where the school keeps a fully-working ship’s diesel engine for the students to tune, take apart, repair) and they let me start the thing. An engine bigger than a van - very loud indeed. Paul also got a go at making the thing come to life. The engineer primed everything and then told us to ‘throw the lever’ and bang, or BOOM!, it was on.
Sunday I took off to Tokyo for a dance (Monday was a holiday because of the school festival). It was nice to dance again, and some of the songs they played that night were regulars in Denver, so it put me back home for a second. Had strange feelings of wanting to be closer to a dance scene again, and others wanting to be further away. I still enjoy dancing, but I don’t think I’m as social any more.
Slept in an internet cafe in Shibuya Sunday night. A fairly comfortable recliner, but, like a hostel, if there’s a snorer near-by… Luckily, I was sitting in front of a computer with head-phones. Problem solved - tune into a chill-out radio station!
Monday morning, I went to the Chinese embassy to apply for my visa (winter holiday is quickly approaching!). Thru some grave decision in mis-management, the embassy has declared it is best to make travelers go twice to get a visa (you have to drop off your passport, and then you have to pick up). However, that’s no worry - you can go at your convenience, as long as Monday-Friday 9am to noon is good for you.
Not so convenient for a teacher.
Tonight is the teacher soccer tournament (round 1). We play two games tonight to see who will progress. huttah!