August in Japan

The contract of the ALT from whom I took over had not yet expired when I arrived, so I could not move into the apartment. Thus, for two weeks in August, I stayed with two different Japanese families. I’m one of only a few people who get this experience while on the programme and I’m very grateful because I believe that is why I adapted better and faster than many of the other ALTs.

The first five days, I lived with Keiko Ozawa-sensei and her family (‘sensei’ is the title for a teacher and is always used after the surname when you address the person). The family consists of Keiko, her husband and two sons and her parents. Keiko’s sister also visited for the occasion. They have two houses on their property: their own and one for the grandparents. I stayed at the grandparents’ house, but we had all our meals with the rest of the family. Keiko is an English teacher at one of the schools where I work, so I see her every single day.

For the first big meal, the Ozawa family got me Amarula! At first I was gobsmacked and then I had a good laugh, for what would a summer’s night be without a nice glass of Amarula?

During the first few days, we ran up and down to get everything in order, including my cell phone, hanko (an official stamp that must be used on all documents), bank account, etc. Everything you must do when you’re a grown-up. Keiko is very helpful and has lots of patience. For that I am very grateful! In Japan, it’s not so easy to open a bank account. There are several banks in every prefecture but when you go outside your area, you can only draw money at a Konbini (almost like the Engen shops). I have a debit card, but most people make use of cash cards. You can only draw money with that and do nothing else! It’s a big headache, as you also need to update your bank book every time you draw money! Talk of the 1920s! For a country that is technologically well developed, Japan is far behind with innovation and banks. I long for FNB…

Another headache in Japan is to get a cell phone. Several cellular network providers are available, and one should preferably make use of one of the big companies (au, docomo or SoftBank) as the smaller networks do not provide cover everywhere. Keiko and her sister, who travels a lot, seriously warned me not to make use of anything but au and in the end it took us six hours to get everything on order, just so I can let my parents know that I’m still alive! Getting a cell phone is easy if you have a Japanese speaking person to assist you.

The Ozawa family owns the largest blueberry farm in Shirakawa and I had the opportunity to pick my own berries! I was also privileged to help make blueberry liqueur. What an experience! To say that I fell into a tub of butter is to put it mildly. I was such a privilege to live with this family!

The Ozawa boys Tomayo and Yuto are nine and five years old respectively. I had fun playing with them while I stayed there. We even met our city’s mascot during the time!

The Ozawa family soon felt like my own family and I’m so grateful for everything they did for me.

For the next three days I lived with the Suzuki family and it was as good as with the Ozawa’s. Nebuko Suzuki-sensei is the home economics teacher at school; she can’t speak English but really tries her best! She is a darling with a taxi heart – there is always room for one more!

The family consists of Nebuko, her husband and their son, who is still at University. Nebuko’s husband and son both speak English. The son studied in Australia and is busy doing English tests so that he can work overseas. The husband is the head of one of the primary schools in the area and also teaches English.

As Nebuko is a home economics teacher, she’s a really good cook! I was spoiled every day with a healthy, tasty lunch. In the evening we all had dinner while watching TV or talking about the differences between South Africa and Japan. I had a wonderful cultural experience with this family!

During August there are lots of festivals as it is summertime. After I moved into my apartment, it was time to experience everything. I went to several festivals and occasions and met many people! There was a festival in my hometown at the beginning of August and I could meet people living here. Mike and Jessie, Megan, Marley, Sascha, Lee and Brooke live in my city and we soon became good friends! It’s good, because now I’m not alone. I have others whose button I can press if things get tough. It feels very good.

Richard is my neighbour and we get along famously. He wanted to show me everything and the first step was to go to a festival in Koriyama.

I’m happy in Japan, everything is going well.

In Koriyama at a festival I met Joost and Keri.

Joost is from the Netherlands and is fluent in Japanese; he studied Japanese and was an exchange student in Japan. He works as a CIR in Koriyama and is a wonderful and funny person.

Keri is a South African. She has been in Japan for three years, but works privately and not as a JET. We soon became good friends. It’s nice to have someone with whom you can chat about everyday things. It’s nice to have someone who understands South Africa and who does not look so surprised when I say ‘robot’ instead of ‘traffic light’!

August is my birth month too. It was my first birthday outside of South Africa. It fell on a Thursday, and I spent all week organising with my friends to go to Sukagawa on the weekend for the third largest fireworks festival in Japan, so I didn’t even think of school.

But Keiko and the ladies at work went out of their way to make it a nice experience for me. At the end of the day, they called me to the staff room and started singing to me! There were a birthday cake and tea too. Although I don’t like receiving gifts, it was one of my best birthdays ever! I am so grateful. Not even once since I arrived, I felt left out.

The JETs in the area also hosted me a welcome party (‘enkai’). I celebrated my birthday three times in two weeks! These are opportunities I will never give up for anything!

Also read Email from abroad: Adventures in Japan – Part two