(01/07/04 - 31/07/04)
03/07/04 |
And we even got a free lunch into the deal. Thanks Laura!
Sayonara Party at Zenya's and on to Nana Iro The time is fast approaching when we must say goodbye to our fellow JETs who are returning home. The traitors. Anyway, the new FJET committee, headed by Emily and Ruan, did a fantastic job organising this shindig. Most people were horribly drunk by the end of the evening, and woke up the next day sore and battered from all that dancing!
Were you there? Can you find yourself in my photos?
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04/07/04 |
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05/07/04 |
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11/07/04 |
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15/07/04 |
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16/07/04 |
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17/07/04 |
Preparations for Mount Fuji Expedition! While Tom was at work, it was up to me to get everything ready for our attempt at Fuji-san. This was to be my second try, and Tom's first.
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18/07/04 - 19/07/04 |
FOILED AGAIN!!! Last time I was beaten by time, this time it was the weather.
So we struggled up to 3,100m in weather like this, then stayed the rest of the night at Station 8. We were originally only going to stay an hour or so, but we lay awake listening to the wind getting stronger and stronger. We decided to stay put and not attempt to get any higher. This turned out to be completely the right decision - we got a beautiful sunrise, but when we looked up the mountain we saw from maybe 20m above us thick fog and cloud. If we'd pressed on to the top, or even just to the next station, we would have missed sunrise.
We ended up having a really fantastic time, despite the fairly frightening end to the ascent. I enjoyed the experience so much more than last time. But never fear: I have absolutely no wish to make a third attempt! Fuji-san and I have now come to an understanding.
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch...
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20/07/04 |
School's out for Summer! I don't have to be at my desk again until September!!! (yes, we Fukui JETs get a great deal!).
The closing ceremony was as boring as ever, but I was allowed to leave work at 11.30am.
After
the enkai I met Tom, and we went to Bear's bar for more drinking -
meeting up with Mary, Kara and two teacher's from Kara's school.
(Mary is moving schools and will be taking on Kara's old position.) |
21/07/04 |
Fukui Final Fling A meal at Tengu and on to The Big Echo for karaoke. We said a final goodbye to Katie (returning to Australia via England!) and Melanie (going back to Canada), and "te-rar" to Beth (coming back to Japan after the summer). See the photos |
22/07/04 |
Sushi Dinner :) and Final Goodbyes :( Sushi at the new place over by Mary's old place (she's moving into Kara's place...), then wine, chocolate and chatting. We said goodbye to Kara and Teresa (both going back to America via an amazing adventure through Egypt, amongst other stops!). Brandon, Laura and I said goodbye to everyone else. We set off tomorrow. Bran and Laura are heading home (Brandon to America, Laura to Canada) via Laos and Bangkok, and I'm going home for a holiday before coming back to Japan. Christina and Jose are staying in Japan, and heading up to Hokkaido on the 8th to climb several mountains...while Mary stays in Fukui city! ;) Tom will be coming back to the UK for a few weeks in August. |
23/07/04 |
A Very Interesting Experience in Kyoto Laura, Brandon and I headed down to Kyoto to spend a last day together before Laura and Bran headed off on their travels. We had an amazing experience, being dressed up as maiko (trainee geisha) in full kimono, wigs and makeup! It was fantastic! See the photos we took See the professional photos After the maiko experience, we went for a really nice Italian meal (and the largest wine glasses I've ever seen!), before going to a sento (hot bath) and getting naked together! I had a fab time, guys...I'm really really gonna miss you :'( |
24/07/04 |
A nice evening in a nice hotel I booked myself into the Hotel Nikko - the hotel at Kansai Airport. I spent the day shopping, snoozing, reading and swimming. A really relaxing day, and a good meal and drinks with Tom in the evening (he came down after work). |
25/07/04 |
The Manic Journey Home After a relaxing day the day before, and another swim first thing in the morning I was ready for the l o n g day ahead. A year to the day since I left Jersey, it's time to return! 12 hours on a plane from Kansai to Heathrow. Watching the same two films over and over and over and over (the other films were rubbish). Waiting for an hour at the baggage reclaim. And realising that I was the only person left standing there and there were no bags left going round the conveyor belt. Heading to lost luggage. Fluttering my eyelashes. Three-quarters of an hour later I'm reunited with the bag. Finding an ATM (remembering how to use it). Finding the National Express bus stop. Buying a ticket to Gatwick. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. The bus leaves late. Arrive at Gatwick at 7.30 for an 8.15 flight. Queues. Running to gate 57. Made it for the flight. Impatient. 1 hour on the plane. Waiting at Jersey airport for my case. And realising I was the only person left standing there and there are no more bags going round the conveyor belt. Just about to head to lost luggage, when finally...it arrives...The Last Bag. Through customs and the sliding doors, and to my waiting parents! A short drive home, to the cats and a bacon sarnie!!! Twelve months without a bacon sarnie - OVER! And I'm home! |
26/07/04 |
Lots of shopping and a walk on the beach with Mum and Dad See the photos |
27/07/04 |
More shopping, and a tipsy stagger along the beach with Mum See the photos (same as above) |
29/07/04 |
Meal out with "The Pinkies" Girly evening at the Rozel Bay Hotel |
30/07/04 |
Meal and Drinks with some Jersey Boyz Met Andrew and Simon at The and pottered over to Central Park for Dinner...caught up on 12 months of news! |
31/07/04 |
Off to London for Suzy's Hen Night See the photos |