I knew this Christmas would be different than any I have experienced in my life and it has proven to be one I will never forget. Despite my family being on the other side of the world, the adventures I had and the people I shared them with were upon the best I have had.
Last year I was in Thailand for Christmas. The only sign of Christmas was a giant neon Christmas tree outside of Central, the local mall. There was no Christmas music, no Christmas lights, no Santa Claus, and no Christmas activities.
This year, in Japan, I had a large fix of Christmas! Everywhere I went I heard Christmas songs and there were various Christmas trees scattered throughout the city. The city streets were decorated with lights and there were even some locals who chose to decorate their own homes with Christmas lights. We played Christmas songs in the classroom and had a holiday concert to celebrate the end of the term. Santa even came to visit the children on the last day of the first term.
A friend of mine who traveled back to the states to be with her family said "I will only be back for two weeks. For those two weeks it will be as if Christmas vomited everywhere, but at least it will only be two weeks!" My reaction: didn't Christmas vomit all over Japan? Two years away from the states for Christmas is long enough!
Anyways, enough rambling. Here is my Christmas story:
After a successful yet stressful Holiday concert my class spent the last day of the first term making spiced apple cider and watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. In the afternoon, the children helped clean out their cubbies and had a very special visitor.
On the last day before the Christmas holiday break we had a holiday party at school! We played games and had a fun White Elephant gift exchange. I received a cute Little Red Ridinghood bento box and a neck warmer from Ellen. It was nice to see everyone relaxed and having a good time!
The following day Ellen, Dom and I made our way to Hakuba by train. We were picked up at the train station by the wonderful owner of Eternal Flame, the inn we stayed at during our first trip to Hakuba this summer. We chose to go back to Hakuba because of the snow and the hospitality at Eternal Flame. Phil joined us later that night for our first delicious meal at Eternal Flame and some drinks and bar hopping.
We had one full day in Hakuba in which we spent sledding on the slopes. We purchased a ski lift pass in hopes that we could make it to the top to Pilar, Matoba-san's favorite restaurant. However, we made it almost halfway up and found that the ski lift we needed was closed and it was nearly impossible for us to get there without skis. We wound up eating lunch in the cafeteria and having the ski patrol escort us down the ski lifts the way we came. It was an adventure to say the least. I think it is safe to say I will not making an appearance on any ski hill, ever again.
That night after another delicious meal catered by Eternal Flame we made it out to Studio 902 and later to Recovery Bar where we met some interesting Australian and English skiers. It has been a while since I have interacted with travelers and I have missed it!
We left Hakuba on Christmas Eve in time to make it back to Anna Claire and Jake's church's carol service. They had a Christmas dinner that looked suspiciously like a Thanksgiving meal. Later there was a short sermon and we sang some Christmas carols in Japanese. (video from Jake)
We spent the Eve of Christmas watching Christmas movies in a giant Christmas bed in Ellen and Dom's living room.
When I woke up on Christmas day I rode my bike to the post office to pick up my parent's Christmas package. Before opening our gifts we enjoyed a Christmas breakfast including my families tradition: fruit salad. After breakfast we opened our presents together on our giant Christmas bed. That night Dom prepared a beautiful and tasty Christmas meal. To wrap up our Christmas festivities we all fell asleep to A Christmas Carol.
I missed my family and friends from home immensely during this holiday season but I enjoyed my Japanese Jubilee here with my Japanese family.
Happy Holidays!
Last year I was in Thailand for Christmas. The only sign of Christmas was a giant neon Christmas tree outside of Central, the local mall. There was no Christmas music, no Christmas lights, no Santa Claus, and no Christmas activities.
This year, in Japan, I had a large fix of Christmas! Everywhere I went I heard Christmas songs and there were various Christmas trees scattered throughout the city. The city streets were decorated with lights and there were even some locals who chose to decorate their own homes with Christmas lights. We played Christmas songs in the classroom and had a holiday concert to celebrate the end of the term. Santa even came to visit the children on the last day of the first term.
A friend of mine who traveled back to the states to be with her family said "I will only be back for two weeks. For those two weeks it will be as if Christmas vomited everywhere, but at least it will only be two weeks!" My reaction: didn't Christmas vomit all over Japan? Two years away from the states for Christmas is long enough!
Anyways, enough rambling. Here is my Christmas story:
After a successful yet stressful Holiday concert my class spent the last day of the first term making spiced apple cider and watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. In the afternoon, the children helped clean out their cubbies and had a very special visitor.
The following day Ellen, Dom and I made our way to Hakuba by train. We were picked up at the train station by the wonderful owner of Eternal Flame, the inn we stayed at during our first trip to Hakuba this summer. We chose to go back to Hakuba because of the snow and the hospitality at Eternal Flame. Phil joined us later that night for our first delicious meal at Eternal Flame and some drinks and bar hopping.
That night after another delicious meal catered by Eternal Flame we made it out to Studio 902 and later to Recovery Bar where we met some interesting Australian and English skiers. It has been a while since I have interacted with travelers and I have missed it!
We left Hakuba on Christmas Eve in time to make it back to Anna Claire and Jake's church's carol service. They had a Christmas dinner that looked suspiciously like a Thanksgiving meal. Later there was a short sermon and we sang some Christmas carols in Japanese. (video from Jake)
We spent the Eve of Christmas watching Christmas movies in a giant Christmas bed in Ellen and Dom's living room.
When I woke up on Christmas day I rode my bike to the post office to pick up my parent's Christmas package. Before opening our gifts we enjoyed a Christmas breakfast including my families tradition: fruit salad. After breakfast we opened our presents together on our giant Christmas bed. That night Dom prepared a beautiful and tasty Christmas meal. To wrap up our Christmas festivities we all fell asleep to A Christmas Carol.
I missed my family and friends from home immensely during this holiday season but I enjoyed my Japanese Jubilee here with my Japanese family.
Happy Holidays!
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