TravelStream™ news feed for member raphaelle on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/raphaelle en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:29:45 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raphaelle/1/1217308200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raphaelle/1/1217308200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raphaelle/1/1217308200/tpod.html Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:29:45 -0400 A Journey Across Japan

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Tokyo, Japan

This will be my last blog entry - I haven't been doing so well with keeping in touch and sending news - I am very sorry about that

Since the last time I wrote - I said goodbye to my teaching job, been to Vietnam and traveled through Japan with my parents.

I am leaving tomorrow. Tonight we are having a 'home -made' sushi diner for my farewell. It still hasn't dawned on me that I will be back home in 24 hours.

Things I will miss:
- having people around - in the streets, subways, cafes, restaurants - at all hours of the day ( Canada will seem so silent and empty)
- living with my Japanese host family - they have been so kind - and allowed me a sneak peak into the Japanese life style
- being stimulated by everything I see - lights, posters, food and surroundings

Thank you for your support during my highs and lows - it has meant a great deal
I will be back on homeland soon ....

Hugs and Kisses for the last time from Japan

Raphaelle -xxx-
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raphaelle/1/1210903260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raphaelle/1/1210903260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raphaelle/1/1210903260/tpod.html Fri, 16 May 2008 01:10:58 -0400 A Journey Across Japan

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Tokyo, Japan

Already half way through my trip .... I cannot believe how time flies ... I seem to say this for everyone of my trips and experiences but it's true ... time goes by quickly when you keep yourself busy and you are enjoying yourself!

I entitled this blog ' Finding the balance' as it has been very hard for me to find a balanced lifestyle while living in Japan but I think I finally understood it this week. I was overworking myself which made my life seem like all it consisted of was working, commuting and eating! I found a balance in the last few weeks - normal working hours and lots of Japanese fun!

Last week, I went to Disney Sea - a branch of Disney Land, unique to Japan. This theme park is very popular amongst Japanese. There is a crazy obsession with Disney in this country. Everything cute and small is popular among women and men! I haven't understood it but it seems to me that this culture is youth or fantasy obsessed. Women dress and act like young girls. The day before going to Disney with my two sisters - it was a day of preparation! We had to figure out what to wear ( They gave me the choice of 5 Mickey t shirts to wear) and what Disney jewelry and accessories (hats, sunglasses and bags) to put on! It was all too much for me but I went with it anyway! We had a great day ... but at the end .. I was Disney-ed out for a long time!

That Sunday, I went to go watch Sumo wrestling. Mayu and I got tickets to go watch the game because she used to teach ballet to the daughter of an ex- sumo champion who now owns his own Sumo family of 20 wrestlers. We watched sumo battles all day - it was a great atmosphere, so traditional and strict on the warm up routine. The audience was also great fun, everyone eating bento (lunch) boxes and sitting on the floor - very Japanese! The wrestlers who belonged to the family we were supporting won all the tournaments - which was great!
After the games, we headed to the sumo family house to eat dinner with the sumo's! Yes! We arrived and Mayu and I walked into a room with a huge table and excessive amounts of food. We were welcomed by 18 junior sumo's in charge of serving and cooking, the head of the family and some other guests. We were very shy at first because it was so traditional and I felt no faux-pas's were allowed! Being a foreigner I think they allow me to make some social mistakes but I still didn't want to humiliate Mayu. We sat down - on our knees (not for long)- and ate some great food. The traditional sumo dish is Chankonabe - a chicken or fish bouillon - with plenty of vegetables, meat and seafood - its quite filling but on top of that we were served beer, tempura, rice, meat and sashimi! I felt like a sumo myself after wards! Being surrounded by 20 huge sumo's is quit impressive! The two top sumo's of that Family - Ama and Aminishiki - arrived and Ama being the highest level got to sit with the father and the guests and he sat right next to Mayu! We were both very excited! He was very shy and kept quiet! When he gave the signal - the junior players were allowed to eat our left overs! We took pictures with them and got hand prints with their autographs. There is so much respect paid to these athletes because they follow such a strict lifestyle - it was amazing to have a peek into this world - it was typical Japanese for me! We then got a tour of the gym and training ring. I left feeling so content.

Yesterday, I went to go eat monja with Mayu and her university friends who study law with her. Monja is a specialty in that area - I wish I could describe it but pictures will have to do! It was lots of fun to cook your own meal but also to be around Japanese youth. At first everyone was so shy around me ..... but after lunch we headed to Odaiba - a new part of Tokyo on the ocean front- we went to play darts and grab some drinks. After a few drinks, they really started opening up to me - I only wish I could communicate with them better because I miss out on so much. I feel guilty I didn't take more time and put more effort into learning Japanese - when traveling I like to be able to communicate with people around me. I regret that a bit! But anyways the night ended with the group bringing me to a typical street side restaurant - where we ate lots of great food and drank lots of beer and sake!

I also went to a Shinto shrine to see the Wisteria festival. It was beautiful. This shrine is for students so for all of you who were writing your finals - I made my prayers for you!

In general, I have been enjoying myself - some downs concerning work but I am getting pass that now ... really trying to concentrate on the positive and the great experiences I get to enjoy! I am planning to go volunteer soon on an organic farm and hotel on Mt-Fuji - so I can get out of this crazy busy and stressful city. I am also going to Vietnam (mid-June to mid-July) - if anyone is interested in joining me!

Things that might interest you:
- women here shave their faces - apparently makeup stays longer that way! Think what you like .... but this just goes to show me that beauty and exterior appearance for women is primal here ....
- Japanese refer to themselves as ' We Japanese' ex: We Japanese are very unique - do we say that about ourselves in Canada?
- In the West, I find people will assume parts of your personality according to what you wear. In japan, after talking with many Japanese I have understood that they do not do this to the same extent as back home. Women and men can wear what they want and people will just think - that's what they wanted to wear today - but they won't connect their style to their personality - maybe something to take away with me!

Hope all is well with everyone .... I think of you lots ...

Much love, Raphaelle
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Tokyo, Japan

I know .... I have been awful at keeping in touch with back home ( this includes friends and family back in Canada and abroad) but what can I say I am totally adjusting to Japanese lifestyle - which definitely includes me working Japanese business hours .. which I have to admit is not such a great thing.

It has been over a month since I have been living in Japan - and time just flies. I feel a bizarre mix - where I feel like I have lived here for so long and on another side - that I really have just gotten here. I can say I haven't been home sick yet ... or emotional in any way - which for those of you who know me .. will find that quite surprising!

In the last month I have taught over 150 lessons .... which apparently according to my colleagues is quite amazing for a new comer. I have met some very interesting people; Japanese surfer, a women DJ, a makeup artist, the top CEO of a big company and the typical Japanese housewife that complains how much her husband works ( which I think she deep down really appreciates). I have been told many times - from foreigners and Japanese - about the Japanese male work ethic. Men would basically rather work long hours, go our for drinks with co workers and never go home than spend time at home with their children and wife. I believe this to be partly true as I have talked to many of my clients and many complain about feeling lonely and wanting to be at home BUT when you take the subway in this city you can't help but start to believe this 'myth?'. Men are out wit coworkers all the time and all times of the day - usually after 7pm they are drunk and they seem to always be procrastinating to go back home .. why? I don't know ... some men tell me their wives are too demanding and boring! Couples and relationships go through stages in Japan (well kinda of life back in Canada) - couples get married usually not out of love but obligation and status - have children and then try to live far from each other. The mother spends most of her time at home with the kids and the man at work earning the big bucks! A lot of women try to get away from this by working but considering women still earn about 66% of what men earn ... its hard to get a high position and work your way up like men. Enough about my sociological observations!

General observations:
- they talk about money all the time - asking how much things cost, if it was expensive or cheap .. and in a ride way ... but getting to used to it! For example as I am writing this my sister just said: ' this must be expensive?' talking about Tim Tams ( Australian cookies) I just bought the family ....
- Japanese TV shows - WOW! its interesting all right! We can spend 30 minutes watching people eating bowls and bowls of food - and they find that entertaining! I am still trying to figure that one out!
- girls do their makeup in the subway, curl their hair in restaurants, pluck their eyebrows in subways, constantly laugh with their hands in front of their months (to now show emotion)
- I learned Japan has the highest suicide rate in the world - one of my client explains this by the high rate of bullying that just started recently in high schools - this is a bit naive to assume it only started a few years ago
- In one of my lessons I have to teach to predict .. an example from the book is ' what will happen to you if you walk down the street late at night .... now even though I don't believe anything would happen to you ... in the West we are so brainwashed with the idea that we will get attacked if we are alone late at night .. well for the two times i taught this .. it took my clients 10 minutes to think of what could happen to them .. its all a bit naive ...

One last remark - there are people everywhere in this city .. I do not know where they are all going, what they are doing ... but its intense .. so many people everywhere at all times of the day .. I am never alone ..
Which sometimes can be a good thing .. for example the other night .. I went out for drinks with a friend after work ... the last train stops at midnight .. so I had to run to catch my first train to then make my second .. I was running .. and stressing but I made my last one .. without looking at the direction ... this specific train stopped two stations before my home station .. so I met a friendly women and we walked together for 50 minutes ... and the she walked me to my house .. we even ate cookies together which I offered her and which her accepted no problem ( whereas back home .. you are always told to never accept food from strangers!)

( written a week later) Ok ... so it took me a while before I sent this cause I wanted to attach some pictures about my Karaoke night - Japanese style! .. it was worth the wait ...
I can also say that I have gotten home sick .... but those are the joys and pain of traveling I guess ....

I think of you all lots ....
much love, Raph


ps - Go habs go!!!!
ps - my phone number: 090 8490 3122
my home address: 136-0076,
5-8-13-1301, minamisuna,koto-ku, TOKYO JAPAN
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Tokyo, Japan

A week in and I am fully enjoying myself. There seems to be exciting and new things around me at all times therefore I never have time to rest or get bored - just my kind of lifestyle!

Last Friday I went into GABA which is my language school to sign my contract. I met an Aussie couple who were also recruited from abroad - very friendly. We got our pictures taken and made a short film ... which is shown to clients so they can decide which instructor they want. I have been talking to a few people who have been here for a long time and they keep telling me that as a blond women I have it the best. The salary men want to be around women after work to relax and have fun; they also find western men very proud and intimidating .... and housewives or business women like to be with women because they believe English language to be similar to Japanese in the fact that there is women talk and men talk .. and these women want to learn true women talk! so hopefully this will show in my course bookings ... so far not soo much!

On Saturday, I started my 3 day training from 10am - 7pm with a group of 12 newly recruited instructors from japan and abroad. It was such a diverse group people aged 21 to 55; some who had just arrived and others who have lived in Japan for over 8 years .. it was a great group . Of course when you are put in a setting which is this intense, the group seems to build a bond between them.. and we did exactly this .. of course going to the bar that first night helped hugely. We went to an izayaka .. which is a typical Japanese pub .. with food and drinks ... so much fun .. but thankfully we were with a Japanese who could order food for us ... or else I would have been lost - altho I do know how to say beer - beeru! Two days passed .. and the training was very intense and tiring ... but we all passed our exam at the end .. and were placed in our learning/ teaching studios. I was placed in Shinjuku .. about an hour metro ride from home .. quite far but a good place to work... so I'm quite happy and just going with the flow ...
Shinjuku station (which is where I will work) is the busiest subway station in the world - every day approximately 3 million people pass through the station .. isn't that wild! Today I went into my learning studio to meet with other instructors and my boss .. great environment ... and I already got 3 bookings in less than 5 minutes of posting my schedule which is great! So my first client is on Friday .... ahhh!

Other great news - I met up with my friend Leigh the other day .. we met in Shibuya .. known for being the largest crossing intersection in the world .. those of you who have watched 'Lost in translation' would have seen in .. well that too was wild ... and amazing.
So the story goes that Leigh and I met up that night .. we were waiting to cross this huge intersection when Leigh recognizes the singer of the Montreal based band 'The Stars' ( who were the warm up for another Canadian band ' The Broken Social Scene') .. we start chatting; she tells him she tried to get tickets for their concert but it was full ... so he then invited us to go ... put us on the guest list and we were rockin it out 30 minutes later .... All in all .. it was a fantastic night .. had all the great elements ... and I was so happy ... it was also interesting as I witnessed that a Japanese with drinks completely lets go of all inhibitions ...

While at the concert I met this guy from California .. we talked a bit as he had lived in Tokyo for 2 years and I was curious about his impression .. he said 'leave before you start hating' - he said it usually happens at the 6 month stage .. where things like - being ignored and avoided start to get to you. I have not really experienced this yet but I heard that in the subway people will not sit next to a gaijin (foreigner) and some bars don't accept foreigners.

Leigh and I also meet up yesterday .. we walked around the 'love hotel' streets .. where young and old go to get intimate with their loved ones .. as a lot of youngsters live with their parents and affection is still quite private/ taboo .... we also ate at an all-you-can-eat desert place ... now that was great.

I have been adapting really well ... sometimes even feeling like I am not in Japan .. cause the culture shock hasn't been strong ... but I have to say last night when Leigh and I were trying to find a restaurant I got annoyed for the first time ... it was frustrating ... not able to read or understand.

My family is great .. they are so nice and hospitable ... we are still eating great food everyday .. its fabulous!
They are quite funny when they pronounce my name because in Japanese ... the 'r' and the 'l' are switched .. so you can only imagine what Raphaelle sounds like with all those R's and L's .. hahahaha

On that note .. Hope everyone is well ... Lots of love and kisses from Japan ...
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Tokyo, Japan

I have been in Tokyo for four days now and I am fully enjoying myself.

With a brief stop to Paris for 3 days, where I walked around the city, ate many great foods, enjoyed the Parisian lifestyle and meet up with some old French friends - I then took my 12 hour plane ride to Japan.

After a few minutes on Japanese land - I could already gather and feel the Japanese hospitality. My family (Mayu, Yuri and Mrs. Cheiko San) picked me up from the airport which is located about an hour away from the city to control noise pollution - so brilliant of the Japanese!

On my first day - I got a tour of my neighborhood, the market - where I bought fresh raw fish for dinner, the subway station and the 5 depanneurs in our area. The apartment where I am living is quite big for Japanese standards.
Great observations I have made: the toilet seat is always warm!, at the eating table - you can put your feet and legs under a blanket and it is always warm, in my house we have a typical Japanese style bath and shower - so we have to shower and wash outside the bath and then we can go into the 'very warm' bath .. but we keep the same water for many days ... these baths are very deep and very relaxing! everywhere is the city you can find vending machines for hot and cold drinks, food and cigarettes .. its so great and cheap!
Something which I found very funny is how everyone is the subway is sleeping ... people must always be missing their stops!
Day 2: Went for lunch with a friend of a family friend ... and learned how to take the subway alone .. which my family was so proud of me for!
Day 3: Visit of Akihabara - the electrical district .. so wild!

Food is very important in Japanese culture - during a meal they have at least 6-7 dishes out on the table ... and my mother Mrs. Fujii is the best cook - her food is delicious ... on the first night be ate sushi and sashimi - home made style, on the second night we ate yakitori - BBQ chicken and crab .. and last night pork and veggies.

All in all, I am really enjoying myself. I haven't felt much culture shock yet .. which is a great thing .... and the language barrier hasn't been too frustrating. The jet-lag is the worst ... the 14 hour difference with home is not getting any better.

I start work training this weekend .. which should be great as I will establish a routine.

My friend Leigh is coming to visit on Friday .. and we are trying to plan a trip somewhere close to Tokyo - maybe Mt Fuji.
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