Headed to the international beer festival a couple of weeks ago. How did that go with the no drinking deal? Yeah, I had a LOT of explaining to do...especially to the other semi-alcoholic Aeon teachers...
However, while I was there, I made an interesting discovery... I was approached by an amazing-looking man - tall, muscular, gorgeous, good fashion sense (slightly too metrosexual for my liking, but hey, western women can't be fussy in Japan) - and he started talking to me. I thought, great, this is nice. Then he dropped the question. "Are you from Israel?"
Huh? Ah, no.
"Oh." And that was that. He said he thought I looked Israeli (and stared pointedly at my nose) and told me how much he loves Israeli girls. So, after revealing my sordid New Zealand/Australian background, his face literally fell (I'd never actually seen a 'falling face' before - I would've been quite affronted if I hadn't been so amused...), and he hastily made his escape.
My discovery? It seems women from the southern hemisphere are simply not exotic enough to grab a man's attention. Perhaps I should be learning Hebrew or Arabic, enough of this French business, everyone knows French. Or ancient Egyptian - I could rock someone's world if I broke out the hieroglyphics...
Anyway, on to the pictures - here we have Omi-Maiko beach...
Gorgeous, isn't it? But, as with with all things in Japan, you have to look closer...
My friend, Reiko, is leaving for Singapore later this month, so she had a farewell BBQ on her roof-top in Takatski last weekend. AMAZING house. A huge, white, square monstrosity with a rabbit warren interior and flights of tiny, steep stairs leading...god knows - everywhere? Nowhere? A black hole?
The mini-keg. Dammit, why do they torture me?
Iz and Booby, Reiko's dog (poor thing, it's bad enough he's the size of a shoe, but to be called Booby, when you're a male dog? That's just cruel).
And no, I have no idea what she's trying to do to him. I really didn't want to ask.
Reiko and the Kuma (bear) twins (because they arrived wearing fur coats and I can't remember their names...)
My friend Tomo. I'm going to have to ask everyone to scream at me everytime my fingers creep up in pictures...nasty habit...
Me, Iz and...fingers...
On Monday I ventured to Arashiyama (because everyone seemed horrified when I'd tell them I'd never been there).
The Togetsukyo Bridge. It means "crossing moon bridge", and I could definitely see why. The sun on the water was rather incredible.
I can't put my finger on it, but there's something...not quite right about this dog...It reminds me of a person...or a muppet...
Can anyone tell my favourite colour's green? This is taken further up the river. Although, as one friend pointed out, the water looks slightly radioactive...
Arashiyama's a beautiful area, gorgeous views, temples, shrines, bamboo groves, traditional Japanese restaurants and artwork, peaceful forests, Jean Reno...
I also ran into some beautiful insects and arachnids - I particularly like this one, yellow and black, good old Taranaki colours (go the 'naki!). It's a joro-gumo (I think!), one of the largest spiders in Japan. What's cool is that the females grow to 20-25mm and the males a mere (somewhat pitiful) 7-10mm. The guys are also banished to the edges of the web where they wait until the chick decides she's horny and wants a shag (I don't know if she chooses, if it's a rotation deal, or if it's a little spider orgy). The webs are awesome, so big and...precise! Also very clean, there are never any leaves or insect carcasses floating around. However, if you look inside the bushes or tree trunk, it's a different story. Webs EVERYWHERE. Dirt, twigs, leaves, last nights leftovers...I guess even they adhere to the Japanese idealogy - it's all about the facade...keep it looking good on the outside!
The wonderful praying mantis. At the risk of going all David Attenboroughy on you (or have I passed that point?), they are fascinating creatures. Did you know they can catch, using their forearms, small birds and consume them on the spot? Ok, so maybe size doesn't matter...
Unfortunately this one had positioned itself in a rather compromising position on the poster...
My students Kyoko, Keiichi and Youichi invited me to an okonomiyaki (like big, thick savoury pancakes) and takoyaki ("octopus balls") party. It was...very filling! They even let me cook...although after I completely mangled the first two takoyaki balls, they gently suggested I try flipping the okonomiyaki instead...(THAT I could do)
I know a teacher shouldn't have favourites, but this is Youichi - he actually makes me look forward to work on Saturdays! He's very patiently trying to teach me how to turn the balls over...
Kyoko's children, Maiko and Ryosuke. Fantastic kids. Ryosuke really wanted to practice his English, so he spent nearly an hour explaining baseball and telling me about his favourite team. It was so endearing. But I still have no idea about baseball. (Through no fault of his, I'm just stupid)
Catrina, Ai, Yuko, Rebecca, Chris, me and Iz at Ai's BBQ yesterday. I, as most of you well know, have a rather large appetite, but even I was rolling around like a beached whale after that spread...
Um, this was supposed to be the "I'm a tough motherf**cker" picture, but all we have is "Yo wassup", "I need Laxal", and "Hey baby how you doin'". *sigh*
Couple of random pics...
Iz looking understandably confused. I'm not exactly sure what they were trying to say - Halloween's not as important as Christmas? But it would probably explain the Happy Halloween sign hung on a wreath and the giant Santa shoved amongst the pumpkins. We were thinking of starting a new holiday, maybe Hallomas or Christween...
At a Yakiniku (BBQ) restaurant. Iz, my head, Catrina, Chris (Nick Lachey's double - although, as he sadly pointed out, he's never been married to Jessica Simpson. But, he did have a girlfriend once with blondish hair and large breasts), Keiko and Sachiko.
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