Yesterday we got off the plane in Narita after a nine hour flight, arriving one hour later than we left because of the time change. I was tired. My mom said that the third day is the hardest, but to me, it already seemed pretty hard. We got to the airport and almost immediately I heard a billion voices all speaking a foreign language as fast as they could. I got the feeling that I was in Japan. Some things were the same, and some things different. The writing and the signs are different, but the grass is green and the sky is blue. You cant really argue with that.
I asked my mom to take a picture of just the sign, but she included the temple anyway. I thought it was a stop sign, but later found out it was actually a no-parking sign. One slash means no parking, and two slashes means no parking and no stopping.
Another no-parking sign, but what’s the other one? A stop sign!
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple covers many acres. A service was going on when we got there. Chanters, drummers, a bell ringer, and a few grill-size incense burners filled the air and our senses. Many of the ponds surrounding the temple contained turtles that loved to lie on the rocks. Some of them lay so still they appeared to be made of stone. Gigantic carp swam around them. As we were about to leave, I noticed that the island the turtles were on was shaped like a stone turtle.
We shopped our way back to the hotel. The first shop was a seafood place. For some reason they had roasted grasshopper. I was brave enough to try one. It had a little crunch and a sweet coating. My mom said I went through a series of faces afterwards. It was less the taste, and more the idea of what I had just done.
We went through other shops, but none were as interesting, except for maybe the clothing shop that carried T-shirts with sayings in English.
“I knew they would be major, I will like this popularity.”
“This popularity we have brought it up.”
“sunlight is strong, burnt, a drought continues in a place with no water and water is lost, keep moisture drying with care.”
I’ll leave it to you to decide what to make of those, but they remind me of THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY, a parody of America. J-Lo, a Boov, and Gratuity, a human, meet up and become instant friends.You’ll laugh out loud at their hilarious partnership. We were reading it at school, and we weren’t quite done with it. Tomorrow I’ll be at a school library, but what books (besides SMEKDAY) should I look for? Send me your list! Really!
10 responses so far ↓
1
Gabby Friedhoff
// Apr 17, 2009 at 5:56 am
Hi Kaj,
Welcome to Japan. I was at the meeting at Yujo hall tonight. Unfortunantly, I am in 7th grade, and have not attended any of your moms wonderful meetings (like at the sakura theater). I hope you have a wonderful visit in Japan:) I know I love it here. I have lived here since I was 9 (fourth grade), and hope we dont leave anytime soon. I really love reading too! There are so many books out there I dont know where to start. But good luck, finding the perfect one. And again, have fun in Japan.
Gabby
P.S.
I hope I spelled your name right (very unique
2
The Deeds Family
// Apr 17, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Hi Kaj!
I live here in Iwakuni Japan and took my kiddos to see you and you Mom. Thank you so much for making the long journey here. We definitely enjoyed having you both.
I have enjoyed reading your blog. I noticed you were curious about the Japanese road signs so here is a link :
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/bikerfaq-signs.html
Reading the t-shirts that are in English is one of my favorite things to do when “people watching”. They rarely make sense. I hope you pick one up that makes you laugh so you can wear it and make people wonder what in the world you are trying to say. It’s fun to see those puzzled looks
Take care and I hope you have a wonderful time in Japan!
3
Jesse and Kim
// Apr 22, 2009 at 6:56 am
Hi Kaj, man of many grasshopper faces! Where are you now? We love the pictures and love hearing about your experiences there. More, please!!! xo-k&j
4
Linda Nevermann
// Apr 22, 2009 at 9:16 am
Hi Kaj,
This is the first time that I enter into the world of “blogging”, and I need a book “Blogging for Dummies”. I need to read the directions more closely and maybe the note will get through to you this time.
Your Dad encouraged me to check out your site and keep up with you and your mom that way. Your articles are interesting and funny! I especially liked your comment, “…..I heard a billion voices all speaking a foreign language as fast as they could. I got the feeling that I was in Japan. Some things were the same, and some things different. The writing and the signs are different, but the grass is green and the sky is blue. You cant really argue with that”.
Hope you continue to enjoy your trip and savor the experience. Hope you packed some dental floss to get the grasshoppers out of your teeth.
Please give your mom a hug. Blessings and Peace to you!
Love,
Linda
5
Shelley Hartle
// Apr 22, 2009 at 1:12 pm
How wonderful to hear about your new travels firsthand, Kaj!
I think you’re headed toward a writing career. Delighted that you’re able to do so much every day. I couldn’t eat the grasshopper, but I’d love to visit the museum in Hiroshima. I bet that was tough though. Thanks for the great pictures!
Tell your mom I said hi, will you? I’m the lady who talked with you going up the ramp to Friendship Hall in Langley after the Good Friday concert. I didn’t realize you were leaving so soon for Japan or I would’ve wished you a good trip. So here you go—better late than never—
Happy Trails! Shelley
6
Irene Mueller
// Apr 22, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Kaj!
What a grand journey!
Continue to write and to remember, I expect to hear all about it – - even about your crispy grasshopper feast!
Hug your mom for me and keep on enjoying every moment.
Irene
7
Ronetta
// Apr 23, 2009 at 1:28 am
oh Kaj! I would be so confused! No parking? The parking signs remind me of the old Ghostbuster signs for some reason. (Did you ever see those goofy movies?!) I only know that I would be in big trouble driving in Japan….everytime I saw one of their stop signs, I would confuse it with one of our yield signs……can you imagine what I would have to tell the policeman??? YUUUUUCCCKKKKKK!!!!! Roasted Grasshoppers???? I once ate a fried mealy worm because my students said that I wouldn’t. It would have been much better with ketchup. Do they have ketchup there?! I am so excited that you are having this life time adventure. Thanks for letting me live it vicariously through you!
8
Racquel
// Apr 23, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Hi Kaj,
I hope you enjoyed your time here in Japan! There are many things to do here. Your right about the stop sign!
9
Racquel
// Apr 23, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Hi Kaj,
Hope you enjoyed your time here in Japan! Your also right about the stop sign!
10
Dad
// Apr 27, 2009 at 12:42 am
Greetings, Kaj!
I know you have to share the computer with your mom, but the two of you should keep up this writing–it’s a great way for us to stay connected and experience some of what you encounter each day.
By the way, we’ve turned your room into a memorial for insects–those consumed by traveling 12-year-olds. So, what needs to be on display besides the grasshopper?
Tell us about the lodge…
We love you! Sandra, Jean and Daddy.
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