Car Rally!

So this past Saturday was the infamous Fukui JET Car Rally. It's basically a giant motorized scavenger hunt. Each carload is a team, and you drive all over southern Fukui prefecture following clues and completing challenges. A few of our teammates bailed last minute, so it was just Justin, J-friend Kanako, and myself. Every team needed a theme and costumes, but because of the personnel changes our team didn't do a great job dressing up. Our theme ended up being the 3 "Asian Tigers", AKA the advanced economies of Asia. I was Japan, Justin was China, and Kanako was South Korea. At the outset, we were equipped with some maps, a series of cryptic directions, and a list of photo challenges.

(note: it might be fun to follow this post on Google Maps)

The race started in Tsuruga, the Northernmost city in the Reinan south prefecture area, and a beautiful seaside place. At exactly 9:00am, we descended upon the city, in all manner of dress. Being a foreigner around here will get you enough stares anyways, but foreigners dressed up as pirates, Fred Flintstone, giant Pac-men, ravers, and a dance battle crew (among others) will downright terrify some rural Japanese townsfolk. We ran around the city's main shopping promenade and tried to solve riddles as quickly as possible. At the end of part 1, we decided to complete our first photo challenge, "Switch costumes with another team":

Once our in-town objectives in Tsuruga were over, we hopped back in our cars and zipped around a big mountain overlooking the sea. We drove past nuclear reactors and had to hike up to an abandoned lighthouse to answer the next questions. Along the way, we stopped to complete a photo challenge. We had to approach a Japanese fisherman at a seaside village and take a picture including both him and his prized catch.

After the gorgeous drive around the mountains west of Tsuruga, we ended up in Mihama at the best beach I've seen in Fukui. I was pretty proud of myself and my team for completing the next challenge on the first try. We had to juggle a soccer ball ten times, while saying the name of a world cup team with ever kick, and everyone on our team had to touch the ball at least once. After that, we figured the great beach and hot weather called for us to complete another challenge. This one had us submerged in the water, getting more points the farther in we went. You'll notice that I'm holding a stuffed animal; this was our mascot, and all photo challenges required that Hello Kitty be included in the photographs.

We'd been doing pretty well so far, but in stage 3 our march toward victory took a few diversions. We were supposed to be headed from Mihama to Wakasa Town, driving around the beautiful 5 lakes that dot the area. Unfortunately, a a combination of fatigue and somewhat vague directions led us astray. We spent the next hour driving around in circles looking for the 4th checkpoint. Sadly, we ended up using the GPS on Justin's iPhone to find it in the end.

Anyways, once we got back on track we headed further south than I'd ever been in Fukui, to Obama City. I must say it's a pleasant place, and I wish I'd been there sooner. Our first task in Obama had our team ascending a big mountain which overlooked the city. We heard, but didn't manage to see any of the elusive monkeys that live there. However, the view from the top was simply breathtaking. After we drove back to the base of the mountain, we made our way into the actual city. There we were greeted by yet another challenge, involving our lovely Irish Jet Grainne (Grah-Ni-Uh). This one involved the Irish sport of hurling. I tried to transfer my mediocre baseball skills in order to complete the game, but I was unsuccessful.

About this time it started getting dark, and we were called in by HQ. All the teams met up at a cabin deep in the woods near Ooi town. The points were tallied up and awards were given. Our team got second-to-last place! Whoops... but we ate up, partied down, and got comfy cabins to sleep in. Woke up at around 9am for the 2 hour drive back to Sabae, and made it to the Orphanage in Fukui for a swim day as a volunteer. I didn't realize how tired I was until I got home at 6pm, put the NBA Finals on my computer, and promptly passed out for 12 (!) hours. All things considered, I think the Car Rally was easily one of the best events put on by our organization, and a big Thank You to everyone who spent so much time putting it together. Till next time!

P.S. My camera memory card was used for our official challenge pictures, and we weren't allowed to take any scenery pics. Hopefully once Justin puts up his pictures I can steal a few and put them up here.

P.P.S. Only 52 days till I'm back in California to see my family and friends! I hope to do a lot before I leave, so stay tuned for some fast and furious updates!

Hong Kong

What a great place. In celebration of my computer's triumphant return to my ownership (long story), here are a couple of pictures:

Hong Kong Stadium

Victoria Peak, the highest point in the city.

The World Famous Sapporo Snow Festival!

At the beginning of February I was lucky enough to get a few days off school to head to a literal winter wonderland. My destination: the "Yuki Matsuri" or Snow Festival, located in Japan's 4th largest city, Sapporo. Sapporo is a long way from Fukui, waaaaay up in Japan's largest and most Northernly prefecture, Hokkaido. Hokkaido is a separate island, and was once something like the wild west in America, as it was only settled and developed by the Japanese in the 19th century (keep in mind they've been on the mainland for thousands of years). Thus it is known as a vast expanse of relatively undisturbed land in an otherwise crowded and overdeveloped country, and is a bit different from the rest of Japan.

The city of Sapporo is a great illustration of the uniqueness of Hokkaido. The city was only founded in 1866 (Compare that with 794AD for Kyoto). What makes this city even more special is that the layout of the streets and parks was designed by an American. Because of this, Sapporo is probably the only major city in Japan with entirely square-grid style streets and a central park. I have a feeling that this subconsciously made this American a little more comfortable on his vacation!

Anyways, enough background info. Here's my trip report:

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We got to the island by ferry. Our e-mail described our ride as a poor man's cruise ship, so we planned accordingly with snacks, drinks and poker chips as our supplies. Little did we know we had just boarded the Japanese Titanic. As soon as we stepped on the boat we were slapped across the face with some awful news: 15+ foot waves the whole way. We're talking about a 17 hour trip here. You know it's bad when the chairs are strapped to the wall, and the baths are closed because sitting in warm water is too dangerous. Upon hearing the dire predicament we were about to endure for the better part of the next day, 90% of our group of around 30 bailed to the bunks and nary a peep was heard from them again (besides the occasional groan or retch). A few brave souls, along with Yours Truly, said screw it and popped open some chocolate flavored beers, daring the sea to make us pay. Captain Ahab would've been proud.

Miraculously, I was one of about 3 people who didn't puke on the entire boat trip. No Dramamine pills either. Although, I did decide to call it a night when I took a trip to the restroom and saw one of our squad ralphing in the toilet, then went to the second stall and his brother was doing the same thing. I walked back to my bunk past yet a third person upchucking into a trash can and went to sleep, only to wake up periodically with a strange weightless feeling until our boat would come crashing back down to the waves. No, seriously, our gazillion-pound ferry which was big enough to have an automobile cargo hold for semi-trucks was catching air! A short 17 hours plus a four hour delay later, we stepped into the blinding white night in Hokkaido. We got into our Ryokan (traditional Japanese motel) at about 8:30pm and called it an early night in preparation for the main event: the Yuki Matsuri!

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Here's why the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri is so famous:

... giant, impeccably detailed snow sculptures! The city is filled for a week each winter with hundreds and hundreds of snow creations, each one painstakingly carved by an army of artisans. They are absolutely breathtaking in their scope, creativity and detail.

For the rest of my pictures from the Yuki Matsuri, check out my Picasa Web Album:

Sapporo Yuki Matsuri

Of course, the sculptures weren't the only reason I braved the ferry ride from hell to get to Sapporo. The region is also known for its many delicious foods. Probably the most famous Hokkaido regional delicacy is ramen. Makes sense seeing how it stays below freezing all winter. I believe I ate ramen no less than 5 times on the trip. In fact, there is a place literally called "Ramen Alley" which is filled with nothing but ramen shops. I gave in and bought the $20.00 crab ramen, but I think my favorite kind was buttercorn. Our trip also included a stop at the Sapporo Brewery, where Sapporo Beer is made. The brewery had a massive dining hall where for around $45.00 U.S. you got 2 hours of all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink. The food served there is called "Jengis Khan" after the Japanese name for the Mongolian tyrant. Jengis Khan is basically cook-your-own lamb on a big skillet with various vegetables and some great dipping sauce included as well. This is pretty special since its the only place in Japan where I've seen lamb so far.

Other highlights: a snowboarding big air competition in the center of the city; $20.00 all-you-can-drink German-style beer in giant 1L mugs at Otaru Breweries' "Leibspace" restaruant; tubing down a huge snow slide; watching the Super Bowl at 9am in the attic of a foreigner bar called "Jerseys". Pics of all this and more on my Picasa site.

Great trip and pretty reasonably priced all things considered. Oh, and on the ride home the Sea of Japan was as smooth as glass. :)

-Brett

Delicious Echizen Crab

Picture from a crab dinner on the coast with my English dept.

More Winter

Well, not much has changed here since my last post. Well except one thing: snow! It went from the low 40's to the low 30's and the rain changed to snow. Not the fluffy white kind that saunters down from the sky at a leisurely pace, either. The kind where it seems like millions of tiny frost Cupids are slinging icy arrows from on high. Couple this with outrageous winds and you have a blizzard that will kick a California kid's ass, and that is exactly what has happened. I realized that I know next to nothing about living in a winter wonderland. I didn't have rubber boots to walk in or a brush to get the snow off of my car. I am also woefully short on winter clothes. Back home, a hoodie or windbreaker was usually enough to keep me comfortable. Not so in this neck of the woods. My saving grace is my love of covers and sweatpants, which means I've only turned my big heater on once this entire season.

Also, did I mention Japan doesn't believe in central heating or insulated walls? This is especially fascinating at school. I mean, the school's at least got thermostats and such, right? Nope. In actuality, every room in the school is heated individually by a stand-alone contraption which runs on kerosene. Yeah, there are technically tiny gas fires next to huge tanks of kerosene in every classroom in Japan! Not to mention the kerosene storage room where all 50-odd refill jugs are held. Where is this room? Right in the central entrance to the school.Talk about an explosion waiting to happen. The exhaust from the heaters is funneled out of the room through big tin exhaust pipes which lead to the roof. All of this was installed in the late Fall. How is this in any way superior to central heating? You got me.

Little known fact: there is a peace sign in every picture taken in Japan, and has been since 1961. My student is simply doing her duty and keeping the streak alive.

In any case, through a mixture of stubbornness and my big black pea-coat I have survived thus far. What really blows my mind is that the majority of my students still manage to wear thigh-high skirts to school every day. The smart ones wear sweats underneath, but most are unwilling to risk being unfashionable to achieve warmth. Actually, they all bring blankets to school, and wrap these around their legs bath towel style when walking around. Yeah, a Lilo and Stitch cotton blankie is way cooler than sweatpants. *Sigh...*

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Outside of school, during the week my nights usually just consist of braving the weather and going to the gym then watching The Wire on my computer afterwards. Best show of all time by the way (after Jersey Shore of course). I'm also trying to improve my modest cooking skills little-by-little. So far I've got chicken and rice and some kickass pasta under my belt. Last weekend I made Japanese-style Miso Ramen from scratch, and I'm pretty proud of that. I figure if I add one new recipe to my repertoire each week, I'll be a top chef in no time.

Another favorite pastime around here during the frigid winter months is visiting an Onsen. An Onsen is a traditional Japanese bath. For about five bucks you get access to hot tubs galore, saunas, a cold bath, an outdoor tub (usually), lots of naked 70 year old Japanese dudes and maybe some other extra special surprises. I haven't been to any of the awesome ones yet, but some have Green Tea baths, and one even has little fish that eat the dead skin off of your feet. Awesome I know. Soon, soon...

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Next up for me? This weekend I'll go with the rest of the English department for a night on the nearby coast, complete with a smorgasbord of seafood, including the world-famous (okay, maybe Japan-famous) Echizen crab. Should be fantastic. Then the weekend after that I leave for the real highlight of the season: the Sapporro snow festival! This is all the way up in Hokkaido prefecture, the Siberia of Japan. Expect a report from that one soon.

Guess that's it for now, I'll leave you with a picture I took from the top of nearby Nishiyama Park on a recent Sunday walk, along with a slideshow of my pictures from so far this winter. (click either to enlarge)

-Brett