a bit hurting after the fall (off the wagon that is)

So Saturday was the Unitas Christmas party for the kiddies and it was actually a lot of fun.  I was nearly as tired as I thought I was going to be until it was all over.  I think the kids really enjoyed it and a lot of my students went (mostly the ones I hate but whatever, everyone was good at the party).

After the party Yukari (a Japanese part time English teacher) took me an Onsen!  It was one that she really likes but not with a good view because it was raining and so the view wouldn't have been enjoyed anyway.  The whole being naked thing was really not as daunting as it first seemed.  The room with all the hot tubs is so steamy that you can barely see anything!  At one point I was trying to find Yukari and couldn't!

If anyone is interested in travelling the entire length of Russia overland, let me know!!

They had so many different pools each with jets in different places to soothe different parts of the body.  They even had a shallow lay down hot tub with full body jets.  And one of my favourites was one where you stand up and the water goes in one huge stream from a shower type thing right onto the tops of your shoulders.  I also liked the outdoor pool because it was much easier to breathe out there than in the steamy room and the contrast between my cold head and my hot body was really cool.

The onsen also had a room to chill.  There were heated tatami mats covering the floors with tables all along it and a TV playing and they had kettles and teapots that you could borrow.  Most people come and hang out in the baths for a while and then cool down and chill before going back into the baths.  (the chill room is outside of the dressing rooms so you aren't naked there).  And just outside of this room was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.  A massage chair like no other.  With tunnels for your legs and a remote that controls the pattern, intensity, and speed, it felt like a real person was giving me a massage for only 100 yen per 5 minutes.

Anyway, after the Onsen I headed to the 4 Hearts Cafe (a "gaijin" bar) where some of the staff were supposed to be meeting for a few drinks.  (Yukari dropped me off on her way to Kofu Station).  The only ones who showed up were Lance, Greg, and Adam so it was pretty much just like every other night!!  We moved on to the Vault shortly after where we played free pool and had a good time.  We ended up drinking way too much and Adam and I made complete asses of ourselves.  Eventually I decided to leave--without paying my tab.  I definitely got some inari from the Family Mart on the way home but I have no idea if I paid for that either.

Sunday I had big plans to study and clean my house and finish my Christmas shopping and just generally get stuff done.  I ended up laying in bed until 7:30pm because every time I got up I felt like I was going to be sick.  I was hurting all day and even into yesterday.  I know that I have said this before and I am sure that I will have to say again, but I am never drinking again!!  Well, not for a while at least.  It just wasn't worth it.  I think I would have had just as much fun (once again) if I wasn't so drunk and I would have saved myself a lot of money and a lot of pain!!

Anyway, just two more points I want to add tonight.  Number one, I will post the address of Unitas.  If anyone wants to send me anything bigger than a letter or a post card, it is probably the best idea to send it here because someone is always here to receive it (in Japan you don't have to go to the post office closest to you to pick it up, you have to go to the main post office no matter where you live and mail is only held for 7 days before it is returned to sender).  The address is 400-0031, Yamanashi-Ken, Kofu City, 3-6-11 Marunouchi, Unitas Language School, Kelsey Bennett.

Also, a new and exciting addition to my plan.  I am now hoping to travel from Japan to Germany overland through Russia on either the Trans Siberian Railway or by car.  I have asked some people who have travelled it and are experts (they have websites, I don't know them personally) if pets are allowed and everyone thinks they probably are but I have no way of getting a concrete answer.  It will be very easy for her to get into Russia and then from Russia to the EU though.  (She will obtain a "pet passport" in both Russia and the EU which I think is pretty darn cool!)  I think she would probably travel in a small room (in her carrier only when someone is looking, if at all) than under the seat in the airplane again...

I would like to actually travel to the Easternmost point on the Russian mainland (which is also pretty damn far north) before heading West so I can say I have seen the country from one end to the other.  I would also like to visit the coldest place in Russia, which I believe is actually the coldest place in the world as well.  I think it will probably take me a month or more to make the trek (even though the train only takes 8 days).

The ferries from Japan to Russia leave from 2 different ports in Hokkaido so if I do end up staying in Japan another year and I end up getting a contract in Hokkaido (which is what I think I want to do at the moment) it would be pretty convenient for me and there would probably be more info available so close to the "border."  Anyway, this part of the plan is still in its infancy and I have at least 10 more months until I can even consider leaving Japan so I have time to work out the details.  If anyone is interested in travelling the entire length of Russia overland (Laura?!?), let me know!!