Escape to Japan: Summer 2006

This is Kathleen Chiu.
Yes. She is indeed picking her nose contemplatively with a pen (in a cafe in Hiroshima). We first met on Orientation Day at Singapore American School in August 1998. I had just moved from Indonesia because of those bothersome riots due to political unrest. Kathleen had just moved from Saratoga, CA. We ate lunch together and were thoroughly bored with each other. I tried frantically to make spirited conversation and failed miserably. She resorted to poking holes in her lettuce leaf with her straw.

And so began a friendship of 8 years.

Over the years, she has learned to embrace her inner F.O.B. So much so that she is now living in Akita Prefecture, in the northern part of Honshu island, Japan, teaching English in local schools. We decided to an exchange visit....I visit for one week in Japan, she visits for one week in Singapore. And so it was done!

First stop in Japan: Hiroshima. This is the "A-Bomb Dome". The bomb exploded directly over this building.

This is Kathleen and me at the main shopping arcade in Hiroshima.
Next Stop: Miyajima--an island off the coast of Hiroshima, famous for wandering deer, pretty maple leaves (momiji), sponge cakes in the shape of maple leaves (momiji-manju), and a "floating" torii gate (pictured below). Considered one of the three purtiest spots in Japan!

Then there was the Ramen Museum in Shin-Yokohama, where for a paltry 300 yen, you can customise your own Cup Of Noodles!

Fobby Kathleen enjoying a hot bowl of Sapporo Ramen.


And then to Akita Prefecture where Kathleen actually lives and teaches! This is me squatting contemplatively by the beautiful Lake Tazawa (Tazawako).

This is a Sports Day at the middle-school where Kathleen teaches. Sports Day consisted of different classes and grades competing against one another in various games such as tug of war and mass jump-rope competitions. It also involved the third-years kicking all the younger kids' butts because they were physically larger and stronger. The woman in mid-air is the PE teacher.

And finally, we spent the night in Tokyo before we both headed out to Singapore so that Kathleen could visit with me! This is Kathleen being discontented with her "room" at the capsule-hotel.