Sep 2006

Well, after one year of training, I was FINALLY alowed to test for my orange belt!! Although it's only the second level, I'm feelin' pretty full of myself!

I was so nervous I wanted to cry, seriously. Actually, several of the kids were crying and I wanted to start bawling with 'em too. I didn't know what to expect. I thought my sensei, who has trained me all this time, would be doing the testing, but no. Some big scarry dude in a suit from Osaka was there to do it and I couldn't understand half of what he said. But it's all good. He let me pass, shaky knees and all.

I also didn't expect the test to last for three and a half hours! We not only did katas, but our sensei conducted a class as usual and the Osaka inspector watched all of that too. We also had to do other things like push-ups sit-ups and stretching. If we passed the exercise, we had to yell our name out to him. The whole process was surreal.

Karate here is just so different from martial arts in the States. Here, you do the same moves over and over and over until you've perfected one, and then you can learn the next thing. Most of our class time is spent doing basic punches and kicks, and honestly, I was starting to get really bored, but, after testing and finally getting to spar quite a bit, I'm seeing the benefits of repeat, repeat, repeat. Yelling is also important. They judge your power based on your voice, which I still don't get completely, but I can say some of the black belt guys sound really really scary! Maybe I could get my black belt in about eight years - which actually is the average.

It was so strange, but one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I never thought I'd say I have passed a karate test in Japan!

I decided not to go on any big trips this summer to save money, focus on work, karate and study Japanese, but I did manage to go on a couple of litte one-night trips this summer.

Me and my Aussie roomate Rebecca went to Kobe last month. Kobe is such a nice city - it's hard to believe it was almost completely destroyed about 10 years ago by an earthquake. It's quite cosmopolitain actually. We managed to find a Turkish restaurant and a great China Town. As a matter of fact, I loved Kobe's China Town more than I actually loved China!

One of my students suggested that we stay at a sauna hotel. Sounds strange, right? It is technically a hotel, but with two floors of onsens (hot springs) and various kinds of saunas and baths. Those were all fantastic. However, we didn't know it was a capsule hotel. It was strange because it looks like some scene out of the Matrix where humans are growing in capsules or something. And, it is does seem like your sleeping in a coffin. We were intrigued with the idea of it all, so we did it and it wasn't so bad. It was really cheap and in a great location. They even had a radio and mini TV inside!

Kurashiki is a charming historic town near Okayama, which is about three hours by bus from Matsue. The city was originally used as a rice storage area, so the old buildings have been preserved and changed into cute little shops and hotels. It's kind of like a Japanese Jonesborough in a way.

After walking around the historic downtown area, I stayed at a ryokan, or Japanese style inn. I had been wanting to stay at a ryokan for a very long time, but never had enough courage to go, but I finally did it!

It was amazing. When I first arrived, the staff were waiting on me at the front and immediately took me into a room where waiting for me was over ten yukatas (Japanese robes) to choose from. I picked out one and they showed me around.

One of the most appealing thing about ryokans is their architecture and design. Everything inside is traditional: tatami floors, Japanese flower arrangements, old wooden walls and sliding doors. The staff wear kimonos and serve your meal and wait on you in old traditional fashion. It's definitely a true Japanese experience that few foreigners are lucky enough to get to experience I think.

There was a gorgeous onsen which overlooked an old traditional Japanese garden. I took a bath three times while I visited there because it was so relaxing and I was always the only one there! I just soaked up in the hot stone bath and looked out over the garden. I don't think I'd been more completely relaxed in all my life. Then, I went up to my room and they brought a traditional Japanese dinner right to my room. By traditional I mean seaweed dishes and miso soup, sashimi, tempura, rice and Japanese style vinegared vegetables. All ridiculously healthy.

After finishing dinner, I went to the onsen again and when I returned back to my room, the attendant had laid out my bed for me. I felt so taken-care-of and pampered. Then the next morning, they served a Japanese breakfast. After checking out, they followed me outside and all bowed, then didn't go back inside until I walked out of sight.

I had always been so nervous and afraid to go to one because I felt like I didn't know enough about Japanese manner and language to not make a huge fool of myself, but, I finally mustered up enough guts to go. And, I'm so glad I did! I knew after living here for a year and a half how wonderfully polite and curteous Japanese are, but after experiencing a night's stay at a ryokan, I'm definitely blown away!

Well, I haven't taken any huge trips this summer, but I've done a few interesting things around the area. I had a short vacation, so my friend Ikuko and I went to Mount Daisen to climb it again. I've been to Daisen a few times now, but it's just such a beautiful place I can't seem to get bored with it.