Business Trips
Before you all start getting the idea that I'm always messing around at work, I want to make it very clear that I am often not even at work. Yes, my introduction to the world of salaries and responsibility has included many "business trips". For example, the other day all of the new JET participants went to climb Mt. Tateyama, a famous, and third most sacred mountain in Japan. Presumably we were to conduct business at the summit. Which, is not completely inaccurate, as many of us did make business transactions there.
Although it is a 3015 metre mountain, I struggle with the idea that we "climbed it". I say this because
A) we bused up to 2450metres
B) there was no use of equipment, unless you count my tennis shoes
C) most of the way was paved (albeit, badly)
D) children who looked as young as 6 years old were climbing it too, and,
E) at the summit there is a small temple where a monk lives and entertains paying tourists, and the shop where you can also stock up on temple-related stuff like good luck charms, swouvinirs, instant noodles and disposable cameras. (these are brought up by helicopter)
But it was a brilliant trip. And although we were hardly conquering previously unclimbed mountains, I did happen to have a NZ flag with me, thus bringing up proud nationalistic feelings as I brought Sir Edmund Hillary's achievements into direpute... The photo was taken at the very top, and that building is the monk's shrine. Although he was trying to look very benevolent, I had the feeling that he wasn't overly impressed by our flag waving at his place of peace.
Apart from the scenery which was stunning (in the few moments when the mist cleared), I most enjoyed the temperature. At the moment in Japan, it is 30 plus degrees with crazy humidity. Every day, the first thing I do when I get home is take my pants off and put the airconditioning on. It is the only solution I can think of. It isn't ideal, as I'm sure the mailman would attest to, but I have just come from a NZ winter. Anyways, up the mountain, it was a normal temperature for me. I am going to propose that everyone in Japan starts living up in the mountains. Or under the sea. These are much more preferable and logical solutions than the one we have now. I think the monk who lives ontop of that mountain may be the smartest person in the country.
The best and most memorable times in Japan are usually the incredible random ones. For example, in my first week here I went to a "music festival", which actually turned out to be a concert way up in the mountains at a skifield resort. There were 3 pretty good rock bands including a queen cover punk band and a Kiss-wannabe band (keep in mind that they were Japanese bands). The entrance fee was 100yen (NZ1.70), and this included all you can drink beer. The bands finished quite early, and some DJ's took over. This kind of setting belongs on a Monty Python skit.
And this weekend, I went to the river for a BBQ under a bridge with a group of paragliding enthusiasts who I had never met before. They gave us food beer and snacks, took us fishing for small river fish, which we then ate: raw and cooked... I can honestly say that I dont know which one was more delicious. On the one hand, the raw fish was gutted, but on the other hand, the cooked fish was... well, you know, cooked. But they kept bringing out different foods, pretty much until the storm came in and made it time to go. But not before having some watermelon. "this is delicious" we'd say, as the chilly bins, BBQ supplies and small children were being swept away. It was a very enjoyable afternoon, and again, free of charge. Although we may now owe favours to the local paragliding club. Once you join the family...
Japan has also introduced me to the concept of 'all you can drink'. Now, I may be mistaken, but I believe this would be highly illegal in New Zealand. And we thought we had a problematic drinking culture... So far, I think I have partaken in 4 of these so-called "Nomi-ho-downs". It is such a reckless concept. The most recent one was a welcome party for us three new JETs in my city, with the people from the city council, who are our employers. I don't know if these guys, and girls, have very well trained livers, or if they were smart and just ordered for us. No really, I don't know. Either way, I felt privellidged to be taking part in such a vital aspect of Japanese culture. And then I felt sick.
So in conclusion, although I technically have a job and a desk, between the business trips, random excursions and excessive drinking, I'm proud to say I still haven't worked an honest day yet. So don't worry, it's still me.
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