Delayed but on our way

Bad weather canceled our flight to Chicago. But we got moved to a later flight. Great. But that got delayed so much we'd miss our Tokyo flight. Bad. But our travel agent (Kaz Konuma at JTB) called to say that the Tokyo flight was delayed too. So we're OK again. Now we're waiting to board. Real soon now.

Wondering where to go in Odaiba?

Here are some great sites about the shopping in Odaiba. Choose wisely.... Floor map of Aqua City in Odaiba. Click on store names for a brief description of what the store sells.  Aqua City Here is a semi-translated site and map for Joypolis, a Sega Amusement park and arcade in the Decks Tokyo Beach. Joypolis And here is Decks Tokyo Beach, another shopping mall. This site is still in Japanese, but you can put the link into Google translator to read it a bit better. My Google Chrome browser did this for me (very handy). Decks Tokyo Beach Remember, we will be going to Odaiba on May 15 but time is short. Take a look at the shops and plan out where you want to go. Have fun browsing!

Some funny videos

Here are some great videos from a series called "The Japanese Tradition". Please do not take them seriously, they are merely poking fun at their own culture. Sushi Chopsticks Origami

Suitcase Races

April 28 was our final preparation before flying to Japan. It was
time for the suitcase races! Steve and Helen loaded up everyone's
suitcase with 32.5 pounds of bricks then set off on a course around
campus. After hiking hills and stairs, some people were rethinking
what they would pack.

You might also want to check out our illustrated itinerary at:
http://helenrindsberg.web.iglou.com/IDS_360/IDS_4-28-10/ids428101.htm.
We are going to have a fabulous trip!

Mass TXT

Helen can now txt the whole class with a flick of her cel phone. No rest for anyone from now on!

Three weeks and counting

On our way soon! The last class is Weds 28 April and then it's Japan.
Bring your paperwork and vocab questions.

I AM ONNA ! Hear me ROAR !

Kanji practice ...livelier than you'd think.

But how can you tell the difference between onna no squid-hats and otoko no squid-hats?

Migi. No, HIDARI, HIDARI! Your OTHER hidari ... STOP STOP TOMARE!!

After learning some basic "direction" words, we took turns guiding a blindfolded partner
through a maze. Using ONLY Japanese.

Class dinner at Matsuya

On Thursday February 4 we all met at Matsuya Japanese Restaurant in Florence. Those who'd been there before knew what a treat they were in for. Newcomers to Japanese cuisine now have an idea what at least SOME Japanese food is about. We missed Angie, though.

Matsushita-san and his staff served up a tasty kaiseki meal featuring:

- Appetizers of konyaku and gobo, tamagoyaki (omelet) and shumai (dumplings)

- Sushi, including ebi (shrimp), maguro (tuna) and tako (octopus)

- Nimono (simmered lotus root, bamboo shoot, potato, carrot and other veggies)

- Tempura

You might call the formal kaiseki style "high end" cuisine. When we meet for the noodle-tasting, we'll take a taste of the other end of the scale. Inexpensive but delicious noodles of different types.

Ready for Class Two

Tonight is our second class. I'll do some review of last week's Japanese lesson, then Helen will teach you to write Kanji. After that, we'll do FOOD. Types of Japanese restaurants, the food they serve, and the how to get some for yourself. And then the food we're going to enjoy at our next class meeting at Matsuya.

Yum.

And of course, other stuff. But ... yeah. Food.

First class, Jan 13

We had our first class this evening.

It was fun to meet our new traveling companions-to-be and welcome back two veterans (shout out to Angie and Christina yo).

Helen will email you all when the study materials are up on the class site.

I was gratified to see such an interest in food. You're my PEOPLE.

And coming up next: FOOD. The next class is Jan 27, when we'll start learning about why the Japanese eat what they do and how to order some of it for ourselves.

See you then.

Steve