Miyajima - Itsukushima Shrine

Miyajima - Itsukushima Shrine, 17th March 2007

宮島ー厳島神社

This morning I met an old friend Yuka, from when I was living in Osaka. We hadn't seen eachother in over a year so we had a lot to talk about. As the weather was nice we headed to Miyajima which is quite close to where I am living. The deers were all out and about and saw a tourists map being eaten by one! I hope he managed to find his way home! We had lunch at a small Japanese style restaurant and ate some local fish. Afterwards we had a walk around the various temples and pagodas. On the way back we stopped at a traditional Japanese tea house for some Macha and Chikara-mochi. The wind picked up in the afternoon which made the short ferry trip back to the mainland a tad rough. Since Yuka was in Hiroshima there was no better way to taste the local food than having Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki which has noodles rather than cabbage. Personally I prefer Kansai-style so we went to Tokugawa where they have both and the best thing is that you can make it yourself! A great day!

My Last Day At Yoshiwa Primary School

Yoshiwa, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan - 14th March 2007

After two years teaching the children at Yoshiwa Primary School, it was time to say farewell to them. We had our last English lessons together and seeing how they have progressed since I first started teaching them, I was so glad that I could leave knowing that all the kids had got something out of the lessons.

After lunch, I played a game with the year 5 and 6 students outside which really got me running on my feet! In the afternoon, the school gathering in the gym for graduation practise but beforehand they held a small farewell ceremony for me. I was seated at the very front while the principal gave a speech about the last 2 years I had been there which followed by a short speech by one of the year 4 students which had sweet words about how much she had learnt about English. Finally I gave a short speech encouraging the students to take every chance they can to learn another language and perhaps one day, do what I have, and head overseas to another country and emerge yourself in the country's history and culture.

The record breaking snowfalls of 2005/2006, driving on iced-up roads 500m above sea-level, walking through the playground with snow up to my knees in minus degree temperatures and playing games such as onigoko(chasy) with the kids on hot and humid summer days will remain some of the most memorable experiences and times of my life in Japan.