Another eventful week, though I have been slightly delayed in my summary of it. So much seems to be happening, any breaks are used for slumping under the A/C, trying to revive myself.
So what has happened this week? Well most importantly for my loved ones, I acquired WiFi! Alas, my long overdue conversation with them was not to be as I immediately had to go on a three day orientation course for the Yamanashi prefecture. To round it up:
Information was good and useful.
I made some more really good friends over the three days, namely E and J (married) and the other Luisa (lol) who I’m now taking expensive, semi-private Japanese lessons with!
The best part of the conference was the trip to Daizenji Temple in 勝沼町1. Admittedly it was raining but it was so serene and lovely – other than the pain and humiliation of taking an etiquette lesson while being filmed by a news camera, making awkward bows and the like. But I got to ring and enormous bell so it all evens out in the end.
On Saturday we went to 北杜市2 to see the Akeno Sunflower Garden which was beautiful, if blazingly hot. Despite my best efforts with the sun cream and a pretentious episode with an umbrella, I still managed to get burnt. But a good day in all.There were even some dancers (and a very enthusiastic small child) to keep us entertained.
Last but not least, I have purchased a working microwave and bike with the help of P and K. I’m particularly proud of the bike and it’s so red and shiny! Less proud of the fact I finally caved and got a McDonalds.
1Katsunuma-chō
2Hokuto-shi