And nakano

 

Hi everyone,

So I went out to nakano this weekend. It was just fabulous. Its incredibly how the scenery here almost looks like those sparse Japanese scenery paintings. The leaves have begun to change here and with the chill in the air this weekend I could definitely feel the oncoming winter. But the reason I was out looking at the scenery Is because I went to an onsen (hot spring) with a few other kids while we were on the trip. Supposedly its some famous hot spring but I didn't really get filled in on all of the history while I was there… what I did get was my first authentic bath house experience. So get ready… so we go there and at first everyone is a little upset. The taxi ride was 8 bucks per person which is a little much. Everyone pays and the boys and girls split up and head into their separate bath houses. Sucks that I don't get to go do some nude bathing which a bunch of chicks I know, but im sure it saved me from some embarrassing moments. Anyways we entered the bath house and take off our shoes at the little step. After we have placed them in a little locker we head into the changing room which is already filled with a bunch of nude Japanese guys. So to set the scene. It's a tall while kid with a weeks worth of stuble (me), two African American guys, and a little Japanese kid walking into a traditional onsen bathhouse locker room. We got some looks. We do the whole undressing thing and with some covert looks around to try and figure out when exactly we remove the last article of clothing remove the boxers and step out into the bathing area. Now not only are there one white kid, two African American kids, and one small Japanese kids, but one white kid, two African American kids, and one small Japanese kid standing around completely naked trying to figure out the next step in the process. We look around and figure out that its time to get clean before we jump into the steaming hot tubs infront of us. We sit down on little wooden stools and fill wooden bowls with hot water while soaking ourselves with normal removable shower heads. We wash and scrub and then pour the big wooden tub over our heads and backs to wash off all the bubbles. It was pretty cool. Post bathing we all walk into the indoor tub and relax down into the stone ledge. The water is natural spring water so little pieces of dirt and stuff are visible floating around in the huge tub. I get the feeling im not allowed to go swimming…. After relaxing for a while to head into the outside pool then into the ridiculously hot sana. After that I decided it would be a good idea to get into the cold pool. Really there should have been some kind of warning because I almost gave myself a heart attack. It was not a cold pool per say but a freezing cold death trap probably used to snare unsuspecting foreigners like myself. Post the near death experience we got back in the outdoor pool.

So good times. It was a great experience.

To the SMITHS!!

Japan is exclent. Its cooled down a bunch which is really nice. Im warm blooded and I don't need any extra help from the sun …. However I did go to my host families second house and go body surfing out in the sun last weekend which was a ton of fun. You guys would have laughed hard. A bunch of completely normal Japanese people and me. I don't think it will snow here in Tokyo; my host mother tells me that it usually does not. But up in hokaido I think it snowed for the first time this season last week. However I will probably see a lot of snow this season. It looks like I will be spending my spring cultural practicum at a Japanese ski resort. Supposedly it's a really hard core work from 5:30 am – 12 then ski from 2-6 then more work schedule but I think it sounds great. I need to figure out a way to get my gear over here though. I don't think im going to try and get boots or skis but I definitely want my cloths.

That's great you are looking at a new pair of skis m. I have a brand new pair of skis at home that ive skied all of once…. Im such a spoiled little boy…. If you think you can handle them you can give them a try this winter. I hope you guys are doing well. Marty – drink a martini for me this season.

 

Bye everyone.