On Copulation and Castles

I haven't had much time recently(to my surprise) as the training I'm going through is quite busy. Lots of information is handed to us and I furiously take notes ... sort of. Either way it seems to be going smoothly so far, and I have two very friendly and lovely ladies who are also sharing the training session with me. So things are going well. Today I'm prepping myself for a demo teaching lesson on Monday that I hope will go over well. Who knows with me though.

Anyways, what have I done leading up to my training?
First I decided to visit the authentic(rebuilt like all castles due to fire damage) Nagoya Jou:I toured inside and felt a little nostalgic, as I visited this place 2 years ago with Pat and Marc. This time however, I spent a long time walking around the grounds and relaxing in the park. Absolutely no one except for two other people decided to do this, so it was a really tranquil time. I had my watercolours with me, but I'm still a little apprehensive in trying a plein aire painting.
Here is an example of part of the rock garden area of the park:

A mid-autumn Sakura tree all by its lonesome:

Three cats who decided to make an awesome composition for a photo:

Here is the outside of Kanayama station, where I spent most of my time just sitting and listening to various amatuer acoustic musicians. Staying there forced me to buy a baby guitar for 6000 yen (60 dollars canadian). It doesn't sound very nice, but that's 60 bucks for you:


I also attempted to visit the Nagoya aquarium where Marc and I had an awesome time, but I forgot it costs an ungodly 2000 yen, and it was a national holiday so the line just to buy tickets was roughly a 20 minute wait. I skipped that and walked around the port:
I kept on walking around until I found myself in Italy! I was so surprised. Did I accidentally walk through a magical portal of magic!? No! I just walked into the "Italian Village" which looks exactly like real Italy. Not really, but the prices were insanely expensive for everything so I sort of felt like I was there.

I also found the "Chelan Project". I think that's what it's called. It's basically a program where conservationists breed sea turtles in little tubs and then release them into the wild when fully matured. I wonder if it's very effective.

I also saw a Thunderbird just sitting outside a pachinko parlour(Mom, click on the link to find out what it is).

Also, two nights ago I went out with one of my fellow trainees who I will call "V" to McDonalds when we both realized we hadn't been yet. After we finished our meals I looked down to get punched in the face with this advertising gem on the placemat:
All I can say is that MOTESTO is a lucky guy.

On Arriving in Nagoya

I have left my beautiful family behind. My parents saw me off at the airport what seems like yesterday, but I think it's technically 2 days ago thanks to the horrific 19 hour travel with Northwest Airlines. Do not fly with Northwest Airlines. I don't care how much money you save.

I was met at the airport by a very wonderful man by the name of Scott. He helped me to the hotel I'll be living at for the next 2 weeks or more. On the train over I had the sweetest "hello!" from an elderly salaryman who right before getting off at his stop, looked Scott and I in the eyes and said "うるさい、お前は！" (You're f*cking noisy!), or something to that very effect. It made me feel so welcome.
Occasions like that are something I'll have to get used to. The staring, crude comments, stupid comments etc. That's life for a foreigner anywhere really.

So without further ado, my beautiful and surprisingly roomy... room at the Kanayama hotel:

The bathroom with the traditional deep, deep tub (I love Japanese tubs. You can cover yourself up to your neck with scalding hot water):
The cloudy view outside:

So today I plan on just wandering about and picking up an iron and lint roller for my suits. Nothing special really.

Also, I'm going to try and include this little section whenever relevant: "What I have learned from Japanese television" in which I watch the travesty that is Japanese television and spread my learnings on to you.
What I have learned from Japanese television today:
When listening to your dead parents' voices on a tape and it stops playing, do not rip it out of the tape player, causing the tape to tear. If you do so, you will fall sick from depression, be bed-ridden and unconscious for at least a day and almost die.