Saturday, August 25, 2007

back home

Am back in Delhi. It isn't too great. I had hoped more things would have changed in that one year I was away, but alas.. not much has changed in Delhi. I can only hope I don't have too serious a reverse culture shock. The only saving grace is the plethora of mangoes that mom bought and kept the fridge :)

I miss Okinawa, but there is nothing to be done, except remember my times there and everything I saw, experienced and learnt. All the friends I made, and all the good times I had. Thank you for being a part of it! I am truly very grateful...

I now declare the end of my Okinawa Times...

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Fuji San, Golden Kanazawa, and my last day..

These three probably deserve a separate post each. Alas! I don't have time on my hands... I know they shall be saved as drafts and posted much much later than today! But they shall be here for your reading pleasure none the less!


Sunrise from Mt. Fuji:

15th August 2007 (India's 60th Independence Day)

May the pics say it all (for text, please refer to Mr. David Crennen's An Attempt at Mt. Fuji):






------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Golden Kanazawa

On the night of the 16th, I took a night bus from Shinjuku to Kanazawa. It took the whole night to get there, and i reached the capital of Ishikawa prefecture at 6ish in the morning the next day. My friend came and picked me up, and we headed to his house to have some breakfast and freshen up. After an amazing cup of coffee, we headed out to komatsu city, to the Natadera temple. It was there that my already half-broken camera gave up on me and I was to later discover that none of the pictures I took came. Which is such a shame, since it was a beautiful place, and I can't share it with you, or keep it in my records for posterity! The temple would be awesome in autumn and winter. I could only imagine for now what it would be like, but even that mental picture seemed to take my breath away.

Anyhow, after coming back from Natadera, we headed over to the Geisha District. Since the sun was setting, and they were putting out paper lamps on the cobbled roads, it was a gorgeous site. women in kimonos graced the place and even though there were many hushed tourists crowding the streets, it was an extremely memorable evening!

The next day (17th August), we went to a shrine called Oyama Shrine. It had a stained glass window at its gate, and the beautiful little pond next to the shrine had a white stork/crane (I don't know which it was exactly) and a small semicircular bridge. I picked a fortune there, which turned out to be 大吉 or daikichi which is the best good luck. Of course if it was bad luck, then I'd have to tie it and leave it there. But since it was good, I got to keep it. Nikhil read what it said and told me; it was overall good (naturally!) but the last line said "But don't be proud"!! I had picked a luck at Asakusa before starting with my M.A. degree and this time it was for the rest of my M. Phil. I hope its true! I really need all the luck I can get.

I digress too much! すみません !

After Oyama Shrine, we went to the Kanazawa Castle. and saw the famed Ishikawa-mon. Nikhil is the CIR from India in Kanazawa, and he was therefore an excellent guide for me. There we saw many of the famous red dragonflies. After the castle, we walked over to the famed Kenroku-en. It was lovely, despite the throngs of tourists. (Damn you, camera!!) I got reminded of Kyoto, and felt that however much beautiful Okinawa was, yet we were missing this side of Japan there. When we stepped into a traditional tea house, into the cool clean tatami room -it was a very hot day - I became melancholic. and this melancholy stayed with me for a long time. I felt sad that I was leaving. I felt that I may never again see this. I may never again experience this. I felt my loss deeply at that moment. This trip to Kanazawa was the last trip I made in Japan until who knows when the next time would be when I come back here.

I tried melon カキゴリ to sooth melancholy - didn't help. Even souvenir shopping didn't help. Nor did a Starbucks frappuchino. Nor did word games. Nothing. I was tired and hot and nostalgic for the present! We walked at the samurai district where boundaries of the houses had mud walls! After that, we went home and I fell asleep. Woke up afresh, went more souvenir shopping (bought gold facewash for my sister!), had dinner, then left by night bus again. All in all, Kanazawa was beautiful. and I highly recomend a trip to Ishikawa-ken!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Last Day in Japan:

On my last day in Tokyo (22nd of August), I ate lunch with cute cute Asako, who asked me to come to her place. She borrowed a book of vegetarian recipes from the library and cooked me a delicious tofu cutlet-type dish! And her mom went and got us a sweet dish called yokan, which is made from azuki beans and kanten.

I went to the au shop in Kichijoiji to disconnect my keitai after returning from Asako's. I was worried that I wont have enough cash on hand to pay it off, so I asked first how much it would cost total, and the people wanted me to fill forms first. and, of course, I didn't have enough money to cover my bills. So, I had to go home, get my dads card, go back to Sun Road, get money and then disconnect the phone. Accompanied with ten thousand useless formalities, and the guy making me fill out a brand new form because of some mistake he made, the whole procedure took about 2 hours! It was still better than when I was getting my phone. That time, they had made me decide a plan first, when i finally did so, the made me select a handset. But the ones I liked weren't available, so they got out these other ones. (Mind you, they first showed me the sample ones for those that they didn't have!!!) When I selected a phone, they said the plan we chose wont apply on this handset, so I had to look at other plans all over again!! I think we spent an entire afternoon there at the time!


Anyhow, after that was done, I headed off to Nishi-kasai, where I had diner with family friends and I stayed the night there itself with all my luggage, packed and ready to go from there itself. It was easier to go from there than Kichijoji since the family friend could drop me till the bus stop, so I decided that this was the best option. I had a good nights rest and in the morning I was off.
That was my stay in Tokyo! and the last of my JET career. (i.e., unless I become an alumni!!)

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Things I will miss:

  • the sea
  • カラオケ KARAOKE
  • Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
  • my scooter
  • collecting shells
  • night skies full of stars
  • my apartment and freedom it entailed
  • watching sunsets from the sea-steps
  • pizza in the sky at 花人ほ  (shoots! I don't know the last kanji!)
  • Minna Jima ferry rides
  • winter lunches at the sea wall
  • zenzai
  • shiisas in every nook and cranny
  • swimming at my private beach
  • ume onegiri
  • vanilla skies
  • bowling
  • tofu champaruu (without meat or dashi)
  • purikura
  • badminton Wednesdays
  • AFN and its silly ads
  • watching The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 1:30am
  • Cafe Celluloid and interesting discussions
  • kappa maki
  • CAT
  • pulling Dave's leg
  • "Movie Club" gatherings
  • roaming around on Yaedake
  • my 'tonari' student
  • answering ridiculous questions on India
  • planing trips to outer islands
  • company of friends made over the year
  • encountering Engrish signs
  • frantic Dinner preparations
  • frantic lesson planning
  • "Curry" Cooking Classes
  • looking at Ie Jima for hours
  • chai and snacks with Ayumi
  • all cute kids of Motobu
  • dressing up in a sari for everyone's amazement
  • making crafts at the BoE
  • being called "Juhi Sensei"

Friday, August 10, 2007

Farewell

Today the BoE gave Dave and I a farewell. They also combined it with a welcome for Emily and Everette - the 2 new ALTs in Motobu. Since Dave's cousin - John was also invited, there was a shocking number of gaijin present in party! It was at the same place as my welcome and Lorena's farewell party last year. Dave wore his Jimbei, and I wore a different sari.

There were many speeches and gifts and I was at my worst. I didn't know how I ought to behave, I wanted to run away, I was peevishly irritated, I was smiling on the outside, but inside of me was screaming. I did cry. When I read the beautiful message Saori san wrote with the gift she sent. And when Kazuko sensei spoke to me and gave her blessing. When I sang 'nada sou sou' with Ayumi at karaoke. When Ayumi dropped me and Everette home and I stayed to see her off in the rain.

But there were happy times too. Singing 'Like a Prayer' with Emily and Everette. And personalizing Polaroid photos using permanent markers with Ayumi from her superduper high-tech camera. And hogging on my last zenzai, and Kajun's homemade Cheese Cake.

I forgot my camera at home. and haven't yet gotten pictures the others took. I only have one picture, that Ayumi personalized for me and I can only post a picture of that picture.
..will post in the future when I get them! Till then I shall keep the mental images in my head!

Can't believe this one year is over!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

my bike is gone

I sold my bike. I wasnt expecting to part with it today itself... I was under the impression that I could use it until Friday. But no... it is gone... I didnt do my scooter diaries... didnt take a picture of it... and I didnt even say goodbye... my heart is weeping... I shall miss it so much...

Monday, August 6, 2007

Ridiculous Notions

I had to write these out. This are some questions and notions - ridiculous or no - people asked me /had about India. Being the only Indian in a small part of Okinawa, and being the only Indian some people/students of my town have or ever will see, is a big responsibility! (and task too!)

  1. What are the multiplication tables students have to learn?
  2. Indian are very intelligent.
  3. Do you eat curry-rice everyday?
  4. All Indians have elephants as pets, right?
  5. There are more people in America than in India.
  6. Do you have radio in India?
  7. Indians are overtaking in IT.
  8. Do Indians use cell phones?
  9. Why do you speak English?
  10. Do you have trains in India?
  11. Head bobbing sideways with hands joined over the head.
  12. Indian food is very hot and spicy.
  13. What is the red dot on the forehead for?
  14. Indians eat naan everyday.
  15. India is blistering hot.
  16. There is snow in India???
  17. You have beaches in India?
  18. Where in Indonesia are you from?

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

yaeyama

Day One:
(Tuesday, 24th July 2007)

Should have been when Dave and I were on-board the A-line ferry heading towards Ishigaki! But a series of unfortunate circumstances prevented us from catching the ferry on time, and it left the dock without us, while we stood there watching it leave!


Therefore,


Day One:

(Wednesday, 25th July 2007)


We catch a plane with Liz, and reach there; eat an early dinner; head to MaxValu to get fruits for the Kohama's (with whom we stayed in Ishigaki). Then we took a taxi to them and they welcome us with arms wide open, give us a set of keys to the house, make plans to take us out to the sea the next day, and give us a comfortable space to rest for the night! They were awesome hosts!

Day Two:

(Thursday, 26th July 2007)

We head out (via a HotSpar, to buy liquids) to the wharf where Mr. Kohama proceeds to take out to the sea on his own private boat. He realises that it needs gas, so we loiter around while the boat gets it fill. Finally, we are on our way, destination - off the coast of Kuroshima, a Reef where we shall see the pretty fish in the crystal clear sea! and we receive a brilliant tan for our efforts! The wind, the sea, the sky! Ah it was a perfect day!



After snorkeling and riding around in Nemo - Mr. Kohama's boat - we four went over to a place where they had really authentic smelling tandoori chicken. Of course I ate a salad or something... But Mr. Kohama was so jolly, he kept changing his order as whatever Liz or Dave ordered. We decided to play a nice little snide game and pay beforehand to as to treat Mr. Kohama for taking us out that day. He was pleasantly surprised.
He is the first Japanese/Okinawan who actually understood and sympathized with my ethical reasons for being vegetariawn. And while in the boat, he pointed out the island called Kohama and joked that it was his! And he even let me steer the boat for a while! It was so cool!! I really liked him! He is great!

Then, we went up north to cover some sightseeing and Mr. Kohama went home to rest and nap. We headed up to Tamatori-zaki viewpoint:


Then we drove up over to the northern-most tip of the island (Hirakubo-zaki):

and drove over to Mt Nosoko:
We climbed up to the very peak of this mountain (282m) to watch the sunset. (see the moon over the summit?) The 360 deg. view from up here was breathtaking (just like the climb up! it was quite hard! We even encountered signs that said in katakana "fight-o! fight-o!" on the way up!) The legend of this mountain says that there used to be a woman, who would climb up this hill and search for her lover on Kuroshima who hadn't returned for a long time. the reason he hadnt returned was because he succumbed to the malaria epidemic there. This mountain is also called Mappe after the girl, who became a stone after her tears had dried out.


The sunset: and some offering to the soul of mappe:


Day Three:

(Friday, 27th July 2007)

Woke up and got ready to go to Taketomi. It was a HOT day!



Here above is the typical Ryukyu house... and see the white roads, they are purely coral. Taketomi was just too hot to be enjoyed! I rented a bike and I thought I will try and cover the little neat spots but I just rushed through clicking very bad snaps of the places... Plus cycling was so damn hard! the brakes made me slip in the coral sand more times than was safe and taking turns on that thing was an act of suicide! Let it be said that in my opinion, Taketomi is too touristie and over-rated! We came back and were just too exhausted to do anything else! We took a nap and in the evening, cooked dinner - spagetti and garlic bread etc. for the Kohama's.

Day Four:


(Saturday, 28th July 2007)

Mrs. Kohama, a very energetic lady, took liz and I out sightseeing while Dave did some of his first and last diving in Okinawa. The weather became dull and it rained sporadically. We went to the Banna Park and its gigantic lotuses:




This below is the Ugan-zaki cape:

Kabira Bay 川平湾 (one of the two places in Japan or the world (?) where black pearls are cultured) and one of the 100 most scenic spots of Japan:


Black Pearl Cultivation:


On the way, we stopped to take pictures of these creative shiisas. Some of them were huge, all of them very colourful! Liz lost her cool ALASKA cap here!


This is the Tojinbaka:

Tojibaka is a grave for the 300-odd Chinese labourers killed while escaping Slave ships to America to work in the mines there, in the mid-1800s. It is a milestone in Sino-Japanese relations. I personally, found the shiisas protecting the shiisa, highly self-reflexive!

We also stopped over at the Kannon-do Temple in Ishigaki, Sukuji beach, and the Yonehara Pine grove. Not very exciting places...

Oh! I almost forgot! I had a fruits-curry at this greenhouse place... the curry looked awesome, but after a while it made me sick! too sweet for my taste buds...


In the evening after a much needed nap, we set out to see the Matsuri. We were late, but still managed to see many dances and programmes. And we bumped into other JETs as well. But Liz and I were very tired, so didn't really become very enthusiastic, very much unlike Dave, who even wore his "always matsuri" t-shirt from Kumejima!

Day Five:
(Sunday, 28th July 2007)

We leave for Iriomote after buying lots of food supplies at MaxValu. Before leaving, Liz buys a conical bamboo hat (having lost her cool Alaska cap) and I buy these Hollywood-style sunglasses, that instantly start falling apart. We took the ferry to Uehara and stayed at a cheap dorm, where we had to collect 100yen coins for the aircon to work thru the night! In the day though, we caught a bus to the place near Pinaisara Falls (the tallest waterfall in Okinawa) and there was a huge swamp that had to be crossed in order to get near the river! We decided that was unmanageable on our own without a tour guide as we didn't know when the tide might rise and trap us in! So we stood trying to get a lift as another bus would be in after a long time. We were picked up by these two Austrian men, who had an awesome accent! They were lots of fun! One of them is a Luftansa airhost, and so he gets cheap tickets and travels all over the world. We had an interesting conversation about their travels in India. They were heading to the Onsen and missed their turn and we ended up riding with them to the place with the Sakishima trees:

And then when coming back up, we all stopped to see the water buffalo crossing the sea to Yubu jima. I didn't really want to ride these carts (having done so unwillingly at Bise the second day I arrived in Okinawa!) And Dave had ridden it at Taketomi, so we were more than happy to stop only for pictures!

We didn't really see any of the famed yamanekos, or the Iriomote Wildcat, but we saw many signs for it ;)!

Day Six
(Monday, 29th July 2007)



next morning, after a detour to the end of the road - that is, till Shirahama - we went to Urauchi gawa, which is the longest river in Okinawa. We took a water cruise till the point where rocks began.

Then, we hiked up to the Mariyuda Waterfalls - only one in Okinawa of all Waterfalls to be selected for the 100 best waterfalls of Japan:


The name Mariyuda means 'circle stagnation', and refers to the circular pond like pool where the waterfall leads to. The legends say that there used to be an aligator here who would eat anyone who dirtied this place. (And therefore, this place was cordoned off when we went! No, Dave went there and it turned out to be covered up with fallen trees)

Next waterfall we encountered was the Kanpire:

Kanpire signifies "where the Gods sit". Again, there is a legend about this. The Okinawan gods invited the Japanese Gods to have a sit down here. It was indeed amazing to see how the forces of the water has left its marks upon the rocks here. And I got to see so many features I had studied in geography as a kid - like the natural potholes made by rocks tumbling about, for example; you can see a huge one in photo below!



After Urauchi gawa, we stopped over at the nearby Iriomote Cafe. Attracted by the jazzy new age music, and relaxing beach chairs, we spent some time between buses drinking smoothies and playing a mutli-dimensional plot 4 game.

Then we split up. Liz went over to Ohara, while Dave stayed for some more time at the cafe, reading. and I went over to the southernmost Onsen in Japan, and the only real Onsen in Okinawa. I spent about an hour relaxing in those healing waters. unfortunately, no photos of the place! :)

We all met up at our (unnecessarily expensive) hotel (booked courtsey Dave's hasty helpfulness!) We called it an early night, but not before Liz and I walked over to the bridge nearby to see this beautiful full moon.

Day Seven:
(Tuesday, 30th July 2007)

We woke at 3 am and got ready to search mangroves of Maira Kawa for the Sagaribana flower that blooms only in the night. At 4 o'clock sharp, our guide came to pick us up, and we left our hotel extremely excited. In the moonlight, the quiet river seemed to sing a soothing lullaby. I sucked at kayaking, and after a sound scolding from Liz finally got it correct! We bumped into mangroves in the middle of the water many times! Our guide told us that they were remenants of the devastating typhoon of last year! We reached the end of the swampy waters and then after some tea (that contained milk dilluted with river water as the pan had fallen down!) we trekked up to a small waterfall amidst Liz shreeking in fear of spiders. Dave dove in a couple of times, but Liz and I abstained, not wanting to get wet at that time in the morning. Kayaking back was a little tough as the sun was directly ahead of us. I picked up many sagaribana flowers floating away in the water.

We took pictures after we came. None of us carried our cameras since they weren't waterproof. Even though there wasn't much danger, still we couldn't take the chance! Here's Liz and I, and the guide, I wish I remembered his name! He was really funny!


After getting back to our minshuku, we had just enough time to eat our breakfast and bathe before checking out. We wanted to go to the Haemida beach, but after our bus driver scared us of how far it was, and the heat, and lack of time, we decided to head to the port and catch the ferry back to Ishigaki, in time to catch our flight. We went to the gelato place in Ishigaki and the not-so-famous, famous banyan tree and did an hour of karaoke to while away time. It was a fun trip over all and I shall never forget it! Snorkeling in the middle of the Sea, Climbing Mappe, Sagariban Search, And I shalln't forget especially, the slap fight between Liz and Dave which still makes me chortle!! :) Thanks for the good times, guys!