Atul

Going to Japan

Very excited to be on this once in a lifetime opportunity and even before getting reaching Japan, I know that the next two weeks will always be in my head forever. After finishing college apps, I am so glad to be able to relax and eat Japanese food all day and everyday. In O'Hare, I even decided to get some Manchu Wok to ease into Japanese food and while eating I realized that this may be the last time I get to use a fork, but my feelings at this moment was not one of sadness rather I was excited to be without utensils. I was ready to engross myself in a culture that was founded thousands of years ago. 

On another note, I have been chatting with my host student and I may be planning to set up a frisbee game. If it happens, I will let you know. 

Below are pictures (with captions):

We are getting on! Although its 14 hours, I am ready to have a lot of fun in Japan.

We are in Japan!!! I can't believe it...

Going to get our bags at Narita airport

We are out of the baggage claim and officially in Japan!!

$ to ¥  After the news crew noticed Max's hair :)

In Kyoto

After having a jet lagged sleep, we woke up to eat a delicious Japanese breakfast at the Narita Hotel where some of us experienced Nato. I decided to expose myself to more fish and soba for breakfast which was sooo tasty. Then we boarded a Shinkansen to Kyoto which was 3 hours long. This ride was a ton of fun because it was my first time on a bullet train and the setting inside the car was amazing. 

Me inside the first train before on the shinkansen, which was also super comfy.

Arriving at Kyoto, our group travelled through the beautiful station and explored a bit of Kyoto before finding K's house where we would stay. When we arrived at the hotel, we quickly packed our day packs and put the rest of our luggage inside the rooms. Then we were off to see the sights Sensei had planned for us to see through the same station we came through in the morning. First we climbed a mountain that had an amazing view along with cool monkeys. For me, this reminded me of the time my family climbed Vaishnudevi in Jammu, India where we saw monkeys as well. Although here the monkeys were a more photogenic. 

Iwatayama Saru Koen

The other side of the bridge

Rodrigo and I

Another Pic on the way to the mountain

A Panaromic Photo on the top of the mountian

The entrance to the mountain

A monkey is giving me directions

The Photogenic Monkey that likes leather

On our way down the Mountain (now the ships were placed). 

Next we headed to the bamboo forest which was very picturesque. Also Rodrigo and I ended up exploring a rural side of the forest which was fun because we were able to navigate back to our meeting area from where we were (which was lost...). While waiting for everyone else, I went to a Chopsticks shop where I met a Japanese man and talked to him with a little english but more japanese for a good 10-15 minutes. It was the first time, I had held a conversation like this with a Japanese-Speaking resident and I knew it would not be the last. After all, this is what we have been preparing to do for the last few years. 

The man I talked with at the Chopsticks store

A pond in the Bamboo forest

Inside the bamboo forest path

Upclose bamboo

A Japanese garden within the forest

After the garden, we went to eat dinner at the Yodofu dinner which was a struggle, but a fun meal. Although I was allergic to couple of the foods given, I gobbled down everything else and our group has a challenge to finish the food served. I think that we were able to do so with flying colors. Walking with a full stomach, we headed to a lighted area filled with kimono designs on cylinders. It was very pretty and fun to watch the Sensei's pull out their photography sides. Then we headed to the top of the station we arrived in to take a look at the night lights of Kyoto. After the long day of walking with jet lag, we slept with passion.

The kimono designs on cylinders

Kyoto Tower from the top of the station

The station from the height 

Dazaifu Trip

Breakfast at 7 was wonderful... I had eggs, fish, and a delicious mango pudding. Also the restaurant was packed in the morning and it was fun to see so many people in kimonos from the bath or their rooms.

We had a packed today and I think that the rain slowed us down a bit. Although the weather was not great, the rain makes the mountain filled with clouds and the picture below will show you the scenery.

Yesterday, I met a man from Singapore that I chatted with about Indian politics and why our group was in Japan. Today, I saw him again at the train station leaving and we had switched roles. Now he was the one with the suitcase and I was the one touring. I was glad to have met someone who cared about India. Although I am sad that I was not able to get his contact information, but I am hopeful that we may meet again. If he ever reads this, thanks for chatting with me.

After meeting my acquaintance, we boarded on the non-reserved section of the Shinkansen where we rode to our next stop; dazaifu. In dazaifu, we first went to the national museum where I saw many exhibits about Japanese culture. As soon as we got in, we were asked to keep all cameras, food, and drink away which actually made the trip serene and peaceful. In the exhibit, I saw all types of artifacts and even witnessed a section of the museum with indian culture. I was very happy to see the connection between India and Japan in this section of the museum. Also I saw old gold coins and learnt some new things about Japanese history.

Float inside Japanese museum

Next we headed to lunch... I had a ten-don from a great restaurant where we sat in seiza form and ate the food. The rice was delicious along with the shrimp tempura. Also, there was a wonderful garden by the side of the restaurant.

Afterward we went to a national site where we talked with a few Japanese people in Japanese for at least 5 minutes. Also we were able to get another stamp in our notebooks. Take a look at the pictures of this beautiful place:

Front of National Site

Flowers

More Flower

Mini-Shrine

Moat Garden

Continued Moat

Next, we headed to a shrine where we saw another great garden filled with perfectly placed rocks and plants. It was raining as well which amplified the experience.

Take a look at the pictures below:

Garden Continued

Garden

Water on Bamboo 

Water on Bamboo

Then we had free time on a popular street, where a group of us went to a small tea shop to get some delicious rice cakes. We were now getting used to ordering in Japanese and the waiter was really nice. Also, the shop reminded me of small stalls in Indian where you get tea. Although a lot cleaner, the home-y feel was still there and I was glad to be more involved by speaking Japanese. After finishing the meal, our group decided to give him an Omiyage. Then I went to the shopping area to buy some gifts for family and friends.

Then we decided to head home, but after disembarking the train we stumbled on a curry shop. Our sensei decided that this would be a great place to stop and I was really excited to try some Japanese curry.

Take a look at the pictures of the shop below:

Panoramic of the Interior

Front of the restaurant

After receiving the food, all 20 of us attacked it and loved the curry. For most of us, this was the first time we were having curry and my curry tasted great. Also, we played some games that were outside of the restaurant and took a sweet group picture of this home-y restaurant.

Afterwards, we decided to head home after a long day and hit the onsen.

Trip to Nagasaki

Today was a great day and it started with a great breakfast. Similar to yesterday's but nowhere in comparison, the hotel was serving delicious Japanese curry that was great with sticky rice. Our schedule was tight and we were the only one filing the breakfast area. I had around 10 minutes to eat and then we walked to the train in 9 minutes. Luckily we had some time to spare while waiting for the Shinkansen. Then we were off to Nagasaki.

At Nagasaki, we went to the atomic bomb museum and I was overtaken at the detail of the artifacts from the bomb site. The remarks of the survivors were deep and gave me a great view on the Nagasaki bombings. After the remarks there was an exhibition on modern nuclear warfare and I was amazed that so many countries are continuing nuclear testing. Also surprised that U.S. had so many nuclear weapons and that Russia had even more. It worries me that current tensions between U.S. and Russia may turn many cities into the aftermath witnessed on August 9th, 1945.

Before having lunch we went to peace park and I took a couple pictures of the peace statue. Take a look:

Rainbow

Garden

Peace statue

Reflection of Tree on water

Another reflection

Thousand Cranes

Thousand Cranes

Panoramic of Peace Park

After eating a delicious bento box lunch with sweets and drinks (for 9 dollars only), we took the train to dejima where we dressed up in Japanese clothing. It was a lot of fun because we were able to walk in a historical setting like the people who walked in it. 

Then, we went to the oldest church in Japan that was next to the glover garden. The church was pretty and the glover garden was even better. The glover garden had a koi pond that was spectacular and the view was great.

Then we sat down in a beautiful area with a condensed milk ice cream that tasted like the clouds. It was great especially with the sunset.

Then we embarked a train to a Mos burger which was a fast food shop everyone was waiting for. In school, our class even had a test based on a Mos burger menu.

KJ School Day 1

Today was my first time spending a full day with a Japanese Student. After not being in school for a couple days, it was fun to learn something and get back to a classroom setting. I know that even though I am in Japan there are still classes going on.

To start my day off, I had a wonderful breakfast that was filled with protein and tasty foods. I saw Hokari's mother filling the lunch box and I was very excited to try the different foods. 

After Hokari's was ready, we headed to the station where I met Van's KJ student who lived nearby. Van and I talked about the dinners we had and the nice breakfasts. Then I learnt some Japanese weather terms and I learnt some new verbs that I would use in my presentation. This was all while transferring between 3 trains to get to a bus that takes all of us to school. 

Once we reached school, I met my classmates who were all excited with the hosts they had. I think that last night was an experience they and I will never forget. Then, we headed down to the gym/auditorium where Susannah read the speech Rodrigo and I created (ft. Nathan Peckus). I would just like to commend Susannah for a great job on reading the speech and making it flow so well. After hearing her speak it, I was glad to see my four hours of work in the claps of students. Then we were all presented with a present from KJ students and it had a cup for coffee/tea. It was a very nice gift. After being on stage for 30
minutes, we headed to the home room where we introduced ourselves.

In my first class we learned about geography. Expecting to learn about Japanese geography, the Japanese students were currently learning about America's geography. Specifically, they learned about which states produce different types of food and where those states are located in the United States. Although they learnt English vocabulary from Japanese, I was learning the Japanese. I now know how to say "Illinois is number 2 in corn harvesting" in Japanese.

My next class was math, where the students were learning about exponential (I.e. How to graph, solve, and patterns between different exponentials). Sadly I made a silly error is my first quiz and got a 12/13, but hopefully on Monday I can get 100%.

After math is chemistry where I was revisiting concepts Doc K had taught us last year. I learnt about oxidation and reduction as well as how to say those two words in Japanese. If Doc K is reading this, I am going to figure out how to say Kinetics in Japanese (our current unit).

Next, we were in modern Japanese which was focusing today's lecture on SNS (social networking service) and how it help Japanese people. I said that it helped keep friendships, create business deals, and one can learn new things. After discussing, we talked about understanding different cultures in the world and it was a lot of fun.

Then our class had lunch and it was absolutely wonderful. My lunch was a bento box filled with sweet sticky rice, cutlets, and meats. I was extremely happy to have this delicious home cooked meal. After eating, we went outside to play frisbee, but the wind was strong and our throws were not strong enough to counteract it. Luckily, there was a moment where some of us got some good throws in and they were very happy to play this sport with us. This concluded our lunch.

The next class is English where we thought about a statement made by the teacher "is the customer always right? Agree or disagree and why?". I disagreed because the customer may have different view points. It was fun to see other opinions to the statement and how the Japanese regarded a customer.

Next our group went into the meeting room to work on our presentations. My group presented about Ultimate Frisbee and we plan to give the frisbee I brought over to the High school so that the students can play with it whenever they like.

Sadly, I did have to leave the presentation early to catch the train and our Shinkansen was delayed by 40 minutes which was the longest I have seen a Japanese train get delayed by. My guess was that the rainy and windy weather was creating the delay.

After arriving home, I ate a delicious dinner that had rice, pork, pasta, salad, and a hot potato that was very tasty. The meal was accompanied by some tasty orange juice. Then, Daichi and I were doing our homework together. He asked me a bunch of questions about math and I helped him in Japanese!! Also, I helped him on English while I worked on some chemistry. Now, I am writing this before I head to bed and I can truly say that today was a great day to be a wild kit.

Double Rainbow from KJ High School

The four of us getting back home after presentations (in the train station)

I was amazed by the irrigated water system for heavy rains