Maruko Jitsyugo Bon Enkai

Boxing Day 2006 was the end of school, so I went to my visit schools big end of year party. I was suprised at just how expensive the hotel looked from the outside but that really didnt prepare me for what happened once inside. Luckily I managed to meet this cute sports teacher and we got the lift up together. She'd just been to Okinawa on a school trip and somehow thought it was cold compared to Nagano??? When you got to the room you had to choose a flower, so I chose one and it had Kanji written on it, she had a number on hers. I instantly knew I was up the top table with the principle. Yay! Turns out we had to sit through maybe 15 minutes of speeches in which the Japanese on my table slept through (or were they just resting there eyes?).

















After an immense amount of drinking we headed to Warung Jun which is quickly turning into my favourite pub.































Things descened into drunken madness when Boss Tanaka (on the right) English teacher supreme and Takeda (below) appeared.
















Someone somehow found an afro in the bar somewhere...

















... and a pair of 2006 shades...
















... and then things really started to change...















When I took out my camera at the beginning it was like Id just given everyone liquid cocaine or something, they were all saying Sugoi (great!!!). Was a wicked night out, though I didnt feel to good. Now its time to take on Tokyo and survive!!!

Christmas!!!!!

For Christmas Day, I unfortunatly had to work. But afterwards it was up to Nagano for some festive grub. By the time I arrived (7) some were already a wee bit drunk. We all mucked in and provided our own little bits (cheers mum for the stuffing and gravy!!!) and then sat down for the standard game of Charades, with a Kat and Kyla twist.

Had to be at work the next day and managed (somehow) to get up at 6 and then be at work for half 8. Nightmare!

Skiing in Hakuba

So with little trepidation I put the boots back on and headed for the slopes. Even though there was no snow on the drive up to Hakuba (1 hour 30 minutes) you could see it up on the mountains. When we got there and parked up you couldnt see the top of the mountains, just a huge shroud of cloud that was full of snow.




















We passed up through this cloud and the slopes were covered. The first run went well but I felt like a proper novice. It took me a while to actually feel any good. At one point on the second run down; the cloud was so thick you could see nothing. I stopped and this skiier came out of the fog, looked at me and said "Can you see anything?" before vanishing back into the cloud.

















Best part of the day was being up the top and the view.
















I've never skiied on a mountain thats right above a village. It was like skiing down into the village. I thought it was a bit hard going then I realised it was a red (intermediate) run.
















By the end of the day I was totally knackered. So me and my mate headed to the Miso Ramen shop. Its now called super garlic as you have to crush a whole clove of garlic into your ramen (noodle soup).