Japan Trip Diary 3

(Photo by: Erica/Erix)

 

Dear Diary,

 

Today is January 29, 2014 Wednesday and the 3^rd day of our “Tokyo Exploration”. My aunt and I ate the same breakfast as yesterday. Typical Rose Tea and Bread with red beans. We took our time in the morning because we were still tired. Today’s a little cold but it’s tolerable but my aunt told me to wear my coat because she didn’t want me to get sick. Honestly I felt very hot wearing that and I wanted to remove all my clothes because I couldn’t breathe easily with all the layers of clothing I was wearing.

As usual, we went at the hotel’s lobby to check emails and messages in facebook, Line and Skype. I received another email from Mr. Sometimes. He indicated in his mail the instruction on how to get to Ginza but we still decided to take a taxi instead.

 

Today, I suggested to my aunt that we should go to Asakusa… Senso-ji Temple because a lot of my students suggested that too and they all think that I would definitely enjoy the place since I like temples and Japanese culture.

 

We looked for a taxi while randomly walking around Osaki. I really like how the cold wind blew my hair, how it touched my face and yeah… it’s not that polluted. We waited for 10 minutes until we finally found a taxi.

 

Oh my goodness! We fell in love with the taxi driver. He’s such a funny, entertaining, sweet man. At first he talked to me in Nihongo and he thought that I was Japanese but I said no and told him that we’re from Philippines and that’s when he started talking in English. He likes American old songs/bands and he started singing some songs. Surprisingly we knew some of the songs. We talked, laughed and had a good time during our trip to Asakusa. We were so much entertained. Here’s the video of the singing taxi driver.

 

He even gave us coins and told us that we should keep this as a lucky charm. I asked one of my friends about the meaning behind them and she told me that we are now bonded with Japan. This country will always be close to us.

Here’s a video clip I made while we were in Senso-ji temple.

 

Honestly speaking, this is our favorite place. I was like transported into another dimension and I could imagine the old Japan.

 

Here are some pictures taken by my Aunt and I.

 

 

We enjoyed shopping for souvenirs and I bought this for my newly wed cousin. She asked me to buy this and I got lucky because it’s really “Made in Japan”. She warned me that if I bring a “Made in China” she will definitely kill me. Haha! I really love my cousin.

After that, I got a little lonely because I remembered all my problems. I felt so down and I wanted to cry. The good thing is my aunt brought me to Starbucks and bought me a Green Tea Latte. We talked about my problems, emotional issues, the things that’s making me sad and she gave advice about them. Somehow, I felt a little better but I could still feel the intense pain in my heart…

After that, we walked randomly and decided that it’s already time to go to Ginza to meet Mr. Sometimes. After arriving there, we couldn’t find the Pola Ginza Building… AGAIN. I checked the map and my aunt… yes, took a picture of me.

Since it was still early we decided to check some shops… AGAIN and walked around and around. It’s a little chilly that night but I love the coldness brought by the wind.

I wasn’t able to notice that the man standing in front of the building was already Mr. Sometimes. He changed!!!! His hair and his clothes… I’m not used to seeing him in suit and tie. Haha! We went straight to “Higashiya Restaurant”. We chatted for a while waiting for Mr. Sometimes' colleague. His name is Cris and he also studied in the Philippines but in a different school.

 

We had a great time eating and talking about everything. Mr. sometimes gave us presents and my aunt was very surprised to received them. She told me that I am very lucky because I have very nice student and she could see that they do really respect me even if I am younger than them. I really appreciate the book written by Mr. Sometimes' favorite author. I will read this on Summer vacation.

 

 

This is Mr. Sometimes, Cris and I. I really had a good time with them. They were so accommodating and welcoming and they made us feel comfortable the whole night. It's really nice because they treat us as a friend and not as a foreigner. I hope they could visit my country again... and during that time it will be my treat. For sure. :)

 

 

Going back to our hotel was a big problem for us. Mr. Cris offered to take us back to Osaki and luckily Mr. Sometimes went with us too. It was our first time to ride in a train. It was not very crowded so it was okay for all of us.

 

We said our "Goodbyes" to each other. I watched Mr. Sometimes and Cris walked away. My aunt saw me cry... I cried not because I'm sad but because I was really happy. It was very overwhelming for me. I am not accustomed with nice people. I suddenly realized how lucky I am with the choice I made to enter this teaching Industry. My job is not all about teaching... but I aim to inspire, support and help other people... not just English but the way of life. It's nice to know that these people who are professionals, older than me, more experienced than me... tells me that whenever they talked to me, they usually learn a lot of things from my view about everything. I am glad to meet all of them.

 

Tomorrow is Thursday. I will meet four former students of mine. It's time for my bubble bath. See you!

 

Love lots,

Erica/Erix

________________________________________________________

 

It's kind of late to post this 3rd entry from my diary. But, it's better late than never. Since I posted the first two entries... I decided to continue...

 

 

Things that made me happy:

1. Rice Juice and Boseong Green Tea. Another Korean Store shopping with my friends.
2. Shuriken Origami from my student. I'm very lucky to have him as my student for 1 month. I want to meet him again. In the future for sure.
3. Playing "Suteki Da Ne" in guitar. I need more practice but it's very nice to play this song in guitar.
4. Drinking Oolong Tea. They said this tea is a good fat burner.
5. Vegetables for lunch with my friend Shirley. We love eating vegetables so much!