Summer time, school lunch and beach frisbee!

Kate, Lily and Kat before Trivia night
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Hey people,

I’m back in the swing of things after Korea and summer has finally arrived! The kids are wearing their summer uniforms and carrying their sweat towels (yes, it is that humid in Japan) everywhere. People constantly ask me whether I’m cold because I come to school in a t-shirt. It seems as if summer officially starts June 1^st, regardless of whether or not there is a heat wave in May!

So the other day I turned up at my elementary school expecting to teach yet I was handed some gloves and tongs and sent with the students to pick up rubbish from around the town. This “soji” is one of many community activities schools are involved in to promote social awareness etc. At one point the principal spent an ENTIRE hour teaching the children how to separate rubbish into the five separate bin liners. It such a time-consuming and complicated process! I guess it tries to teach children to be more aware of the waste they create. I only mention this event as it is merely one of several activities the Japanese do to be more aware of their community and fellow citizens.

Unfortunately we lost!
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Yet another “interesting” (sorry, this seems to be the only adjective my kids know) example of is kyuushoku (school lunch). All the schools in my area have a set lunch every day and the children are responsible for serving out the food and cleaning up afterwards. Each student gets equal portions and is expected to eat EVERYTHING (usually a bowl of rice, milk, miso soup and a protein) with no exceptions. Students are also taught to eat the last grain of rice from their plate. I always feel so sorry for the kids who really don’t like what they are eating. One little boy even threw up the other day because he was forced to eat so much! Whenever I don’t eat the fish skin or animal fat, the kids are always astounded at my “recklessness” of “disobeying orders”! Lol, I also don’t drink the milk which is yet another one of my crazy gaijin characteristics.! I’m just glad I never went to a Japanese school!

Shirahama beach - so beautiful
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Anyways, the past few weeks I have been hanging out in Shirahama (the “Copacbana of Japan”), a beautiful white, sandy beach 30 mins North of my town. Lots of JETs meet up every weekend and go swimming/play Frisbee. Last weekend we had a pub quiz (my team lost ). The weekend just gone I explored some of Susami’s area and found pretty waterfalls and the most beautiful onsen overlooking the Pacific ocean. There was even an onsen with roses strewn everywhere in the water. This weekend the Pirates of the Caribbean 3 comes out so will see that (thank God it’s not dubbed in Japanese) and will go on a long bike ride to Shirahama to see the Sand Festival. People are supposed to be building large sand sculptures with fireworks in the evening etc.

Group dinner at an amazing sushi restaurant
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Now that summer is coming, I’m glad I was posted in Wakayama as the beaches and coastline are beautiful. I’m being quite content lying on the beach, drinking beer and playing Frisbee for the next couple of months! However, I am very excited as Nat (friend from Hamburg) and Alex (friend from uni) are coming to visit in July and I will be showing them around Tokyo. We are even (hopefully) going to climb the mighty Mt. Fuji! Until then it will be afternoons on the beach, house parties, festivals and making the most of the best sushi in the world!

Going to the local childrens' park
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I’m looking fwd to coming home in August and seeing you all….not long now!

Look forward to hearing from you as always….

Take care,

Sara

Group shot outside MosBurger
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xxxx