Life as we know it...

Hey everyone, sorry it has been so long since we last blogged.  We have been so busy with life in Himeji that we haven't taken time to keep you all posted.  We have not done anything to incredibly exciting since the last time we blogged.  Last Friday night, one of my fellow English teachers, Mr. Ayukawa, called me and asked if I wanted to go to his favorite onsen (Japanese hot spring) with him on Saturday morning.  Of course I jumped at the opportunity because that was one of the things I was so excited to do.  For those of you who are not familiar with onsens I have attached a link for you to check it out- click here!  Well, that turned out to be quite and experience as tattoos are frowned upon here in Japan.  Apparently the only people with tattoos are Yukaza (Japanese Mafia) and in the old days the criminals were tattooed when they were taken to prison so even when they got out everyone new they were criminals.  Also it doesn't bode well for me that the Yukaza are also known for having shaved heads and facial hair.  Needless to say as I walked in with nothing but a small washcloth covering me I realized I was the main attraction.  Not only was I white, much larger than anyone there and sporting a tattoo, I also have a shaved head and facial hair.  Just as Mr. Ayukawa and I got settled in the main bathing area one of the onsen attendants came over and told us we had to leave.  WELL CRAP!!  Mr.  Ayukawa had told me that the signs outside that said that no one with tattoos would be allowed in the onsen was just a formality but I was quickly realizing that they weren't messing around.  He bantered back and forth with the man for a couple of minutes and then went back to relaxing.  I guess he told him to leave us alone and let us bathe for a couple of minutes.  AWKWARD!!!  So we got out of that pool and headed to the bathing area where they have soap and shampoo available for us to scrub and get good and clean.  After we finished there we went into a sauna.  Not even a minute after we sat down in the sauna the attendant came back in and asked us to leave again.  Once again there was some bickering back and forth as the attendant with all his clothes on was sweating profusely pleading for us to leave.  I was feeling pretty uncomfortable by now as there were about 15 other sweaty naked men in there watching as we made a scene.  Then Mr. Ayukawa tells the man that if he wants me to leave then he needs to tell me himself... in English.  Well this made the attendant feel even more uncomfortable so he left.  About 5 minutes later we headed out of the sauna and guess who was waiting for us?  That's right... the attendant.  He again asked us to leave and Mr. Ayukawa worked it out with him that we would leave right after I got to experience the outdoor baths.  The attendant said that would be fine but that he was going to keep an eye on us.  AWKWARD!!  He also asked that I cover my tattoo with my wash cloth which left me now walking around with it on my arm instead of covering the family jewels like all of the other men do when walking from bath to bath.  Even more AWKWARD!!!!!  So we finish up and leave with Mr. Ayukawa complaining that he was hoping for a relaxing afternoon but instead he was more stressed than when he came in!  I'm still not sure my pride has fully recovered after this very humbling experience.  Some students from our class are going to take us to another onsen up in the mountains next weekend so I got some waterproof tape to wrap my tattoo up for next time... we'll keep you posted on how that goes!  Later on Saturday Audrey and I went to a welcome party at the community center.  When we first got there members of the community welcomed us and asked us to introduce ourselves.  Then we were invited into another room where they had a bunch of men's and women's Kimonos.  They promptly dressed us, tied our obi's and prepared us for a tea ceremony.  They served us the tea and we ate delicious little cakes.  Afterward they told us that we got to keep the kimonos as a gift from the city!  This just made Audrey's day because she absolutely loves hers.  Mine is a little on the flamboyant side but its a kimono none the less and a great souvenir (or house coat;)  After the welcome party we went with some friends to a little desert place.  We sat upstairs and enjoyed fruity drinks and tasty pastries.  All in all it was a great day.  Sunday wasn't too exciting as there was a massive storm.  When it rains here its not a little sprinkle... it comes down in buckets.  Unfortunately we ventured out during one of the lulls but ended up getting drenched because we couldn't get back home before the skies opened up again.  Monday 17 students arrived from Australia through an exchange program.  It was nice having other native speakers in my English classes this week... but 57 students in one class is a bit much to handle but the Japanese students and Australian students alike loved it as we played get to know you games in every class.  Well we are getting ready to head out.  We have to run by the post office and then its off to a tour of the Himeji Castle!  We will blog again soon about our tour and other exciting events that are forth coming.  Hope all is going well in your neck of the woods and we miss you and love you all very much!

My little Japanese beauty... doesn't she look gorgeous in her kimono!!!

The Arizona crew in our Kimonos

The leaves are changing colors even more...just beautiful!!

My Onsen buddy Mr. Ayukawa

Audrey and I with Mr. Honda at the welcome ceremony (dont stare at my belt for to long...you might get dizzy!)

Green tea and sweet bean cake (definitely an aquired taste)

Girl making the tea

Audrey's Obi... beautifully hand stitched!