Steve's sandbox

Tag: Homestay

  • « Ici commence le bonheur de ma vie à Paris ! » : Phoebe Gittins, Paris, France, October 2019

    Bonjour !
    Je m’appelle Phoebe, je viens de Newcastle upon Tyne au Royaume-Uni mais j’étudie et le français à King’s College London. En ce moment, je profite de mon année à l’étranger à Sciences Po, Paris, et je vais vous raconter tout ce qui va se passer chaque mois.
    Je vais commencer au début, le 23 aout 2019. Tout l’été, j’avais tellement hâte de mon année à l’étranger; bien sûr, l’idée de déménager à Paris me rendait inquiète mais lorsque je suis arrivée à l’aéroport de Charles de Gaulle, j’ai eu même plus hâte.
    Pour mes premières quelques semaines, je restais chez une dame française, un « homestay », ce qui était super pour la pratique de mon français courant en dehors de la langue académique à l’université. Olympiades est dans le treizième arrondissement, avec plusieurs magasins, restaurants et la Bibliothèque François Mitterrand dont se servent les riverains, et moi.

    Surtout, ce que j’aimais le plus d’Olympiades, c’était la vue de ma chambre vers la Tour Eiffel ; la lumière de la ville de Paris qui pétillait comme du champagne, brillante et délicate dans mon premier ciel nocturne à Paris.
    Le lendemain, je suis entrée dans le vestibule de Sciences Po, à deux pas du célèbre boulevard Saint-Germain, et les papillons dans mon estomac ont commencé de s’énerver. Mais au moment où le Président Frédéric Mion a commencé son discours d’accueil aux étudiants étrangers de Programme d’Accueil, les papillons dans mon estomac se sont calmés et ont fait partis de la vague d’agitation qui a déclenché dans la grande salle.
    Le programme d’accueil était confiture emballée avec des activités culturelles, soirées, cours de méthodologie et des événements pour connaitre des gens.
    Un de mes souvenirs favoris est notre première soirée dans Les Jardins des Tuileries avec mes nouveaux copains assis sur l’herbe avec la vue de la Tour Eiffel scintillante, de la bonne compagnie et quelques bières bien sûr, c’était une soirée top. En racontant nos histoires, tout en français, on a appris beaucoup les uns des autres et on a commencé à entrer dans la mentalité de parler en français tout le temps.
    On a fait une visite guidée de Paris avec un mec génial qui s’appelle Swan, maintenant je sais tous les secrets de Saint-Sulpice et le monastère le plus ancien de Paris. Après avoir fait la visite, on est sortis en boite à Rue de Lappe. C’était la meilleure soirée, la fête a duré jusqu’au petit matin, avec de la musique française et de la danse. Le lendemain, on a visité Montmartre et le Sacré Cœur, ce que jusque-là, je n’avais jamais fait. La vue de Paris était formidable et la basilique elle-même était tellement belle. J’aimerais y retourner peut-être pour faire faire mon portrait, parce que les artistes là-bas sont vraiment célèbres pour leurs portraits et bandes-dessinés.

    Pour mon prochain blog, je vais vous raconter un peu plus sur toutes les activités culturelles et mes cours de méthodologie – à la prochaine fois !

     

    Hello!
    My name is Phoebe, I was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom but I am studying French and History at King’s College London. I am currently enjoying my Year Abroad at Sciences Po Paris and every month I will keep you up to date with everything that’s going on.
    I am going to start at the very beginning, which was the 23rd August 2019. For the whole summer I was really looking forward to my year abroad; of course, the idea of moving to Paris made me nervous, but when I arrived at the Charles de Gaulle airport, I became even more excited.
    For my first few weeks, I stayed with a French lady, a “homestay” situation, which was really good for practising my day-to-day French language outside of the academic language at university. Olympiades is in the 13th arrondissement, with lots of shops, restaurants and the François Mitterrand Library which served the local residents, and me, very well.
    Furthermore, what I loved most about Olympiades was the view of the Eiffel Tower from my bedroom; the light of the city sparkling like champagne, twinkling and delicate under my first night sky in Paris.
    The following day, I entered the Science Pall entrance hall, within walking distance from the famous Saint-Germain boulevard, and the butterflies in my stomach started to get excited. But the moment that President Frédéric Mion began his welcome to the foreign students in the Welcome Programme, the butterflies calmed down and became a part of the wave of excitement that had set off in the great hall.
    The Welcome Programme was jam-packed with cultural activities, nights-out, methodology classes and events to get to know everyone.
    One of my favourite memories is our first evening in the Jardins des Tuileries with my new friends- and some beers of course! With the view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower, good company and some drinks, it was such a good night. By talking about where we came from, all in French, we learned a lot about each other and started to enter the mindset of speaking in French all the time.
    We did a guided tour of Paris with a great guy named Swan, and now I know all the secrets of Saint-Sulpice and the oldest monastery in Paris. After the visit, we went night clubbing on Rue de Lappe. It was the best evening, the party lasted until the early hours of the morning, with French music and dancing. The following day, we visited Montmartre et the Sacré Coeur, which I had never done before. The view of Paris was incredible and the basilica itself was so beautiful. I would like to go again to have my portrait done, because the artists there are very famous for their portraits and cartoons.

    For my next blog, I am going to talk a little bit more about all the cultural activities and my methodology lessons- see you next time!

  • Case Study: Megan Gouw – Japan, 2018-19

    Following my undergraduate degree in Japanese at the University of Edinburgh, I was lucky enough to secure the support of the John Speak Trust in continuing my language studies at a language school in Tokyo for three quarters of a year as the next step towards pursing my long-time dream of studying animation in Japan.

    The adorable birthday cake my host family bought for me on my birthday

    This has really enabled me to concentrate on improving my language, in all four areas, without having to worry too much about the money side. So I was able to graduate from my language school’s highest class, with a newfound confidence in my ability to speak and live in Japanese.

    Reflections of buildings in a canal in Nagoya, taken on a trip just past new year.

    My language school followed the philosophy that Japanese is best taught in Japanese, forcing us to use what we knew and practice all the time, and I tried my best to eat, sleep and breathe Japanese in my free time too. Through reading, watching Japanese films and TV without subtitles, talking with friends and my host family, even learning a few Japanese songs on my guitar.

     

    It surprised me how quickly I found myself improving and having less trouble understanding what was happening. So I guess it is true that full immersion in the target language does wonders for language learning.

    I am super grateful to the John Speak Trust for helping me financially to realise this experience.

    My host family’s 8 year old daughters school had a day when they went round in groups finding out about local businesses, etc. I helped out by talking about how Homestay works and what Scotland is like.

    However, I received much more than financial support from this scholarship, which I was not expecting. As other scholars have mentioned feeling, I was a little daunted by the monthly reports at first, unsure what to write about and whether they would be

    interesting, but as time went by I began to really enjoy writing my reports. Challenging myself to use the grammar I’d learnt recently in class to write more and more in-depth and (hopefully) more engaging reports for the reader. Thus developing my writing skills while reflecting upon my experiences while I was there. I now end my scholarship with a lovely reminder of my time in Japan and a new interest in blogging that I hope to continue which I might never have discovered without the push from the Trust.

    By far the best thing about my experience in Japan was my wonderful host family. They welcomed me into their home and made me feel like I was just another family member. Which was of great comfort in a country so far from “home”. They joined in my celebrations when I did well on tests, and supported me through various issues, including when my wallet with my residence card, health insurance card etc in disappeared on a night out with friends (quite probably stolen). I loved coming home and playing with the kids, or listening to Hiba (the kids great-grandma) telling stories of what her corner of the world was like 60~80 years ago, her escapades with the Yakuza (the Japanese Mafia) or through the war (WWII). I learned so much more than just language by staying there, on a vast range of subjects ranging from dinosaurs to history to Japan’s school system and culture. But more than that, I have come away with a second family. Nothing can compare to how I felt when the youngest child (a mischievous little 4 year old) told me he loved me for the first time, nor when I found out he asked after me on the nights I was out. It made leaving Japan all the harder.

    A sign I saw at Starbucks explaining how to sign “like” and “dislike”. And that they have hearing impaired staff working at that branch, I thought this was a really sweet idea.

    I cannot thank the John Speak Trust enough for all the support I have received from them, and I will treasure the memories forever. This experience has allowed me to grow so much, I would whole heartedly recommend it to anyone considering it. I feel like living in a foreign country opens up a multitude of new experiences, and broadens your horizons. I am now counting down the days till I go back to start studying at a Japanese University in early April as the first UK undergraduate MEXT (Japanese government) scholar, which I do not believe would have been possible were it not for the confidence I gained from my experience with the Trust.

  • Megan Gouw: Valentines Day in Japan, February 2019

    バレンタインデーin日本

    2月といえばバレンタインデーだよね〜
    イギリスでも、アメリカでも、バレンタインデーは2月14日で、恋人とお祝いする日だ（男の人のほうがなんか準備する気がするけど）。日本にもそうだが…どっかで、ハロウィンとクリスマスと同じように、欧米のイベントと変わった。

    日本の2月14日のバレンタインデーは女の子が知っている男の子全員にチョコをあげる日だ。そのチョコはいろんな種類に分けている。本命チョコ、義理チョコ、友チョコ、最近家族チョコでもあるらしい。そして、１ヶ月後、（３月１４日）ホワイトデーという日に男性がチョコをくれた女の子にチョコやプレゼントをあげる。

    8歳の子が手伝ってくれた時

    これは、バレンタインデーを日本に輸入したときのＣＭの影響で、その日は女性が男性にチョコをあげる日と思わられていた。それで、（日本風に考えると）男の人がそれを返す日が必要だから、ホワイトデーが設けた。

    ここで、いろんな種類があるから、あげるときに、ちゃんとどんな意味のチョコを言うべきだと言われている。だから、映画とかドラマでよく告白するために使われている。主人公の女の子が男性リードに本命チョコをあげることで、彼は彼女の気持ち（俺のこと好きだ）がわかるはずだ。これは、実際に起こるかどうかはわからない。でも２月に入ると、チョコの作るためのかわいい道具や材料が増え、高級チョコの売り上げを含めて、バレンタインデーが目立つ。

    私もなんか作ろうと思っていて、１００円ショップでかわいいチョコモールドとチョコを買って、作ってみた。子供たちはすっごく気になって、盛り上がっていたから、ちょっと邪魔していた。でも、可愛いからゆるしてあげた。

    焼肉!

    ホストファミリーと一緒にバレンタインデーに焼肉を食べに行った。焼肉屋さんはアジアっぽいレストランのスタイルだと思う。焼肉屋ではテーブルで炭やガスのバーナーがあって、自分で肉（または魚、野菜など）を焼く。最近、韓国風の焼肉屋が増えつつあるが、スコットランドでこのスタイルのレストランはよく知られていないのが確か。欧米ではレストランに行って、チェフが美味しい料理をしてくれるのは一般的だが、こういうテーブルで料理するスタイルも楽しい。日本では、焼肉屋さんに行くとよく食べ放題や飲み放題にするけど、コース料理や単品もできる。今回はコース料理で、食べ放題よりクオリティがいい肉が出た。量も多くて、すっごく美味しかった。みんな、お腹いっぱくなって、幸せな気分で帰った。

    2 of the cuts of meat we got at the Yakiniku restaurant!

    雪！

    東京では雪があまり降らないが、先週末に少し降った!　その日は、もともと着物を着てみる予定だったが、着物は濡れてはいけないので雪のせいで延期された。それそれでも、私は寒い天気が好きで、特に雪が大好きだから、テンションが上がった。そんなに積もらなかったけど子供たちと一緒に家の前、雪で遊びに行った。小さい雪だるまを作って、雪投げもしてて、超楽しかった。でも、すぐに溶けて、次の日はもうなかった。

     

    Valentine’s day in Japan

    The first thing you think of for february is Valentine’s day right?

    In the UK, America too, Valentine’s day (14th February) is a day to celebrate your significant other (though I get the feeling that the guy usually does more). It’s the same in Japan, except like Halloween and Christmas, it is rather different from the western original.

    On Japanese Valentine’s day, girls give chocolates to every guy they know. These chocolates are divided into multiple different kinds. Including Honmei choco which is given to boyfriends or the guy a girl has a crush on, giri choco for those she is obligated to give chocolate to, tomo choco given to friends, and recently it seems even family choco. Then one month later, 14th March, called white day here, the guys return the favour to all the girls they received chocolate from.

    This seems to be due to an comercial when Valentine’s day was first being introduced to Japan, that it was perceived as a day when women give chocolate to men. then , in keeping with Japanese culture, a day for guys to return that was necessary, so white day was created.

    Because there are lots of different meanings behind the chocolate here, it is said that you should state what kind of chocolate it is when giving it. Thus it is often used in dramas and films, in order to confess feelings to someone (and ask them out). The main female character will give chocolate to the male lead, and he will then understand her feelings (ie, she fancies him). However, I am not sure if anyone actually does this in real life. At very least, around the start of February expensive chocolates and cute tools and ingredients for making chocolates are everywhere.

    I wanted to try making something, so I got a cute mold and some chocolate from the 100 yen shop, and had a shot at it. The kids were really interested, and got really excited about it, so got in the way a little. But I forgave them because they are cute.

    Yakiniku

    On Valentine’s day I went out for dinner with my host family to a yakiniku place. I think Yakiniku restaurants are a very Asian thing. There is either a gas or charcoal burner in middle of the table, and you cook meat (or fish, vegetables, etc) at your table. While Korean style yakiniku restaurants have been increasing, I think this style of restaurant is still fairly unknown in Scotland. While in the west it is normal to go to a restaurant and have a chef cook for you, I this style of cook-it-yourself restaurants are

    At the Yakiniku restaurant, cooking over the coals

    also fun. In Japan it is common to do all-you-can-eat or all-you-can-drink at yakiniku restaurants, there are also course menus and it is possible to just order individual dishes too. This time we got a course menu, and got better quality meat than that of the all-you-can-eat. There was a lot of food, and it was all delicious. We went home happy and full.

    Snow!

    It doesn’t snow much in Tokyo but last weekend it snowed! Originally the plan was to try kimono on that day, but because you can`t get kimono wet (because they are made of silk and get damaged easily) that was postponed due to the snow. But even so, I love cold weather, especially snow so I got really excited. It didn’t stick much but I went out to play in it with the kids in front of the house. We built a small snowman and had a snowball fight, it was really good fun! But it didn’t last long, and was all melted by the next day.

  • 紅葉 Megan Gouw: China, December 2018

    Some of the crowds at Mt. Takao taking photos with the autumn leaves

    スコットランド（イギリスでも同じかな）の山を登ったことある？子供の時に私はよく家族と山を登っていた。いつも誰もいない、道なんてない（あれば羊が作ったような泥の）、一日中歩きづらい山だった。寒くて、風が強く、雨が降っている。そういう思い出は多い。そう言ったら、あまり楽しくなさそうね。でも、いい天気があったら、まあなくっても、景色はすごい。自然派の私にぴったりだった。または、山頂に着いたのアドレナリンと「やったなぁ」の気分も良い。

    だらか、友達に一緒に高尾山を登ろうのように言われたときに、そういう感じだと思ってしまった。実際はまったく違った。

    11月になると日本人は紅葉を見に行くのが好きらしい。それで、東京辺り、紅葉で人気がるスポットの一つは高尾山だ。そこの紅葉はちょー綺麗だった。木の葉の色は明るくて、強い赤と緑のコントラストは良かった。そのせいで、ものすごく混んでいた。スコットランドの山がそんなに混んでいるときはないとは言えないけど、私は見たことない。ちっちゃい子供を連れてきた家族、カップル、おじいちゃん、おばあちゃんなど、幅広い人がいた。驚いたことに、ピンヒールを入ったまま山を登っていた女性も一人見た！

    または、ちゃんとした道があった以上、レストランと自動販売機が信じられないぐらいあっちこっちあって、ケーブルカーも。まるでスキーレソートみたかった。私が慣れたハイキングと全然違う雰囲気がした。

    それ以外、高尾山はパワースポットで、天狗がそこに住んでいるとおもわれている。天狗というのは日本の民間信仰の中で神様や妖怪、両方とも言われている鼻が長い少しゴブリンみたいな生き物だ。それで、天狗の像など、信仰的なものがどこでもあった。薬王院という大きい寺院もある。山を登りながら、こういうものを見つけるのを想像しなかったので、面白くて、冒険してるような気がして、楽しかった。

    日光

    もう一つの紅葉で有名な所に行った。ホストファミリーと日光に行ってきた。一日だけだったし、連休日だったからすっごく混んでいて、行きと帰り、両方渋滞があったし、時間が少なかったが、それでも、有名な東照宮に行けて、鳴き龍も見えた。

    東照宮は徳川家康と関係があるそうだった。特別な徳川コーラの瓶も見たし。徳川家康は1603年ぐらいに日本の将軍になって、江戸時代を始まった人だ。彼から、徳川家が1868年ぐらいの明治維新まで日本を司っていたから、日本の歴史での重要な人で、日本に大きい影響をさせた。それで、彼は東照宮で東照大権現として祭られているらしい。

    紅葉

    そこで、二つ有名なものを見えた。まずは寝てる猫の像。小さくて、扉の上だったし、混んでいたから、よく見えなかったけど、可愛かった。でも、なんで有名かわからない。次、鳴き龍を見に行った。鳴き声の龍はすごかった。本地堂の天井に大きい龍が描かれていた。黒で描いて、恐ろしい顔している龍を見るだけですごいと感じた。だが、ただの絵だけじゃなくて、その龍の頭の下で何かを打つと龍が鳴いているような音が聞こえる。明るいお坊さんがデモをしてくれた。頭の下で打ったらライオンがガオーと吠えたと似てる鳴き声が聞こえた。他の所にやったら、普通と同じで、その打つの音しか聞こえなかった。なぜそこだけかを結構気になったから、ネットで少し調べた結果で、天井は平たいじゃなくて、わざと凹面に作ったそうだ。それはその部屋の音響に影響があるらしい。つまり、チャンスじゃない。どうやってそれをわかるようになったかな。

    日光はとてもきれいだった。どうして日光は紅葉で人気があるのかをはっきりわかった。車から、紅葉している森を見えて、東照宮に着いてからも、紅葉している木はたくさんあった。すごくいい景色だった。

    みんなと一緒に紅葉を楽しめられて、うれしい。子供たちと遊んだり、美味しいご飯を食べてり、美しい景色を見たりしてて最高だった。

    The Nikko Bridge

     

    ENGLISH:

    Mt. Takao

    Have you ever climbed a Scottish mountain? (Maybe any in the U.K. would be the same?) When I was younger, I used to go hill walking often with my family. There was never any other people, or proper path (if there was a path it was a mud one like those made by sheep), climbing was tough and would take all day. Cold, windy, rainy. I have a lot of those kind of memories. When put like that it doesn’t sound very fun, does it? But if there was good weather, or even when there wasn’t, the scenery was stunning. It was perfect for someone, like me, who prefers to be in nature. Also the rush of adrenaline once reaching the top, and the sense of having achieved something made it enjoyable.

    The view over Tokyo from Mt. Takao

    So when my friend invited me to climb Mt, Takao, I was expecting that kind of experience. In reality it was nothing like that.

    In November Japanese people seem to like going to see the autumn leaves. One of the famous spots for doing so, near Tokyo, is Mt. Takao. The autumn colours were really beautiful there. The bright leaves, especially the contrast between the strong red and green was amazing. But because of that it was insanely crowded. I can’t say that Scottish mountains are never that crowded, but I have never seen one like that before. There was a wide range of people there, including families with small kids, couples, and grannies and grandads. I even saw someone climbing the hill in stilettos.

    Not only was there a proper path, but there were restaurants and vending machines all over the mountain too. As well as a cable car. It felt a little like a ski resort. The atmosphere was completely different from what I’m used to.

    Walking in Nikko with my Host Brother

    Aside from that, Mt. Takao is a spiritual place, and it is thought that Tengu live there. Tengu are creatures from Japanese folk tales and religion, which can be seen as either Gods or spirits, they are usually depicted as a kind of long nosed goblin. Therefore there was lots of spiritual things, for example statues of Tengu, all over the mountain. As well as Yakuōin temple. I never imagined finding these kind of things while hill walking so it was really interesting, and began to feel a little like a quest, which was fun.

    Nikko

    I went with my host family to one other place that is famous for autumn leaves. Nikko. It was only for one day, a public holiday as well, so it was super crowded, and we got stuck in traffic both going there and coming back, so there wasn’t much time. But despite that we managed to go to the famous Tōshōgū, and see the crying dragon.

    Tōshōgū seemed to be connected to Tokugawa Ieyasu. There was even a special Tokugawa coke bottle. Tokugawa Ieyasu became the Shōgun of Japan in around 1603, and he started the Edo period. From him the Tokugawa family rule Japan up until the Meiji restoration in around 1868. So he is an important figure in Japanese history, and had a large influence on Japan. Now it seems he is enshrined at Tōshōgū and worshiped as Tōshōdaigongen or the Great Deity of the East Shinning Light.

    People tied their bad fortunes to the trees here, so it wouldn’t follow them home.

    While at Tōshōgū we saw two famous things. The first a figure of a sleeping cat. It was small, and placed above a door, and it was crowded, so I could get a good look at it, but it was cute. However, I’m not sure why it is famous. Then, we went to see the crying dragon. It was amazing. On the ceiling of the honjidō a large dragon was painted. It was black, and had an awe-inspiring face, so just seeing it made you feel impressed. However, it wasn’t just a painting, if you clapped something under the dragons head, you could hear a sound like the dragon was roaring. A cheerful monk demonstrated it for us. When he clapped under the dragons head, I heard a sound similar to that of a lion roaring. But clap anywhere else and there was no such effect. I was interested in why that effect was just in that spot so did some googling, and it seems that the ceiling of that room rather than being flat was made concaved, which has an influence on the acoustics of it. I.E. this effect was not a coincidence. I wonder how they worked out how to do it…

    Nikko was stunningly beautiful. I can clearly see why it is a popular place to go see the autumn leaves. From the car we saw an amazing red forest, and even once we arrived at Tōshōgū there were autumn colours everywhere. The scenery was amazing.

    I though the yellow leaves were pretty~

    I am really happy I got to enjoy the autumn colours beauty with everyone. Playing with the kids, eating good food, seeing the beautiful surroundings, it was an epic day.

  • 休み！Megan Gouw: Japan – October 2018

    I went on a walk up this steep mountain road, not a soul in sight.

    途中に学校を始めたから、結構心配していたが、9月の期末試験を合格して、N1文法の授業に入った！12月に日本語能力試験のN1レベルを受けるつもりだから、その授業に入れてよかった。これからも、日本語のレベルを上達するのを頑張ります！

    新学期が始まる前に2週間の休みがあって、徳島県(四国）に行ってきた。前回日本に来たときの友達が徳島県で働いているから、彼女を会いに行った。東京を出って、田舎の生活ですっきりした。もともとは田舎派、実家はスコットランドの超田舎だから、東京の生活はどうのぐらい気に入っても、田舎のとのほうが私と合うと思う。都会でみんながいつも急いでいて、話しかけないけど、そこの人たちは東京に住んでいる人との態度が違うで、生活はもうちょっとゆっくりで進んでいて、知らない人。。話しかけて、会話してた。それとも、すぐに誰もいない、自然で参歩できるのがすごく好き。自分が悩んでいるときとか、心配しているときなどに自然で散歩したら、頭の中を整理することができる。そして、そこで散歩したり、花火を見たり、ウサギの島に行ったりしてよかった。ちょー楽しかった！

    富士山

    ホストファミリーと1泊2日の旅行で富士山あたりフジヤマというジェットコースターを乗った!その日の天気はめちゃくちゃスコットランドっぽかったから、ライドの乗る時は寒かった。それでも、テンションが上がって、ドキドキした。
    その後、近くの鳴沢氷穴を見に行った!ヘルメットを被って、中に入った。氷穴の中は狭くて、天井がよく低くて、石の上に登らないといけないところもあったから、まるで冒険するのようだった。氷の湖があって、ブルー電気でキラキラしてて、きれいだった。

    Me feeding the rabbits on Okunoshima, in Hiroshima Prefecture. They were really tame, even though they were wild.

    それなのに、旅行のハイライトはホテルだった。部屋は思ったより大きい畳のスイートで、ゆかた（薄い着物みたいな和服）もホテルからもらって、ホテルの中で温泉があった。温泉というのは日本式のお風呂だ。温泉は、シャワーで体を洗ってから入るものだ。それに、外国人に驚きさせることはみんなと一緒に入るでも（性別は別れてるけど）、プールのように水着を着るじゃなくて、何も着ないで入ることだ。最初これするのは少し恥ずかしいけど、すぐに慣れると思う。このホテルで中の風呂は2つあって、外の風呂は1つあった。私の初外の風呂!空気が涼しくて、お風呂が温かくて、気分が良くなって、最高だった!3回入って、食事の前、寝る前、と出かける前、毎回長く入って全然出たくなかった。

    Looking towards the peak of Mt.fuji, hiding behind the clouds.

    そういえば、食事もすごかった！夕飯は和食のコースで、色なものが出てきて、たくさん美味しいものを食べれた。量はちょっと多すぎたけど、頑張って全部食べて（うまかったから）お腹が大きくなって赤ちゃんができた気がした。朝ごはんはバイキングでまた、全部美味しそうだったから、食べすぎてまた赤ちゃんができた。

    日曜日にせっかく富士山あたりに来たから、富士山五合目まで登った（車で）。雲の上に登って、きれいな紅葉を見えたけど、富士山は雲のせいではっきり見えなかった。富士山五合目で山梨県のほうとうを昼ごはんとして食べて、神社を見に行った。そこで、おみくじをやってみた。おみくじ結構好きだよ。宝くじみたいに一つの紙をもらって、自分の将来、恋愛、仕事、ラッキーアイテムなどについて色なものが書いてある。いいものも悪いものも両方あるが、私はいいものしかもらったことない。もし悪いやつもらったら、神社でおみくじ結び所で結んで、吉になるように。別に書いたとおりに起こると思わないけど、何が書いてあるを読んでみるのは楽しいと思う。

    それで、また東京に帰ってきて、いつもの通り授業に通ってる。

    Posing on a cliff on Okunoshima (better known as rabbit island)

    I was quite worried about how my end of term exams went, because I started the class half way through the semester, but I managed to pass them and enter the N1 level class! Because I am planning to take the JLPT (Japanese language proficiency test) N1 in December, I am glad I made it into the N1 class. I will continue to do my best to improve my Japanese.

    I had a 2 week break before the new semester started, so I went to Tokushima-ken (in Shikoku). One of my friends from the last time I was in Japan is currently working there, so I went to visit her. By leaving Tokyo and going to the countryside, I was able to relax. I am very much a countryside girl, maybe because I grew up in the countryside, so no matter how much I enjoy my life in Tokyo, I feel like the countryside always suits me better. In the city everyone is always busy, and no one chats with each other. However, people in the countryside have a different attitude, life moves at a slower pace, and people are happy to talk to strangers. Also, I like how easy it is to walk in nature with no people around. When I am worrying about something, or unable to decide about something, I find going for a walk in nature helps me clear my mind. Therefore, being able to go there and talk walks, see fireworks and visit the rabbit island was great. I had so much fun!

    Another photo of the fireworks,

    Mt.Fuji

    I also went on a 2 day, 1 night trip with my host family to the Mt. Fuji area. We went in a rental car that could fit 10 people, it was super fun!

    On Saturday, first we went to Fuji Q Highland, a theme park, and rode the fujiyama roller-coaster. The weather that day was really reminiscent of Scotland, so it was pretty cold on the ride. Even so, we all got very excited and had a good time.

    Then we went to the nearby Narusawa ice cave. We wore helmets to enter the cave, and once inside it was really tight, the ceiling was often really low and we had to climb over lots of rocks, so it really seemed like an adventure. There was an ice pond in the cave that was lit up with blue lights so it sparkled prettily.

    A small part of the room we stayed in, looking out over the lake

    Despite this, the highlight of the trip was the hotel we stayed at. The “room” was a tatami suite and was bigger than I thought it would be. The hotel provided Yukata (a kind of thin Kimono type Japanese style of clothing). And there was an Onsen inside the hotel. Onsen is a Japanese style of Bath. You have to shower before entering, and unlike a swimming pool, everyone enters naked (the sexes are separated though) which often surprises foreigners. While it’s a little embarrassing at first, you get used to it quickly. This hotel had two inside baths, and one outside bath. It was my first outside bath! It was the best! The hot bath and the cool air, felt really good. I went in it three times, before dinner, before sleeping and before heading out in the morning, each time I never wanted to get out.

    Houtou, a speciality of Yamanashi Prefecture, it was a kind of thick flat noodle with vegetables and chicken in a miso broth.

    Saying that, the food was also amazing! Dinner was a Japanese style course meal, lots of different foods came out and I got to try lots of delicious foods. There was a little bit too much food, but because it was so good I tried my best to eat it all, and gained a food baby. Breakfast was buffet style, and again everything looked so good that I ate too much and made another food baby.

    On Sunday, because we had specially come to the Mt. Fuji we climbed up to the fifth step (in the car). We went above some of the clouds, and saw some beautiful autumn leaves, but due to the clouds we couldn’t ever clearly see Mt. Fuji. At the fifth step we ate Yamanashi-ken’s houtou for lunch, then went to a shrine. There we did Omikuji. I quite like Omikuji. It’s similar to a lottery, where you receive a piece of paper with various things about your future, love life, job and lucky item, among other others. There’s both good ones and bad ones. If you get a bad fortune you have to tie it to a special place at the shrine so you don’t take the bad luck with you. I don’t really believe that the future will happen as it’s written, but I think it is fun to see what is written.

    The fireworks here were different from the usual kind, rather than being fired into the air they fell down like rain. The one looked like an apocalypse to me,

    Now I have returned to Tokyo, and am going to class as normal.

  • 最近、日本では　Recently in Japan: Megan Gouw, Japan – September 2018

    Striking a pose in one of the rooms at TeamLab. This room was filled with large balloon like balls which changed colour.

    最近、この夏に日本で流行っているところに行ってみた。TeamLabというイルミネーションの美術館みたいなところだった。色な部屋で、水とか、鏡とか、ボールなどを使って、光の美しさを紹介した。それで、面白くて、きれいな写真を撮れる場所だから、インスタで人気がある。ところで、イルミネーションは日本ではいつもすごく人気があるのに対して、スコットランドではイルミネーションはクリスマスのときしか見えない気がする。確かに、TeamLab みたいなところが前に見ったことない。少し高くても、すごく混んでいた。それでも、友達と遊んだり、写真を撮ったりして、楽しかった！

    The floor of this room was made of mirrors,which was slightly disorientating. Also, luckily they lent out pairs of shorts, so those of us who came in skirts wouldn’t accidentally flash everyone.

    そういえば、学校に行ったり、家族と遊んだり、友達と出かけたり、日本の生活に慣れた。だが、まだ日本の天気に慣れてない。最近、日本の天気はやばすぎて、暑いやら、台風が来るやら地震が起こるやら大変だ。

    一週間前、学校から家に帰るときに、ちょっと怖いことがあった。台風のせいで電車が止まった。電車を乗らないで、どうやって帰れるのかわからなくて、1時間以上ホームで待っていた。大変なことに、エアコンがつけていても、信じられないぐらい暑くて、まるでサウナにいるかのようだった。駅員のアナウンスは謝るばかり言っていて、いつまで止まっているのかわからなかったから、心配していた。そして、待つのを諦めて、家まで歩こうと思っていた時にやっと電車来て、無事に帰れた。

    さりとて、東京にいてよかったと思う。東京より大阪の方が悪い影響をうけたそうだ。または、北海道にも自然の災害があった。震度6.7の地震が起こって、電池などがなくなって、電車とかバスとか止まって、困っているらしい。前回にあった家族の友達が北海道にいるうちに地震が起こって、連絡できなくて、みんなが心配していた。よかったことに、全然大丈夫で、携帯が電池なくて、充電もできなくて連絡できなかっただけだって。こういう軽軽で、人生の脆弱性を感じる。この際に、影響された人に、心よりお悔やみ申し上げる。

    This room was filled with water, to about knee depth, and images were projected on to the surface, including koi, flowers and random flashes. The walls were mirrors, so the room felt as if it never ended.

    ENGLISH:

    Recently, I went to a place that has been trending in Japan. TeamLab. It was similar to an art gallery, with all the exhibits being illuminations. In the various rooms, water, mirrors and balls were used to showcase the beauty of light. Because you can take eye-catching and beautiful photos there, it is popular on Instagram. However, while these kind of illumination places are always popular in Japan, I feel like you only ever see illuminations at Christmas time in Scotland. I have certainly never seen somewhere like TeamLab before. Even though it was a little expensive, it was still super crowded. But even so, I had a really good time taking photos and enjoying the exhibits with my friend.

    Speaking of which, I have settled into my life in Japan well, going to school, hanging out with the family, going out with my friends. But I am still not used to the Japanese weather. Recently, the weather here has been insane, with the heat and the Typhoons.

    One week ago, when I was coming home after school, a slightly scary thing happened. The train stopped because of the typhoon. I didn’t know any other way to go home, without using the train, so I just waited on the platform for over an hour. To make matters worse, while there was air conditioning at the station, it was still so hot it felt like I was standing in a Sauna. The station workers announcements just kept apologizing for the delay, so I didn’t know how long the trains would be stopped for, which worried me. Just as I was about to give up on waiting, and just walk home, a train finally came, and I managed to get home safely.

    This room had a dome like ceiling, and a mirror floor, with flowers constantly being projected around the dome. the effect were very cool, but also made me feel a little seasick.

    Having said that, I am glad I was in Tokyo. It seems like Osaka was worse affected by the Typhoon, and Hokkaido also had a natural disaster. An earthquake of 6.7 magnitude occurred, causing various issues including the electricity cutting out, buses and trains etc. stopping. A friend of my host family who I met last time I was in Japan, was in Hokkaido when the earthquake happened, and we couldn’t get in touch with her, so we were all worried. However luckily she was fine, it was just that her phone had died and she couldn’t charge it. Through these kind of experiences I notice the vulnerability of life. At this time, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to anyone affected by the earthquake.

  • 日本に来て1週間がたった Megan Gouw – Japan, August 2018

    死ぬほど暑くて、セミうるさくて、やっぱり日本の夏だね。

    8月4日、9時ごろ、やっと日本に着いた。今、ホストファミリーと一緒に住んでいる。家族5人で、パパとママ、と二人子供（3歳男の子と8歳女の子）とパパのおばあさんがいる。この家に住んでいるのが好きで、みんな優しいし、毎日美味しいご飯をもらうし、子供たちと遊ぶのが楽しいし。子供たちはすっごくかわいい！よく、「遊ぼうよ、、メーガン」って言われて、断れない。または、日本人の家族と住むから、毎日毎日、いつも日本語を使わないとダメ。なので、日本語のレベルは絶対に上達すると思う。

    The torii gate at the Yoyogi entrance of Meiji-jingu. Was lucky to go on a quiet day with not so many tourists.

    ここでは、今はお盆だ。お盆と言うのは、日本で夏に行う仏教の行事。8月１３日から16日まで（または7月）、亡くなった人や先祖の霊をまつる行事んだ。それで、今日（8月12日）お盆の準備するために、ホストファミリーと一緒にお寺に行って、家族の墓を掃除して、花を置いた。一人ひとり、お線香を墓において、水をかけて、手を合わせた。これはホームステイしていない限り、経験できない日本の文化だと思う。すごく面白かった。（申し訳ないが、写真を撮るのは失礼かなと思ったから、このイベントに関する写真はない。）

     

    ENGLISH:

    A week has passed since I arrived in Japan

    It’s so hot I feel like I could die, the cicadas are crying, without a doubt it’s summer in Japan.

    The sunset a few days ago, the sky was amazingly beautiful and contrasted nicely with Tokyo’s skyscrapers.

    Around 9am, August 4rth, I finally arrived in Japan. I am living with a host family while I am here, there are five family members; the father, mother, two small children (a 3 year old boy, and an 8 year old girl) and the fathers grandmother as well. I really like living here as everyone is super nice, I get delicious Japanese food made for me every day, and playing with the kids is super fun. They are so cute! They are always asking me to go play with them, and I can’t ever refuse. Also because I am living with Japanese people I have to use Japanese all the time, every day, so I am sure my Japanese will improve massively while I am here.

    This was one of the meals my host family made for me. Including karaage, sashimi, takenoko rice and soup.

    Here it is currently Obon. Obon is a Japanese Buddhist event held in the summer to worship and remember ancestors and people who have died. Usually from August 13~16, (but is also held in July in some areas). So in preparation for Obon, on Sunday 12th August, I went with my host family to a nearby temple and washed the family grave. And placed some flowers. Then one by one we put some burning incense on the tomb, poured some water over it, and put our hands together (like praying). I feel like this is an aspect of Japanese culture I could only experience because I am staying with a Japanese family, and it was a really interesting experience. (However, as I thought it might be disrespectful, I did not take any photos of this.)