Welcome Party
Well, after about 24 hours of getting my blog up to date I am finally here. So I will tell you about something that actually happened today.
Today me and the other three JETs placed in Tatsuno attended a welcome party at the Board of Education. Also in attendance were the respective Kocho-Senseis (Headmasters), an English teacher from each of our schools, our Supervisor and the Head of the BoE. We all introduced ourselves; them in broken English, us in broken Japanese. After being awarded an extravagant flower each we were wisked off to meet the Mayor of Tatsuno nextdoor in the City Offices. The same introduction procedure followed with the city office officials.
From there we were taken to one of Tatsuno's finest venues. I can't remember the name but it's a hotel/restaurant on one of the mountains overlooking the city. It was the four JETs, our Supervisor, the Head of the BoE, his number two, and one of the English teachers who I think was drafted in as a translator. Oh, and Oeda Sensei was also there. I'm not quite sure what his role is within the BoE but he seems to pop up everywhere and he's a great guy. He's also one of the few Japanese people to appreciate my humour... although I think Kario Sensei appreciated it when I told him he was a super Superintendent. Anyway, before long conversation was flowing, to the extent that I was informing everyone around the table of my fascinating Jewish dietary restrictions, as one generally does when networking at a social event. Somewhat unfortunately this coincided with the unveiling of the main dish... yes that's right, succulent pork served with octopus, prawns and clams.
After the meal I came home via the BoE, where I collected my rusty girls bike, complete with basket and two gears.
I don't yet have any photos from the welcome party, but I've got the next best thing... pictures of me when I got back!
Just for the record I looked a lot friendlier than this when I met all the important people.
Call me a flowerboy. Go on. See if I care.
Today me and the other three JETs placed in Tatsuno attended a welcome party at the Board of Education. Also in attendance were the respective Kocho-Senseis (Headmasters), an English teacher from each of our schools, our Supervisor and the Head of the BoE. We all introduced ourselves; them in broken English, us in broken Japanese. After being awarded an extravagant flower each we were wisked off to meet the Mayor of Tatsuno nextdoor in the City Offices. The same introduction procedure followed with the city office officials.
From there we were taken to one of Tatsuno's finest venues. I can't remember the name but it's a hotel/restaurant on one of the mountains overlooking the city. It was the four JETs, our Supervisor, the Head of the BoE, his number two, and one of the English teachers who I think was drafted in as a translator. Oh, and Oeda Sensei was also there. I'm not quite sure what his role is within the BoE but he seems to pop up everywhere and he's a great guy. He's also one of the few Japanese people to appreciate my humour... although I think Kario Sensei appreciated it when I told him he was a super Superintendent. Anyway, before long conversation was flowing, to the extent that I was informing everyone around the table of my fascinating Jewish dietary restrictions, as one generally does when networking at a social event. Somewhat unfortunately this coincided with the unveiling of the main dish... yes that's right, succulent pork served with octopus, prawns and clams.
After the meal I came home via the BoE, where I collected my rusty girls bike, complete with basket and two gears.
I don't yet have any photos from the welcome party, but I've got the next best thing... pictures of me when I got back!
Just for the record I looked a lot friendlier than this when I met all the important people.
Call me a flowerboy. Go on. See if I care.
posted by Laurence at 11:20 PM
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