When I was still a naive primary school kid - a very anime-addicted school kid in fact - I would pray every night that God would let me go to Japan. Even when I was in highschool, when my fandom changed from anime to J-pop, I still said that same prayer.
Come college and my fandom moved towards J-rock instead. I stopped praying that prayer, half-determined to save up for a holiday in Japan, or go for a degree there after my course.
During my second year in college, I received a phone call from mom - asking if I wanted to go to Japan with my cousin. She had gone for a homestay 7 years before, and wanted to go back for a visit. So I thought, why
not?
After an awkward phone call requesting for a letter from our foster family (or my foster family to-be), we had our visas done and before the shock and happiness could sink in - it was already April. I was already in Changi airport, waiting for my flight to Fukuoka.
BEFORE YOU CONTINUE,
thou shalt not laugh at me from 5 years ago.
Skipping all the photos my cousin and I took at Changi Airport, and straight to some lens flare in Fukuoka, Japan!
Over at Fukuoka, cherry blossoms (yes, a.k.a sakuras - but sakura in plural sounds weird - so cherry blossoms they shall be in this post) are supposed to bloom earlier than in Tokyo. Usually March, instead of April - but when we reached - there were still blooming all over!
Our foster family was very thoughtful. Thinking we wouldn't want to miss the cherry blossoms, they brought us to a park right after we landed - before we even reached home.
There were groups of people there for hanami (flower viewing) sessions, as were stalls selling food and trinkets. Jet-lagged, we only munched on homemade onigiri and took photos, true to our tourist selves.
So cute a picture had to be taken!
Our foster father wasn't at the airport to greet us with some other members of the family, as they went fishing - for our dinner!
Sashimi - fresh from the sea, into the kitchen and then our mouths!
Before I went to Japan, I wasn't a fan of sashimi - having had bad sashimi here.
I ate out of courtesy, but found that it was the total opposite of what I've had - it was simply delicious!
Despite being away from home in a country where I was still struggling to make proper conversation, when we all crowded around the dining table - I did feel very much at home.
The family was friendly and fun, and till today - I can't help but remember them for being such gracious and welcoming hosts!
We were given two futons in their tatami-floored guest room - and surprisingly, I fell asleep much quicker than I had expected to.
When I first reached the house, it was already dark.
I only saw dark silhouettes of trees lined with lights.
It was only before we headed out for sight-seeing the next day - that I noticed the garden being so pretty!
At this point, I should apologize for not knowing the names of almost all the places I visited - except for this one themed farm that I will mention in the next post.
Temples weren't something new to me - but this one was!
With a pink heart shaped bell and heart-patterned drape FTW!
Guess what? :)
Homemade dinners are the best!
Here, we occasionally had yakiniku (A.K.A. BBQ) featuring a healthy balance of delicious meat and vegetables! Not to mention, seasonings!
So sinful asldknalfkbdsldbglsdfdg
Had okonomiyaki once, too.
Decorated by Ryoji.
Nabe pot!
Homemade gyoza.
They lowered the spice level for my curry rice aha ._.
Ryoji quizzed me on the three biggest confectioneries in Japan, and that led to chocolate shopping!
This was my haul:
It feels so good to leave chocolate out on the table in spring, knowing it would never melt in.
This puzzle kept our afternoons busy for a few days.
Pretty cakes for tea!
But despite the cakes and chocolates, my best friend was this: fried pudding a.k.a. yakupurin.
Walked out to the nearby shops for dinner one night.
Lookit them sushi!
After you step in, you are greeted by these - and some other fishes.
One morning, Ryoji was inking his newphew's back. With an artline pen.
Went walking around the neighbourhood on days where there were no plans.
This is their drain. A DRAIN. It looks cleaner than rivers back here ._.
Taking photos of signages so I can refer to where I am - even thought I can't read it /_\
Pretty parks filled with cheery blossoms, tulips, and a 2007-me.
Randomly, our foster father bought us necklaces one night.
Due to all the sashimi I was taking in such a short period of time, I succumbed to a viral flu. The visit to the clinic was awkwardly comfortable.
Initially, we were supposed to switch over to stay with the second foster family - but in view of my horrible state, I was with the first family for a tad bit longer.
I stayed at home for recovery's sake - playing Wii with the nephews and flipping through TV channels. I think I must've looked really miserable, as they soon bought me some handicrafts to work on.
Yep, I looked miserable. The end result was supposed to be that purple ball shown on the paper. It's somewhere back in Ipoh, so I apologize for the lack of photos.
This pot.
I have a love-hate relationship with it.
They kept it boiling in the living room - some kind of vegetable/fungus. I didn't really like the mild smell that came from it - but when I was down with fever, I slept near it a lot for the heat.
Ending this post here. The next post will be trips with the foster family, before I moved to the second host's house!
~megumi@japan07~
