Yum yum...

Oh yah. I love food. Sweet food. Especially sweet food that entails red bean (obviously the sweet kind), my all-time favourite. Today was the best day of my life. Just kidding. Today was a good day. But for a few seconds I was blown away, whisped away to a far off land, the world of red bean heaven. Allow me to explain. Today I had matcha azuki bread.... and it was a life altering experience. Life altering in the sense that I have found my new favourite food. Step aside toast! Who needs you anyway! (well I still need you) But there's a new bread in town! Yeah... anyway....

The kind I found was even more green!!

Ok so, you're probably wondering... what the hell is matcha azuki bread??? Sounds weird, and perhaps interesting, doesn't it?. WELL,  macha azuki bread ( I don't know how many times I can type it) is a delicious, heavenly slice of ever so tender bread made with matcha (green tea powder) and red beans. Think raisin bread, but green and with sweet red beans instead of raisins. Yes, the best thing I have ever eaten in my life. Try it! You will love it! I can't wait to have it for breakfast tomorrow with red bean paste slathered all over that beast! I don't know what I will do when I have to go back to Canada and live without it. I suppose I will have to become a dedicated mactha azuki bread-maker...

While I write this, I would also like to call your attention to the fact that I am also drinking the most incredible canned alcoholic beverage I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. Introducing.... Calpis Bar Time in Lychee Rose flavour!!! I bought it a) because of the pretty picture on the can (actually I didn't look at the flavour indicated on the label until half a can into it) and b) because like most practically minded societies, in Japan you can by alcohol at supermarkets and convenience stores. How convenient indeed! Nothing like a Lychee Rose Calpis Bar Time after a good day's work! What a yummy day.... ^_^

First week in Kumano

Typical breakfast.

Ahh, my first week teaching. Overall a little hectic but otherwise a not-so-bad first week on the job. My students are all quite lovely and interesting people. And teaching at three different schools in two different cities certainly makes the work-week fly by ever so quickly. 

 I've always considered myself more of the quiet type, and while I'm still not quite what one would consider a chatter box, I think I have been using my voice more in one week than I have during most months of my life back in Canada. Time to exercise those vocal chords. By the end of the day my voice is so husky and harsh sounding I barely recognize it!

Now comes time for the weekend. After a week of meeting my lovely students its time to get some real r & r going on. I'm still not 100% over the jet-lag believe it or not. So I can't say I've got anything too adventurous on my weekend agenda although I do plan to do some exploring around the city. Since I've been busy busy busy with work, my stay in Kumano has been rather uneventful from an adventurous/tourist perspective. Highlights include, watching Taxi Driver for the first time, making daily rounds to the nearby Circle K for cream puff buns and inarizushi, and riding my bike to work. A couple of things have really struck me since leaving Canada. For one thing the fruits and vegetables here are much more tasty and flavorful than they are back home.  Now I don't know if this applies to bigger cities and urban areas (probably not) but from what I have seen and have been told many times over is that this part of Japan is very safe. People don't feel the need to lock their doors and everyone seems so very trusting and sincere. I'd be willing to bet there's more crime in Manitouwadge, Ontario than there is here in Kumano! The people who live here certainly have a relaxed and welcoming aura about them that really adds to the charm of semi-rural Japan.

Walkway to the shrine.

Today its Saturday, my first day off and my first free day to explore Kumano. I'm only a two minute walk fro the Hananoiwaya Jinga Shrine so I decided to check it out and I must say it was very peaceful and moving. This spot has been mentioned in passages that date back as far as the 700s A.D. so you can imagine it was quite an incredible site to see. The area is lit up at night as well, so I think I'll go back to check it out another time. What I love most about the shrines I've visited so far is the sound of the cicadas in the trees. And, interestingly, they make a much different sound here than they do back home in Toronto.

Rock formations at Shishiiwa (the lion rock)

Later on I decided to wander the city to see what's out there. I decided to check out Kumano Station in search of a supposed tourist information booth where I could get a city map and a map of the local hiking trails. No luck. I will have to check my sources. Next, I made my way to the local Okuwa Supermarket and what do you know, I found some Skippy Peanut Butter! (And peanut cream was just starting to grow on me.... *sigh*) Along my way back I made note of a few places that might be of great convenience in the near future: a photo print shop, a bakery with tones of delicious looking goods, and a lovely little English style cafe located just across from the coastline <3. As I made my way home I stopped to admire the Shishiiwa rock formations and took a sitting break along the nearby beach for some people and ocean watching... I think this will soon become my new favourite hobby! hehe

My flat!

So all in all, a rather low key but interesting day. I've had several interested locals approach me and try to talk with me but unfortunately my Japanese is so poor its really difficult to converse. Its time to get serious about studying Japanese tonight.

Day 4 in Japan

At the capsule hotel.

Today is my fourth day in Japan. It took about three days in total to get to my final destination. Two flights, two bus rides, one train and two overnight stays. I spent my first night in Tokyo's Haneda Airport in a capsule hotel. It was an interesting experience to say the least, although I don't think I'd recommend it for a first night stay in Japan, as for me it came off as a bit isolating and not so comfortable after spending so many hours on a plane. That aside it is definitely worth a try since the price is right and although slightly uncomfortable, it certainly made for an interesting experience. (It wasn't all bad- some of the pluses: jammies and slippers were provided, the bathrooms were well equipped with various Sheseido products, the toilets had heated seats and automatically played music when you sat on them (I guess so people can't hear you poop), and the place was ultra clean).

After taking a shuttle bus from Kansai International Airport to Wakayama, the landscape changed drastically from the industrial outskirts of Tokyo and Osaka to beautiful countryside with tree covered mountains to one side, a beautiful ocean view to the other, and a number of smaller quaint towns and cities in between (and short, fat palm trees!). The train ride was probably one of the most enjoyable aspects of my journey thus far, as it allowed me to see a great deal of the Kii-Peninsula's coastline. Having never been to Japan, the trip was long, unfamiliar an stressful at times so the scenic train ride made for a happy ending.  I will say that the people who I sought help from and those who I have met so far have been nothing but helpful and very hospitable.

Momoko loves to hang out and sleep in my room.

Before making the last trip required to reach my final destination in Kumano (this time by car), I was shown around a few parts of Shingu where I will commute to work a few times a week. I was shown around the school where I'll be teaching. Afterwards I was introduced to the Asuka shrine where I was given some basic information about some of the practices and customs at Shinto shrines.

Finally, I am just about settled into my place in Kumano where I'll be spending the next year. Ironically there was a thunderstorm during my first night here, go figure. The days are hot and muggy and I have yet to explore my new surroundings due to some much needed rest and relaxation after days of traveling without sleep. Surprisingly, the house I am staying in is quite big and my room is much bigger than those I've had in the past. My landlady also has a lovely cat who likes to chill in my room!

This afternoon i checked out the beach just across the street from where I'm living. Its too dangerous to swim but the waves and the clouds were absolutely spectacular, and the cool ocean breeze provides a nice relief from the heat and humidity. The day was topped off with a quick tour of the city and a nice bowl of miso RAMEN! with two of my students. :)