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Sunday
28th October 2001
Hello
from the land where at 5pm on a daily basis a melody is played
across all corners of the city, telling the children that it's
time to go back home to their parents...
Yes,
this is Tokyo, the big city, or rather, the big collection of
about 26 cities all linked by subway and train lines. Thankfully
we live in a relatively old town, Koenji,
which is a little kinder to the senses with its second-hand shops
and little alleyways, plus a good dose of kind old ladies who
compliment you on your extremely bad Nihongo (Japanese). We even
have a European supermarket which I think is the illegitimate
child of the English company "Sainsbury's", the only
difference being their motto here is not "Making Life Taste
Better", it's "Making Life Taste More Expensive".
It
is remarkable how much Tokyo changes in character within the space
of a few stops on the subway
- only 13 minutes from our local station lies Shinjuku. I would
now like to claim that I have almost mastered the basics of one
of the world's largest railway stations, having been able to park
a bicycle on the west side, take a thirty minute walk to the east
and then actually FIND the bike again. This was despite the fact
that it had been moved twenty metres and had an "Illegally
Parked Bicycle" warning attached to the handlebars (next
time they'll impound it and I'll have to pay a fine of £30/$45
to have it released. What they don't know is that the new Mickey
Mouse bell (see my photo
album) is actually a very strong magnet that is activated
by my watch which is powerful enough to lift the bike sky high
out of any police pound and return it to our doorstep).
Sorry...
imagination getting the better of me there. That's the effect
of being surrounded by some amazing gadgets. I'm still getting
over the shock of being able to view this website on my phone's
display. I mean, I thought I'd bought a cheap (£16/$24)
bit of plastic, but no, not only does this thing serve as a fully
functioning email
& web browsing device, it also lets you build up a picture
of every person in your phone book by selecting different hair
styles, noses, eyes and mouth from a huge in-phone catalogue.
Every time you check their entry in your phone book you get a
full colour picture of them. I guess what with so many business
cards changing hands it's easy to forget what your friends look
like. One step better of course are the immensley popular "J-Phones"
with their built in camera's and mini TV screens. I think if you
manage to locate the secret switch you can also use them to clip
your toenails.
So
WHAT am I doing?
Well,
having been here for over three weeks now I guess I should have
it all planned out etc etc. However, at heart I'm relatively lazy
and so instead I have concentrated on spending most of my money.
I can happily say that I have succeeded on that score. Due to
this it was only a few days ago that I decided that maybe I ought
to find a job. (I'd been considering going to live up a mountain,
but had second thoughts...) I'd been trying to persuade myself
that as I have no training or qualifications related to teaching
English (indeed no degree of any sort which many employers insist
upon) it would be impossible for me to have any chance of venturing
into this field. Despite my opposition, I managed to get the first
job that I enquired about, being paid £17/$25 per hour to
teach a group of students in their twenties the fundamentals of
English conversation, and how to divide three large packs of crisps
(that's "chips" to some of you) and two bars of chocolate
between nine. I must admit to being completely stressed out by
it all. Having never taught before (let's face it, I had to do
it sometime with two siblings and one parent in/having been in
the trade), I don't have a clue how to go about it. My first lesson
was so stressful that I think the crisps and choclate ended up
being divided by one (myself). I spent an entire day preparing
for the second lesson. It was to be a completely new group of
eight students, so I set about taking the material I'd used for
the first lesson and adding a little more structure to it. I felt
sick when, as Friday's class began, I had only two students sitting
in front of me (my material wouldn't work with two!) - one of
whom had been in my first lesson in any case. Once again I struggled
through it, although I am told by my employer that the students
thought it was great. As I write this I am just putting off thinking
about my next class!
I
shall probably remain in Tokyo for some time. I am happy living
here.. everything is going just fine. I intend to use my time
here in the city to learn Japanese and save up enough money to
travel around Japan next year, and also perhaps obtain a Working
Holiday Visa for Australia; I understand that I can apply whilst
over here which is handy.
Having
been pounced upon by a representative of a local
Buddhist sect, I recently attended one of their Sunday
morning gatherings. HHhmmm, what did I make of it all? Overall,
I was dissapointed. Sure, the community was very friendly and
welcoming, eager to listen to my stories and offer wisdom, but
I found it just didn't hold enough for me to find it of interest.
I felt that the unconcious tie that made the community so strong
was the need that people feel to BELONG. To be a part of a community
in order to gain strength and believe that at the end of the day
Everything Will Be Alright. Well, I just don't feel that need.
A small quote from their general information leaflet: "We
hope that all participants will be helped through the wisdom of
Buddhism to awaken to a truly happy life..." Don't get me
wrong, I am not knocking Buddhism as I would not knock any religion
of which I know nothing. However, I do not appreciate in any way
phrases such as that that suggest that one will be miserable unless
one joins the group in question. Currently, I am very happy with
my community of supportive friends and family around the world.
I
remain suspicious of the funding for this particular organisation.
Any relatively small business that can afford the kinds of buildings
seen in my photo
album must have a secret! (check out the one out of
Star Trek).
It
has to be said though, the egg sandwiches were absolutely fantastic
and went down a treat.
Anyhow,
I've babbled enough for today.
Take
care,
Joseph
in Tokyo.
Top
Tuesday
9th October 2001
A
cancelled flight, jetlag and an invitation to join a lady in a
Tokyo Taxi.
Konnichiwa!
Hello there. With the state of today's air industry I thought
it wise to let you know that I actually managed to get to Tokyo
(despite the cancellation of my flight.) Having heaved myself
out of bed at 5am in order to drop my hire car off in London (I
thoroughly recommend www.easycar.com) and make my 11am AEROFLOT
(the Russian Airline) flight, I arrived at Heathrow in quite a
daze. It was a while before I found out what was going on with
my flight as in front of me in the information desk queue was
a scared, tired Russian lady. Her story was quite simple yet surprising
- the kind of thing that only happens in books and films. She
had spent all of her life's savings on a return ticket for London.
Upon arrival she was to be met by her new London-based Russian
employers who were to provide everything for her - it had all
been agreed previously over the telephone.
So
now here she was in Heathrow Airport, unable to speak a word of
English, and with no sign of her employers, completely lost. Changing
what little money she did have she gave them a call, only to be
told that there was no job for her and that she wasn't to dare
phone them again. When told the story the clerk said that there
was nothing she could do but charge an additional US$800 in order
for the ticket to be changed to that day. When faced with hysterics
phone calls were rapidly made, with the promise that "we will
do something, this is England, we will do something."
When my turn came and I was told that my flight had been cancelled
I didn't feel too hard done by, especially when informed that
instead of a two-leg trip via Moscow I'd now be travelling British
Airways direct to Tokyo Narita. It was a comfortable flight bringing
back memories of my first journey there with the beautiful views
of the mountains of Siberia, not to mention the long stretch of
beach that marks the East coast of Asia. Despite the great view
from seat 30A I don't see how British Airways can justify the
300% ticket price increase (over Aeroflot) although it is hard
to resist those complimentary sexy socks and ant-sized toothbrush.
Having
managed to give some English chap (who seemed to think that he
was my tour guide) the slip at immigration, I was met by my friend
Kae - a good job too as in that semi-conscious state I was barely
able to speak my own language, let alone Japanese. It's strange
being back in Tokyo, a place that is a collection of small cities
rather than one large one. I'm very fortunate in that I can stay
with Kae in the west of the city centre. Having this "safe house"
enables me to chill out and settle down (or rather get geared
up) to the rythmn of this huge metropolopolis. The jet lag has
pretty much prevented me from doing anything so far. The eight-hour
difference really does my head in. My sleep pattern is currently
divided into three main sections, each lasting about five hours
and spaced out over the course of the whole 24 hour day (yes,
that's right, they have 24-hour days over here too.). Thankfully
Kae is equally jetlagged having returned from a European trip
a day before me. I'm surprised that it isn't "all coming back
to me" now I'm here. No, instead I feel like I'm starting from
scratch, having to ask the most ridiculously simple questions
regarding social etiquette and so on. Having said that, I am enjoying
being able to understand a lot more of what people say. We're
not talking about deep discussions here, more like 'what people
say when they buy some food in a shop' and real playschool stuff
like that. I have begun to learn the simplest of the three Japanese
scripts (alphabets), Hiragana. Hiragana consists of approximately
50 basic symbols each representing a syllable and is used in conjunction
with the Chinese "Kanji" characters - it is also the first of
the three scripts to be taught at school. Today I learnt the 5
basics, "a" ï" "u" "e" "o". Perhaps that will do for the
next year.
I
ventured out onto the streets of Shinjuku (another of the mini-cities
that makes up Tokyo) this afternoon, which features the busiest
railway station in the world (over 3 million people pass through
it on a daily basis). With over 60 exits/entrances to choose from
I'm surprised I managed to find my way back home again - but I
did - and it was then that I was accosted by a Japanese lady asking
me if I was interested in Japanese culture. Hhmmm. I always get
suspicious when people ask me things like that, and so I am naturally
inclined to say "YES!" to find out what kind of silly situation
I can get myself into. After all, you never know until you try
it. As it turns out I don't think this will be too dangerous,
I mean this isn't Istanbul after all.
"Do you have some free time?" she asked, before dragging me into
a nearby tea shop. I made sure she didn't drop a pill into my
cup as she tried to distract me with 3 sets of photos. They featured
a festival that was celebrated a few days ago by a local branch
of the International Buddhist Convention, "Rissho Kosei-kai" (for
whom I assume she is "recruiting"), although it actually seemed
more like the American Buddhist Convention judging by the number
of Stars and Stripes and gaijin around! Anyhow, the outcome of
our meeting is that I'm going to share a taxi with her on Sunday
and she'll take me to the local "Rissho Kosei-kai" Headquarters.
I'm intrigued to see what's going to happen. Having enjoyed organised
religion in the past (not!) in the form of the Morman Church I
feel quite allergic to any forceful attempts to make me believe
in anything that takes place in large expensive buildings - they
give me the willies! Kae tells me of some religious sects in Tokyo
that have been known to take people into their arms and never
let them go! Will report back next week on whether this is a genuine
form of Buddhism of which I know nothing anyhow or some great
plan for someone to get rich. I tend to remember those bizarre
miraculous healings that take place on huge televised broadcasts
from America's mid-west. Either way it will be interesting as
I would love to gain an insight into Buddhism in Japan. I shouldn't
be so doubtful of people's motives should I. I'm so evil!
Anyhow,
I must turn my attention to food. Anything except Octopus will
do me. Oh, if you're in the uk and reading this, and have the
lottery results for sat06Oct2001, can you please check my numbers:
01 05 11 29 30 32 . Apparently I'm not entered in Lottery Extra
whatever that may be. 20% of winnings go to whoever provides me
with the good news first!
Love Joseph
Top
Wednesday
3rd October 2001
3
days to go! I don't really believe it and I probably won't until
I'm in Tokyo being shoved into a train by white gloved "pushers"
on the Yamanote line! These three weeks have flown by, and overall
have been great fun. I have really enjoyed seeing my friends again,
some of whom (such as Aniela Zylinski) I have not seen since I
left college! It was also really good to catch up on all the gossip
in Devon, plus seeing my old chums in Bristol - and of course
my brother Stephen, sister Emma (seeing Jessie later this week)
and the 'oldies' who continue to work like crazy on what has become
an outstandingly amazing garden.
Anyhow,
having spent hundreds of hours on the computer this week uploading
all my photos
I must get off this thing! I don't know when I'll next have access,
but wherever it is it will be in Japan. Take care everytone and
thankyou for your support and care.
with
love, joseph.
Top
Sunday
30th September 2001
Boy
am I tired! Drove down to Bristol yesterday to see my sister Emma
who is the class two teacher at the Bristol Waldorf School. It's
weird to see my sister being a teacher, I mean, I'm very proud
of her because it's a very tough job, and she's doing really great
in caring for her children whilst also being very popular with
the pupil, parent and teacher bodies.
Yesterday
we had a terribly decadent day. A stroll into Bristol town centre
was soon interrupted by a pair of street performers. At the beginning
of their act I was sure I'd seen them before, performing before
the Queen when she came to visit Hereford many years ago. However,
by the end of their act I was pretty sure that these wern't the
same two men: they were now doing handstands on high metal frames
whilst breathing fire and clenching lit sparklers tightly between
their buttocks. Quite impressive actually... Perhaps most amusing
of all was their constant banter, much of which is not repeatable
here.
On
the spur of the moment we decided to go and see a musical - Joseph
and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I must say it was absolutely
awful, but was saved by the enthusiasm of a chap sitting right
in front of me who couldn't keep still and sang along (out of
tune) throughtout the performance. We'd seen him earlier in the
day singing outside the thatre, trying to raise cash for his ticket.
I reckon he attended every performance as he could sing a hell
of a lot better than those on stage. Shame I couldn't see a thing
due to his huge wild mop of hair. That evening we went out to
Cribbs Cuseway, a shopping/cinema/restaurant mall. Having been
told that the wait for a table in the restaurants would be up
to 90 minites, we opted to buy copious amounts of popcorn and
sweets in the cinema, where we later saw the "remake"
of Planet of the Apes. Personally I prefer the original although
the leading lady was not to be turned down...
Today,
having stuffed ourselves with chocolate ice cream (Ben & Jerry's)
Emma and I said our goodbyes. I won't see her again for a long
time, but that's ok, the world can be seen as a small place and
it is this feeling that leads me to seldom miss people (although
there are notable exceptions). Next stop was the Zylinski/ Morris
household (it is Morris isn't it Matt?). I've known Aniela for
many years, and it was absolutely lovely to meet her fiance Matthew.
Aniela is the first member of my year at school to get married
and I think that they are an absolutly lovely couple. I'd marry
both of them if it were legally possible. Aniela had even baked
a cake in preperation for my brief visit. THANKYOU BOTH! and I
wish you all the best for your wedding on November 24th and for
the many many happy years ahead that I'm sure you will enjoy together.
After
a brief visit to see Jo once more (actually I was just busting
for a pee) I headed home in the wind and rain, thinking how today
Autumn began in Herefordshire. Changing seasons always make me
think of years gone by... so fast... I wonder what this Autumn
will bring.
joseph
x
Top
Thursday
27th September 2001
Time
flys when you're having fun! Hello again everyone, this time from
Orcop Hill, England. I made it home via Luzern, Zurich and Kent.
My thanks to the Baur, Arnet and Brand families for putting up
with me on the way and extending their hospitality to me, I truly
appreciate it. The past week has been a mad time hopping from
place to place visiting folks left, right and center. Thankfully
I have a great car at my disposal which means that I can see loads
of folks who live out in the sticks and that I would never usually
see. Everyone has been extremely kind and welcoming - I thank
each and every one of you that made time to see me. First major
stop after a few days darting around Herefordshire was in Bristol
where Kirk is at Uni. Catherine Westoby drove up from Southampton
where she is studying medicine, and together with many of Jo's
friends we had a mad weekend spending most of the time drinking
- as students do! Also saw the film Moulin Rouge, which personally
I really quite liked despite the lack of a storyline. Those Hollywood
romances always get me... (sigh)...
Sunday
afternoon, Hangover waning, it was back in the car and 2 hours
south to Totnes, Devon, where I signed up for a game of Risk with
my Brother Stephen, his lovely Lady Louise, Sean/ Shaun the game
winner and Michael who had very strange tactics. If I hadn't lost
I swear I would have won... Monday I met Christine my Scottish
Bag lady friend and a whole host of ex-colleagues as I visited
all of my former employers in Devon. Tuesday saw another game
of Risk which I also lost through no fault of my own, it's just
that everyone else was better at it than me. Met up with the ex-Nortel
lot the following night to exchange stories and remember the,
er, "good" old times! Hhhmmm.... It's a real holiday
for me, visitimg England for a few weeks. Writing the above, I
realise that nothing exciting has happened since I left London
and returned home a couple of weeks ago. That's a great relief
as until now at something totally crazy has happened at least
once or twice a week. (No broken bones yet!)
A
few people have asked me where in the world would I like to live
if I ever do settle down. Alas, I do not feel I can really answer
at the moment as my travelling experience is extremely limited,
the number of countries I have been to for a significant period
of time does not even reach five. However, I do feel quite sure
that it will not be England. The UK being a "Superpower",
the society I was brought up in led me to believe that the lifestyle
enjoyed by Brits was one of the best in the world. Now I think
otherwise. I see a nation of image concious people who are easily
manipulated by an immensely powerful press that eats into every
part of daily life. Although many of my friends (coming from a
Steiner background) do not buy into that, I have still felt surrounded
by a repressed society for each of the 13 days that I have been
here. Hhmm.. England is not for me, at least not in this stage
of my life.
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