Tokyo! Tokyo!

My third and fourth visits to Tokyo were marked by the need to pick up and drop off Jan at the airport in Narita. Jan arrived in Japan on Saturday at around 4, but my trip began much earlier with a 30 minute drive to Furukawa, a lift from a friend, a 2 and 1/2 hour Shinkansen ride to Tokyo, and a 1 and 1/2 hour train ride to Narita airport, where I met with Jan at the arrival lobby and we got on the train to Tokyo. By the time we arrived in Shinjuku at our hotel, it was late and we called it a night.
The next morning we did some sightseeing and went to many places which I have already posted pictures of in earlier entries.

We went to Odaiba, where we saw the sun set and had a great view of the city from the pier and on the train ride over. We saw the miniature replica of the Statue of Liberty, as well.

We went to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. We shopped a little and ate at Yoshinoya, where Jan tried her first Gyudon bowl.

Having Jan visit Japan for the first time made me remember all the difficulties I encountered when I first came to Japan. Everything was difficult: eating, speaking, reading, ordering food, walking, finding trash cans, getting around, etc. It's amazing how much easier it is for me now after just 6 months, but I can understand why some Japanese people have little patience for foreigners.

We made many visits to Starbucks, which currently has a Creme Brulee latte that everyone should try.

Once we made it back to my home, I had to work so Jan was left to her own devices. She seemed to enjoy the onsen bath and the company of the elderly inhabitants of the Ryokan where I live. On my off time we were able to try a few restaurants and visit the Kokeshi museum, as well as hang out with my friends in Furukawa and watch some Japanese TV, which is always amusing.
Overall, it was a good trip and it was good to see a familiar face. We left for Tokyo early on Saturday morning to get back to the airport in time for Jan's flight to Atlanta. After she left I was alone in Tokyo for the rest of the day and I saw some live music and met up with a friend.

Elementary School Week

One week of every month, I am scheduled to visit my five elementary schools. This past week was elementary school week. Every day, I visited a different elementary school. The difference between elementary schools is that you need way more energy than you do at the junior high school, so every morning I would stop by the convenience store and get a triple shot of espresso to wake myself up.

I usually dread elementary school week because it is so physically and mentally draining. The kids always want to play soccer in between classes or go outside in the hot weather to play on the playground. Also, I actually have to work and run the English classes by myself at elementary schools, instead of having the Japanese teachers lead the lesson. Plus, the teachers at the elementary schools speak very limited English, so I end up having to use Japanese much more.

However, it is always surprising and interesting to visit these schools and I definitely don't get as bored as I do at the junior high school. If i'm not singing and dancing, then i'm going swimming, playing soccer, or swinging on the playground. And the students are so adorable.

Also, some pictures that my junior high school took at the Undokai last weekend: