So- I've been trying to learn a lot about Japan before I go and it's quite overwhelming! Their culture is just so different from ours! I'm getting more and more excited the more I learn. I thought it would be fun to share some of the interesting facts with you.
I really liked reading about is the Japanese' obsession with gift giving. If you give someone a gift for whatever reason- the receiving person is expected to give a gift back. Doesn't sound that strange right? Well- It goes much further. It is not expected to see the person open the gift they receive. A lot of times they will wait to open the gift after the giver has left as to not show any disappointment or reaction at all. Gift giving is so common and prevalent that its not uncommon for the receiver to not even open the gift! They will already know what it is and instead of keeping it- they may keep it to re-give to someone else! Sometimes the wrapping of the gift is more important than the gift itself! There are particular colors that represent different things and its almost a sin to give a wrongly-wrapped gift; but they would never tell you this!! I'm looking forward to seeing this in action!
Pretty interesting huh?
I'll write a few more facts before I leave too.
UPDATE!
I bought my plane ticket to Japan today! I am officially leaving the US on March 30th, 2009. I will be leaving from Houston Texas after a weekend of hanging out with my family and honoring my grandparents. I will fly through San Fransisco then straight to Osaka, Japan. I will get there about 2:30pm on March 31st! At least I don't miss a whole day like going to New Zealand!
I can't wait!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Before I go
Kon'nichi wa everyone-
Carl and I are off on another adventure! At the end of March I'll be heading off to Japan to meet up with Carl and teach some English. I will be living in Gifu City which is the geographical centre of Japan. I am very excited! From what I have read, Gifu City is a lovely city of 400,000 people that are spread out over a very large area! I hear you can go from highrises in the centre to strawberry patches on the outskirts- I'll let ou know about those strawberries (YUM!).
I am looking forward to the numerous festivals that are held in the city throughout the year. The beginning of April just happens to be a GREAT time to get there. The cherry blossoms begin to bloom and the Tejikara Fire Festival is on the first Saturday. Not to mention the Dōsan Festival and the Gifu Festival which also occur the first two weekends I'm there!
So far Carl and I are in the process of getting our visas which are A LOT simpler to get than the South Korean visas were! Hopefully we won't have any more mishaps! I am also trying to learn a bit of Japanese before I go. Kon'nichi wa! means hello. Ohayoo Gozaimasu! means Good morning. Watashi wa Williams Rachael desu! means I am Rachael Williams. Don't even ask if I know the Japanese symbols for these yet!
Anyway- I'll keep you updated on how things are going and when I'll be officially leaving.
Thanks for all the support I've already gotten!
Carl and I are off on another adventure! At the end of March I'll be heading off to Japan to meet up with Carl and teach some English. I will be living in Gifu City which is the geographical centre of Japan. I am very excited! From what I have read, Gifu City is a lovely city of 400,000 people that are spread out over a very large area! I hear you can go from highrises in the centre to strawberry patches on the outskirts- I'll let ou know about those strawberries (YUM!).
I am looking forward to the numerous festivals that are held in the city throughout the year. The beginning of April just happens to be a GREAT time to get there. The cherry blossoms begin to bloom and the Tejikara Fire Festival is on the first Saturday. Not to mention the Dōsan Festival and the Gifu Festival which also occur the first two weekends I'm there!
So far Carl and I are in the process of getting our visas which are A LOT simpler to get than the South Korean visas were! Hopefully we won't have any more mishaps! I am also trying to learn a bit of Japanese before I go. Kon'nichi wa! means hello. Ohayoo Gozaimasu! means Good morning. Watashi wa Williams Rachael desu! means I am Rachael Williams. Don't even ask if I know the Japanese symbols for these yet!
Anyway- I'll keep you updated on how things are going and when I'll be officially leaving.
Thanks for all the support I've already gotten!
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