February 27th, 2008
I rode the Shinkansen to Hiroshima as always, and arrived early to find that today was not the Parent’s Day for the three-year-olds. That’ll be next week. Today was the “nothing special” day. I’m sure I didn’t misunderstand what I was told last week. I have found that past, present, and future often seem to get lost in translation here, so I shouldn’t be surprised. Oh well, no great harm in this surprise.
As I arrived, Mr. Kindergarten told me that I would not ride the bus to the Culture Center after class, his secretary would drive me the school car. I have no idea why this change would be, but I was already picturing a surprise party. Two weeks early would be a surprise indeed. I then did the usual kindergarten routines, practicing the stuff I knew they knew well so they would be all set for next time. When classes were done, he told me that the school car was in the shop and I should take the bus as usual. I wonder what that was really about? The weather was pretty decent and the walk to the bus stop isn’t that far, so a ride in the car isn’t any great kindness or anything. Maybe I’ll find out more next week.
I then rode the bus to the Culture Center and did the afternoon class. We talked about our weeks and then did a grammar activity about future perfect and future continuous tenses. Somewhere during all this, one of the students mentioned that she had read in my blog about the squat toilets. Yes, they read here too. That threw a monkey wrench into things and we ended up spending fifteen minutes talking about the merits of pooping while standing up. Really classy stuff! One of the students is going to Iran next week and won’t be back while I am still here, so we said our goodbyes today.
The class went smoothly and then it was lunch time. I wanted to do some shopping, so I walked in a direction I had never bee before and found both a McDonalds and a Mos Burger about half as far away as the ones I had been visiting. These two weren’t on my tourist map, so I never even looked that way before. I had more Mos Burger lunch and then headed back. I ate well, but there was nothing in the way of gift shops.
Then it was time for the late class. The Old Man came in about a half an hour before everyone else. He usually comes in a little early for some one-on-one chat time since he knows I’m there. He had planned to go to China and Macao on a gambling trip next month, and although he doesn’t leave until the 10th or something, he can’t come to next week’s class due to trip preparations. So this would be his last class. The younger man told me he wouldn’t be in during March either. I assume they are paying by the month for this class, and since there are only two weeks in March, some of them have decided to start their vacations a little early. I had expected them to all be there next week, so I didn’t even have my camera with me. I will not make that mistake again.
We walked about our weeks and then finished the “Are you for it or against it?” worksheet from last week. I don’t know how, but the subject of toilets came up again, so I told them about my love of the Japanese-style toilet. They loved it, and laughed and laughed. One lady said Japanese people have strong legs from doing the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Somehow, I don’t think they spend that much time doing the tea ceremony.
Then our time was up, and we all rode down in the elevator together. The old man shook my hand we wished each other good luck. As my taxi pulled away to the train station, I spotted him giving me the deepest bow I have ever received here. It’s a sight that I will never forget. I don’t think I have ever received such a serious and honest show of respect before. Sure, I’ve won awards, had successes, and had many people say I’ve done a good job, but that’s not the same as personal respect.
About this time it finally hit me that I am indeed going to miss a lot about this place. Granted, I may seem to do nothing but complain in this blog, but there is a lot here that I really like. I have come to believe that the Japanese people are generally the most giving, hospitable people on the planet. They try to foresee any need that you might have and prepare for it. They are very free with small gifts and shows of appreciation. They love to take you out to dinner. Yes, I am going to miss a lot of things. Not the complete lack of burritos, and the existence of squat toilets, but many things nevertheless.
I think from now until the end, I will focus on the things I will miss and have enjoyed here. The list is quite long; it’s not all sushi and walking up mountains. Anyway, I arrived home at ten and went right to bed. I didn’t sleep too well last night for some reason and was really tired. I got to sleep right away this time.
And then the phone rang. It was from someone who’d name I recognized as being from The Company’s Corporate Office. Not the office where Y-San works, but someone higher up in the organization. He wanted to talk to me about the joy and wonder of becoming a Physical Education and Art Teacher in Fukuyama. I can’t think of any job in the world that I am less qualified for, but it sounds like they are getting desperate; what the heck, I may as well give it a shot. If they don’t say “no,” I can always do it… Assuming I don’t actually talk myself into wanting it. I’d like to know that at least I got an offer to stay. I told him I would fax him a resume in the morning. And then I went back to bed.
And then the phone rang again. I assumed he’d forgotten something, but it turned out to be from home. I guess my weekly call was running later than usual. We did some quick catch-up, but nothing new or important was happening there. Finally, I got back to bed and stayed there.
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