(01/01/04 - 31/01/04)

 

See January's photos

 

 

 

01/01/04


Start of a new year...

Dad impressed us all by trying the Japanese breakfast (cold soba noodles, grated daikon, cold pickles, etc etc).  He followed it up very quickly by an "American Breakfast" of french fries and egg!  No mean feat considering how much we'd all drunk the night before!

After breakfast, we started off the year by going on a trip to Katsuyama with Mum, Dad and Tom, to the Echizen Daibutsu (big buddha) and the castle there.  It was freezing cold, but very interesting.  Entrance to the Daibutsu was free (because of New Year), and for the same reason, there were a lot of people ringing bells, praying and generally milling about.  Unfortunately, the pagoda was shut, however.  

See the photos

After the Daibutsu, we went to the nearby Katsuyama castle.  And it was COLD!  But the exhibits were very intersting!

see the photos

Had a wonderful dinner at L'Amoura - an Italian restuarant in Copa's car park.  It doesn't sound like the nicest setting, but this place is incredible!  Once inside, you'd never guess you were right on Route 8 in a busy car park!  

02/01/04


Mini Fukui Adventure

Mum, Dad, Tom and I got an early start and drove up past the Echizen Bamboo Doll Village and up into the mountains.  We (think we) found the old burial mounds, and climbed a hill (the mound?) there and were rewarded with a breathtaking view!  

We carried on down the road and came to an ancient house - Senko no ie - an old Japanese house which dates back 600 years.  Entrance was 500 yen each, and we were invited in to sit around the open fire in the middle of the living room.  We shared some ocha (green tea) with the owner, and managed to have quite a good conversation with her.  She was really friendly, and told us a lot about the house.  It was all very interesting, and the fire was very welcome as although it was sunny, it was still very cold.

See the photos 

We carried on down the beautiful scenic valley and back on to Route 8.  We headed home in time to meet Hayashi-san (the owner of the apartment block), who took us all back to his house to enjoy some true Japanese New Year fare!  Before lunch, Hayashi-san took us all to the shinto shrine (jinja) near his house, and showed us how to pray in the true Japanese-style.  

The food itself was very interesting (and tasty), and was served in a beautiful lacquer-wear box.  Sake was also flowing, and Dad had his first taste of sushi (I never thought I'd see the day!).  

During the meal the weather turned, and it started tipping it down with rain.  Despite this, Hayashi-san drove us to a hill with a ruined castle on top, although we didn't go for a walk.  He then took us on to a waterfall, and due to the rain he drove right up the footpath to the falls!  It was a fantastic sight, even in the growing darkness and rain!  

For dinner we went for the second time to the Chinese restaurant at the hotel.  This time, however, we were given an English menu (a rarity in Fukui!).  The menu itself was the cause of some amusement.

03/01/04


Mikuni

Dad wanted to catch a train (novelty value - there being no trains in Jersey), so Mum, Dad and I caught the local train up to the north coast of the prefecture - to Mikuni.  Tom drove up, so that we could go on to Tojinbo and Oshima island.  The coast was very cold, but very picturesque.  There were even people surfing!  We went on to a restaurant called "Birdland" for lunch - a Canadian-style log cabin serving Italian food.  It was lovely!    

The bridge over to Oshima was very cold and windy, but once on the island it was very sheltered.  The sea and sky were moody, and offered a great photographic opportunity.  We remembered to follow the old ritual of walking clockwise around the island, to prevent bad luck from the spirits of the suicides washed ashore there from Tojinbo.   

See the photos  (Tojinbo)

See the photos (Oshima)

04/01/04


Had breakfast with Mum and Dad in the centre - Dad had two breakfasts after seeing Mum and I enjoying our pancakes!  

The weather was good, so we headed back to the sites that Hayashi-san had taken us to, and hiked up the hill a fair way.  We also went for a better look at the waterfall, took loads of photos and went for another walk!

See the photos

In the afternoon, we drove to Imadate to go to L'Espoire (a patisserie/chocolatarie) and had cakes, coffees and hot chocolates!  

We then went shopping, and I'm now the proud owner of a microwave/oven/toaster.  I can now get rid of the hideous little oven-thing that is something between a grill and and oven, although performs neither function particularly well.  (We've discovered the trick is to flick the switch between grill and oven every five minutes during cooking!).

For dinner we went to a tiny French restaurant next to the hotel.  The waitress and chef were lovely, and it turns out that the Chef went to school at Haruko, and the waitress studies English at the EEC (where Tom will be starting work next month!!!).  The food was absolutely faultless and the evening was a perfect end to my parents visit.

05/01/04


Mum and Dad go home...

Had a really early start, but actually made it to the station on time.  I went down to the airport with Mum and Dad to see them off.  We said our goodbyes and they trundled through to security.  I got back on the train and headed back up to Fukui!

08/01/04


Back to School

A shortened opening ceremony and lots of work!  Not to mention the latest copy of JETFuel to keep me busy!

09/01/04


Lunch at Atom Boy

Met up with some of the girls now that most people are back from their various travels!  Got bad looks from the waiters as we stayed for a ridiculous amount of time!


Wine and Cheese at Laura's

Thanks Laura for having the girlies (and Tom) over for a good evening of gossip!

10/01/04


After a lazy start to the day, it suddenly turned very busy...looks as though everyone's back in Fukui!

Canada Party at the International Club
Organised by Laura - a super-successful event with twice the number of people than expected!

Nere's Pantry - a bar in Katamachi
Met up with Flick and some other people!  Then on to...

Creme - a night club in Katamachi
For Jon's birthday - most people were there!  Then on to...

Jose's
To watch Sleepy Hollow and catch up on gossip.  And finally...

Home and bed, at about 4.30am.

So things are back to normal.

11/01/04


Night out in Takefu

Good night out...food n'all!  Crazy.

Came to the conclusion I don't go to Takefu enough!!

See the photos

12/01/04


Coming of Age Day (yet another national holiday)

16/01/04


Last of the Samurai

Terrible, terrible film.  Bah.

19/01/04


Sushi with Mary's Parents and Brother

A huge HUGE thank you to Mary's parents for treating us all to the glories of sushi - it was really nice to meet you, and I hope you all had a good stay in Japan.

21/01/04


And the snow begins

Scary stuff.

See the photos (actually taken 23/01/04)

23/01/04
- 25/01/04


Kobe Adventure

In honour of Flick's birthday, and despite the SERIOUS snow, a crowd of us (ok...a small crowd...so...six of us...) hopped on a train and headed for Kobe - wonderful city of sky scrapers, shopping, gaijin-sized clothes, good food and...glory of glories...hear the angelic music...see the beam of light...PUBS!!!!  Yes, ye olde Irish Pub.  Full of GAIJIN!  (i.e. non-Japanese).  

It is difficult to explain what happens when you've been in Fukui for a while.  Basically, aside from us JETS (and a few people on similar programs) there are very few non-Japanese people here.  Even in the height of summer, it's somewhat of a novelty to see a new gaijin face.  Therefore, the only non-Japanese faces we EVER see, month after month, are the ugly-mugs (sorry guys) of our existing friends.  Not that this is really a bother, but when you go to a big city like Kyoto, Kobe or Osaka, (or just Kansai airport), you suddenly realise that you don't stand out so much.  In fact, in certain places (like the aforementioned Irish Pub), you may even be said to BLEND IN!  *shock horror*.  Although none of this stops the Japanese from staring and pointing - yes, it happens even in big cities.  Sad, really, but true.  And there's nothing we can do to stop it.  You do get used to it after a while, but everyone, I think, still gets days when they just want to scream!

Anyway, that's got me off the point...Kobe, pubs and shopping.  Spent far more than should have done, and realised how much I missed Bristol life!  I do realise, however, that I will miss Japan just as much, maybe even more, when I finally come to leave.

Tom and a few others came down on the 24th, and then we all (except Tom) caught the train back up to snowy Fukui on the 25th.  

See the photos 

26/01/04


Tom ventures into the Unknown...AKA Hong Kong

That's right folks...now he's signed a contract and has a job ready and waiting for him in The Shi (city.  i.e. Fukui baby, yeah!), all he has to do is get his working visa sorted.  To do this, you have to leave the country.  Crazy, I know, but that's how it is!  So, the intrepid explorer set off for H.K.  

Check out his travel diary on the Cave Bulletin Board


Meanwhile, back in Fukui

I get up extra specially early to dig my car out of a huge snow drift, and then get to work early...ready to start a new lesson plan with the kids.  I'm also feeling very sorry for myself, as I'm coming down with a cold.

28/01/04


Finally remember I was clever enough to bring a stack of Strepsils with me...dug out the stash and started sucking!  Cold feeling not much better at all, although at least I have an appetite now...!  So...

Meal at Ganga

Yup...was looking forward to this one all day!  Jose, Kara, Kri-chan (Christina) and I (now fondly known as "Adele-baby" by my students....) had a wonderful Biking (i.e. Viking, i.e. all-you-can-eat) style Indian (aka Kare-rice, aka curry and rice). YuMmY!

(Yes, I am high on Strepsils...)

29/01/04

- 30/01/04

 

The snow was looking particularly splendid!  (and I had the chance to take some photos at work), so....

 

See the photos!

 

30/01/04

 

Tom returned to Japan - visa grasped in grubby little paw!

 

 

 

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