This one took place at “Murasaki” (a “izakaya” not far away from the Hanno Main Station) and lasted from 5.30 p.m until the restaurant closed at about 1 am and we left.

God,that was totally worth it.

Japanese drinks are very nice,You can actually drink a LOT of them without getting really drunk or having a nasty hang-over the next day.

(Or perhaps we European students just have a lot of practice,too? )

If You are in Japan and do not visit a an “izakaya” it’s like not having been in Japan at all I think.

Some of us went for some more fun (propably Karaoke….) but I and my two

European fellow students took a taxi-ride home because we had some lessons today. Well, to be honest, I nearly overleapt but somehow managed to get up nethertheless,propably because I fell out of my bed trying to make my

alarm-clock shut up.

Than I went to the lesson, wrote a Kanjitest which (I found) was pretty easy,afterwards I went to Hanno in order to buy myself some

decent Baseball equipement,a glove,shoes with spikes and a cap (yes,I’m a girl and I’m doing Baseball for sports…more about that later ).

The cap is the one “Twenty-one” (my Baseball circle) uses and was a ”sabisu” (a service,meaning a freebie). With the glove I also got a “sabisu”: Normally,when you buy a good one (one made of leather) its pretty hard in the beginning.So,in order to make it more user-friendly it is sprayed with silicone and,one could say, “baked” in a special oven. Afterwards the store-clerk puts it on and beats into the palm with a round-headed wooden club causing the glove to bend.

About the shoes: They look pretty cool,unfortunately you can’t use them for anything else then runnning around on a Baseball court  (or generally on gras).

So,that was ist for today,stay tuned until Sunday when I will go to see an actual Sumo match!

Otorou Matsuri in Iruma (with videos)- Coming soon!

Circle Nomikai Madness- Coming soon

lasted from April the 9th until the next day. This is a somewhat unique feature of the Surugadai University intended to help freshmen/women (of the Faculty of Contemporary Culture,but I think there is something similar for the Law or/and Economics Faculty) to have an easier start into their campus life. This years “OC” took place in an Onsen in Gunma Pref. (the next prefecture north to Saitama) in a sweet little place the name of which I will have to look up. It started at about 8.30 p.m. First we had to meet inside the main university building where each of us was given a name plate and informed about stuff and the exact order in which everything will take place. Something like that. I wasn’t really able to pay attention because I returned late from Tokyo the day before.

Most important thing was: No booze.

Then we went to the buses which were standing just outside the campus. I was really looking forward to get some sleep but that proved difficult because first,we had to introduce ourselves.Ok,no problem.Afterwards,so-called “Advisers” (in Japanese: “adowaiza”) were showing some informational videos about voluntary work we could do if we wanted to-I was/still am interested in that but unfortunately the video did not provide any real information but was a kind of photo slide show accompanied with loud,let’s call it,music. Real information was handed out for own reading.I still have it somewhere on my “to read” pile.
After that, another video was shown about the school’s own so-called “Career Center”. It was about getting internships and so and entertaining because of the overstated way the actors acted (Imagine something kawaii:”Sensei,about my career,what should I do?”. Cute.)

So passed the first hour and I did not get any sleep.After about 2 hours (not counting a short stay at a motorway station which was crowded by groups of pupils and students) we reached our destination,a hotel. We went to our rooms. They were really great.

Each room was equipped with 2 beds,a bathroom,a toilet (the one that sprinkles your bottom with warm water and keeps the toilet seat warm….),a sofa,table,chairs,a TV set,a water heater and a set of tea. I was staying with 2 Chinese exchange students who are really cool (with whom I speak Japanese….). One of them made some tea for us all. I couldn’t wait to drink something refreshing but what hit senses was pure nausea. It was the refined taste of sea water combined with the flowery taste of seaweed. It was Kombu-cha (seaweed tea).

I couldn’t believe it,what the hell?! Sorry,this is something I can only eat as maki-sushi (rolled sushi). If my future children will not behave I will punish them by forcing them to drink this.That will teach them.

Did I mention there were three of us and two beds? That wasn’t a problem though because there was much space and a futon bed.Or two.

I took everything there was in the closet,spread it out on the floor and took a short nap.Or at least I was going to. About 10 minutes after I fell asleep a cleaning lady apeared out of nowhere,positioned herself somewhere near my futon and what she was saying echoed distantly through the veil of sleep.Go away…must get…sleep. She didn’t and I realized that ignoring did not work.I opend my eyes and stood up.

She told me very politely that I had put the top bed sheet upside down.Thank God,I though the hotel was burning down or something.

So she controled all sheets systematicly while I stood by and tried to sleep while doing so. No way.She kept talking about futon-connected stuff and I was too polite not to acknowledge that.I was also counting sheep in order to stiffle my growing agression which worked perfectly.So,at last,I layed myself down to…no,I didn’t,it was already time for lunch in the hotel dining hall.

There was rice with curry (although I like your mensa’s better), I ordered an extra helping

and got to know some people with whom I’m hanging out now (mostly Japanese,but also Chinese and Korean).

After the lunch we went to the nearby town. In its center you can find all kinds of different shops,a temple and hot,sulfuric springs.

There is a special bassin the hot water is directed into were you can wet your limbs which is very relaxing.

We returned after about an hour or so and spend the next 2-3 hours in a traditional room with tatami mats with some teachers and advisors. What we did there? Well,first of all we had the opportunity to talk to the professors about their courses and get their help in putting your own timetable together. This is a somewhat unique service,at public universities you have to do that by yourself (or with the help of tutors,probably). Well,several days before that we got an information package with the schedules of all courses.Unfortunately,

the way to look up something that interests you is somewhat annoying. First,you have to look up the name,or,for me,to understand what the course is about.So I sat there with my Nintendo DS and my Denshi Jisho (elect. dictionary) and translated.Ok,now you have to look up,in a different booklet,the time it will take place and than you have to check your timetable if there is an opening.

After two tries I went the other way round: I looked at my timetable,than at the second booklet. (I’ve chosen a quite interesting seminar on politics). At the LMU,you can do this online and print out your timetable.

Oh,and the exchange students were given a big cardbord poster on which,on one side,each group (from America,China,Germany) had to paint the flag of the country they were from or living in and,on the other side,some basic informations: Capital,food (what is “Haxe” in Japanese :-D?) and such.

Then,there was the main event.

We were led into a huge convention room were already all the other students and professors were seated. First,the latter ones introduced themselves one after another. That took about 30 minutes.Afterwards,we had to introduce ourselves,one after another,in Japanese and hold up our cardbord posters no one further away than 3 metres could read anyway.

After this,the chairs were carried out and we played some party games I would like to introduce to You:

I had been already asked back on the bus if I was going to participate in a drinking contest.Yes,of cause.Drinking….yeah,something non-alcoholic of cause.So I went with green tea.

The point of this game was to drink your beverage (juice,cola,tea-about 0.5 l) as fast as you could,afterward to run to a table and get the beverage for the next person in your group and so on until the last one finished.

My group lost,but I myself did great. Anyways,this game is pretty much fun.

One of each group runs to a box filled with folded papers.On each paper,something is written on f.e

“red sock” or “blue mobile phone”. If no one has something like that,you have to go back and fetch another

folded paper and so on.If someone has something that is written on a paper he or she has to put it into a seperate box and fetch the next paper. After a set timelimit the group with the most stuff in the seperate box is the winner.

Technically not a game. A number of people is seperated and the rest is given a question f.e

“Someone of this x-persons is a fan of whatever,but who?” Than each one has to gather around the person he or she thinks fits the description.

This might be funnier if there are over 50 people who do not know each other very well and if there is something to drink.

Now,after all these activities,it was about 11 o’clock in the evening and I wondered already if I would be able to at least see the hot springs.

Not now. We were scheduled to have another meeting in 20 minutes or so so not time to take a nap there either.

This meeting found place a one of the normal hotel rooms in the presence of some advisors who brought some chips,cookies,beverages along with them but unfortunately forgot to bring some booze.

I’m just kidding, I did not care. If I had liked to drink some there was an automat selling beer (!) on the third floor but I did not want to break the “ru-ru” (this is the Japanese word for “rules”, an interesting topic in itself I hopefully will be able to examine more closely some time in the future).

Well, when it comes to alcohol this excoursion was very different from everything I have participated before.

(As far as I know,an excoursion on which no alcohol had been consumated during the evenings would have made school history.Yeah,there was a “rule” about no alcohol but there was also another: ” Don’t let yourself get caught.” )

I took the chance to ask about the reason for this. I imagined something like f.e drunken students demolishing hotel rooms or such.

The reason I was told is a different one.

You see, in Japan a student is part of the university he/she is attending. This seems needless to say because is seems natural,but the huge difference is that here,inapropriate behaviour of a student is also completely likely to tarnish the university’s reputation. So,to avoid that from happening, certain precautions are taken (Also,many freshmen are,from a judical point of view,not allowed to drink (or smoke) because they are under the age of 20 (!) ).

I don’t know if this is true for all Japanese universities but if so than I’m glad that in Europe,a student has to take the blame for his/her misbaviour on him/herself alone because,otherwise, our universities would be ruined. And besides,why should anyone feel ashamed because of some students of f.e German Studies just because they belong to the same university as oneself?

Anyways, the next two hours were really pleasant if not for the fact that now I really was wondering if there actually were some onsen somewhere around. It was 1 am. I was tired but nethertheless determined to get my share of the local hot springs experience.

So I went to my room,got my stuff and luckily ran into some freshmen who invited me to go with them.The onsen (hot springs) was located in the hotel basement and on its outside,one seperate for man and one for women.I had never thaught that.

So, totally not caring about anything anymore that day,I took down my clothes on the outside and got into a special room were you are to take a shower while sitting on a low bench.After that, you can immerse yourself in the pool which is located in the same room or you can go outside and use the pool there.The water is not really hot but very warm and,through a system of underground pipes, is directed into the pools.

As it is vulcanic,it has the characteristic smell and (sour) taste of sulfur.

I sat there with some other girls until about 3 o’clock in the morning and it was worth every minute.

If You ever have the chance to go to an onsen,do it and don’t miss out on it!

The next day we were already scheduled to return to Hanno. In the morning,which ment 4 hours and 30 minutes to catch up some sleep until breakfast.

It became 4 hours when,at about 7.15 a.m,were were payed a short visit by two advisors who just wanted to remind us about not coming late for breakfast. 7.15 a.m is not the best time to come when I’m putting on my trousers and looking stoned. But I was to sleepy even to get a little bit angered. Normally I’m used to something like: “Well,breakfest is at 8 o’clock,if you don’t come than you stay hungry.”

Breakfeast was “baikingu”. I first understood “biking” and was struck with horror because sports was the least thing I was able to do now. “Baikingu” is the Japanese exquivalent to all-you-can eat and I did.The bufet was situated on a very long table and you could choose from a wide range of food and beverages-from pancake to fruits,cornflakes,rice,salad; from juice to coffee,tea,milk and so on.

After breakfest we packed our belongings,got unto the bus and were driven home. Another video was shown about why we shoud want to participate in the preperation of the annual school festival but this time I doozed off to be awaken again shortly after to tell everyone in Japanese if and why I liked the this 1,5 days.Well, I had 4 hours of sleep during this time and I made it. That should be a good exercise for the next time we will be able to participate in the “Orientation Campus” and to which I am looking forward to.

Woah,what a week…no,two.

So many things happened I had to take care of,an sucessfully,did,but that kept me from:

1. Blogging

2. Uploading new videos

3. At last taking care of my Polish and German blogs

4. Starting the “About me” section as well as articles about f.e  about Hanno including videos

Sorry everyone,I promise to catch up as soon as possible (my report on our tour to the onsen (hot springs) is nearly finished) so please stay tuned until then.

On Sunday,(which was cold and rainy,by the way) I spend the day on the so called “Tokyo Anime Fair”.Out of curiosity,I guess. As I learned from Wikipedia,this is an important date for the Japanese anime industry and for their respective fans as well.2 of its 4 days are reserved for public visitors (the entrance fee is 1000 Yen,about 5 Euros).It first started in 2002,has some,for me at least,unexpected patrons,among them the Major of Tokyo and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce,and its prestigious awards, which are bestowed for f.e best TV Anime,best foreign Animation (which in this year was “Ratatouille”,a decision with which I absolutely agree),best Director,best Voice actor and so on.Voice actors,producers and directors are also the people you can see and somewhat meet on the TAF.What is it like? Well, by now I am knowing some people who would or even will say something like:”Dude,you were on the TAF?! May….Might I just touch your hand? To confer some of the glory you have witnessed?” And I will say something like:”No,you might not.It was quite interesting but it wasn’t thaaaaat much fun.Really. I left before it was officially over,no big deal.”Imagine a huge hall. It is loud.Every 2 meters someone is giving you stuff.But not the useful ball-pens you get tons of at other fairs,writing pads or candies.No,mostly,it is advertisement for some brand-new animes you should definitively buy the DVDs of.I myself collected over 2 kilograms of colorful paper that way (if it had been blank sheets I would have at least be able to practice Kanji on it,this stuff,I just threw away later…).Every 5 metres there is a stand of a company somehow connected to anime. There are animation studios (like Poirrot (Naruto,Bleach) or Toei (One Piece)),schools where you can learn to become a manga artist/anime studio artist or get into management connected with this whole business.I was talked to by

There are legions of people who are wandering around,children with their parents,but most of the visitors are students,male and female.

Too much people for even such a big hall. If you would expect to see many of them dressed up as anime characters you are wrong.

This is not America/Europe with its…I would like to quote a friend of mine:….this people who don’t speak Japanese but think they know Japanese culture because they have seen “Inu Yasha” (an anime).

If the people I saw were real fans,which I supposed,they are really down-to-earth and I like that.

The only ones I saw were professionals paid for by some companies for advertisement reasons like this ones I had myself photographed with at the Toei stand.

 This type of bodysuit costume is, as I have learned from a Japanese I asked to take the photos, “kigurumi”.I personally don’t like it.There’s a reason why some things are just to be drawn but that doesn’t mean they have to be transferred 100% into reality.I wonder who was under that costumes.Probably some students in need of money.I would not be in the least surprised.As I have already mentioned you can see some directors or voice actors on the TAF. The problem with that is,for example,if an anime is really popular than you will have huge masses of people standing in front of a stand and blocking the way for everyone else.That’s probably why it is not allowed to videotape such a performance because standing there still with a camera in you hand doesn’t make the situation easier for the TAF staff.I myself witnessed such a meeting at the Toei stand concerning the voice actors of One Piece.This is one of the few animes I know and also the first one that does not end after 26 episodes.If you hear the Japanese voices I am sure that one would like to see,at least partly,how someone possessing such an interesting voice might look like.Unfortunately,the ones invited were those dubbing some bad ass characters I still don’t know and not the good guys.The performance was…unsettling somehow.Imagine 4 people,3 women and one young man, dressed up in pink (!) aprons talking about what they like about their work (because,as I have learned,in Japan,if you are good,this is work and you might even become a known star….),which (One Piece) character they like the most,which other anime and so on. If you can’t imagine that than have a look at my short youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xO6ijtWdkw

From times to times they behaved in a way I also do when I have drunken too much vodka.I think it was meant to be considered “kawaii” or so but I guess I’m not really into this kind of things although there are definitively anime worth watching and this one is at least worth a try.

Be that as it may, I’m not really a fan (or at least not a die-hard one) so it was not that interesting for me as I don’t (or still don’t) know most of the anime concerned (or,I don’t like them as “Naruto“…).Nevertheless,it was worth the experience,some of the papers I got i kept in order to use as reading exercises and,the most important thing is I can say: I was at the TAF,I was THERE :-D! to make people jealous I most likely don’t respect.

Did You know that? Sparrows are tasty!

This Saturday (29.03) our patron,profesor of German studies, took me,my two compagnons,another professor and some students who are learning German toa bar in Hanno so that we could get to know each other better.Its name is “Ogaramura” and it is located near the Hanno railwaystation.

If You are in Hanno,please visit it cause it’s totally worth it. It is a rather traditional place where you are supposed to take off your shoes at

the entrance and leave them there.But thats not all. You have to sit on the heightened tatami-covered floor on thin pillow which,after some

time,gave me a hard one (I mean, how long can You sit on your knees without moving significantly?).

The tables in front of you are also very low,the walls are covered with red lampignons and broad paperstripes where the different things you can order are written with ink and a brush.The waiters are wearing kimono-styled dresses and head-as well as waistbands.

I imagine the mid-nineteenth century Edo to be a place with partly this atmosphere.

Our patron wanted to give us a taste of the real Japan and I think he totally suceeded.

We were free to order what we wanted so there was a lot of beer and my newly discovered favorite beverage (I’ve forgotten the exact name but it was) green applejuice with sake. I think it didn’t contain that much alcohol because I kept ordering it diligently and was still very far away from being drunk when we left at approximatly 12. pm.Or perhaps I already have enought practice :-).

Be that as it may, we also ordered a lot of food.Normal stuff,like okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake),all kinds of grilled meat on spits, raw fish (unfortunately I hate tako (octopus) and ika (calamari) as well es ebi (pawn),cooked or raw,because there was more of it on the plate than what i love,f.e raw thuna) and special stuff: raw horse meat (which is very,very delicious) and, prepare yourselves: yaki suzune (grilled sparrows with sauce).

Here it is,as promised,the report on what I did on Thursday.

Hello back!