The Hokkaido Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching
Archive for May, 2009
Yakumo Lantern Parade Festival
May 31st
Last year the Yakumo Lantern Parade Festival was held on the first weekend after my arrival in Japan. The initial shock of the realisation of just how small my ‘small town’ was had started to fade and I was getting accustomed to the town and the climate. My supervisor told me that there was a big festival with lanterns on the weekend, and that I should attend and participate. I didn’t really understand what was going to be happening at this festival, but had been told to show up to the Board of Education at 5pm for the pre-event enkai. What awaited me was all the ‘enkai bento food’ and ‘one cup sake’ that I could consume. However, I soon learned that I couldn’t consume that much, especially of that cheap, nasty sake. But, it was certainly one way to make an initial impression on my co-workers.
H1N1A Flu Update
May 18th
Long, but please read.
At this point people will likely have heard that the number of H1N1A (swine flu) cases confirmed in Japan has reached 93 (morning of May 18) and thus all stations are go for the active implementation of preventative measures. Please keep in mind that, while a concern, this flu travels a course very similar to the common cold and that initial fatalities were grossly over-reported. Please check your embassy websites for sensible and relevant information.
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For Leaving JETs & the Summer Meeting
May 18th
Still in the mire of Hokkaido Spring, most parts of the island are just now experiencing the sudden explosion of green. Even Sapporo city is carpeted in that new-leaf shade and things are suddenly feeling a little more alive, the air a little more breathable, the cold-snaps a little more bearable.
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