Yokosuka

So, last weekend I took the shinkansen (bullet train) and headed down to Yokosuka to visit a friend who is currently working on one of the ships that is currently docked at the Naval Base in Yokosuka. When I got there we headed back to his apartment where I dropped off my stuff, and then we headed out to dinner.

Dinner was at a lovely place called TGI Fridays. It was very Americanized, and most of the waitstaff spoke  enough English so that they could take orders and answer questions. Almost all of the patrons were either from the Naval base, or with someone who was from the Naval Base.

So, for the first time in a month and a half, I had a quesadilla, (and to think I wasn't going to miss Mexican food) and it tasted great. After dinner we headed back and watched Jurassic Park until about ten o'clock. Then, I did some homework since I had a huge test this past week.

The next morning, we went stopped at Starbucks for breakfast and then headed to the train station where we took the train to Kamikura to see the "daibatsu" or "Great Buddha". At first we stopped in Kita-Kamikura, (Kita means North, so we went to North Kamikura) and walked around before we realized that this was the wrong city and then we headed back to Kamikura where we followed the "Buddha" signs until we came to the temple.

The temple was very touristy. There was a lot of picture taking, souvenir selling and even some construction work. The construction work was a little loud, so it kind of put a bummer on the sight of the tall, mint-green statue, but it was still an amazing thing to see. This weekend, on Sunday, actually, I will be heading to Nara where I will see another Buddha.

After Kamikura, we headed up to Yokohama where we hung out, grabbing lunch at Hard Rock Cafe and walking around enjoying the sights.

Yokohama and Yokosuka, Japan are very americanized. Where here in Nagahama and Hikone, you can barely find a McDonalds, in Yokosuka there are three just on my way to the train station. This is most likely caused by the Naval Base, and the fact that half of the people that one sees in town are from the Western side of the world. It was a nice little break, but I was kind of missing the whole Japan experience.

In fact, back to TGI Fridays, when the waitress came up, she asked, "Are you ready to order?" I hadn't looked through the whole menu yet, (it was all in English) so I said, "sumimasen, mada kimete imasen" (I'm sorry, I haven't decided yet). The waitress almost freaked out. She had this look on her face of complete shock, and then she started speaking to me in Japanese, (my friend, Mike just sat there with his mouth open) and I could tell that she was happy to meet someone who didn't just speak English like that was the only language of the city.

She told me my Japanese was good, (to which I shook my hands and said "sono koto wa arimasen" (No, that idea is not right)) and asked if I was studying at a university, "いいえ、ミシガン州立大学の学生ですけど、今留学生です。彦根で、日本語を勉強しています." (No, I am a student at Michigan State University, but now I am a study abroad student. I am currently studying Japanese language in Hikone). It was real nice.

However, despite the complete Americanization of southeastern Japan, I did get to use my Japanese quite a bit. For one, I had to order a shinkansen ticket back to Nagahama, and then throughout the weekend I also had to ask for directions and translate various signs throughout the cities.

So, on Sunday, I went with my friend to the Naval Base, which is basically like being home. Everything is in English and everything costs money, but in dollars.

Yeah, that's right. dollars. That green stuff that we use in the US.

We walked around, had pizza for lunch, then headed over to the ship where he works. He gave me a tour, and showed me all around and showed me where he works, (he is a welder).

The gate wasn't very secure though. Even though I had to show my passport, security was kind of null. I would be a little worried, especially with North Korea so close by.

Also, when I was getting my day pass, I remembered why I didn't join the military. When I was waiting, a man in front of me went up and showed the people behind the desk (both of them were women, but I'm not going to get into that subject. I don't have enough prior knowledge to really say anything about it. It's just an observation) his papers, and then they said something like he forgot to do this or he needs to get this done with his badge, and he flipped out. He acted worse than the crazy people that we get at Outback Steakhouse every weekend and stomped off in a heat muttering (loudly so everyone could hear) about how he was a Master Chief on leave and blah blah blah.

The ladies jumped up, "Right this way sir."

...

I don't even have anything to say to that.

If you know me well enough though, you can probably guess what's going through my head.

I have a major problem with bullying. Whether its that overgrown kid in fifth grade, high school quarter back or a Master Chief. Just because you are bigger, more popular or have a fancy title, (which I admit must have taken a lot of work to gain) it doesn't mean that you have to be rude to everyone lower than you when you don't get your way. No, I wasn't bullied when I was a kid, I just always found it rude and kind of annoying.

But whatever, that's why I went to college. So I could read books and write papers for the rest of my life.

I've got a little sarcastic streak jumping out at the moment, so please bear with me.

Other little note... but before that I'm going to mention something that I usually don't talk about... politics. This is because I'm going to mention some stuff and I don't want people to get the wrong idea.

I may not completely agree with our President, (whoever it is at the current time) but I will always support him/her because I love the United States of America. I love our flag, our song and our obsession with fried, fatty foods. The United States is just plain awesome.

I just don't want to serve in the military.

I went to the Navy Exchange, where Navy personnel can get stuff for cheaper than back in the states. I was interested in history, so I headed over to the books section to look at a book to possibly entertain myself with. (Because I have The Outsiders memorized cover to cover, so I decided it was about time to try something new.)

Lots of stuff on the American Revolution, and lots of stuff on World War I and II.

Nothing, absolutely nothing on Vietnam.

Except for a small book that was a biography about a war pilot who came from a rich military family and got some medal.

What happened to the working class war? The draft, the protests- my Japanese textbook has more information. (It actually does. One of my kanji readings was about John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, and all of the peace activities that they put on during the Vietnam War era).

Nothing on the Civil War either.

Talk about propaganda and a biased selection.

So, afterwards, we headed back to the apartment where we hung out until we walked to grab my train. It was a rather long ride home, and when I got back it was only the start of an almost entire week of rain.

Other highlights this week:

I have a new toy called a Nintendo DSi. A new game too: Pokemon Soul Silver.

Yesterday while studying for my test, Naruto (one of the few anime series that I watch) came on the television. It was really cool to watch, even though I could only understand a few words. (Which is more progressive than a year ago).

Today, I had my big "shiken" or test. I think I did fairly well on it. I missed a couple vocabulary words, but overall I feel rather solid.

I also had my last "shodo" or calligraphy class today. The next class is the same date as my graduation, so I will have to skip it. It was lots of fun, and sensee (teacher) thought that my "shodo" was very well done. Before I left, she gave me my first shodo brush as a gift. I'm going to have my Okaasan give sensee her gift when she sees her next time.

I can't speak French anymore. I tried to say a sentence the other day and it came out as "Ce denshya wa..." Ce is the only french word in that sentence. It means "this". "denshya wa" is Japanese. (If you thought that was English...)

I haven't had peanut butter in nearly two weeks. I'm on a role.

More soon! Kyoto is tomorrow!