On any given day I can have 6 classes to attend or (most likely) none. I love my time here but I often wonder, why have an ALT if you are not going to use them for everything? Isnt that a waste?
I'm not saying ship me home or anything, but being in the classroom more than two or three times a week would be nice. Though for now I simply sit back and enjoy the warmth of the teachers room as I study.
Currently I think I'm crazy as I have been studying Japanese in the mornings, masters course work at school when I don't have classes and now Spanish. Yes, two languages. Japanese because I live here, Spanish because it will best benefit my career in the US as an ESL teacher. I want to improve my understanding and usage of both, though my motivation for it is honestly lacking. I hope I can change that.
I have also recently changed my diet to some degree. As my family and friends know I have been a vegetarian (lacto-ovo) for going on 7 or so years now and I've decided after much research to change again! Nothing too dramatic just a more plant based protein diet, cutting out most of the dairy I consume and focusing more on gaining nutrients from natural and raw foods. It is actually much more fun than it sounds. I wont get into the details of why I changed because, well, I don't want to seem preachy. Its just a personal choice for a better living style. It is challenging to cut sugary food out of my diet because I have a sweet love of them and my soul needs chocolate! But I digress.
The new year has been slow going and uneventful so far but I have great aspirations for where I will end up but 2015. Travels and changes are in order and I cant wait to see what happens because of them. Who I'll meet and the world I'll see are going to be an adventure in their own.
Adventures in food, culture, creation and love. I hope for the best from them all.
Cheers
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Miyajima Day Trip
I dont know much about the travel there because Yuka drove us. After a nice 3 hour drive and numerous jam out sessions to Bruno Mars and other epic dance music we found ourselves at a tiny guest house for the night. We arrived in Hiroshima at the guest house around 11 pm and wanted go out to clubs and dance the night away. Sadly, everything was closed because of the new years holiday so we settled in for some drinks at a backpackers bar we found wondering through the shopping district.
When we arrived we were the only people in the humble little bar and not soon after a nice drunken wedding party happened to stumble in. We spent the night chatting back and forth in English and Japanese and I enjoyed every bit of the strange encounters with the less than sober bunch.
After a while we traveled back to the hostel for a nights rest before heading to Miyajima in the morning to see the famous tori gate.
Some Photos :)
 |
| Yuka smiles from he bunk at the guest house |
 |
| Makeup in the morning. Ladies must look their best when hunting down Geocaches and seeing tori gates! |
 |
| Hanaco watching some crazy Japanese morning show. I had no idea what was going on but at one point an man in skin tight pants was running about pretending to have a ragging erection. |
 |
| This guys kept talking selfies. I couldnt resist taking his photo. though I think the couple behind him thought I was taking their picture and soon after they took a picture of us....weird.... |
 |
| View from the boat |
 |
| There were deer EVERYWHERE! It was crazy. |
 |
| We couldn't help but want a photo |
 |
| oh deer...... |
 |
| Tabi and the Gate |
 |
| Tabi selfie! |
 |
| Just hanging around |
 |
Miyajima is a small island less than an hour outside the city of Hiroshima. It is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan's three best views.
While officially named Itsukushima, the island is more commonly referred to as Miyajima, Japanese for "shrine island". This is because the island is so closely related to its key shrine, Itsukushima Shrine, in the public's mind. Like the torii gate, the shrine's main buildings are built over water.
(from travel guide)
|
 |
| Just north of the gate you can enter a shrine area and pray, take photos, walk about and enjoy the general splendor. |
 |
| Typical ceremonies at the shrine. |
 |
| I kept this photo because I think its the only time I will see people queue properly in Japan. |
 |
| A beautiful Kimono I saw |
 |
| I thought it was lovely so I asked her if I could take her photo. Actually Hanaco asked but ya..... |
 |
| Tabi-chan rockin a traditional mask |
 |
| Stopped for some Okonomiyaki and a nice break after getting some cute charms in the market area. |
 |
| Yuka and Hanaco surprised me with my own charm! I love it! It says Debby in Japanese! |
 |
| Hanaco being beautiful |
 |
| I call this "reflective Yuka" |
 |
| Goodbye Miyajima! Mata ne! |
Taipei and Juifen Taiwan. Journeys with Kari and Tabi
I really enjoyed my time and travels in Taiwan and I spent time hopping around and I feel far too much time on trains and buses, but all in all it was a wonderful trip.
Kari, Tabi and I explored several areas of Taiwan in our travels. From Alishan and Chaiyi to Jiufen and Taipei. We saw loads of culture, people and greenery while exploring the little parts of Taiwan while we could.
In our travels we stopped along the way to stay one night at the lovely Footprints Hostel. (http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Footprints-Taipei-Hostel/Taipei/81679)
A simple and comfortable hostel run by a small family. Rey and his family were wonderful as we talked and I hung out with their cute new baby. We trotted about in the area happening upon a floral show and some super tasty veggie foods in our day there.
Kari and the cool homemade beds.
 |
| Rey and his wife. |
TAIPEI 101!
Taipei 101 is an easily accessed sigh in Taiwan and the Taipei ares for all to enjoy. We took the MRT to the Taipei 101 station, bobs your uncle, YOU'RE THERE!
The tower its self used to be the largest i the world but is now I think the second or third. I believe there is a taller building in Dubai.
Tabi and I at Taipei 101
The mall inside of Taipei 101 is chock full of high end department stores such as Coach and Armani. But if you are looking for some more casual shopping, there is another mall area just down the road that afford loads of foods and typical mall like shopping stores.
On our way to hunt down the Japanese bank branch in Taiwan we happened to cross this gem! Tabi couldn't resist a ride.
Needing money and finding and empty bank....was not fun
We didnt eat at this place butit must have been good. There were two on the same side of the building. I liked the joke.
Stuck at a Starbucks trying to hunt down some Wifi, we finally broke down and asked the gentleman passing us if he could help us find a Mary Jane Pizza. He was more than helpful and I chatted with him and the woman who joined him as they surfed the web and tried to ind us a way to reach our pizza destination. I spoke shortly with them about my plans to travel the Camino this year and he promptly connected me via email to a friend who had done the Camino and raved about it. I meet nice people everywhere I go.
Banana Hostel
The last leg of our trip went spent the remaining time at Banana Hostel in Taipei. It is a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere completely hidden on the street. Honestly, you wouldn't even know this amazing place was hidden there. If your headed to Taipei Id recommend a night or two. The staff was awesome and I spent a great deal of time just chatting with them when I wasn't bobbing around the city. Easily accessed from Dongmen station with fair rates. And of course...this moose
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Banana-Hostel/Taipei/66772?source=adwordstaipeinamesbff&KID=1167103&AID=2&sub_keyword=banana%20hostel%20taipei&sub_ad=e&sub_publisher=ADW&gclid=CMbZls-A8LsCFYNLpgodynYASQ
I had heard a great deal about the vegetarian buffets in Taiwan and I was not overwhelmed with an abundance, but the once I found was good. Just a short walk from the hostel we ate at this tiny shop where I had no idea what most of it was but I felt free to dive in with no fear.
If you are a vegetarian traveling in Taiwan there are a few things to think about,
1-its common to be vegetarian here so they often use protein replacements. These look like meat but are not. Dont fear!
2- Depending on your style of vegetarianism you might be faced with more eggs and dairy than you think. If you do not normally eat these in your diet it is something to keep and eye on.
The amount of small market ares you find is Taiwan is more than you can imagine. Morning through evening people are peddling their wares roadside. The night markets are a bustle with life and the pungent smell of foods as people shove by and your are traffic jammed into a line for some fried duck head or stinky tofu. The focus of the markets seems to be food, but children's toys and clothes can be found at various places as well.
One aspect I found interesting in Taiwan and even when I traveled to Thailand was the amount of cooking done on the side of the road. Out of small canisters or washing dishes in the road, space was limited and I can safely say, OSHA would not approve.
A small glimpse of the nigh market and people settling in from the chaos for some food.
As our night came to and end I feel hard and fast for the glory that is shaved ice. I was AMAZING! A giant pile of flavored finely shaved ice surrounded by hordes of fruit!!!! A Debby paradise. I was scraggly and tired but this needed to be documented. I could eat shaved ice for days!
Taipei, 9-5 Mountain hike, The FANTASTIC people of Taiwan
Whilst in Taipei I took a day trip to Four Beast Mountain near Taipei 101. It is most widely known for its beautiful view of the sunset over the city and view of Taipei 101.
I was able to reach it by metro easily and its just a short walk from several MRT station or Taipei 101 its self.
Tiger Trail.
After getting of the MRT at Houshanpi station I walked quite a ways toward to mountain in the distance in hopes that I was headed the right direction. It was moderately easy and comfortable to reach the base points but slightly challenging to find the trail starting areas. The streets I took wound me up past a street market bustling with people early in the morning and a temple that had a small exhibit going on. Passing through the streets I see stalls filled with giant fruit and I wonder exactly why its so damn expense in Japan for something so small when Taiwan in right here! Finally after wondering up a long winding road I happened to spot a trail sign. It wasn't
the easiest thing to see but it was a good start for my day.
The trail started with long beautiful man made steps that lead you past meditation areas and through an abundance of greenery on your way to the top. Tabi-Chan enjoyed the views as much as I did. Its not terribly steep and could be easily climbed by non-frequent hikers. Dont worry guys! The path was littered with butterflies and plants, but peppered in you still see left behind trash and things you might not expect. The strangest I found to be a car seat for a child.
Passing a meditation area I stopped for a short time to take in the sound of the chanting in the distance and catch my breath from the swift walk to the top. Tabi found a nice tree and we settled in for a few breaths before continuing on to the top. During my ascent to the top I only crossed path with about 4 others but it was early in the morning and this seems to be more of a late afternoon climb for people.
There are plenty of places to stop along your way to the top where you can take a moment to view the city around you and absorb the sounds of the surrounding temples and forget that you are literally minutes from the city center.
Toward to top I found a few places where I met up with groups of travelers. Most seemed a little shocked to see me but their interests peaked at the sight of Tabi and my attempts to balance him in order to take photos. I'm not sure why but many people thought he was real.
Trying to capture a photo of my first rope encounter and the woman from the group ahead of me caught me! She was super cute and posed for just a moment before laughing and heading on to catch her group.
At a small resting area I stopped to take in the view and found a rather large sundial. It told me it was about noon and I had been wandering around the mountain trains for just about an hour. This simple accent reminded me that I had so much more to explore and see as I made my way to what I thought was the top. Tabi continued to gather attention as did I and I encountered more than once as I stopped to rest and write in my journal, people looking over my shoulder to see what I was doing. Funny really.
A short time later I came upon another man made exercise area and noticed what seemed like a path just behind the typical trail. I wondered up and caught the eye of some women who were making use of the stretching area. They shouted toward me for just a second to correct the direction I was going and guide me toward the fantastic path that was more than I had bargained for. There are NUMEROUS hidden paths along the mountain and I found myself more than once going through my day saying "ooh look a trail" and heading off toward some other unknown part of the mountain.
On my way up this trail I met paths with an older gentlemen who asked if I was going to the top. At my (unknowing what was ahead) happy yes, he laughed and pressed forward.
Taking only a few short breaks on the slippery and steep path I happened upon, I finally came to what I assume was only part of what he was chuckling about. I met with a small group of people, I believe from China, that were heading up the side of the mountain. Several lagged behind and two girls I started speaking with held the same reserve for the somewhat intimidating looking ascent up the first (yes first) set of ropes. I was hesitant at first but mustered up the courage and took off up the mountain. Lucky for me the family ahead waited to help me up as I found myself struggling more than I had assumed I would. It got fairly steep and at times the only thing keeping me up was the rope. I scared everyone around me when I slipped and the uncle of the group grabbed my hand and helped me the rest of the way up.
I believe if you are going to attempt these climbs its best to go with someone if you are not and experienced to strong person.
After all my efforts and strain up what I thought was the hard part, I came upon this gem. it is exactly how it looks and it was a LONG trek up. Myself and the group Id attached to came to another group of climbers, who seeming more experienced, lead the way up.
Along the way I found a small spot to stop and rest my arms and wait for others to pass. The amount of people climbing at the time made me a little uneasy as they and I pulled consecutively at the ropes. I met up again with one of the girls whom Id spoken with and she joined me on my ledge. Though we didn't really speak the same language we were able to communicate about the dangers of the rope and we decided to wait together til many had passed. She was a little more scared to climb up so we encouraged each other along the way and finally made it.
The wonderful girls I met and spoke with along my climb. Our continued encouragement lead the way up for one and other and we celebrated with cheers, high fives and Tabi at the top!
Finally I had made it to the top! To my relief I found there was a paved path down the other side of the mountain for my descent and I wouldn't have to struggle back down the ropes. A fear had washed over me about half way up the second set of ropes when I thought of how to get back down but felt relief at the top when I heard the good news.
Id come across the apparently famous 9-5 rock. Named for a former ruler who had climb the mountain at age 95. I met with a large group at the top all munching on snack and a pleasant gentleman who offered to take my photo for me and told me the story of the rock. He was also very excited to explain that a friend of his was planning to make the climb next year at age 96 to try and rename the rock! What a thing to do! Let the battle of the ages begin!
After a short break and some lunch watching people take photos and two young girls try to convince their much older dachshund to climb the rock, I settled on a small ledge hidden a little from the crowd to write in my journal and reflect on my climb.
Just as I settled and began my writing, a very well spoken and polite man asked if I had had lunch and offered me a chocolate bar. He was hiking with his son that day was was extremely kind. We talked about his trips with his son and he offered to take me hiking and other places in Taiwan. The generosity of the people here was beyond compare.
Amazingly nice and happy father and son.
After about 2 hours of sitting at the top, talking to people, wandering about and just enjoying the general splendor of the day, I figured it was time to push on.
Tabi and I stopped for plenty of photos and people were more than kind enough to offer taking them for me.
MORE ROPES!
After heading down from the 9-5 rock you can meet with numerous other paths. One I found to be brisk and worth it was one I believe was called Thumb Trail. It heads to another peak area with a breath taking view of the cit and Taipei 101.
SMILE TABI-CHAN!
One of the many paths along the way
On one of the many trails I walked I saw a GIANT earthworm! I put Tabi down for good measure and even then half of it is still behind him.
Oh the places I went
As I was heading down the mountain I again caught a glance at what seemed like a small off the typical path trail. Where I was just shortly behind this WONDERFUL group of people. After trailing behind them for a short time I heard someone call back and ask if I was alone. At my breathy yes they proclaimed I should join them and I quickly pushed on to catch up. They adopted me into their group and I joined them for green tea and snacks for a much needed and fantastic rest.
These are two of the nicest people I met in Taiwan!!! Hands down !
Claire (on the right) was so kind and spoke to me often. Her English was amazing and she told me about how this group travels on the weekends to different places to hike. I felt so welcome as they joked and laughed about their day and asked me loads of questions.
One part I truly enjoyed was the variation in language. While the women I spoke with seemed to speak English well, the men spoke some Japanese! One very sprightly man spoke to me in Japanese and at one point mentioned that I should stay and meet his son. Ah to be paired off with peoples kids around the world! Ha Ha
The amazing group that took me in and made sure I was ok.
They were so kind and even made sure I made it back tot he metro in good manner. The gentleman to my left in the photo even walked me back to the hostel to make sure I was able to find it and got there safely.
I couldn't have asked for a better day and this amazing group made it even better. Thank you so much for making my trip memorable.
After a long fun filled day of hiking, I met up with Kari and we hunted down Mary Jane Pizza once more. (we couldnt go the day before) I finished off my day stuffing my face with food and a nice GIANT beer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)