A lot of literature and other stuff comes to all JET participants from the main office and others. I tend to flip through stuff, including essays, articles, photographs, etc.
The one thing I can tell you that I feel every time is intense jealousy. You see while I live a very mundane and decidedly un-Japanese life in the most indescript of places in Japan, others are out participating in local festivals, living the local life, living a life with something meaningful. My featureless section of featureless Saitama often feels like it has absolutely nothing going for it. I get jealous and throw out the materials I receive.
I know it's not precisely like that, but it often feels that way. At these times, I feel sorry for myself and others who were unfortunate enough to be placed here.
Comments
Justin, it's not the greatest place, I know that a few historic spots don't make up for the lack of friendliness and culture.
There are some good restaurants in town, as well as nice birdwatching. That's what I did when I was there. I also went cycling a lot and I tried to spend as much time as possible in Tokyo. For most of the time, I was also an avid toy collector. I still have all my Japanese trinkets - it's funny how buying that crap was the most exciting part of the week.
Maybe you could apprentice yourself to one of the tabi makers?
Posted by: Maktaaq | July 31, 2006 11:49 AM
I actually have given thought to getting a baito (part time job) at a ramen shop. Just to maybe learn how to make ramen so I can achieve my dream of opening a ramen shop! But...that's kinda a weird dream...
Posted by: Justin | July 31, 2006 12:15 PM
I decided yesterday afternoon that being delinquent in fulfilling my duties as kumicho by not sending round the kairanban until most of the deadlines are past and letting the weeds grow knee high in the yard were just not enough kinjo-meiwaku for this gaijin. So I opened all the windows and broke out, restringed and tuned the shamisen and let loose with some of those oldie but goldie favorites from the "music to kill cats by" collection.
Maybe you just haven't looked hard enough for the "rokaru raifu"?
Posted by: Ibadairon | July 31, 2006 2:57 PM
Aw sorry to hear this - I had no idea. How far are you from Tokyo or another more exciting place? Can you take weekend trips? Or perhaps you are getting a little longing for the USA again?
Posted by: Michelle | August 1, 2006 9:01 AM
I guess if you're looking for wild, partying nightlife, you might be disappointed. When I lived in Japan (Fussa, at Yokota AB), I hopped on the train most every weekend LOL! I wanted to see everything. No obon festivals in Saitama? There's always the John Lennon museum :-)
Posted by: Janet | August 1, 2006 9:21 AM
You'd make that Ramen shop the most popular Ramen-erie in all of Japan... you'd have tourists coming to gawk at the gaijin making Ramen. And then you could wow all of your family and friends back home by making authentic Ramen instead of packaged crap... and make your seester very very happy. :)
Posted by: nina | August 1, 2006 11:22 PM
Make me some Ramen you angry little man - I'm hungry!! And there better damn well be a live dj in your Ramen hut!
Posted by: Kungfutrip | August 3, 2006 12:10 AM
Time to come back to the US of A. Mel Chomiak misses you!!!!
Posted by: K-Dawg | August 9, 2006 5:21 AM