Comments on: Getting Bitten! (Over and Over Again…) http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/ study abroad programs Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:43:14 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Ryukyu Mike http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1468 Ryukyu Mike Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:53:49 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1468 This morning I started scratching some notes about things done differently in Japan. I've lived here probably half my life, so, I'd probably make a lousy Expert on travelling Japan. Besides driving on the wrong side of the road, we take our shoes off at the door, buy metric dozen eggs (10 in a carton), take a shower before jumping in the bathtub, brush our teeth at the kitchen sink, have arse-washers on the commodes,..etc. I'm in my office and left the damn list at home ! Here's one for you, though and make sure you don't forget it; extremely important- Never pass food to someone else and expect them to recieve it, from your chopsticks to theirs. I'd been taught this rule years ago, but never realized how important it was until last year when my mother-in-law passed away. After the cremation everyone, including myself, and even the deceased's great-grandchildren , picks up the bones with chopsticks (one at a time) and passes them to a priestess' chopsticks. She then places the bones in an urn. Betcha don;t forget that one ! If you get a chance, see a Bullfight. It's nothing like what you'd expect. I'd love to see someone do a story comparing a Japanese Bullfight with that of Mexican or Spanish one. By the time you finish your Asian travel, I should have around 100 Okinawan Bullfight pictures left for you to choose from, if you'd like. Have a fun trip ! This morning I started scratching some notes about things done differently in Japan. I’ve lived here probably half my life, so, I’d probably make a lousy Expert on travelling Japan.
Besides driving on the wrong side of the road, we take our shoes off at the door, buy metric dozen eggs (10 in a carton), take a shower before jumping in the bathtub, brush our teeth at the kitchen sink, have arse-washers on the commodes,..etc. I’m in my office and left the damn list at home !

Here’s one for you, though and make sure you don’t forget it; extremely important- Never pass food to someone else and expect them to recieve it, from your chopsticks to theirs. I’d been taught this rule years ago, but never realized how important it was until last year when my mother-in-law passed away. After the cremation everyone, including myself, and even the deceased’s great-grandchildren , picks up the bones with chopsticks (one at a time) and passes them to a priestess’ chopsticks. She then places the bones in an urn. Betcha don;t forget that one !

If you get a chance, see a Bullfight. It’s nothing like what you’d expect. I’d love to see someone do a story comparing a Japanese Bullfight with that of Mexican or Spanish one. By the time you finish your Asian travel, I should have around 100 Okinawan Bullfight pictures left for you to choose from, if you’d like.

Have a fun trip !

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]]> By: Scott http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1396 Scott Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:18:10 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1396 Tim, come on now! haha I would not recommend his advice on greeting people...unless you've been out drinking. Tim, come on now! haha

I would not recommend his advice on greeting people…unless you’ve been out drinking.

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]]> By: Tim Patterson http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1382 Tim Patterson Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:49:58 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1382 Mushi Mushi means "bug bug". Japanese say moshi moshi on the phone. To respectfully greet people for the first time, you say "Yo parateh ru". Ganbatte! Mushi Mushi means “bug bug”. Japanese say moshi moshi on the phone.

To respectfully greet people for the first time, you say “Yo parateh ru”.

Ganbatte!

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]]> By: admin http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1296 admin Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:19:30 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1296 Tim here, logged in as admin gotta fix that :) Sarah! Japan! Yes! That's great news. And I totally feel you about getting bit again. A few days ago I was sort of dragging....now everything is new and fresh and ripe for exploration...I want to climb every mountain in Laos. Funny how the travel bug bites hardest after the stomach bugs finally die.... Tim here, logged in as admin gotta fix that :)

Sarah!

Japan!

Yes!

That’s great news. And I totally feel you about getting bit again. A few days ago I was sort of dragging….now everything is new and fresh and ripe for exploration…I want to climb every mountain in Laos.

Funny how the travel bug bites hardest after the stomach bugs finally die….

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]]> By: admin http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1289 admin Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:10:48 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1289 Hey all! Sarah here (logged in as admin-gotta fix that!). Thanks for your comments. @ Eleonora - I've found people are kind in most places I go, and inevitably there are the exceptions. I actually haven't heard anything about Japanese people being particularly kind (or mean!) Guess I'll have to see when I get there. @ Judy - Thanks for the advice! Can't wait to hear "mushi mushi." Interesting that the Japanese are night people...I wouldn't have thunk it for some reason. Although Haruki Murakami characters (to make a biiiggg generalization here) are always staying up till 3 in a Denny's somewhere. @ Marina - We're never safe, no? I feel like no matter how dedicated I am to watering my plants, and how much I may start feeling like yes, here I am, this is my place...there is always the possibility of getting bitten. @ Carlo - Thanks! But I resent you for getting It's a Small World After All in my head and bringing back unpleasant memories of fifth grade choir. You should come up and visit--Melbourne is a stone's throw from Japan! Hey all!

Sarah here (logged in as admin-gotta fix that!). Thanks for your comments.

@ Eleonora – I’ve found people are kind in most places I go, and inevitably there are the exceptions. I actually haven’t heard anything about Japanese people being particularly kind (or mean!) Guess I’ll have to see when I get there.

@ Judy – Thanks for the advice! Can’t wait to hear “mushi mushi.” Interesting that the Japanese are night people…I wouldn’t have thunk it for some reason. Although Haruki Murakami characters (to make a biiiggg generalization here) are always staying up till 3 in a Denny’s somewhere.

@ Marina – We’re never safe, no? I feel like no matter how dedicated I am to watering my plants, and how much I may start feeling like yes, here I am, this is my place…there is always the possibility of getting bitten.

@ Carlo – Thanks! But I resent you for getting It’s a Small World After All in my head and bringing back unpleasant memories of fifth grade choir. You should come up and visit–Melbourne is a stone’s throw from Japan!

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]]> By: Carlo Alcos http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1287 Carlo Alcos Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:27:49 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1287 Hey, congrats Sarah! That's so cool. I was in Japan when I was, oh, 9 years old and my experience was pretty much limited to Disneyland Tokyo and Expo '85, so I won't offer you any advice (except that It's A Small World After All is annoying no matter what country you're in - my wife would disagree). Hey, congrats Sarah! That’s so cool. I was in Japan when I was, oh, 9 years old and my experience was pretty much limited to Disneyland Tokyo and Expo ‘85, so I won’t offer you any advice (except that It’s A Small World After All is annoying no matter what country you’re in – my wife would disagree).

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]]> By: marina villatoro http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1285 marina villatoro Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:46:04 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1285 i've given into the travel bug bite ages ago. no matter how much i try to itch it, it simply doesn't go away. so i figure, go with the flow. thanks to it, i get to appease my addiction. i have to say though, sometimes it is dormant in me. the longest has been two years, but then i'm right back into itching it so fiercely it's silly to ignore. <a href="http://travelexperta.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-heck-did-i-end-up-in-costa-rica.html" rel="nofollow">The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist</a> i’ve given into the travel bug bite ages ago. no matter how much i try to itch it, it simply doesn’t go away. so i figure, go with the flow. thanks to it, i get to appease my addiction.
i have to say though, sometimes it is dormant in me. the longest has been two years, but then i’m right back into itching it so fiercely it’s silly to ignore.
The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist

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]]> By: Judy http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1284 Judy Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:41:41 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1284 I lived in Japan for almost three years, I now live in California. One of the most important things to remember is respect. especially toward the elders. It is also very important to say hello/Good morning. Lived out in town the kids who where in highschool would knock on my door asking me to teach them english. It is mandatory for them to know english. Emmerse yourself in their culture take trips on the weekends all over the place, eat Japanese food, go shopping talk to your neighbors, some may feel uncomfortable at first, keep a smile on your face they warm up really fast. learn some Japanese it really comes in handy. You will notice depending on where you live that certain areas never sleep most Japanese only sleep about five hours top per night. My neighbors little girl did not speak english, but she was so enthralled with everything we did, at christmas we gave her a santa hat she was so excited she thanked us in Japanese ran to her house and brought us back a gift. That was a wonderful experience. You will also notice that being American we are very fast paced, the Japanese are not they get a lot done, but at a slower pace. You will see that the Japanese students will be so excited to learn English and all they can about America, Bring lots of pictures, books etc, you will see your students flourish when you do this. I did not charge the students who would knock on my door to learn we would invited them in and teach them, they were so thankful. Don't play loud music, Don't dress in short shorts or tank tops the japanese dress more moderately. You will absolutely love I did the memories will be with me forever. If you have specific questions just email Happy travels. One more thing when you call or answer a phone in Japan the person calling will say Mushi, Mushi, that is like us saying hello?hi I lived in Japan for almost three years, I now live in California. One of the most important things to remember is respect. especially toward the elders. It is also very important to say hello/Good morning. Lived out in town the kids who where in highschool would knock on my door asking me to teach them english. It is mandatory for them to know english. Emmerse yourself in their culture take trips on the weekends all over the place, eat Japanese food, go shopping talk to your neighbors, some may feel uncomfortable at first, keep a smile on your face they warm up really fast. learn some Japanese it really comes in handy. You will notice depending on where you live that certain areas never sleep most Japanese only sleep about five hours top per night. My neighbors little girl did not speak english, but she was so enthralled with everything we did, at christmas we gave her a santa hat she was so excited she thanked us in Japanese ran to her house and brought us back a gift. That was a wonderful experience. You will also notice that being American we are very fast paced, the Japanese are not they get a lot done, but at a slower pace. You will see that the Japanese students will be so excited to learn English and all they can about America, Bring lots of pictures, books etc, you will see your students flourish when you do this. I did not charge the students who would knock on my door to learn we would invited them in and teach them, they were so thankful. Don’t play loud music, Don’t dress in short shorts or tank tops the japanese dress more moderately. You will absolutely love I did the memories will be with me forever. If you have specific questions just email
Happy travels. One more thing when you call or answer a phone in Japan the person calling will say Mushi, Mushi, that is like us saying hello?hi

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]]> By: Eleonora http://matadorabroad.com/getting-bitten-over-and-over-again%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1282 Eleonora Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:29:42 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=83#comment-1282 Hi there! I know my experience it's quite little, but I've been in Japan(Tokyo) for a brief 9-days trip at the end of January, all alone, my first time flying etc etc And it was just amazing! But don't fall for the "all Japanese people are kind" prejudice. They're not mean of course, and most of them will gladly help you out finding a place or such, but not so many know English, even if they're willing to help... Anyway, on the last few nights I've always walked home from downtown to my little hostel up in Taito-ku(I like to walk, definitely), and nothing bad or even scary happened. Good luck for your teaching experience! Hi there! I know my experience it’s quite little, but I’ve been in Japan(Tokyo) for a brief 9-days trip at the end of January, all alone, my first time flying etc etc And it was just amazing! But don’t fall for the “all Japanese people are kind” prejudice. They’re not mean of course, and most of them will gladly help you out finding a place or such, but not so many know English, even if they’re willing to help…
Anyway, on the last few nights I’ve always walked home from downtown to my little hostel up in Taito-ku(I like to walk, definitely), and nothing bad or even scary happened.
Good luck for your teaching experience!

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