So I have left it far too long, and you have already lost interest in the hols but here are a few pics and a terribly short account of what we did. Actually I shall split up the post, I realise the pictures would make it far too long a post. Don't want to scare you off.
So here are TEMPLES (we saw many more but these are the most noteworthy ones, acutally I think we lost count of the number of temples -Wats- we saw, and that's not counting Angkor....).


This is apparently the finest example of a northern style Wat (temple). It was called Wat Chaing man and was in the city of Chaing mai.
This is another northern style Wat (also in Chaing mai). They seem to be mostly constucted of wood (Teak) and while coloured in gold paint much less shiny than the Wats in Bangkok. There were many Wats in Chaing mai but I don't really want to post 100 odd pictures of Wats, really there are that many! Perhaps we have around 2000 pictures between us. I am not even sure if these are the best ones because I haven't taken the time to look through them all in any great detail yet! These first two pictures are out of sequence however I am not about to start this whole post again so you will just have to bear in mind went to Chaing mai (a small city in the north of Thailand) in the last 5 days of our trip.
The grand palace, former residence of the King of Thailand (In Bangkok). And let me tell you they LOVE the king, pictures and paintings of him adorn buildings everywhere, EVERYWHERE! Any street will have 2,3,4 pictures of him or shrines devoted to him. Big pictures too, covering the sides of sky scrapers in Bangkok. We noticed that many people seemed to be wearing yellow polo shirts. We later learned this was to show devotion to the King, yellow is his colour.


Wat Pho, the oldest Wat in Thailand (or just Bangkok, either way, old).
Chedi at Wat Pho, these are essentially tombs.
The Emerald Buddha Wat and surrounding shiny buildings, they really were very shiny, quite spectacular.

Short and skirts and other immodest clothing are not allowed in this temple area (around the royal palace), bit of a pain in the heat!
Kelly posing with some colourful chaps. We saw these two temples on our first day in Thailand, and then in the evening of the same day we caught a Konn performance. Konn is the traditional Thai dance and we were lucky enough to see an extra special piece which had been recently commissioned for the Kings birthday, yes the King again.

Here are a couple of my favourite pics from the floating Market we visited. We had a lovely 'driver' for our boat who after asking if we were interested in visiting the many tourist nicknak stalls and recieved a resounding no took us on a tour of the residential waterways of his town. He told us that most of the people there did not own a car but everyone owned a boat, nice. For an account of our trip upto Cambodia and Angkor Wat I would refer you too Kelly's BLOG. The link is on the side bar (right hand side) of my BLOG. Her latest two blogs cover the first half of our trip. I will get round to writing but to be honest I haven't even finished my journal writing on the trip!
Just as a side note: the floating (and terrestrial) markets still serve a functional role in traditional Thai society however they are also becoming increasingly affected by tourism. If we had more time we could have sought out a wholly traditional market (catering only to Thais) however time was off the essence (these markets happen according to a lunar calender) and we had to go to a well known market in close proximity to Bangkok. We avoided the touristic side of things as much as possible by not taking a tour. We took a local bus to the town nearby where we stayed in that town sole hotel (a bit of a cold dreary hotel but clean and functional) before getting up early the following day to see the market. The town is about 2 hours from Bangkok and the tours leaving that morning arrive en mass at 9am, and from then on tourists outnumber Thais. We managed to have a couple of hours of peace before the hoards descended, upon which time we made our leave. I believe later that day we chose a tailor, got fitted for suits and then saw Thai Boxing in the evening. I will write up a full and comprehensive account later...sometime....

Happy new year (MY year -year of the boar-). Well I am back from the most amazing holiday I have ever had, to say it went far and beyond my expectations is an understatement. I am still marvelling at the good fortune (in placement and timing and serendipitous plan changing) we were on the receiving end off. I can think of nothing that would have made the trip any better. However it is going to take sometime for me to put together a blog of the trip, I think I will have to do it in several instalments. I am also hindered by a respectably sized mountain of photographs, I and Kelly filled our memory cards about 5 times each so I have a small stack of cds with pics from the trip. Kelly estimates she took around 1000 pictures, goodness knows how many I took. So I shall start by posting some pictures of the sunrise at Angkor Wat. It was the most beautiful thing we saw on the trip and the 4.30am wake up and freezing tuktuk drive were well worth it (we were lucky to get a perfect spot right next to the reflecting pool). I filled a whole memory card just that day (of Angkor Wat and 4 other Wats we saw) but I will just post pics of the sunrise just now.

Here is the actual sunrise (using my sunglasses as a filter)



Here is one of Kelly's pics I really like.

And it was pretty before the sun came up as well! All blues and purples.



Here comes the sun (this time using Kelly's brown sunglasses as a filter).

I will return to inflict more of my holiday snaps upon the world; until then rest your retinas.

Ah Christmas, the festive season, full of goodwill and cheer! I am starting to feel it! First I had my fun Christmas party with my students then yesterday I got a surprise visit at the Junior High from the Kindergarten Teacher. She gave me my first Christmas present! A DVD of the kindergarten lesson I had done the previous week (the one the Board of Education and PTA observed). I was quite touched, I will have to get her something nice from Thailand. It even had a picture of me with the kids printed on it and with typical Japanese care and attention to detail she had first put the DVD in a Universal studios Japan bag and then a Comme ca Du Mode bag. Sigh... who is this brute who want to leave this island and its kind folks!
Well anyway and if you have a moment spare why don't you find out about the real Saint Nicholas. The site has a wealth of information of Saint Nicholas and how he evolved into Santa Claus (Santa San in Japan). I am not saying Santa Claus is bad, he is a wonderful character but like the site says Saint Nicholas is just better. One preaches commercialism the other compassion, you choose.
Here is the link:
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38
Or if you are in a hurry just go to this page (it compares Saint Nic. to S.Claus):
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=36

Have a wonderful Holiday season!

My Christmas party and history of the traditional okinawan dish - 'Win-on a bowl or rice'

I and my English conversation class kids posing with Christmas choc lollys my mum had sent.

The last two presents in the pass the parcel were magnifying lens glasses and bunny ears, a victim was chosen.

Yesterday I had my English conversation class Christmas party. Normally I have the first years 6-7 and then the 3rd years 7-8. However sometimes I combine the classes and I thought that would be more fun for the Christmas lesson/party. It was heaps of fun and ended up going on until almost 9pm! Three hours! I had only planned on 2 but we played Monopoly.......
They are good kids and I enjoy taking the class (plus I get a half day on Monday because of it). Oh and Kaho braught some cakes her mother had cooked, maiu datta.
Sooo did you know katsudon is called katsudon (katsu meaning 'to win' ) because it is eaten before sports events, and its like a 'hey lets win food'. Or maybe it was already called katsudon and thats why they eat if before a game. Anyway whichever is the cause and whichever is the effect, it is a breaded pork on rice dish called 'win - on a bowl of rice' and it is eaten before sporting events.

However, Lib Dem chief of staff Norman Lamb said: "To have the government conspire to close down an investigation into serious corruption allegations in the international arms trade on the same day as the prime minister is interviewed by the police over domestic corruption allegations shows how far from 'whiter than white' this government has moved.

A passage from the below article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6181621.stm

Mr Blair and his NEW Labour party, bah! Bunch of nimcumpoops, let it be on the record that I never liked him!The conservatives may be a bunch of well, conservative old farts, but they are generally decent. Not just drooling lap dogs to Bush who are also apparently fairly corrupt on their own too. Margret Thatcher (conservative) should be treated with reverance for bringing our economy into the modern world. She could have done better in some areas but we are all better off for her, I think, although she is still a very vilified figure (especially in scotland).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3685881.stm
Back to the corrupt Labour party - remember Peter Mandelson and David Kelly (Not to mention starting an illegal war and failing to call for a ceasefire in the Isreali Lebanon conflict)? I am not sure about Brown (our probable next Prime Minister), I would give him a chance, I hope that new Labour isn't rotten to the core.
Anyway enough of politcs it generally makes me depressed when I think about it too much.

Why am I in a country that doesn't show cricket on TV! Booooo! Well I suppose it saved me tears on the first two tests but 3 more to go! Monty, the Sikh of Tweak, went on the take 5 wickets, becoming the first English spinner to ever do so in Perth. With the Ossies dismissed for 244 this is Englands finest chance, let's hope they don't mess it up. It is about time we had a big knock from Flinty I think!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/6178327.stm

And I fully support Monty to win the beard of the year! A coveted accolade!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2006/12/beard_of_the_year.shtml

Still 2-0 down in the ashes but Monty is finally here!

He's only gone and done it! Monty Panesar the bearded genius strikes! On his second over! Claiming his first ashes wicket! Long live King Monty Panesar!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/6178327.stm
http://www.ecb.co.uk/england/sdf,10969,EN.html

Panesar and Mahmood have just been picked for their first Ashes (the most important and bitterly fault cricket game played between England and Australia, there's history man!). Just shows what you can achieve if you play as part of the team (Monty recieved a standing ovation as he came on to bowl his first over in an ashes series). Don't be a hater be a cricket player! If you come to our nation try and be postive part of it! Be a fair sport, anything else is just not Cricket.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Panesar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sajid_Mahmood

I am also a fan of Amir Khan, we all watched him avidly during the 2004 olympics (he got silver at the age of 17). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_Khan_%28boxer%29

In finding these links I discovered that both Amir and Sajid are from the same Pakistani Punjab royal warrior clan, Janjua.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janjua

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6196464.stm
Pretty interesting I feel. Especially if you go down to the full report (PDF file). I recomend that you do, I was quite disappointed with allot of that the young people thought, especially the London kids. Little buggers. Oh in for a penny in for a pound, while I am on the topic of slating British kids; here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6173441.stm
They can't speak either. ...sigh

The catalogue from AU.
Me sporting the rather Bon Ton Izena kindergarten team strip!

Ah. Today I did a demonstration class? Maybe, I was asked by the primary school if I wanted to teach yochien (kindergarten) on Tuesday the 12th of December. They told me there may be some PTA watching. So I planned a packed lesson with the Yochien teacher, first time we have planned a lesson together which I was quite proud of as we planned it speaking only Japanese. Anyway then closer to the day Amec sensei (head of english at primary school) tells me it is an important lesson. On the actual day he tells me there may be 30 people watching. And sure enough all the BOE (board of education) and all the PTA were there plus most of my fellow Junior High School teachers. Not to worry though the Yochien are my favourite class and they rock your socks off. When Amec sensei told me they were maybe the best in Kunigami (northern Okinawa) I just gave him an incredulous stare as one might looks at a person proudly uttering 'the world is round you know!' or 'Complementary micro RNA can pre transcriptionaly inhibit gene expression'. What I am trying to express is DUUUUHHHHHHHHH! I don't know who idolises who more me or my Yochien. And yes they are mine! As is this island etc etc. Aside from all that, so yes the class went well despite one of my star performers crying (he rallied round), oh yes! and we had special yochien teacher sweaters for the class, specially made, wicked! So again, aside from all that I got a birthday present from AU! AU is the mobile phone company I use in case you are unaware. The sent me a mid sized book shaped parcel. Inside was a voucher for 5000 yen and a catalogue. Just a regular home shopping catalogue with everything from furnishings, to kitchen stuff, to jewellery and bags to camping stuff to everything (except clothes). I assumed I could spend 5000 yen in the catalogue but there were no prices so I asked. Apparently the voucher is 5000 yen off my next phone and the catalogue, well I can order any one thing from it! I was slightly taken agog, but have since spend a few happy idle moments flipping through the pages wondering what I want. I have decided on a thing, A wind up torch solar powered LED lamp radio keitei(mobile phone) charging thing. I think it will be fun for camping and such like. Shush you! I LIKE gadgets! Also very excited about going to Thailand, toodles! 5000 yen is about 25 quid btw, better than a swift kick up the arse!

PS. Almost 1 in 10 Brits live abroad, interesting (at least for me, being one of their kind)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6210358.stm

So as you may know my birthday was on Monday. I mentioned on Monday to the kids in my after school english conversation class that it was my birthday. 'Happy Birthday' they cried. What I wasn't expecting was the following. On the Wednesday I popped home to get some flash cards I wanted to laminate for the elementry school the following day. When I came back all the teachers where having a meeting. Argh I though but I needed to laminate so I bust into the room and got the laminator as quietly as I could (dropped a bit of it). While I was laminting three girls from my english conver appeared. They seemed happy to see me, when I asked them what they were upto they said 'suprise' and went off. They reapeared a little while later with a bag, 'Birthday present!' they declared! Wow! I was Happy! They gave me a bag (Christmas) filled with candy and things, I made a show of it and rummaged around. That is when I found the rather feminine bracelet. They started giggling but I decided to throw caution to the wind and had them put it on me, then I trooped them next door so I could show off the bracelet (fake pearls with a silver heart) to the secretary (a guy) to much giggles from the girls. Then the tea lady popped in so I asked her if it was cute too. More giggles. I told them I was 'cho ureshii,' more giggles and then they left. The cute (and cheeky) little blighters. I intend to wear it to class. BTW that pic of from my phone (on the highest setting - not bad).

The wonderful lamp that kelly made for me as one of my brithday presents from her. Thankyou darling!

I am coming to the sad conclusion I aught to stop doing skids with my bike....until I get a new tire that is! I was getting quick good, I could skid into a pretty tight space, useful for parking inbetween all the student's bikes at the school.

Well what a weekend! This weekend just passed I am Kelly ran our first marathon together. That is to say our first marathon ever (the 22nd Naha Marathon) which we happened to have run together. We ran together and finished in 4 hours and 28 minutes. It was a pretty amazing experience and finishing felt good! I am so happy we got to run it together, we kicked ass! We placed 3550th and 3549th, unfortunately their system can't handle people who finish together (that is out of about 20,000 people btw). After the buzz of finishing faded the pain hit us like a ton of bricks, oh boy did we hurt and do we still hurt. I still live in fear of having to go down stairs. I have read it can take several months to fully heal from running a marathon. After we had showered changed and iced we dragged our weary bodies back down to Naha for the after party for us Marathoners (I, Kelly, Andy, Yasmine, Perry and Ryoko) and the people who had sat Japanese tests that day. It was also kind of for my birthday, I didn't plan that but it kind of happened. Enjoy the pics!

Celebratory cigars for those who had taxed body or mind that day (mine was Cuban of course).
Before the marathon, waiting in the monorail station. From left to right; Yasmine, Ryoko, Perry, me.
The happy JUST FINISHED A MARATHON people!
Perry demonstrating just how much he likes lubing up before a marathon (it is actually quite fun).
Dressed for dinner.
The two islanders oozing style and class.

Sooooo we meet again....and this time I have brought photographs! Yes meine kleine schnitzel they are for you to look at. Jahhh, only you. Of course, of course you are most...... precious to me. But enough! No time for zee idle chit chattering, look at the hour! Ah such hour! Ich must schnell away! Tchuss!

Ahhh Ganz wunderschone! Siehst du diesen blumen! Aber wo haben sie gefallen aus?

Aus die prettiest baum (tree right) I saw that day (Ich Liebe　木).
Oh, arn't zeez zee preeetest pink petalz ! Ich glaube dass diesen petals smecht sehr gutt!
You see zee blue mit die pink mit die grun. Zehr Schon!
Jahhh, Ich mabe mit die colour gespielt!
Ohhhh Jahhhh juicy stigma, oder bist du a stamen person?
Just like fire or ...... red tissue paper?
Ah yes and the sun on a freshly harvested rice paddy (yes the accent had been done away with, I got bored).

So I spent a pleasant weekend on Izena. I ran 30k in preparation for the Naha marathon next weekend, I then spent a pleasant evening in the company of the Yamiyama family and the Yoshiaki family. For those of you who don't speak Japanese that is the Mountain God family and the Autumn Reed family (actually not sure on what kanji the last family has but I chose ones I like the meaning of). We cooked fish and lobsters on a barbecue and much fine tasting was done on my tongue. Apparently, so much so that my surprise was most aroused, lobster tastes better only partially cooked and dipped in it's own entrails. Now that may sound sarcastic but I assure you I am not joking. The lobster was only briefly cooked so that it was still very tender and juicy and the black innards were placed in a separate plate so that one would dip the white meat in there for some extra umph to the flavour. Very good. Then we drank whiskey until the wee hours. I won't say chatted but my Japanese lasted longer than in the past although there is always a point were I get lost and give in. I am aware Whiskey isn't part of most peoples diet the week before a marathon but hey diddly oh and the cow jumped over the moon! Hazzah! I ain't no KANGCHEONG SPIDER you know!

PS. I almost forgot but this does make me angry and Kangcheong for sure!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6181396.stm
Bloody people, we are the bane of this world! Grrrrr! We have a system set up which allows (sometimes forces) us and the people who govern us to follow a strategy of short to medium term economic prosperity at all costs while distancing ourselves from the ill effects of this sufficiently that we can ignore them. Well it will only be so long before we cannot turn a blind eye to the costs any longer. I hope it hurts.

Well I feel in my bones it is time to post again. Last year saw the MYC (mid year conference) which unlike last year I found useful. It is a three day seminar, an opening ceremony on the first day followed by two day of workshops run by ALTs for ALTs. As this is the only time of the year when all the ALTs (Okinawa only) are together it is also a bit of a party. It was fun but I don't see much point in relaying elaborate details of exactly what I did. Suffice to say the climax saw the three islanders reunited in their jumpsuits. What else is going on in my life? Well one thing I have done is apply to be transferred to Okinawa Honto (the main island). "What!" you may scream why would you leave your paradise island! Well...sometimes I wonder this and sometimes I am very grateful that one way or another this will be my last year. My mood goes up and down, shortly after I handed the form to my supervisor I had a very good few days and wondered the sanity of my desision. Nothing special happened, I just had some funny moments with the kids, Had some good conversations, the lady in the cake shop randomly lent me a dvd of a movie she had liked when she was my age. Then there are time like the last few days when I have felt isolated and a little lonely. So my mood goes up and down but don't get me wrong, if I came here again I would come to Izena all over again AND stay two years again for sure. I mean I would choose to be on Izena for two years than be on Okinawa Honto. I believe I have one of the best placements in all of Okinawa (perhaps Japan but I can't really judge that one). So why leave? Well the largest factor is a change. I know my third year here would more or less be the same as the last and that does no inspire me in the least! I want a change and leaving Japan would also give me change, big change, but that would be the more difficult choice. Having a new area, a new school and being able to join some new clubs (I have my eye on Karate and Kendo) would be change and enough and perhaps most importantly I would be closer to Kelly and wouldn't be reliant on the ferry to come and see her. It would also be easier for me to do this distance learning course (diploma for grads in management) I have embarked on over two years. This all said the transfer is far from certain and I will be faced with a tough choice if it falls through. In other matters I am reading Ishmael right now. It worries me greatly. Not because of the message that we (the human race) are busy destroying the world, I knew that and it is a matter close to my heart. But rather his bizarre explanation as to why we are doing this. I have been writing in my note book as I read, poking holes in this theories (and their are lots). I haven't yet finished the book and perhaps the 'genius' of the book is in the overall message and not the detail. I am however experiencing a growing dread that the view of Daniel Quinn as expressed through Ishmael are held by many people, even the majority of people?! I shudder to think. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who also had issues with the book, and once I have finished I can compile my notes lambasting the book for anyone who loved/liked/didn't mind the book and wondered what I could take such great offence at!

This is a public warning. The Gaijin Rangers have been spotted in Okinawa again. It has been almost a year since the three Rangers (Blue, Yellow and Red) have been seen together and mainland Okinawa has only just begun the long rebiulding process. You are adviced not to approach (would you want to?!) as they are prone to erratic, unpredictable benhaviour (to be fair it is also often hilarious) and can be dangerous. Please treat with the utmost caution!
You have been warned!

ps. Gaijin rangers come complete with colour co-ordinated marker pens and writable on white T-shirts.

My week just past

On wednesday I was invited to a barbeque with my elementry school teachers. It was a little more than a barby. A group of Hokkaido (northermost Japanese island) elementry school kids were visiting so it was a welcome party for them. This is the 2nd visit to my island by Hokkaido students and there was been one school trip to Hokkaido by Izena kids since I have been here. The Izena BOE (board of education) biulding also boasts a stuffed bear which was given as a gift from Hokkaido. There seems to be some sort of Hokkaido, Okinawa exchange going on; hot/cold, far north/ far south, that kind of thing.

So after the barby and some good chats with islanders I havn't seen in a while due to excessive training the show began!

First a Okinawan fan dance (I aught to find the name)

Next the boys performed Bo Kata, these are the special needs boys, they did well.

Sugi wa, a sanshin performance (an okinawan istrument similar to a banjo).

During the piece (which was just sanshin) a few members of the audience started singing the song which goes with the piece. Then more and more people joined in until almost all the audience were singing. It was pretty amazing. Maybe it was the warm fuzzies brought on by the beer but I found myself thinking how wonderful it was that a whole community from great grandparents to little elementry school kids could all participate in an impromptue sing along. It speaks volumes of the strength and depth of their culture and also of how homogenous their culture is. I began compairing this to our more multicutural culture back home. Trying to compair the pros and cons. I actually ended up writing not a few pages in my journal on the topic the following day. I of course didn't really reach a conclusion, not surprisingly as there is no easy answer to one of the most complex issues facing us as a society today. The one thing I did decid is that, even with accepting the many benefits of a homogenious culture the actions and policies needed to create and maintain such a culture are wholely unacceptable. Actions and policies used my many repugnant right wing, zenophobic and racist groups in the past and present. Japan is in many ways a special case I hasten to add but before I get bogged down on with the blog!

Next was a piece performed with hand bells (a first on Izena!). That's the elementry school head master closest to the camera btw.

The Hokkaido Shagakkusei (elementry school kids) performed a dance next.

This dance is known and danced by elementry children all over Japan. I don't mean that it is wide-spread but that virtually EVERY kid knows it in Japan. I forget what it is called, but they say something like 'Asora asora,' alot in it.

Then the ex tea lady from my junoir high performed karate! I am glad I always said her food was delish! (and it was!)

She also performed kata with nun-chucks and those three pronged knives. She is the lady who made me dinner and left it on my door a while back if you remember. Nice lady.

As I said all children in Japan know this song and dance so at the end of the night the Hokkaido and Izena kids got together and danced away. Some adults who remembered the song joined in too, pretty hilarious.


The night was finished off with some okinawan dancing which I happily joined in with.


Thursday: how do you know your school likes you (maybe a little too much)?
When the schools public computer has a picture of you as the desktop!
Yes I was a little surprised.


Friday: I found a new beach on friday, and this metal encased cable. I wonder what would happen if I cut it? I wonder what it is. I expect phone goes via satelight so electricity perhaps?


Saturday: It was the 'tour de Izena' (bike ride). I passed on the bike riding (last year I did it and it was too slow to be fun) but I turned up for the wada. This is a old fishing method whereby people herd fish through shallow water into nets. It is a chance for the Okinawans living on the main island to do a traditional okinawan activity. I am surprised how little of the traditional festivals are still celebrated on the main island. My JTE had never helped make a rice rope for tug of war, seen okinawa sumo or taken part in the Una festival before Izena. This is another example of where the strong traditionals on Izena draw the community together. During the Una festivals each village has a tug of war (north vs. south or east vs. west) so during the week before the festival the whole village (young and old) has to make ropes which are combined to make the big rope for the actual day. Perhaps there are many traditional festivals on the main island but not everyone attends (as on Izena) and the mainland festivals I have been too seem to be just performances on a stage and stands with fair food and fair games. Although this is partially just my limited observation but it is also consistent with what I have been told by my Japanese friends.

My final picture is of....well I don't know. There is a small hut I often pass on my way to Izena beach. Everytime I have passed it at night or at dusk it has bright white (you know the sort that simulate daylight) lights on inside but yet has bamboo screens over the windows and glass door at all times (including during the day). One night as I passed I had a closer look and this is what I saw. What can it be!