Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Mayer Report
The Update: Day 17 and Joel is still laughing. Five Day Forecast- sunny.
Ummm, Joel- is that you on the floor???? Waiter- can I have what he's having? SLW
Rotary Clubs (by Michael)
Although Fukushima prefecture (state) is the third largest of the 43 prefectures in Japan, it is rural and relatively sparsely populated. Consequently the clubs are modest size, 20-50 members. Our schedule is arranged for us to spend one week in four different regions of the District. The first was Fukushima City, population 200,000, with five clubs. This is where we had the elaborate Welcome Party. (I also played golf one day with three Rotarians). We just had our Farewell Party in the Aizu region with a very nice dinner. Aizu is further north and more mountainous. We stayed in Aizu-Wakamatsu and Kitakata. My host in Kitakata was a Past District Governor and classmate of PDG Val. He is an M.D. and owns a hospital and has everyone recite the Four-Way-Test at the morning staff meeting. We now go to the Chuo (Central) Region and Koriyama City, the largest city and most commercial. The last week is in the Kenchu Region. We attend the District Conference in Tamura City October 13-14.
We have attended four official club meetings and two very nice parties in our honor. The meetings are punctual and follow a prescribed format. Dress is coat and tie. Nevertheless, there is a lot of laughter and fellowship. The clubs seem to focus on community service projects.
We have been treated like royalty. The schedule has been full but not hectic. We each have stayed with four wonderful host families, but have also stayed at some very first rate hotels and hot spring spas.
The team is in good spirits and having fun. We have painted our own lacquer ware art; tasted lots of sake; tried on expensive kimonos; taken a hike in the mountains; and given several presentations in Japanese that were well received; and eaten all kinds of Japanese food that is new to us. So far, it has been a priceless experience.
We have attended four official club meetings and two very nice parties in our honor. The meetings are punctual and follow a prescribed format. Dress is coat and tie. Nevertheless, there is a lot of laughter and fellowship. The clubs seem to focus on community service projects.
We have been treated like royalty. The schedule has been full but not hectic. We each have stayed with four wonderful host families, but have also stayed at some very first rate hotels and hot spring spas.
The team is in good spirits and having fun. We have painted our own lacquer ware art; tasted lots of sake; tried on expensive kimonos; taken a hike in the mountains; and given several presentations in Japanese that were well received; and eaten all kinds of Japanese food that is new to us. So far, it has been a priceless experience.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Just Pictures
Thursday, September 27, 2007
In the country side
Everyone! We are staying in a very nice area in the country side, the city is called Kitakata. I (Cecile or as they say here "Seshiru") am staying in a farm; the family is absolutely wonderful and I get to take care of the chickens in the morning, eat fresh eggs and perfectly organic vegetables from the garden. The pace in this city is very different from the one before and it is perfect, it feels like a break, we are enjoying our time very very much all together though. Tonight will be the 3rd time we will be doing our presentation in Japanese and we are becoming quiet pros with our pronunciation.
We have seen so much we can't believe there is still 3 weeks left.
We miss you all.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Special note for Yosei.
Yosei you would be so proud of us speaking Japanese here. And I would like to note that Mike is pronouncing "Go Hyaku" very well every time. People seem to understand our presentation very well and we are getting compliments. Also, you are getting famous here because everyone is asking us who taught us to speak and we always talk about you.
It's 5:00 somewhere. Sake time.
On Tuesday, September 25th, we visited a very famous sake factory in Aizu Wakamatsu City. The smell of the shoshu was comparable to having an ammonia facial.
The Birthday Boy!! From The Team
HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY JOEL!! (Just being here in Japan takes a few years off).
Sunday, September 23, 2007
The Mayer Report
I have decided to use Joel's infectious
laugh as a gauge of how much fun we are all
still having together in Japan.
Today's report: Day 9 and Joel is still laughing.
I will update "The Mayer Report" along the way so you know how we are doing. SLW
Traditional Japanese Style dinner at the Ohtori Spa followed by traditional Japanese entertainment
The karaoke rookies only wanted to sing one song and go to bed, but their tune quickly changed to "just one more song....." SLW
The Fountain of Youth
I am sure most of you know that the Japanese have close to the longest life span of any other country's citizens (79 and 86 for men and women respectively). The United States, on the other hand, is ranked 43rd in life expectancy compared to other countries. With this incredible opportunity through Rotary International to travel in Japan for five weeks, I made it a mission to help my fellow Americans live longer by discovering the secret(s) to Japanese longevity.
From my observations of Japanese lifestyle and culture over nine days, I have made some very important scientific discoveries never before revealed to Americans (footnotes omitted). I have asked many Japanese why they think they live so long. Their response is typically first, surprise and denial, but this is usually followed up by some variation of "diet". These responses were confirmed by the following scientific findings. First, vegetables are a MAJOR food group here. Try corn on the cob, followed by a salad with fresh tomatoes and broccoli, rounded out by pickled pickles and other pickled vegetables with a side dish of no less than six kinds of mushrooms. This is your breakfast. *It should be noted that pickled vegetables are a hot item in Japan (about as popular as pizza is in America). They make an appearance at just about every meal (I literally cannot think of a meal I have had so far in which it was not served). Because of that, all things pickled are at the top of my list for what Americans must start eating more of. A very close second is white steamed rice. Rice is also present for every meal in some form or another. It is mixed with natto (more on that later), raw eggs, fish, vegetables, tofu, anything and everything under the red sun. Third would be natto, or fermented soy beans. This stuff sells like hot cakes in the supermarkets - entire rows upon rows of shelves are dedicated to this mysterious substance. It is definitely an acquired taste and not one that I plan to acquire anytime soon. Just the sight of the fermented soy beans dripping their strangely gooey fermented juices from your chopsticks is enough to stop most Americans in their tracks from actually putting it into their mouth. However, the smell will stop those who are not dissuaded by the sight. Being the intrepid traveler that I am, however, I was not dissuaded by either. In traveling, I try to live by the philosophy that what does not kill you will likely cause some needed growth. After trying natto on several occasions, I must unfortunately admit that I did not grow anything but nauseas from the experience. Your experience will hopefully be different than mine and you will live much longer than I. I am happy for you. The last and most surprising dietary finding I made is that years will be added to your life by eating many foods raw (fish, eggs, tofu and the like), rather than good old fashioned country fried style.
On a non-dietary note, I have a few brief observations. You will be shocked to hear that the expensive potions and lotions that we buy because it was made with fresh water and dried sand that came from the depths of the ocean in Kerala, India or acacia fruit picked by flying tree monkeys in Brazil is actually not necessary. In Japan, simply being clean tops the list of non-dietary recommendations for living to a spry 85 (my studies confirm that being clean will also keep you looking at least 20 years younger). In Japan, Americans time honed "tradition" of using our hands or a loofah to wash oneself is about as helpful as not washing at all. Bathing is a serious business here. You may have to call on your parents or grandparents for help on this, but the Japanese use these things called washcloths that you can apparently clean yourself quite well with. I admit that I always thought a washcloth was of no real use and was just something dainty to set out for guests. In Japan, however, a "washcloth" can be over two feet long and is used in a very detailed minute scrubbing of every body part as if it was covered in invisible dirt. This part can take an hour or more. Then you are ready for a bath in hot, hot water. Then, off to work or to bed, depending on whether it is morning or evening. As I said, the Japanese do not joke about their bathing rituals. For some this ritual occurs on that large of or a slightly smaller scale every time they come home.
Also, another significant non-dietary finding regarding longevity (although this one was not at all surprising) is that leaving your shoes by the door and then wearing slippers that stay in the bathroom and other pair for other parts of the home is essential. Obviously the same holds true for the office. See herein at 2, footnotes omitted. Finally, putting rocks in your pillow to sleep on at night is good in the summer and can add many years to your life. Sleeping directly on the floor is recommended year round. *However, I must note that many of the Japanese I have met indicate that "all Japanese" have neck and back pain. I doubt there is any correlation between the two.
My final words of wisdom of the topic of longevity: drinking beer does not have a negative impact. Neither does smoking. Sleep is not necessary. You will be happy to hear that not exercising has no effect whatsoever. Laughing does wonders, as does smiling, being polite and respectful of your elders, and singing large quantities of karaoke. Surprisingly, public displays of affection are not necessary to live to 85, but kindness and generosity are. SLW
(Cecile finally let me write a blog). :)
From my observations of Japanese lifestyle and culture over nine days, I have made some very important scientific discoveries never before revealed to Americans (footnotes omitted). I have asked many Japanese why they think they live so long. Their response is typically first, surprise and denial, but this is usually followed up by some variation of "diet". These responses were confirmed by the following scientific findings. First, vegetables are a MAJOR food group here. Try corn on the cob, followed by a salad with fresh tomatoes and broccoli, rounded out by pickled pickles and other pickled vegetables with a side dish of no less than six kinds of mushrooms. This is your breakfast. *It should be noted that pickled vegetables are a hot item in Japan (about as popular as pizza is in America). They make an appearance at just about every meal (I literally cannot think of a meal I have had so far in which it was not served). Because of that, all things pickled are at the top of my list for what Americans must start eating more of. A very close second is white steamed rice. Rice is also present for every meal in some form or another. It is mixed with natto (more on that later), raw eggs, fish, vegetables, tofu, anything and everything under the red sun. Third would be natto, or fermented soy beans. This stuff sells like hot cakes in the supermarkets - entire rows upon rows of shelves are dedicated to this mysterious substance. It is definitely an acquired taste and not one that I plan to acquire anytime soon. Just the sight of the fermented soy beans dripping their strangely gooey fermented juices from your chopsticks is enough to stop most Americans in their tracks from actually putting it into their mouth. However, the smell will stop those who are not dissuaded by the sight. Being the intrepid traveler that I am, however, I was not dissuaded by either. In traveling, I try to live by the philosophy that what does not kill you will likely cause some needed growth. After trying natto on several occasions, I must unfortunately admit that I did not grow anything but nauseas from the experience. Your experience will hopefully be different than mine and you will live much longer than I. I am happy for you. The last and most surprising dietary finding I made is that years will be added to your life by eating many foods raw (fish, eggs, tofu and the like), rather than good old fashioned country fried style.
On a non-dietary note, I have a few brief observations. You will be shocked to hear that the expensive potions and lotions that we buy because it was made with fresh water and dried sand that came from the depths of the ocean in Kerala, India or acacia fruit picked by flying tree monkeys in Brazil is actually not necessary. In Japan, simply being clean tops the list of non-dietary recommendations for living to a spry 85 (my studies confirm that being clean will also keep you looking at least 20 years younger). In Japan, Americans time honed "tradition" of using our hands or a loofah to wash oneself is about as helpful as not washing at all. Bathing is a serious business here. You may have to call on your parents or grandparents for help on this, but the Japanese use these things called washcloths that you can apparently clean yourself quite well with. I admit that I always thought a washcloth was of no real use and was just something dainty to set out for guests. In Japan, however, a "washcloth" can be over two feet long and is used in a very detailed minute scrubbing of every body part as if it was covered in invisible dirt. This part can take an hour or more. Then you are ready for a bath in hot, hot water. Then, off to work or to bed, depending on whether it is morning or evening. As I said, the Japanese do not joke about their bathing rituals. For some this ritual occurs on that large of or a slightly smaller scale every time they come home.
Also, another significant non-dietary finding regarding longevity (although this one was not at all surprising) is that leaving your shoes by the door and then wearing slippers that stay in the bathroom and other pair for other parts of the home is essential. Obviously the same holds true for the office. See herein at 2, footnotes omitted. Finally, putting rocks in your pillow to sleep on at night is good in the summer and can add many years to your life. Sleeping directly on the floor is recommended year round. *However, I must note that many of the Japanese I have met indicate that "all Japanese" have neck and back pain. I doubt there is any correlation between the two.
My final words of wisdom of the topic of longevity: drinking beer does not have a negative impact. Neither does smoking. Sleep is not necessary. You will be happy to hear that not exercising has no effect whatsoever. Laughing does wonders, as does smiling, being polite and respectful of your elders, and singing large quantities of karaoke. Surprisingly, public displays of affection are not necessary to live to 85, but kindness and generosity are. SLW
(Cecile finally let me write a blog). :)
Friday, September 21, 2007
Second host family
After staying in one of the most wonderful resort, with traditional tatami rooms with futons, we are now each with our second host family for the next couple of days.
We are all doing very well and getting along perfectly, it is very nice.
Today we visited a courthouse and went shopping in the afternoon. Yesterday was a long day with a visit of a Dam, the pears, then a little walk in the mountains and back at the hotel.
After dinner some rotarians joined us at the hotel to sing Karaoke. You should have seen and heard Michael sing "New York, New York", Joel rock and roll singing "Hound Dog" (Elvis), and Sarah and Cecile dancing and jumping around the room. We had so much fun. But the best is that Michael video taped it all.
It is harder for us to post pictures while we are using our host familie's computers but in 2 days when we are back at the hotel, we will give you a lot of new infos and pictures.
Tomorrow and the day after are 2 whole days off where we are only with our host families. We probably won't be doing the same activities. Mike is already scheduled for golfing. But the rest of us don't know about the plans.
Always thinking of you.
The team.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Rotary in Japan (by Michael)
Our first official Rotary event was attending the meeting of Nihonmatsu Wednesday noon. There were about 30 in attendance. We were introduced and I said a few words, some in Japanese and the rest in English. It was the official visit to the club of District Governor Kosuke Maki, so his speech was the program. He speaks excellent English, and told us he would give his next speech to us in English. He was very businesslike, but you could tell his comments were very heartfelt, particularly when he spoke about the Polio immuni8zation he did in
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Did you say "HOT" Spring ?? (by Cecile)
So I would like to tell you my first Hot spring experience. My host family is taking me to a very nice private hot spring. My host sister Madoka announces me that the "Onsen" we are going to is a little stinky like volcano because it is natural from the mountain and it will be milky looking, but it is good for our health and skin. I can’t wait. Oh and she also warns me that we have to be naked and asks me if that is ok with me. Well..., I think so...; I mean I am always naked walking around at home, why not in front of tons of other women in a hot bathtub in a foreign country? They won't remember me, they won't put me in the paper right?Masahiko (my host dad) goes to the men’s side, good..., I didn't dare asking if we would be separate because that would have made me uncomfortable.
After taking our shoes off at the entrance of the spa hotel we are now getting undressed on tatamis and putting our clothes into a basket. So here I am, all naked, like Madoka warned me. I am ok with this but I still will put my towel in front of me to hide my breasts because I feel different than when I am dancing naked in my living room on sunday morning.
We have to rinse our body first, and we are now sitting on a tiny little wooden bench showering and rinsing. Then off we go into the steaming hot water outside. It is beautiful! I am the only westerner here and the women are looking at me but I don’t feel they are wondering or judging, I only feel they are looking at me and thinking, "oh a tourist, let’s watch her getting her “derriere” burned!" So I step in with just one foot and ... ahhhhh.... it is soooooo Hooooooot, I already have to step out. I explain to Madoka and her mom that I really enjoy this but I will take my time getting into the bath because it is a little hot for me.
Everyone is deep in the hot spring up to their neck but I still have water up to my ankles only. Darn! I look like a fool standing here with my towel in front of me, everybody is watching the blond girl with the short hair who looks that she is not from here, hiding her breast like it's something different than theirs (they probably really want to see under my towel now that I made it so secret). Ok let’s go! 1, 2, 3… Nope, too hot! But I now have water up to my knees. Oh! That is too hot, I am getting out again, and oh great, now they can see my bottom of course because I turned around to go up the little stairs. Oh this is ridiculous, I have to get in. Madoka’s mom tells me that the water is cooler on the other side, away from the fountain source. "Ok, that sound’s good mommy, let’s go there Madoka!"... Ahhhhh, What do you mean it is cooler? Yeah like one degree, that’s all!. But here I have to go because I looked enough like a fool dancing around from one foot to an other with water only to my knees.
1…,2…, 3…. This time I’m in, Awwwwwwww, this feels great, ...and too hot, burning,... and great again and... awwwwww,... what a relaxing way of spending the afternoon. Cool (I mean... hot!), I like it! But I already have to take a little break from this lobster cooking water, so I sit on the rocks on the edge and keep my feet inside, and I feel ok doing that because other women are doing it too. Madoka reassures me by saying that this water is very very good for our health and our skin and it helps us to live longer. OK! I get back in I want to live longer. This magic steaming burning hot water better make me live at least up to a healthy 100 years old, i am telling you.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Little personal messages
Rome, we will do our best to check out the taiko factory, it is in Aizu region and that is where we are going next week. Hopefully we will be close to that town.
Patti W., it is so good to hear that you are checking our blog, I hope you enjoy the reading. Say hello to everyone for me at Body Basics next time you go exercise.
Patti S., Mike is doing so well as our team leader, he is very patient with all our craziness, and he is so funny when he uses his video camera. We wish you were here to see him. The slippers everywhere seem to be ok, they have many sizes, however the clothing is difficult for all of us, everything is too small. Exept the kimonos.
Chris, we are going to an area of samourai next week, maybe we will find tanto knives there.
Rebecca, Joel hasn`t stopped laughing yet, he is such a sweet heart and an easy person.
Everyone. We have so much stories already, it has been only 3 days, it is absolutely overwhelming. We miss you though. It is hard to be so far and not be able to communicate with our loved ones at anytime we`d like. It has been raining all day but it`s ok because it was a very formal day with visits to the mayor, newspapers and attorney`s office (for Sarah and Mike).
Tomorrow is going to be our first time doing our presentation in Japanese here in front of everybody at a meeting, we are nervous. We are also going back to a hotel for two days and that should make it easier for us to update the blog and make phone calls.
We love you all, and we miss you very much.
Cecile
Patti W., it is so good to hear that you are checking our blog, I hope you enjoy the reading. Say hello to everyone for me at Body Basics next time you go exercise.
Patti S., Mike is doing so well as our team leader, he is very patient with all our craziness, and he is so funny when he uses his video camera. We wish you were here to see him. The slippers everywhere seem to be ok, they have many sizes, however the clothing is difficult for all of us, everything is too small. Exept the kimonos.
Chris, we are going to an area of samourai next week, maybe we will find tanto knives there.
Rebecca, Joel hasn`t stopped laughing yet, he is such a sweet heart and an easy person.
Everyone. We have so much stories already, it has been only 3 days, it is absolutely overwhelming. We miss you though. It is hard to be so far and not be able to communicate with our loved ones at anytime we`d like. It has been raining all day but it`s ok because it was a very formal day with visits to the mayor, newspapers and attorney`s office (for Sarah and Mike).
Tomorrow is going to be our first time doing our presentation in Japanese here in front of everybody at a meeting, we are nervous. We are also going back to a hotel for two days and that should make it easier for us to update the blog and make phone calls.
We love you all, and we miss you very much.
Cecile
Sunday, September 16, 2007
First lesson learned... (by Cecile)
So we are in a shopping mall and I see that cute top I’d like to try and I ask the vendor if I can try it on (me asking meant: Me making gestures showing this and that). She shows me into the fitting room. So I step in right away without thinking and that is when she starts saying things politely but very fast while she is pointing at my feet. So I am thinking: oh you like my shoes? Yeah I bought then in the US, they are “Tevas”, aren’t they cool! ? But then I realize she is just trying to tell me that I can’t go into the fitting room just like that and I have to take my shoes off. Ooooh my gosh! I am soooooo sorry and sooooooo embarrassed! I say: “Sumimasen” at least 5 times and she says “sumimasen” 3 times (I beat her, I said it 2 more times than her, I must be more sorry than she is). Well I am sooooooooo sorry, I feel like a freaking fat, fool French American that I am. So now I am in the fitting room without my shoes and she is showing me a piece of cloth that looks like a pillow case open on 2 sides, and she points at my head and shoulders; I am just thinking, now what? Does she want me to put this over my head so that I can’t see how I look like with my top on? Oooooohhh, I have to put this over my head to protect the clothing from my dirty hair and all the make up I don’t put on my face in the morning! This is so smart and respectful for the clothing, I like it. So here I am, half naked, without my shoes and with a pillowcase over my head, in the smallest fitting room on earth, banging my elbows on the door and mirror. Of course the top is way too small for me, even though I chose a large size. I get out of the room and say “sumimasen” one more time to excuse myself from being such a big fat ugly stupid American; and she seems to be ok with my apologies (or maybe she is sorry for me also). And anyway I feel that we are good, I can go away now. Pfffffeww, I made it!
Our first sushi experience
That was such a cool experience! Yesterday we were in a typical sushi bar.
We sit around the sushi bar and there is a track rolling around with little plates on it and as it goes we just help ourselves and take whatever we want. If we miss it, it's ok, it will come back within 30 secs. Then we keep our plates and pile them up so that they know how much we ate and how much we owe.
It was great and the sushi were so fine and delicious.Rebecca, we just want you to know that Joel ate everything that was offered to him by the GSE chairman Nobuhiro Sato. You said he doesn't like fish! Well a few times, he was chewing on the pieces of sushi like he was chewing on his own tongue but he did eat raw fish, you can be proud of him.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Here in Japan
We safely arrived last night, exhausted and we had the surprise to have 2 rotarians waiting for us at the airport, the GSE chairman Nobuhiro Sato, and the next team leader that will come with his team in april Saito san. They were wonderful and welcomed us warmly.
We were so exhausted, next thing I remember is waking up this morning and going for breakfast. The perfect traditional Japanese breakfast was presented to us and it was so delicious. It has been one night and I am thinking of moving to Japan already. Here is a picture of my breakfast tray this morning.
Green tea, salmon, rice, miso soup, fermented soy bean (mmm... delicious), tofu, pickeled
veggies and something else we didn't know what it was (in the middle of the photo).
Sarah and I's room are facing the Japanese traditional garden, it is absolutely lovely to see, with a Buddha and a fountain. We love it.
Cecile
We were so exhausted, next thing I remember is waking up this morning and going for breakfast. The perfect traditional Japanese breakfast was presented to us and it was so delicious. It has been one night and I am thinking of moving to Japan already. Here is a picture of my breakfast tray this morning.
Green tea, salmon, rice, miso soup, fermented soy bean (mmm... delicious), tofu, pickeledveggies and something else we didn't know what it was (in the middle of the photo).
Sarah and I's room are facing the Japanese traditional garden, it is absolutely lovely to see, with a Buddha and a fountain. We love it.
Cecile
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Bon Voyage party
We are having a Bon Voyage party on Saturday September 8th from 5 to 7pm at El Parador Restaurant in Tucson (on Broadway).
Everyone is invited, please come and meet the team and watch our presentation. Cost is $12 at the door for hors d'oeuvres.
Please RSVP to Michael Drake at (520) 624-2488.
Everyone is invited, please come and meet the team and watch our presentation. Cost is $12 at the door for hors d'oeuvres.
Please RSVP to Michael Drake at (520) 624-2488.
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