Yellow Fever Inoculation Story
Mood:  celebratory
So in December when i was in CA i tried to get all the recommended shots for the upcoming Africa trip. Yellow Fever was not on my list for some reason, and so it was very disappointing a few months ago to discover that i should probably get vaccinated against this disease as well. Ok, i'll start early. How difficult can it be? I called and found out that there was a clinic in Osaka that had info on the shot. I called 3 times on three different days and used the best Japanese i could muster but with no luck at making an appointment. I did understand that the shot is only given in two locations on two different weekdays only at 1:30pm. Now, that's real convenient for working folks like me! I finally asked one of the Kobu teachers to call for me. After two attempts on her part (she was getting nowhere) she called the International Center in Nishinomiya for their help. If it hadn't been for their patience and persistence, i would have just given up and maybe contracted and died of Yellow Fever! Ha ha.

So here's the deal. First you have to have an application faxed to you which you have to fill out. I think it's impossible to fill it in correctly the first time so expect that you are going to have to fill it in and fax it at least twice (which i did). Then you have to call a week before you want the shot to make an appointment (not one day earlier). Even though you make the appointment you still have to go in as early as possible to sign up because they take people in numerical order. The serum is mixed at 1:30pm and if it isn't used within an hour it's no good. In that case, go home and start all over again. Arghhhh.

When I was faxed the application, a 2-page information sheet was sent along also.
Here are just a few sample sentences that were so graciously translated into English for me:

"It is receptionist start at 1:30pm every Tuesday. After receptionist end, I inoculate it into number order (when Tuesday becomes a holiday but, the week does not do an inoculation)." GOT THAT?

Here's my favorite:
"Attention matter: chicken egg, chicken, a person of gelatine allergy, babies and young children for and after birth less than 9 months of the pregnancy inside are inoculation taboo mourning." SAY WHAT???

It would be funny except that there were serious health issues involved in this and my anxiety level kept increasing.

The good news is that Connie (downstairs) accompanied me for some much needed moral support. We got to the clinic very early and were the first ones in line. Of course, even though i'd faxed my application in twice already, i still had to fill out the same application again at the clinic - go figure. The doctor and receptionist spoke very good English so i was able to clarify some of my questions about when this vaccine actually becomes effective (yes, before i get to Africa!). All's well and now i don't have to worry about Yellow Fever.

Another exercise taking me closer to Buddhahood don't ya think?

Philosophy 101
Mood:  bright
Here's another Willie Weir quote (if you haven't read anything by him, I'd highly suggest looking up one of his books).

"Adventure is rarely determined by the destination you choose, but by the method of travel and the route you take to get there.

Is it worth using our limited travel time to see all the archaeological or tourist sights simply to check them off a list? Or is it better to see a handful of wonders that send shivers up your spine?

The bad road, the road less traveled, the hard way. Call it what you will, but be forewarned. Once you've tried it, you may discover that it's the only way."

Bike Friday Story
Mood:  a-ok
3 am and it was 33 degrees in my apartment. That's 91 degrees Fahrenheit for those in the U.S!

So I'm a bit tired this morning but ready to write an update about my Bike Friday.

Here's an excerpt from the letter that i sent to the company:

"First let me list the things that went wrong with my order:
1. My bicycle arrived in Japan without the Terry saddle that i ordered and paid for.
2. I emailed you but there was no response so i had to make a long distance call from Japan to request a saddle to be sent to me.
3. I carefully unpacked my bike after reading and watching the video. The chain was somehow packed against the frame and there are gouges out of the paint right over the Bike Friday logo on the side of my new bike down to the metal. (photos enclosed)
4. The chain also crimped the rear brake cable and there is a gouge in the cable down to the metal casing.
5. The front derailleur was not adjusted and the arm of the derailleur was positioned in between the outer and middle cogs so that there is no way it could shift.
6. Again i emailed you with no response, which entailed another long distance call.
7. When i put my trailer together i discovered that the holes hadn't been drilled out of the suitcase for me to attach the wheel shafts. (This wouldn't be a problem in the states but it cost me $10 for a drill bit in Japan, and i had to find someone with a drill and borrow it to do a 10-second job that you should have done before you sent it to me)."

Can you tell that i was more than a bit irritated after spending over $2,000? I finally received a phone call from a rep. at Bike Friday. They have agreed to paint my bike when i return to the states. They are going to reimburse me for the cost of replacing the brake cable that i have to get repaired before i leave for Tanzania. They assure me that this is not a normal occurence with their orders. I sure hope not. Despite the irritation and bad feelings displaced on this poor bike. My butt is breaking into the new saddle. It maneuvers easily and is responsive and comfortable to ride. I've only folded it down once and put it in the suitcase - a very easy procedure. I will practice a few times before i leave. A bike can be a real problem on the plane and this should be a piece of cake. The suitcase is tough and has rollers and can be checked just like any regular suitcase - no extra charge. I just hope security treats it with kid gloves.
So the Bike Friday story so far has a happy ending.
I hope to give a glowing report after the bike trip to Africa - only 18 days till take-off. yikes.

Tanabata - Star Festival
Now Playing: Hopeful
On this day two stars (Altair and Vega) that are usually separated from each other by the Milky Way, come together.

This is a festival in which children and young women find much enjoyment. The legend says that on the eve. of July 7 Shokujo, or Weaver Princess Star, is supposed to meet Kengyu, or Herdboy Star, on the bank of the Amanogawa (River of Heaven), or Milky Way, for their annual tryst. Veda is the Princess Star, Altair, the Herdboy Star - the stars known as Lila Aquila. the legend behind this meeting is that the celestial princess, daughter of the celestial king, a most skillful weaver and the embodiment of industry, while engaged in weaving cloth for the king's garments, fell in love with a handsome lad, a cowherder, and as a reward for her diligent industry the king allowed them to marry. But so much in love were they that the princess gradually neglected her weaving and the herder allowed his cows to stray, which so exasperated the king that he finally separated the couple forcing them to remain on opposite sides of the Milky Way, and permitting them to approach each other only once a year. But there is no bridge over the Milky Way and the princess, on her first visit, wept so bitterly at the impossibility of meeting her husband that she roused the sympathy of a Kasasagi (magpie) who assured her that a bridge would be contrived for her. This was done, the magpies with wings spread forming a bridge on which the princess crossed. The legend also says that if the eve. of July 7 is rainy the magpies will not form the bridge and the celestial lovers must wait another year before meeting.

Tanabata began a few weeks ago with the appearance of branches of bamboo posted around town and in people's homes and outside one of our classrooms. Tradition says that if you tie your wish (written on colored paper) to this bamboo branch that your wish will be sent to the prince and princess on Tanabata and your wishes will come true.
I tied my wish to our branch. It's a secret - but it's about voting in November. Get it?

Tanabata Info


BLOOD IN THE HALLWAY

Surprise, surprise, i thought that Kobu was immune but, no, this morning we were interrupted during our morning meeting with a phone call to the Vice Principal. Before i knew what was happening teachers were scurrying into the halls and coming back with bloody towels. A quick glance and i could see blood all the way down the hall. Later, after a few discreet questions, i managed to put together a somewhat sketchy idea of what happened. There is definitely a broken window, and there most definitely is a boy in the nursing station with a bleeding hand. It seems that he had been teased by some boys and had reached a breaking point and put his fist thru a window. In the States the fist may have gone into the antagonist's face. Here it seems that you injure yourself when you get angry. I guess he was angry, frustrated or who knows what emotion. It's so sad to see these kids hurt themselves over other student's behaviors. This boy did not appear to be a trouble maker. I feel helpless and sad about these situations. Japan has no laws and/or procedures to deal with bullying it seems and it is such a problem. I am proud that we have come a long way in the States to begin to put an end to discrimination and harassment in any form. I hope that Japan will follow the U.S. in this at least. These kids deserve to feel safe and protected from viscious physical and verbal attacks by their peers. Another shocking thing about this is that no AIDS precautions were taken. I was shocked to see blood all over teacher's hands. Good grief. That's really dangerous in this day and age! I wonder how many people will have to be infected before they learn some safe procedures for dealing with blood.

Kilimanjaro and Trepidation
Mood:  not sure
I never seem to be able to do anything the easy way. Decades ago, after a preliminary short bike trip on our 10-speeds with cardboard boxes bungee corded to our rear racks - my first serious bike trip was across the U.S. When i decided to take a stained glass class the instructor advised us not to use more than 5 pieces of glass on our first project - I used 11! So I don't know what possessed me to tackle a bicycle trip and climb in Tanzania but it fits my pattern, eh?

This trip would have been a challenge to put together in the states. The difficulties are compounded by being here in Japan. Luckily, i planned to get most of my shots while in the states over the winter holiday. I have my malaria pills and high altitude sickness pills ready to go. Yellow Fever was not on the list in December and it's a long story about finally succeeding in getting this shot in Japan.

I ordered a new Bike Friday (custom-made folding bike). It fits inside its own Samsonite suitcase and will be a breeze to transport on the plane. That was initially a rather unpleasant experience due to some mistakes by Bike Friday. The problems have been resolved now, but i went through some anxiety resolving them (another story).

Getting in shape is another challenge in Japan. Luckily i have been running regularly and have just upped my mileage to try to increase my lung capacity and strength. The only challenge with the running is the heat, humidity and rain. By running year round here i seem to have acclimated and running 8 miles in 90 degree weather this last weekend barely bothered me. We have experienced an "empty rainy season" this year and so i haven't had to battle running in heavy rains like i feared. Trying to get a 50-mile bike ride in is next to impossible around here. Because of traffic, stoplights, overpasses and pedestrians i can't seem to get the miles in. I spent 6 hours riding on Saturday but only logged 30 miles. Ah, well, my butt seems to be getting used to the seat on my new bike and i'm sure that i will survive the few 50 mile days in Africa.

The main anxiety that i'm having is the Kilimanjaro altitude. I am at sea level in Japan and have done some hiking in the mountains but they are just mole hills compared to what i will be attempting. Next weekend i will hike Fuji-san for the practice. It is over 12,000 feet elevation and hopefully this will go well and i will gain some confidence that i can handle the elevation. Technically, it's not a difficult mountain to climb but the air will be thin and some people just don't do well at high altitudes. The good news is that I've been to 12,000 feet many times in the past and experienced no difficulty. Still, i must admit i'm a bit nervous.

There have been clothes to purchase in a country where the large size looks like it might fit a petite back home. Long sleeves just make it to my elbow and i almost cry trying on pants and realizing they just don't have thighs like mine in this country!

Despite all the challenges i am so psyched for this trip. For the last two months i have been emailing two of the other women who will be going so i feel like i know them already. I just found out that we three girls are going to be accompanied by two men. Five is a nice number, i think. If you want to read more about the itinerary check out the organization, Bike Africa. This will be my second trip with them. My trip to Zimbabwe with this organization was/is the best trip that i've ever been on.

Atsui
Mood:  caffeinated
6am and 90 degrees in my apartment!
After attending temple this morning at 7:30am i went for an 8 mile run anyway - still trying to get a bit of extra strength training in for climbing Kilimanjaro next month. While running along the Shukugawa River, the familiar cacophony of the infamous cicadas struck my ears. Oh, no, they are back! When i first arrived in Nishinomiya last August i thought there was some horribly ancient machine close by my apartment that ran 24 hours a day and was in dire need of some lubrication. Then when i took my first walk through the neighborhood a few days later i was shocked to discover that the machine was actually these incredibly noisy insects. I am trying hard to find some redeeming qualities to these obnoxious critters but the only thing that i can come up with is that they die after only about a month. They hatch, mate and die and then their off-spring crawl into the ground and wait from 7-14 years to crawl back out and make all this racket. I guess if i were underground for that long i'd make a lot of noise too.


CICADAS



We had a good old-fashioned BBQ at the beach for the 4th of July this afternoon. Thanks to Frankie and her boyfriend, Yosh, they managed to drag 3 BBQ's down to the beach with all the charcoal etc. We had traditional hot dogs, veggie burgers, and some not-so-traditional octopus and other assorted treats. I took my first swim in the ocean. It was a bit cool but felt so good after such a hot and humid day. I actually got a bit chilled as the sun went down. After watching the gorgeous display of lights on the Awaji Bridge (the longest suspension bridge in the world). It looks a lot like the Golden Gate except not red. They have lights outlining the cables and every hour a different color is displayed and for the first 5 minutes of every hour it goes to a rainbow of 7 colors. Quite spectacular. We ended with some fireworks and then wearily made our way back home. Happy 228th birthday, USA.

Cell Phones
Mood:  incredulous
Daily Yomiurui quote for today: "More than half of middle and high school students who own cell phones said they felt uncomfortable when they did not have the devices at hand, according to a survey by the National Police Agency released Monday.

The survey also found that nearly half of the respondents preferred not to turn off their cell phones even while sleeping and suggested that children have become dependent on such technology."

Great Quote
Mood:  vegas lucky
Here's a quote that i just received from a good friend.
I am adopting it as my motto!

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
proclaiming,' WOW, what a ride!'"

GO FAST AND THE WRINKLES WON'T SHOW!

Kyoto again
Wednesday, June 23rd Ginkakuji Temple, Kiyomizu....and more

Students in Japan in their 3rd year of junior high school traditionally take a school trip with their teachers. It's 3 days and two nights to somewhere special in Japan. Bill lived for a few years on a military base south of Hiroshima when he was around 13 years old. He remembered Ginkakuji Temple from just such a field trip. It was such a pleasure to discover that this temple is just as beautiful as he remembered it from his childhood. After experiencing typhoon winds and rain on Monday, we were treated with exceptionally fine weather this day. Overcast skies kept our skin from burning and a cool breeze made for a very comfortable day for a walking tour. We started out again from the JR station and easily caught a bus (40 minutes ride) to this temple. The grounds were green and lush. I thought that the tiny maple leaves were the prettiest. The temple is done in real gold leaf which is incredible in the sunlight. From the temple we walked down hill to the Kyoto Museum for World Peace. We decided to only spend a few minutes viewing a powerful photo exhibit on war all over the world. While there a newspaper cameraman took our photo so we are probably going to have our picture in the paper somewhere in Japan! We then hiked down and found Nijo Castle, but we got there right at 4pm - closed. It's very frustrating that we have only about 6-7 hours time per day to tour in Kyoto. The carpets are rolled up and things close down around 4pm. I have been in Kyoto many times and was sadly disappointed when, not only the sightseeing places, but the shops and some restaurants also close so early. When it takes 40 minutes one way on a bus this limits the places you can view in a day. From Nijo we caught another bus to Gion and hiked up through a Shinto shrine that led us to an incredible stone path. I really wanted Nola and Bill to visit my favorite sight, Kiyomizu Temple. The view from there is quite spectacular as the sun goes down and the lights of the city come on. I had forgotten that i had been there in the fall when the days were much shorter. Kiyomizu stays open till 6pm and we were hustled out way before the sun was ready to set. Ah, well, the grounds were gorgeous and we got some good touristy pictures.

I am constantly amazed at the variety of people we meet while traveling around Japan. As we were gently nudged by security off the temple grounds we ran into a group from Sri Lanka. They were with a Japanese woman benefactor who was sponsoring them on their trip to Japan. One of the men was a Theravada Buddhist monk. Of course he invited me to visit them in Sri Lanka next month. I felt like such a world traveler when i casually said, "So sorry, I'll be in Tanzania." Wow, sometimes i have to pinch myself it seems so unreal the places and possibilities for traveling and visiting such incredible people.

Himeji & Osaka Jo
Tuesday, June 22nd

OK, so this is one of my major blunders. Last week I had researched some fun activities going on in our area while Bill and Nola were going to be here. There was a Yukata Matsuri Festival happening on this day and i circled it in my Kansai Time-Out English language magazine. The bold print at the top of the article said something about Osaka Jinga (shrine). The article described people parading up and down the boulevard close to Himeji Castle. They would be displaying their summer yukata (light kimono) and there would be 800 food and entertainment booths set up. That sounds like fun! Still thinking Osaka because that was in bold letters, i planned a morning trip to Himeji Castle and then over to Osaka to see Osaka Castle and then we could eat and enjoy the Festival that evening.

You'd think i would have gotten a clue when we arrived at Himeji and saw a ton of booths being set up along the street leading to the castle. Dave and Connie joined us for a very impressive tour of the inside of the castle. I would highly recommend this one. All the explanations were in English and were very informative. The view from the top of the castle is really impressive. It's hard to imagine how large an area this castle complex encompassed way back when. On our way back to the train station we had a great yakitori from one of the booths for our lunch break but most of the booths were still being constructed. Ah, well, we thought, we'll hit the REAL festival when we get to Osaka. WRONG. We didn't figure out till we got to Osaka that we had just left the festival in Himeji and that Osaka Jinga is in Himeji. Oops. Duh. Phooey.

We got to Osaka-jo too late to get inside but enjoyed the grounds and took some cool photos of the cat lady and ate a not so good okonomiyaki at a booth close to the castle mote. I could just kick myself. We would have enjoyed watching the "fashion show" and sampling food from all those booths and probably seen Himeji lit up at night but it was too late and too expensive to get back on the train and travel an hour back there to enjoy it. Luckily, everyone was happy with our day anyway and i think that i was the most disappointed. Resolved: I WILL read the directions better next time.