Kurashiki and Bicchu Kokubunji Temple

Kurashiki is just outside of Okayama and has a really beautiful old town. When taxes were collected in rice, they were brought to this central location, making Kurashiki a rich region. There are canals which they used to transport rice, than are now used to ferry sightseers up and down the 300m stretch of the touristic centre. The buildings are interesting and not really what I expected from Japan in some cases. The criss-cross patterns remind me of the black and white British Tutor architecture, but in the case the white and black has been reversed. In actuality the builds are covered in tiles with larger bands of grout, created to shield the structures from fire. Interesting little boutiques, cafes and gifts shops line the pedestrian roads and you can find a few interesting items within.

But the heat is really been cranked up another notch (Or two) as just walking at a slow pace feels like a marathon spirit and just standing still can bring out in an all-over body sweat. It's currently about 35 degrees with about 80% humidity. The scary thing is, it can hit 38%!

On our way back we stopped at the Bicchu Kokubunji Temple, a 5 tiered masterpiece that seems to defy gravity, let along seismic activity. I was amazed by the beauty of the way it seems to rise up from nowhere and yet I was even more amazed when I got up close. The intricate construction is so complex and yet precise in it's use. I'm confused why no one has sort fit to try and recreate this style of architecture for the 21^st century, as surely with modern building methods it would be easier to create and just as striking; using metal frameworks and while retaining a beautiful blend of traditional and modern. I sense a 'Grand Design' coming on!

Tsuyama Beer Festival

Maki, myself and some local friends of ours adorned our 浴衣 (Yukkata, A traditional summer style Kimono) to attend the local ビ-ル祭り(Beer Festival), to sample some of the local beers from Okayama. I especially like the pink 'sakura' beer we tried, sweet and fruity, but I was surprised you cannot really buy these beers in bars! No one really seems to know why. Japanese people love local produce and the idea of limited or season food or drink seems to appeal to them; then why not the local, seasonal beer? Why do they they produce it if no one drinks it? Or where do they sell it, aside from the festivals?

Six Year Old Distraction Tactics

I had a first year class self-introduction (Yes, I'm still introducing myself). The children are 6-7 years old. It was rather a strange lesson. As I was setting up before the lesson, this little girl came up to me and started talking to me in English! I was kind of a little thrown at first as this is meant to be their first English lesson and I wasn't expecting them to know anything. She said “How old are you?” So I said “I'm 29. How old are you?” “I'm 6.” Then came the WTF moment, as she said “What time do you get off?” Now is it just me, is “What do you get off?” reserved for cheesy movies / sitcoms where the guy wants to pick up the girl, who is currently working as a nurse / waitress etc, and he wants to take her out for a date after she finishes work? Kind of an odd expression for a 6 year old. Obviously she is asking what time I finish work, she's a 6 year old Japanese girl and she doesn't want to take me on a date. And besides, I'm married. So I regain my composure and say “4:30”. She then looks surprised and then says “Oh, that's early!” What? Your 6. How can you have a grasp on what's an early time to finish work, and yet also be able to articulate that in English? So I reply “Really, what time do you 'get off'?” “I get off at 6:30!” What? No you don't. You leave at 3:00. What is going on? Then a small boy tried to punch me in the nuts. The moral of the story, never let your guard down.

Tottori Sand Dunes

No, I didn't know there was a desert in Japan either. But there is. It's actually quite small as a desert goes. It has one really big dune that rises up steeply and then drops down as sharply to the sea. It's odd being on the top as your so high above the beach down below. 

Random English of the Month – Surprise!

It's another single word, but I this one really made me laugh. I was driving around a corner, not really sure if I was going the right way and then found this right in front of me 'SURPRISE!' Seriously, what's it doing there? Sometimes I think Japanese people just finger though a dictionary and point to a word saying “Oh that'll do, we'll call our company that”. 

It's Like a Big Warm Blanket

As I've mentioned, it's warming up. But if you've never been in such a climate, you probably don't know how this heat might make you feel. The time you notice it most is when you go from an air-conditioned area back out into the heat. It's like walking into a wall of heat. The best way to describe is like someone walking up to you and saying “Here you are, here is a blanket that's been on the radiator. Let me put with on you!” And you say “No, thank you. Really, I'm hot enough.” But the person insists and says “No, really. You need to wear the hot blanket.” And you say “Please, get this blanket off me.” And they say “You've got too, it's summer!” That's the best way to describe it.

Humidity is also a factor. I went into a bathroom at one of my schools the other day and noticed the mirror had steamed up, like after you've had a hot shower. But it was a public bathroom so there was no shower. It was just the natural heat with the water in the air, causing it to mist.

We also had a super lighting storm the other day. I don't think I've ever seen such a storm. There was lighting cracking and flashing up the sky about every 20 seconds for about half an hour. At one point the rain was so loud it sounded like hale.

Japan is nothing if not extreme, in every sense of the word.  

Racist Cereal and Homophobic Tea