intERnatIONaliZaTIon

What do D-2 Mighty Ducks, 50 Cent, spaghetti and ice cream sundaes have in common? They are the necessities upon building cultural understanding and a means for providing true internationlization....duh! :)

2 of my genkiest ni-nensei students @ Taneichi-Chu, Yusho (camera-shy eh?) and Daichi, graciously accepted the offer to come to my home for a dose of the States. Being that the job provides little opportunity to actually spark the kids' interest in American culture (and English in general for that matter), I was excited that they were even mildly interested. I was surprised at how enamored they were with the teeny subtleties between our cultures. What's in Anne's fridge? Does she sleep on a futon to? Can she cook both Japanese and American foods? After a quick game of 20 questions, we were ready to eat! Tastes like cinnamon ice cream and garlic bread played tricks w/ their tastebuds, but overall--they gave me an enthusiastic "OISHII!" and "Great-o!" . Just goes to show you that food can both set cultures apart and bring them together.

Though I don't particularly enjoy 50 cent and Ludacris--and completely abhor Eminem, I sacrificed my own listening enjoyment and let them jam to some of their favorite tunes from America. Of course I didn't bother to ask them if they could understand it as I, a native speaker, can't understand Luda and '50'! I let them download some of their favorites and now have 10 new Avril Lavigne songs and 15 Eminem and Alicia Keyes' tunes. They were just starting to download Backstreet Boys when, just i the knick of time---the clock struck 11:00 and I insisted on finishing up with the downloading another day. Alas, I can say my musical collection is complete! Domo arigato!

The things I would do for my students..if there only were more opportunities to do so. They really are an interesting breed---but as I continue to learn more about Japanese culture, I'm beginning to appreciate their uniquities (sp?). Though they are miles apart from the American students that I am so fond of back home, the spazzy, hormonal, insecure junior high school students seem to be quite similar worldwide. Thanks for visiting! I learn as much from you as I HOPE you learn from me! Matta ne!

dear rustin

Dear Rustin,

Thank you for what was certainly the mother of all reunions! Here I am, nearly 2 weeks after wrapping up our excursion, STILL thinking about the sights and sounds and smells (not a nice memory) of Asia! It was so enjoyable and I have to say that our friendship (has it really been 7 years ?!) has never been better! With that said, I am so happy you got to take in some of Japan...it was brief but it was super-traditional. Here are some snapshots of our ryokan experience-complete w/ public bath and ultra-traditional-ultra-impalatable meals.

Thanks again for things innumerable to count... Just know that I think you define the words "best friend". See you in 6! anne

99% sashimi....panic ensues, but after the hotel staff served the meal and left---I spastically starting throwing everything on the nabe cooker. Whew..i was able to salvage some of the edible items, but had no way of hiding the fact that I wasn't going to eat things with a live heartbeat. Still can't shake this sashimiphobia.

Little eye candy for the readers...yknow how it goes.

Flashing the deuce...evidence of assimilation in progress.

This is Rustin psyching himself up for one of the scariest breakfasts he'll ever have in his life. It's one thing to actually STOMACH these foods, but my appetite is destroyed at the mere sight of it. I know that's closed minded and culturally insensitive....but it's true. Returning to Japanese food was a bit of a mental and digestive shock. Fortunately, the warm generosity of its people, and infectious students who always offer a genki "harrow" more than make up for the semi-appetizing, but quite aesthetic, foods and flavors. It feels good to be home!

Anne & Rustin * Narita, Japan * January 2006

Asia: Top 10 Moments

NEW NEWS! You can view my photos--6 separate albums by clicking on the link ABOVE. For those that haven't much time, I have chosen 10 shots of the most memorable places and added a short and sweet explanation.

Koh Samui, Thailand * Well, I'm going to start with the end of our trip. Samui was a much needed source of relaxation and toasty weather. In the mid-to high 90's each day, Samui and our beach bungalow offered beautiful tropical views and inexpensive fine dining---if there is such a thing. I had one unfortunate day of illness from the water- but who can resist strawberry margaritas, even if the ice cubes are a strange shade of brown...I was so fortunate in having a friend come visit me in Asia. I am so thankful for your friendship and already miss seeing you each day! Thanks for your willingness to step outside of your comfort zone and experience a new part of the world with me...you are AMAZING!

Golden Triangle: Myanmar, Thailand & Laos. We boated along the Mekong River, from one country to the next. Pictured above was a child from one of the many ethnic minority groups in northern Thailand. These poor children are semi-exploited by their parents in asking people for money to have a picture taken with their kids. I hesitated, but felt like them getting dinner that evening was justification enough.

LAOS: It was only a one hour visit--but we made it. We checked out a market that offered the local fare----silks, snake whiskey and handicrafts. Very simple lifestyle here, families are tight knit and work together to set up their shop that is frequented by tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of their country and culture. Asia is so accessible, I was constantly amazed at how efficiently and inexpensively we were able to travel.

Ayutthaya, Thailand: We saw probably 25 Wats in Thailand, but Wat Wattanaram was incredbile and most memorable. It was modeled after Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Despite having survived years of turmoil, today some lies in ruins and others in tact. The striking contrast of the deep rustic orange structures and the green desert-esque grasses and brite blue skies was.....something else! (for lack of a more powerful description). Of course, what do I do--turn it into a black and white photo. Check out my photo gallery for over 20 color pics of this place.

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Elephant riding was THE highlight for me. There were time during the trip where I had to stop and say, "Where am I!?" But not here. Riding elephants through the jungles of northern Thailand and in rivers and ravines was breath-taking! These gentle creatures were so strong and beautiful. We took turns riding bare-back and 'steering'...quite empowering and humbling (when you realize your fate is at the hands of a 4 ton mammal!)

Beijing, China: The Great Wall of China. Difficult to describe, hard to fathom the way in which such a monstrosity could be created and harder to believe that I have walked along it. It can't be explained and the 'top-of-the-world' feeling that ensues was unforgettable. Check out the web gallery for another 50 color pics.

Lampang, Thailand: Wat Rhon Khun. Awesome tour guide that he was, Anu made a surprise stop at this temple to show us what a 'modern day Thai temple' looked like. It was SO contemporary and the artist/designer behind this one had some really outrageous ideas. At the base of the photo you can see hundred of hands reaching out from the depth of hell, a pair of devil horns and then a walkway leading up to heaven. Quite the interpretation of the Buddhist way. This Wat is more progressive, and he did away with the brite golds, reds and blues--opting for a striking white structure with thousands of teeny pieces of mirrors built into it. The place was covered in 'bling'....I called it Wat Vegas. Perhaps the reason I was so awestruck was because it didn't seem religious at all.

Hong Kong, SAR of China. What a place, the lites and action and people and nite life never quit. We spent New Year's Eve/Day here and were shocked by the way tycoons and peasants can live side by side. There is no middle class or middle road here----all or nothing----uninhabited, undeveloped islands clashed with Louis Vuitton and Prada flagship stores. What a paradox, what a place!

Beijing, China: The Summer Palace. Loved the spacious, simplicity of this park. Built for the Empress to enjoy only a few months a year, this place stretches almost 3 miles along side a lake. We lucked out and enjoyed a sunny, brisk day--perfect for a stroll along the famous covered walkway that her Majesty also enjoyed several hundred years ago. The sights in China were all magnificent and overwhelming in size...appropriate for one of the largest countries in the world I suppose. But a shock for my eyes to see, especially living in Japan where even a village is made up of wall to wall people and buildings.

Narita, Japan: Our final destination. I wanted to share a Japanesey experience with Rustin, so I treated him to the ryokan experience. He was excited to try the yukata, futon, public bath and really traditional Japanese food. We had so many laughs, swapping stories about our experiences in the last month---but I think Rustin will agree---Japan really is in a category of its own! When the mission was nearing completion, I DID miss Japan and Japanese culture. Having been back for 3 days now, I am SO thankful to have this experience in Japan.

my trip (in a nutshell)

Hey everyone! I'm home! And very happy to be back in Japan! What an experience it was, filled with moments of chaos, sheer happiness, stress, sickness, scariness, and complete awe......... I've been more than thorough with my site thus far, but I think I might drop the ball this time around. There is just too much to say and not enough time to type it out. I'm sending a lot of links to my web gallery on kodakgallery.com and if you didn't get it and want to check out hundreds and hundreds of photos--email me!

RECAP: In just 25 days we spanned 5 countries and over 20 major cities. We took boats, horses, bikes, rickshaws, ferries, planes, bamboo rafts, buses, trains and elephants. We experienced the frigid temps of Beijing and the tropical temps of Samui, Thailand. We ate things that were fried, raw and dried. We slept on futons, train cots, fluffy mattresses (a treat for me) and a couple of airport sofas. Admittingly, it was a blur but so worth it and I only wish to share more of the experience with you in person!

Here's a brief best and worst list of each place:

Beijing, China: hmmm reallly ghetto! i can't believe that as the capital of the huge super power known as China---look dilapitated and developing. Omnipresent pollution, the worst in the world, increases the sense of oppression and misery that pervades. Not a lot of positives to say, but the trip to the Great Wall was a major highlight (and we had beautiful blue skies to boot!) One of the more memorable Christmas Days I have ever had.

Xi'an, China: filthy, scary and destitute. no comment. but the Terra Cotta Warriors rocked. so did the traditional dumpling dinner--bunny for supper! mmm mmm mmm

Shanghai, China: felt like Vegas compared to the other places. actually, a paradoxical city of new and old contrasting one another on every street corner. its the economical center of china, so there is less apparent poverty and an overall, happier population as a result. Spent my bday here and enjoyed the sights of Shanghai from high above--nite views from the TV Tower. Fabulous.

Hong Kong, SAR-China: LOVED IT! Beautiful mix of tropical undeveloped islands and the most commercialized city streets imaginable. Felt safe, but lost in the magnitude of the city...population density 6300 per kilometer (no, that's not a typo!).

THAILAND: I'm going to keep it short and sweet and neglect a million and one stories and details. Thailand was my favorite. Loved the friendly culture, beautiful countryside, delicious curry-everything food and the company with which we traveled. The cultural tour up to the Golden Triangle was so informative and the elephant ride my favorite part of the entire trip.

Those of you gluttons, that can't get enough, check out my Top 10 places we visited in tomorrow's post! And again, if you want to see pics, email me and I will send you the link! Happy New Year everyone!