On Saturday we went out on our bikes intending to find the sea. When this brought us to a rather industrial part of town, we decided to explore in the other direction. We ended up at a 7-11 asking what there was to do in the neighborhood. We learned that the Tenmangu Shrine, Hofu's main (only) tourist attraction, was a 10 minute bike ride down the road. So off we went. We stopped at the base for some iced coffee, since it was 96 degrees with a "real feel" temperature of 110. I have never been so overheated in my life! Anyway, this old Japanese man beckoned us into his tiny store, using pretty good English. He treated us to a free strawberry slushy, which was good, because the iced coffees we then ordered ended up being 500 yen each! We talked to him for a while, and then a Japanese woman came in and they started speaking in rapid Japanese to each other. Before we knew what was happening, old Japanese dude bursts out into karaoke, singing along to “Yesterday” by the Beatles. He was pretty good, too! Way better than I would be if I tried, and English is my native language. I get the feeling this guy passes a lot of his time doing karaoke, because he also knew an Italian song by heart, which I’ve uploaded on facebook. I can’t really explain it, but listening to this guy sing his heart out in multiple foreign languages was incredible. I love Japan. He also told us about a festival that is going on for the next three days, where the 100+ steps leadng up to the shrine are lined with candles and decorations. There are normally fireworks as well, but the recent mudslides and heavy rains cancelled them. Apparently the mudslides were less than a km away from the shrine! After a while, we parted ways, and continued on up to the shrine.

From the shrine, you can see ALL　of Hofu. It’s incredible how GREEN Japan is. I never would have imagined I’d be living in a small city in one of Japan’s most rural prefectures, but I absolutely love it. We spent a while exploring, and then started for home. We decided to go out for dinner, yet again. This time we had okonomiyaki. “Okonomiyaki” means “as-you-like-it fried”. There’s two styles: Hiroshima-style and Osaka-style. Hiroshima style involves layering: a pancake layer, a mound of shredded cabbage, some seafood (we had squid), an egg layer, a layer of soba noodles…. And whatever else you want. Osaka style involves mixing it all up and frying it in a circular shape. We had Hiroshima style with cheese on top. After it’s cooked, you slather okonomiyaki sauce and drizzle mayonnaise on top. Holy crap, it was incredible. I couldn’t even finish half of it, so I had the rest for lunch on Sunday. Reheated okonomiyaki is nowhere near as good as okonomiyaki made on a giant stovetop in front of you

Saturday night, we tried to experience the Hofu nightlife and failed miserably. Hofu MUST have a nightlife, but we don’t know what or where it is. We ended up in an izakaya with a Korean expat who’s been living in Japan for 10 years. Oh, and he wouldn’t tell us his age, but we estimated it at 45. Kind of a weird night. I had fun because I essentially got to play translator since he spoke barely any English. Next time we go out, we’re taking a girl our age from my school (she works in the office) and hopefully she’ll have a better idea of where to go.

On Sunday we slept in, and then took off in one direction down the main street. We got nearly to the base of the mountains before the roads diverged and we turned back rather than get lost. We also found the 100 yen store, where we bought some basics. Somehow, my apartment only has ONE frying pan. This needs to be fixed. I have no idea how my predecessor lived here and cooked with one single frying pan, one spatula, and less than 10 forks/spoons/knives combined. It makes me sad enough to not have an oven, and to only have 2 burners, but I can’t really do anything about that.

For the rest of the month, work is obviously really light. Actually, I currently don’t do any work. But my work-days are light as well. This Thursday and Friday, all the Yamaguchi JETs are heading to Yamaguchi City for orientation. Then there’s the weekend. Then in 2 weeks, I’m going to be in another city in Yamaguchi, Kudamatsu city, from Aug 18 to 20 for an English teaching seminar. On the 21^st, we have orientation part two in Yamaguchi city again. On the 26^th is a staff meeting, where I will meet EVERY teacher, and give a speech in both English and Japanese. The 27^th and 28^th are dedicated to visiting the other schools I will be teaching at. And then school starts with the opening ceremony on September 1^st at Hofu SHS where I will be giving a speech (again in both English and Japanese) to the entirety of the school: 1000 students and ~80 staff members.

Anyway, we get this glorious thing called “4 days of paid summer leave” which is separate from our paid leave allotment. So I am taking August 12^th through August 17^th, for a total of 6 days of vacation! 　Unfortunately, it’s very soon so I don’t know where I’ll be able to go…. Okinawa is on the list, but it’s probably way too expensive this close. Maybe Kyoto? Who knows?!

Anyway, that brings this up to date. Check out the pictures on facebook if you haven’t already! And if anyone would like a postcard,email me your address. I wouldn’t mind getting postcards or care packages either, so let me know if you’d like my address!