Photo Crazy
Right, this is a big mix of Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Island photos to browse through. I will try and put any others in actual blog entries now. Please enjoy.
Some of the kids in this dance are at my elementary school. It's a really hard dance but I want to learn.
The dance festival in Urakuwa, these were the youngest kids but they were still really good, kaaaawwwaaaaiiiiiiiiii.
Here is Will looking stupid again in this great coat. It's for men, I promise.
I know I already have a photo of Will in this night shirt, but I love it, it makes me laugh everytime I see it.
This was Suzies birthday night with girls, back row is Ellen, Laura, Me, Catherine, front row is Claire, Suzie and Jen.
This is Suzies birthday photo when she just turned 22, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUZIE.
This is Laura our Nagasaki CIR, she's really nice and really funny. Really don't know what Jen's doing in the back of the photo, but she looks pretty silly.
Here is (from the left) Emily, Ellen and Claire, more of the Nagasaki prefecture people. Claire travelled with us to Fukuoka. Ellen lives on an island near Claire and Will.
Jen, Suzie, Will, me and Alistair outside the restaurant we ate at in China town. Thanks for the fingers behind the head Alistair, aren't you the funny guy.
The lovely hats you can buy in china town, I tried one on but looked like a potatoe head and refused pictures. Think I sulked for 30 seconds also.
Here is Suzie in China town, Nagasaki. I really don't know what she's doing, answers on a postcard please.
Another brillaint shot of Will, made a huge impression on this blog.
Here are some giant snails near strange waterfalls.
This is Suzie, me and Jen in Hawks town which is a super cool and groovy hotel/mini village, complete with indoor rainforest!
Here is Alistair and Suzie looking wonderful in yukatas and stood by a model tower. I think aim was clearly to make Alistair get in as many stupid photographs as possible.
This is Fukuoka tower, very funky looking.
This is Georges bar, in Fukuoka (not to be confused with our Georges bar in Kamigoto). We got a tad snap happy in here, in fact I think I will put those photos on another entry.
Here is a busy and exciting street in Fukuoka's fun loving area Tenjin. Come here, the fun never ends!
The lockers in the capsule hotel...not really sure why you would be interested in seeing this, except maybe to observe differences between lockers in Britain and Japan...not that there is that much difference.....maybe we wouldn't use that shade of blue.....blah.
Me, Jen, Matt and Alistair on the ferris wheel of joy.
The ferris wheel view, how pretty.
A temple in Fukuoka
This is Suzie and Alistair on the Ferris wheel.
View from the ferris wheel in Fukuoka
Jen, Matt and me with our favourite pokemon character in Fukuoka
Random tube train, it just went on and on...
This is a classic, I love this photo so much because it took quite a while to get Alistair to stand next to the thing. Bless.
This is me in my capsule in Fukuoka
Ian and Alistair singing away at the block party
Welcome to Japan - pictures have arrived
Welcome to the island, yes I finally have internet on my laptop while in school, so I'm making the most of it. I have loads of pictures, and will begin with the essential people.
Let me introduce you to....Me
Just incase you had forgotten what I look like, or didn't know at all, here is a picture of me. It's a bit pants but the only one I have of me by myself, anyway, I took it on the ferry to Fukuoka in the communal sleep area.
Matt sent me a second picture of me that is slightly better than the first, so you get 2 of me!!!
The island folk
Here is me and Melissa at a kindergarten festival. Melissa is a 22 year old ALT From America. She lives next door to me which is really cool. She's really nice and pretty laid back so we get on well. Also a great person if a stressful situation occurs.
Carrie will kill me for this picture, in which she is fighting with a sparkler. She's a 22 (or maybe 23 now) year old ALT from Canada. She lives in Urakuwa, a town which is a 10 minute walk from my house. She's a very interesting and witty person and she's cool to hang out with, a link to her blog can be found to the right.
This is Lori, and there is a story behind this picture, we're not all crazy. Lori lives in Arikawa which is a 40 minute walk or 20 minute drive. She's 27, and worked as a dancer before she came to Japan. She's really good fun, and I see many a drunk evening spent with her as my fellow alcoholic on the island.
This is Catherine, a second year ALT. She lives on the other side of the island which is a real shame because we get on so well. I'm hoping she'll take up semi-residence in my house. She's 22 and a fellow Brit, coming from Bath. She's been really good about helping us settle in and I know she's going to be a great friend.
This is Sierra, a 22 year old American who is the other 2nd year ALT. She also lives on the other side of the island. I haven't got to spend much time with her yet because we've both been so busy, but she seems really nice. I'm hoping she will take me hiking as she's into walking and I look forward to getting to know her better.
So thats the island people, and I'm really lucky that we all get on so well.
The Brit groupThis is the group I met in Tokyo, and travelled with to Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Sasebo. I love them to bits, and look forward to more travelling with them this year.
This is Jen, she's 22 and lives in Sasebo, which is just a ferry journey away. She shared a room with me in Tokyo and we've been mates ever since. I think she's great and she makes me laugh with her dippy behaviour.
This is Suzie in the capsule hotel. She's 22 and from Stoke. She's really good fun and a groovy dancer. It's weird because we have had loads of similar experiances. She lives in Shimabara which is quite far away unfortunately, but she still makes the effort to travel all the way up here and do things.
This is Alistair who lives on the island near me, Fukue. He's 22 and studied at Cambridge (do you recognise him Noel?). He's a really down to earth person and we've spent alot of time travelling together, I'm glad he's so close by because I can island hop and visit him, and he can teach me how to ride his scooter.
This is Will, from Morecambe actually, so not far from my university. He's a crazy guy and I swear I never stop laughing when he's around. He's 22 and on an island calld Oshima, 30 minutes from Sasebo. He's not too far from us, but he has to go to the mainland to get out here. Oh, and the nightshirt get up is because I asked if he would wear it for my amusement.
This is Matt, the Big Man, and he's a legend. He's 27 and worked as a teacher before he came here. He's also based in Sasebo and is round the corner from Jen. He's a character, thats all I can say. It's Suzie in the background by the way.
So thats all I should introduce you too, but I'm going to add some photos to old blog entries as thats where they belong. Please skip back if you want a look.
Things are pretty cool here at the moment. Last night I braved the gym with Carrie and Melissa, and Catherine stayed over at mine. Got to do a little bit of cleaning, though still havent tidied the toilet, which is covered in washing up liquid after a battle with a giant spider. Right, off to add more photos, oh and Suzanne and Cristin, thank you so much for your comments, I miss you guys loads and will call you soon.
Reggae beach bash - can't beat it
Right, so I have free time apparently. I was actullay going to attempt some work, but as I went to move away from the computer my kocho-sensei said 'no,no, sit down, free time', so I have to write here, I was instructed too.
I spent Friday in Kitauonome elementary school being filmed! For one of the classes they have made an awful video of me reading this book 'Brown Bear' I wouldn't have minded but I had to do 4 versions: the 'me holding cards version', the 'me reading book version', the 'me holding book in front of me and turning pages version' and finally the 'me holding card and not saying colours version'. Yes, it was even more boring than reading that last sentence. I also had to hold up flags and say the countries name 4 times, very slowly, and do encouraging interludes of 'your doing really well' and 'lets learn together!' while pointing at the camera, or just waving my hands in an eccentric manner. The teachers then showed the rest of the staffroom the video, ah, the joys of Japan!
On Friday night Alistair came to visit and me, him, Catherine ad Lori went to Georges pub. It was such a funny night, as George loved Alistair, and kept hugging him and telling him how great he was, and calling him Alex. My name has now been shortened to Vic by George, which is pronounced Bic in Japan, great! Anyway, George spent some time telling me not to get a Japanese man for sex friend, but as a boyfriend, and that all Japanese men want is sex friend, so be careful, bless! He also held Alistairs hand and asked him if he wanted man love! (he is joking, the guy is married).
The next day me, Alistair and Catherine travelled to Sasebo, another exciting ferry journey where I slept. It was freezing and the blankets were too thin so had anice chat with Catherine! Catherine headed to Fukuoka to meet a friend adn me and Alistair went for lunch, and then met the rest of the group in town. We decided to start drinking at Jens place, and then head to the beach later. We bought 3 bottles of shocho (only a fiver a bottle!) and were all feeling quite drunk by 8 and headed to the free shuttle bus to get to the beach. It took about 40 mins to get there and Alistair and Will snuck in! The rest of us paid and got free drinks etc. Anyway, the night was very entertaining. First we mingled and downed a bottle of sangria and then me, Jen and Will climbed on stage and danced, me and Jen were dancing in a very sophisticated manner, and muct have looked abit ridiculous next to the raunchy Japanese girls in tiny skirts!! As we had stood quite far back I thought no one could see us, but the rest of the night people kept on approaching us and commenting on our dancing, oh the shame.
A Japanese guy approached me and Jen and insisted me follow him. I chatted to him in my basic Japanese and he introduced us to his friend. It became clear they were only interested in one thing, so we decided to move on. I gave the first guy a hug and he carried me across the beach and insisted I kiss him! Was quite amusing! A great deal of the night was spent up at the more isolated area of the beach where me, AListair, Will and Jen played in the sand and stole Wills ninja pants! Then Will got back on stage alone and started prancing round the stage and then got on this tiny bicycle and rode around the stage! He looked crazy!
At about 4am it started to rain really heavily and we decided to head home. Everyone had to sleep in Jens one room apartment, which meant 9 of us originally. Miles and Will decided a car was the best option, and went there instead. It wasn't too bad, I shared a blanket with Alistair and used a beanbag as a pillow, was so tired I just slept in my clothes.
The next day I had no hangover thankfully (otherwise ferry journey may have been awful). I rang Carrie who had been staying with Matt after her trip to Tokyo. We all headed to the ferry together, adn again I slept the whole way and woke up to Carris trying to give me an eskimo kiss has the boat docked. She offered to take Alistair to Narao port (on the otherside of the island) to catch his ferry home so we had a few hours to kill. Me and Alistair watched Red Dwarf and Bill Bailey, was nice to actually watch some comedy with somebody.
Last night me, Carrie and Melissa headed to Lori's and caught up on gossip and ate together. It was nice to get together again. Next week I have 2 enkai's and then another the week after, should be interesting.
I start teaching on Thursday and I'm very nervous, going to lesson plan somemore now! Also, I have been invited to a wedding! My social studies teacher is getting married in October, will ahve to find a dress to wear!
The brief enkai update
Okay, this is going to be a really quick bla about the enkai last night. I figure as so much will be going on this weekend another massive blog entry will bore the hell out of anyone reading it. So....
....the enkai was in the superintendants house in Aokata. THere was a ton of food, and it was all so nice. I didn't stick my chop sticks in rice or anything else stupid, and it all ran quite smoothley. We each had to give an introduction speech (the new/old ALTs) and then after eating had finished we had to mingle. I was promptly placed next to this guy and told he was single, which is quite a usual enkai situation so I found it quite amusing. Then all the members of the BOE had to give their intros, and embarrassingly he stood up and said his name, and then that he liked shocho, and loved me...how red did I go?
Anyway, all these situations remain jokes unless you want to make them anything else, so thats fine. I then went to a snack bar (basically a bar with karaoke) with three others from the party, and we stayed there till one (I was shattered and had to ask to go home). I met this really nice couple though, who took my phone number and invited me to dinner. I also had to do a slow dance with one of the BOE managers! Getting up for work was fine though, my shocho was 50-50 with water and I drank a ton when I got in and had paracetemol. Right, should go, I'm of to Kitauonome ES today so no net access, and then I have a weekend of fun!
Killing time by hitting slime
I was shown this really cool game to download by Alistair. It's called Slime Forest and basically you have to kill the attacking slime by hiting it over the head, however you can only hit it if you spell the relevant katakana, hiragana or kanji floating above its head. It's hard, but a fun way to learn, and the characters are quite amusing. If anyone has a great ammount of free time and wishes to learn then check out
Slime Forest and join in the fun.
I went to bed at 9.30 last night, my first early night in ages. I watched Red Dwarf in bed before I drifted off, ah I love that show. I spoke to Cristin yesterday which was really good, I have to get international call rates though because my bil will probably be huge!! I was worth it to speak to her though, find out any Lancaster gossip etc. Was nice to hear that a good bit of bitching about a certain
someone has been going on around Lancaster. Although I refuse to take part in such antics, I feel quite happy about the situation knowing I had a lucky escape :)
Me and Melissa had an indoor picnic, and it rained really heavily last night. I just hope the weather clears up for the beach party. Alisair said he will teach me how to use his scooter when I visit his island, so going over soon! How good would it be to be able to drive by the time I come back to Britain. Also got a really nice email from Aya (the principals daughter) and she was recommending onsens, shame I can't use them. Anyway, short blog for today, I have my first enkai tonight, but I can't drink much because I have work tomorrow! Seems silly putting an enkai on a Thursday but nevermind, I will just watch the rest of the BOE and Blaine get wasted!
'I was told I would be famous' (naive Nagasakian)
I have become a photo thief and I'm using Carries photos from here blog before I can use mine. Here is a the tram in Nagasaki, which just happened to have a hot guy (as Carrie would say) stood in the middle of it. I may bring my laptop to work tomorrow and see if they connect me to the internet here, would make me look busy too. Anyway, I s'pose I should fill you in on the rest of last weeks events, and all the gossip here, just dont want to bore you all. Oh, by the way, anyone can post on my blog now, not just registered users, so please say hello. I've had a few emails saying they've read it, but would like the odd comment :)
Nagasaki OrientationWe arrived in Nagasaki the day before orientation, and because your school/BOE pay for one or two days of your stay Alistair and Suzie were in a different hotel. THankfully Nagasaki is a reasonable sized city, maybe the size of York, so it was easy to get around and find everyone. The first night we decided to avoid drinking (I think my liver hates me) and we went for another curry and then to the cinema. Me and the girls went to see 'The Island' which I really enjoyed. The premise of the movie was good, and it was a gripping action film with a good dose of humour. Of course many elements were quite cheesy, and the love angle was predictable. It was interesting for me because of the technological side, and the current ideas about robots, genetics and society. It brought me up-to-date with commen conceptions and ideas presented in film, and again reminded me how far away the fear of the cyborg appears to be. It was also interesting to see the 'products' represented as the victims/heros, in comparison to how robots (such as the ones in 'I-robot' being represented as bad guys) are persented. I feel this demonstrated how different the arguements about genetic engineering and robotic technology are, and also the emotions felt about them. Anyway, don't let my random blah put you off the film, it's a film you can easily watch without applying any depth at all!
Thursday was the first day of orientation, which was only good because I got to meet more Nagasaki people. In general we knew most things and had to sit through quite boring speeches. The highlight was most definately the stupid questions put forward by some; this included 'I was told I was going to be a celebraty, but no one looks at me in the supermarket'. I swear there were tons of these questions, mainly put forward but one nationality, answers on a postcard please! Anyway, it was also quite amusing in our cookery class as me, Alsitair and Will sat giggling and behaving like children. That night there was a BBQ arranged for us, and I drank about 4 choohi's (not sure how you spell it really) and didnt eat much, and began to feel quite drunk. After food and a great ammount of socialising, the groups split and about ten of us headed to karaoke (I'm sure we're obsessed, actually Catherine is obsessed, she suggested when Alistair came to visit on Friday just the three of us should go! How weird!). I drank about 5 cocktails and something else and all of us were quite worse for wear. We left the place at 1ish and then me Alistair, Will and Jen all went to outside my hotel to wait for Ian (a guy from Alistairs island) who had my camera battery. He took an age to come over and we all just lay on the pavement having a very bizarre, yet highly amusing, drunk conversation about Matt - or BIG MAN - as he has now been named!!!
I struggled waking up the next day, and was 5 minutes late but thats was better than Big Man who was over an hour late! He met a guy from Lancaster that night, who I met the next night actually, highlighting again that the world is a pretty small place! Anyway, even though the orientation finished at twelve, me, Alistair, Melissa, Lori and Carrie went with a group to get re-entry permits in order to travel abroad. By the time that was done it was 3.30 and time to check into the Toyoko Inn again as one group. We went to China town that night for a chinese (obviously), it was really pretty there, and we tried on some exciting hats. The boys decided to return to the cinema, and me Jen and Suzie met with some of the Nagasaki girls to drink wine, share cake and celebrate Suzies birthday. It was a nice change fromthe group we'd been travelling with, and everyone is so nice!
The last day in Nagasaki poured down with rain, you got drenched even with an umbrella. Me, Will and Alistair went on a mission to get Suzies gifts while Jen distracted her. This led to one of my most embarrasing experiences ever. I went to try on a top in this shop, and the shop lady was outside being very attentive. I open the curtain and she says 'oh very cute' in Japanese. I look up to see if Wills there to get some advice, when she exclaims 'Your darling? Shall I get your darling for you?' and before I can even open my mouth she has scampered off to get Will. I'm stood in the changing room looking mortified, when she drags Will over saying 'Your honey is over here'. I show him the top, and then change quickly while she interrogates Will about how long we have been together etc. Apparently she ran up to him saying 'Your hunnie needs you, come quickly' and he was like 'what...ok'. I dread to think what he thought I said to her, but it was all cleared up promptly, and is now all quite amusing. We found some good gifts and then headed back to the hotel to get ready to go out. That night we went to the curry place AGAIN (it was amazing, the naan bread is the best I've ever had, they make it perfectly in Japan) and then we headed to the club area of Nagasaki. We went to this bar and played drinking games, we were the only people there but there was enough of us to have a good time. We stayed there until 12ish and then some people went home. We tried to find a good bar in this complex, but it turned out to be a load of hostess bars, and seen as it was 6 girls (and two guys) it wasnt really the scene we were looking for. Laura (a CIR whos so much fun) and Emily (also really really nice) went Laura had to do translating the next day. The rest of found this realy cool restaurant/bar near the karaoke place (after I had to stop and ask different people where a bar was). It had loads of atmosphere and was erally cheap, before we knew it, it was 4am and we had to head home (my fery was at 11 the next day and I still had omiyage to buy). It was a great night, and me, Suzie, Alistair, Jen and Will have become a close circle of friends.
The next day I made it to the ferry, bought omiyage and got home fine. I went to bed for a few hours before heading too the festival in Urakuwa (where the photo in the other entry is from). At first I was wandering round on my own looking for westerners (we're not too hard to spot). I bumped into these random australians visiting for a month, but could not see anyone else. I found my JTE and watched the beginnning of the dance battle with him, his son was in one of the teams! I decided to try Carries house, and she was in after getting sunstroke, so I draaged her to get food and Catherine came too. I tried to contact Lori (who is a dancer and so would have loved the dancing) but it turned out the Ians bag had been stolen and Loris keys were there, oh it was all a big mess!!!! Anyway, the dancing and costumes and fireworks were amazing, I cant believe how lucky I am sometimes!
Monday: English Day
One of my elementary school, Kitauonome, invited me, Lori, Melissa and Catherine to have a day with the 5th and 6th grade kids. We cooked curry rice with them (which was delicious) and then played games int he afternoon. The people in the school are so nice there. That evening me, Melissa and Carrie ate out, and it was nice to catch up now I was at home.
Things are back to normal now, except my kocho-sensei and my favourite teachers are all away. The other ones are still lovely though. I went to Kitauonome again yesterday to film me reading a book (I was only told 5 mins before hand and looked rubbish, but nevermind), I also helped sort some things for the demo class out. The teachers at that school are so genki, its great! Last night was Carries birthday, and we went for a meal at Georges bar. I wanted to stay out later but everyone was tired so we left at 10, it was sensible though because I need to sleep. I'm going to have a night in tonight, I havent had one since...erm...since when I first arrived. Though dont worry mum, I'm not drinking every night, adn not to excess. I can remember everything. To be honest getting drunk on the island is a bad idea, but in the city it's fine.
I'm s'posed to get a mobile today, though I don't know when. I'm being given one apparently, which is strange as most buy theirs. I hope its nice. I have my first enkai on Thursday, I hope it's fun! I'm going to Sasebo on Saturday to a reggae party. Alistair is coming to Kamigoto on Friday, and then me and him are meeting Will and Jen in Sasebo. Its a 6pm-6am party and it's s'posed to be immense, just hope the sun comes out for it. Its all go here!
sumi - maaassssen!!!
The title has been the catch phrase of the week thanks to Jen, and basically means excuse me! I began this post in Nagasaki before our final night, but I continued it in school. The photo is from the final dance festival last Sunday, this guy looked so cool at the dance, and kinda sexy too. It's going to be a long post, so feel free to skip bits your not interested in! So, It's been a crazy brilliant ten days, and although I'm still in Nagasaki I have free internet access and thought I would make a brief update while I have the chance. I have so much to write about, and loads of great photos, but as always they cannot yet be uploaded. Sometime soon they will, anyway, here is summary of my exciting holiday.
Friday: Festival in Wakamatsu
The crowd at Wakamatsu Festival to watch the fireworks
On the friday night before my trip to Fukuoka my principal took me to this amazing festival on the other side of the island. It was really cool with loads of stalls and food and dancing. Melissa was there with her JTE and another teacher who was running a stall so we got really good seats for the fireworks. I also bought some flashy light things on string so I could spin poi, the teachers thought it was amazing and it was cool to do it again. AT least I can practice till my real ones arrive! The fireworks were amazing, better than any I had ever seen. It was such a great night! Nearly feel asleep in the car home though, its been so tiring the past few days.
From the back, here is my kocho-sensei, me, Melissa, her JTE and another teacher from he school
Saturday: Dragon boat racing and the Goto block party
I had to get up at 7 to meet my principal for the dragon baot race in Uonome, all the local towns compete in about 20 different races throughout the day. I arrived (still feeling quite sleepy) and was soon asked if I wanted to try. I assumed I would be allowed to have a quick paddle before a race or something, as a novice like me couldn't compete! I, however, was very wrong and to my horror, was placed in the next race with a group of girls the same age! I got soaked and we lost but it was so much fun, and the girls were really sweet! We came third in the second race so I improved. Unfortunately the sun frazzled me as I was drenched, and I was very pink for a couple of days, but it was worth it!
Me in the boat race!!
After the race I met with one of my principals (from the elementary school) daughters and her friend. She studies in Kyoto but had returned for Obon. We had lunch and went shopping which was really nice and I hope to keep in touch and visit her in Kyoto.
That evening was the Goto block party, and all the people from the other islands came over and we had a meal, drank lots and went to karaoke! Some things never change :). It was great to meet every one and we all got on really well, hopefully the year will continue with lots of island hopping. Mostly people squeezed into my house to sleep, which was fun, and Sierra and me went to get breakfast the next morning from the bakery.
Here is everyone from the Goto Islands (bar 2 people) from the front left it goes Alistair, Pippa, George, Ian, Catherine, Me. From the right back it goes Lori, Kitty, Melissa, Amber and Sierra. Dawn took the photo.
Here is Sierra and Dawn in the sexy props in the karaoke place!
The trip to Fukuoka
This is where the fun really started. Me and Alistair headed to Fukuoka on the 12.30 ferry (Alistair is on the biggest Goto island). It was a really fun trip because we went to the area where you lie down, which is basically a communal sleeping area where you get pillows and blankets. It's quite surreal lying there with loads of people walking back and forth around you, but we both got a good four hours sleep and then had noodles and biscuits for dinner when we woke up. Reaching Tenjin (a district of Fukuoka) was suprisingly easy and once we had found Matt and Suzie, and a panicked Jen who thought she had missed us, we checked into the capsule hotel. It was such a cool hotel, though unfortunately it bans tattoos so I spent alot of time hiding my back. Its sounds easier than it is because the shower/baths were communal!
This was no problem on our first night where me, Suzie and Jen showered and bathed at 3am, which I have to admit was quite strange. Being in a hot tub naked with friends is something I had never really done before! Obviously it is a great deal harder while the place is busy, and I avoided the baths until night time for fear of being thrown out. The capsule itself was really comfy, not that I slept much as I was out till 4am most days and then up early to sight see. Its also split into two halves for men and women, hence the communal bath area. The capsule itself isn't locked at night, so if it was mixed it might be a tad risky.
We did so much in Fukuoka, during the day we saw the main sights, such as Fukuoka tower, temples and shrines, Canal city (an amazing shopping mall) and Hawks town, the biggest hotel with a cool tropical garden.
On the first night it was just me, Suzie, Alistair, Jen and Matt, and we all went for a curry as we'd had sooo much Japanese food since we had arrived. After the meal we met these two Japanese guys, who joined us in a bar to practice english. Then we went to a club called the FU bar with DJ Obon!
It was funny, and all the gaijin men blanked our group to get with a sexy Japanese lady, ah some men are so shallow! After this night we returned and had the late night bath experience! The second night Will and Claire arrived, but we lost them until about 10pm. Before that we had a snack tea and went to a place called Georges bar, we had all you can drink for 2 hours at only 10 pounds each! We drank quite alot, mainly because the live music (played by the bar owner) was too loud and quite rubbish and this led to us taking many photos of us in random interesting poses. We finally met up with Will and Claire in this rock bar, and stayed there for a while, and I met these really nice NOVA girls. We all headed back to the hotel after trying to get into the Vodoo lounge and meeting random people, but then me and Alistair were like 'I'm not tired, lets go to another bar'. We went to Off Broadway and carried on drinking (the next morning I was still a bit drunk until lunch time!) until about 4. Our final night in Fukuoka we decided to go back to Japanese food and found this nice little place down the road. Will and Matt got into a slightly heated debate over genetics and crime (nothing to do with me...well...maybe slightly influenced by me....oops!) and the atmosphere was a little tense until we reached karaoke where all returned to normal. After the karaoke the boys went home to use the sauna, but us girls went to find a nightclub. We went to this hiphop club called Vibe, which was full of Japanese gangster wannabies, who were wearing giant basketbakll shirts down to their knees! Suzie got involved in some interesting dancing with two guys, and I chatted with this fit Japanese guy who was really nice, and he took my e-mail address! We had to leave at 4 to check in at the hotel which was a shame, plus we had to catch a bus to Nagasaki the next day. The next morning I felt quite ill, and also my jewelery box was stolen which upset me. These things happen though, so I got over it, however anyone sending gifts from home, jewelery would be appreciated.
Photo of Fukuoka from Fukuoka tower
I'm going to leave it here, because the post will be huge otherwise and they will hate me at school for living on the internet. Next instalment will tell about Nagasaki trip, festival in Urakuwa, and Goto gossip!!! Do wish I had photos to show you all but sorry, you will have to wait. Still, I had a great week, and I still love it here!!
Some of the kids in this dance are at my elementary school. It's a really hard dance but I want to learn.
The dance festival in Urakuwa, these were the youngest kids but they were still really good, kaaaawwwaaaaiiiiiiiiii.
Here is Will looking stupid again in this great coat. It's for men, I promise.
I know I already have a photo of Will in this night shirt, but I love it, it makes me laugh everytime I see it.
This was Suzies birthday night with girls, back row is Ellen, Laura, Me, Catherine, front row is Claire, Suzie and Jen.
This is Suzies birthday photo when she just turned 22, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUZIE.
This is Laura our Nagasaki CIR, she's really nice and really funny. Really don't know what Jen's doing in the back of the photo, but she looks pretty silly.
Here is (from the left) Emily, Ellen and Claire, more of the Nagasaki prefecture people. Claire travelled with us to Fukuoka. Ellen lives on an island near Claire and Will.
Jen, Suzie, Will, me and Alistair outside the restaurant we ate at in China town. Thanks for the fingers behind the head Alistair, aren't you the funny guy. 
The lovely hats you can buy in china town, I tried one on but looked like a potatoe head and refused pictures. Think I sulked for 30 seconds also.
Here is Suzie in China town, Nagasaki. I really don't know what she's doing, answers on a postcard please.
Another brillaint shot of Will, made a huge impression on this blog.
Here are some giant snails near strange waterfalls.
This is Suzie, me and Jen in Hawks town which is a super cool and groovy hotel/mini village, complete with indoor rainforest!
Here is Alistair and Suzie looking wonderful in yukatas and stood by a model tower. I think aim was clearly to make Alistair get in as many stupid photographs as possible.
This is Fukuoka tower, very funky looking.
This is Georges bar, in Fukuoka (not to be confused with our Georges bar in Kamigoto). We got a tad snap happy in here, in fact I think I will put those photos on another entry.
Here is a busy and exciting street in Fukuoka's fun loving area Tenjin. Come here, the fun never ends!
The lockers in the capsule hotel...not really sure why you would be interested in seeing this, except maybe to observe differences between lockers in Britain and Japan...not that there is that much difference.....maybe we wouldn't use that shade of blue.....blah.
Me, Jen, Matt and Alistair on the ferris wheel of joy.
The ferris wheel view, how pretty.
A temple in Fukuoka
This is Suzie and Alistair on the Ferris wheel.
View from the ferris wheel in Fukuoka
Jen, Matt and me with our favourite pokemon character in Fukuoka
Random tube train, it just went on and on... 
This is a classic, I love this photo so much because it took quite a while to get Alistair to stand next to the thing. Bless.
This is me in my capsule in Fukuoka
Ian and Alistair singing away at the block party
