So I have included a link to a slideshow of Ishinomaki. This slideshow was created by a man named Masato Kato, who I met while I was volunteering. He is a very talented photographer and I highly recommend checking out his work! Also, I make a couple cameos around the 5:45 mark. One is in Japanese, the other is in English. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Life-Changing Experience
I just want to start off this blog post by expressing how much admiration I have for all of those effected by the earthquake and tsunami. The past week that I spent with them has been an eye opening and humbling experience. Ganbare (Fight on!) people of Northeastern Japan.
We took an 8 hour bus ride from Tokyo to Sendai then finally to Ishinomaki. Our HQ was at an elementary school transformed into a "Refugee" center/Volunteer headquarters. This place was truly a site to see. There were many sections around the school that looked like a junkyard with cars, bikes, boats etc. strewn about. It would be impossible to describe all of the destruction so I will post some pictures. (Also, I will post more pictures on my Facebook page. I will make the album "public" so you all can see it.)
As I said earlier last week, we had no idea what kind of work we were going to be doing. As it turns out, they put us out in the field armed with shovels and wheelbarrows helping the local residents clean up their homes a bit. Our groups (anywhere from 8-15 people) would work 2 shifts a day from 8:30am-5:30pm with a lunch break. We were working our butts off all day, and the crazy thing was that at the end of the day it hardly looked like we did anything. Sure, we would clear tons of mud out of people's bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens, but we would move them out onto the streets where it looked like a wasteland. The rebuilding process is going to take years, even with all of the help they are getting. However, it was such a rewarding feeling to be able to help these people out. The gratitude on their faces and in their words was remarkable. There were times where we would be shoveling through the mud in their homes and we would find pictures and various possessions. We would bring it to them and ask them if it was trash or if they wanted to keep it, and there were times where they would be so thrilled that we were able to retrieve these items. These were memories that they had thought were lost forever, yet we were able to bring them back to them.
The elementary school that housed us was unlike anything I had ever seen. Classrooms had been converted into bedrooms housing anywhere from 20-25 people, the gym was converted into a cafeteria for the residents, and a portion of the baseball field had an Ofuro (public bath) built where everyone could get cleaned up. Overall there were probably around 500 people living at this school. I was so impressed with the cleanliness of the school, as many of the residents/volunteers took it upon themselves to make sure it was a suitable place to live.
Back at the elementary school that housed us, many of us were able to develop some really great relationships with the displaced people living there. In fact, some of the children came to hang out with us every day. We would come back from our shifts and they would be in our rooms waiting for us with baseball gloves and soccer balls ready to play ball! One of my friends, an avid yo yo enthusiast, brought 30 yo yo's up as gifts, and was giving some of the kids lessons. I brought my friend's guitar up and we would have jam sessions with the kids, and sometimes with the Oji-san's (Uncles, or middle aged guys). The residents stories of their experiences with the tsunami/earthquake were so sad, it was impossible to imagine what they went through. In future blog posts, I will go into further detail of some of the residents stories.
Overall, the trip was one of the most amazing things I have ever done in my life, and I feel like I have changed for the better because of it. I think we all have. The positivity at this place was something to behold, especially given the circumstances of their living situation. I will continue to post stories of my experiences, but I doubt I will be able to document everything. If any of you have specific questions, leave it in the comments box and I will try to answer them!
We took an 8 hour bus ride from Tokyo to Sendai then finally to Ishinomaki. Our HQ was at an elementary school transformed into a "Refugee" center/Volunteer headquarters. This place was truly a site to see. There were many sections around the school that looked like a junkyard with cars, bikes, boats etc. strewn about. It would be impossible to describe all of the destruction so I will post some pictures. (Also, I will post more pictures on my Facebook page. I will make the album "public" so you all can see it.)
As I said earlier last week, we had no idea what kind of work we were going to be doing. As it turns out, they put us out in the field armed with shovels and wheelbarrows helping the local residents clean up their homes a bit. Our groups (anywhere from 8-15 people) would work 2 shifts a day from 8:30am-5:30pm with a lunch break. We were working our butts off all day, and the crazy thing was that at the end of the day it hardly looked like we did anything. Sure, we would clear tons of mud out of people's bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens, but we would move them out onto the streets where it looked like a wasteland. The rebuilding process is going to take years, even with all of the help they are getting. However, it was such a rewarding feeling to be able to help these people out. The gratitude on their faces and in their words was remarkable. There were times where we would be shoveling through the mud in their homes and we would find pictures and various possessions. We would bring it to them and ask them if it was trash or if they wanted to keep it, and there were times where they would be so thrilled that we were able to retrieve these items. These were memories that they had thought were lost forever, yet we were able to bring them back to them.
The elementary school that housed us was unlike anything I had ever seen. Classrooms had been converted into bedrooms housing anywhere from 20-25 people, the gym was converted into a cafeteria for the residents, and a portion of the baseball field had an Ofuro (public bath) built where everyone could get cleaned up. Overall there were probably around 500 people living at this school. I was so impressed with the cleanliness of the school, as many of the residents/volunteers took it upon themselves to make sure it was a suitable place to live.
Back at the elementary school that housed us, many of us were able to develop some really great relationships with the displaced people living there. In fact, some of the children came to hang out with us every day. We would come back from our shifts and they would be in our rooms waiting for us with baseball gloves and soccer balls ready to play ball! One of my friends, an avid yo yo enthusiast, brought 30 yo yo's up as gifts, and was giving some of the kids lessons. I brought my friend's guitar up and we would have jam sessions with the kids, and sometimes with the Oji-san's (Uncles, or middle aged guys). The residents stories of their experiences with the tsunami/earthquake were so sad, it was impossible to imagine what they went through. In future blog posts, I will go into further detail of some of the residents stories.
Overall, the trip was one of the most amazing things I have ever done in my life, and I feel like I have changed for the better because of it. I think we all have. The positivity at this place was something to behold, especially given the circumstances of their living situation. I will continue to post stories of my experiences, but I doubt I will be able to document everything. If any of you have specific questions, leave it in the comments box and I will try to answer them!
Driving through Ishinomaki
Ishinomaki elementary school/refugee center/our home for a week
Ishinomaki Elementary's pool
A home we cleaned up, that used to have a beautiful botanical garden in front.
The line of sediment left on the wall, just below the 2nd floor was the water level of the tsunami.
Some old records
A class picture we found
The Oji-san's hanging out
Little man channeling Hideo Nomo
Team Kobe and Shunsuke, a resident, in the middle
Ishinomaki was really a beautiful place, and will become beautiful once again.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Leaving for Miyagi tomorrow
So tomorrow morning at 6AM a group of 7 of us are going to Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture (not Sendai as I previously blogged) to do what we can to help out for about 5 days. Apparently we will be camping out with groups of others who are already up there volunteering. I have no idea what to expect, I don't know if any of us do. But we suspect that a lot of what we will be doing is helping out the people in the shelters, due to the fact that much of the debris cleanup is handled by more qualified organizations (eg Japanese Self Defense Forces, US Army etc.) But again, no one really knows for sure.
As this area was hit very hard by the tsunami, I am sure it is going to be a very emotional experience. I have seen pictures and videos of this area, and it is absolutely heart wrenching to see the destruction that was brought upon these communities. As far as we have heard there is NOTHING there that resembles a functioning town. We are indeed headed towards the heart of this destruction but we have been assured that the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of all the volunteer workers.
I will try to take some pictures and notes so I can do a little update when I return, however I have heard that the Japanese government is discouraging cameras in order to prevent "Disaster Tourism."
Anyways, 5 days of cup of noodles and dry cereal, here we come.....
As this area was hit very hard by the tsunami, I am sure it is going to be a very emotional experience. I have seen pictures and videos of this area, and it is absolutely heart wrenching to see the destruction that was brought upon these communities. As far as we have heard there is NOTHING there that resembles a functioning town. We are indeed headed towards the heart of this destruction but we have been assured that the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of all the volunteer workers.
I will try to take some pictures and notes so I can do a little update when I return, however I have heard that the Japanese government is discouraging cameras in order to prevent "Disaster Tourism."
Anyways, 5 days of cup of noodles and dry cereal, here we come.....
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Update from Japan
Hey all,
As you all know, Northeast Japan is in the midst of recovering from the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami that struck a little over a month ago. There are major efforts occurring right now to help out the region as quickly and effectively as possible. I am excited to announce that I am getting the opportunity to do my part.
On April 30, I will be joining a group of Japanese students from my dorm to go up to volunteer in Sendai. Our trip will last 4 or 5 days, and we are all eager to get up there and do what we can to help all those affected. This trip will coincide with "Golden Week" a late Spring Break in Japan, so it is a great opportunity to spend a relatively extended period of time in Sendai without falling behind in school.
I am definitely a bit nervous, but this is an opportunity I know I cannot miss out on. Even though the sad state of affairs in Northeast Japan are not being covered in much of the US mainstream media anymore, there is still so much help needed. I encourage you, if possible, to help out as well, in any way that you can!
I will probably do another post before I leave with more details on what we are going to do.
Talk to you all soon!
As you all know, Northeast Japan is in the midst of recovering from the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami that struck a little over a month ago. There are major efforts occurring right now to help out the region as quickly and effectively as possible. I am excited to announce that I am getting the opportunity to do my part.
On April 30, I will be joining a group of Japanese students from my dorm to go up to volunteer in Sendai. Our trip will last 4 or 5 days, and we are all eager to get up there and do what we can to help all those affected. This trip will coincide with "Golden Week" a late Spring Break in Japan, so it is a great opportunity to spend a relatively extended period of time in Sendai without falling behind in school.
I am definitely a bit nervous, but this is an opportunity I know I cannot miss out on. Even though the sad state of affairs in Northeast Japan are not being covered in much of the US mainstream media anymore, there is still so much help needed. I encourage you, if possible, to help out as well, in any way that you can!
I will probably do another post before I leave with more details on what we are going to do.
Talk to you all soon!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Ouch!
Well...just sprained my ankle AGAIN playing basketball. Can hardly put any weight on it. I even went to a sports shop a couple days ago to buy an ankle brace to avoid a situation like this. Of course, I sprain the other one. Figures. Anyways, the courts were a 30 minute walk from the dorm so my friend Tak (Takuya) and I were gonna have to take a cab back. Koganei Park is HUGE so we had to ask directions in order to find out where the best place to catch a cab was. Tak asked this middle aged Japanese woman, walking her dogs, where we could do this. Instead of just giving us directions as I feel many in the states would do, she offered to give us a ride back to our dorm...before she even knew I had sprained my ankle! Now that is some of the Japanese kindness I had heard about!
So we walked to her car (well, I hopped on one foot) and we were on our way. As I was sitting in the back of her typical Japanese teeny, but nice, sedan with her two golden retrievers, I was listening to her and Tak converse. All I could think about was how respectful of a language/culture Japan has! It really is a cool thing to witness: two strangers speaking with the utmost respect and courtesy for each other, in a foreign tongue. Also, I noticed that I was able to pick up a lot of what they were talking about. Compared to a week ago, I feel like my Japanese has improved a lot! Its nice to see the benefits of my persistence in trying to learn this language. On a side note, I feel bad for Tak because Ryocho (an honorific name for our dorm manager) is making me stay in my room, and making him bring me dinner. Oops. Thanks Tak!
These next few days, while my ankle is healing, are going to be interesting. Tokyo is a city that requires A LOT of walking, and with school set to start on Thursday i'm hoping I will be able to move around decently. This is where the need for Japan to conserve energy is gonna hurt. The escalators at the train stations aren't running for most of the day! Hmm...
Well one last thing I want to tell you guys about. Since I've been here in Japan, every morning I hear what I think is an ice cream truck. My thought was that it was an international business. I guess not, because I looked outside my window this morning and it turns out it is the garbage truck that is BLASTING ice cream truck melodies. Quite interesting, thought I should mention it.
Thanks for reading, later!
So we walked to her car (well, I hopped on one foot) and we were on our way. As I was sitting in the back of her typical Japanese teeny, but nice, sedan with her two golden retrievers, I was listening to her and Tak converse. All I could think about was how respectful of a language/culture Japan has! It really is a cool thing to witness: two strangers speaking with the utmost respect and courtesy for each other, in a foreign tongue. Also, I noticed that I was able to pick up a lot of what they were talking about. Compared to a week ago, I feel like my Japanese has improved a lot! Its nice to see the benefits of my persistence in trying to learn this language. On a side note, I feel bad for Tak because Ryocho (an honorific name for our dorm manager) is making me stay in my room, and making him bring me dinner. Oops. Thanks Tak!
These next few days, while my ankle is healing, are going to be interesting. Tokyo is a city that requires A LOT of walking, and with school set to start on Thursday i'm hoping I will be able to move around decently. This is where the need for Japan to conserve energy is gonna hurt. The escalators at the train stations aren't running for most of the day! Hmm...
Well one last thing I want to tell you guys about. Since I've been here in Japan, every morning I hear what I think is an ice cream truck. My thought was that it was an international business. I guess not, because I looked outside my window this morning and it turns out it is the garbage truck that is BLASTING ice cream truck melodies. Quite interesting, thought I should mention it.
Thanks for reading, later!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
TOTALLY lost in a Gaijin's translation
Whats up all! A lot is happening everyday, certainly too much to keep you updated on, but I will touch on the highlights. Some really humbling/embarassing/hilarious experiences.
After I took my Japanese placement exam this AM, I was feeling adventurous (Certainly not because I did well). I needed a cell phone and also needed to open a bank account. Some friends offered to help me out tomorrow, but I wanted to try it out on my own! lol I don't want to say it was a bad idea as I definitely learned a lot from the experience, but boy oh boy I took the hard route. And to be honest I still haven't opened a bank account and I just got my cell phone at about 6:00pm when I left my dorm to run my "errands" around 1:00pm. Yea...
I went to find the bank in the bustling area of Shinjuku (an area that arguably epitomizes Tokyo)where I was lucky enough to get a teller who spoke relatively good English. I'm thinking to myself, this is gonna be a breeze, right? WRONG. She then tells me I need a phone # which I obviously didn't have yet. So I said I would be back to open the bank account later on after I went to get my phone. So I leave the bank, the next mission: get a phone! Apparently the best place to buy a Pre-paid PHONE is called "SoftBANK." Why? I have noo idea. First place, eigo te wakarimasuka? (Do you speak English). He says no we don't in Japanese, but go down the street and there is another one. I go there, wait for 30 minutes for someone to help me and then they tell me the same thing: They all don't speak English. So I head back to the train station, completely discouraged, ready to head home to eat.
I get on the train, and get off....at the wrong stop. Finally made my way back home and figured i would try one last branch of SoftBank. I needed directions, so I asked this 60 yr old Japanese woman. I said, "Sumimasen..." then she cuts me off with a dismissive wave of her hand and says "Baka ne!" Basically I said "excuse me..." and she says "What are you stupid!" Wowww..that was great. So much for the myth that ALL Japanese people are polite (which most really are). So I asked someone else and found the phone store. Although this guy didn't speak English either, he was nice enough to call someone on the phone to translate for us. Badda bing badda boom I had my phone!
I'm exhausted..but getting forced to go out to Karaoke, ill check in with you all later.
PS. Anyone know how to upload pics on this blog?
After I took my Japanese placement exam this AM, I was feeling adventurous (Certainly not because I did well). I needed a cell phone and also needed to open a bank account. Some friends offered to help me out tomorrow, but I wanted to try it out on my own! lol I don't want to say it was a bad idea as I definitely learned a lot from the experience, but boy oh boy I took the hard route. And to be honest I still haven't opened a bank account and I just got my cell phone at about 6:00pm when I left my dorm to run my "errands" around 1:00pm. Yea...
I went to find the bank in the bustling area of Shinjuku (an area that arguably epitomizes Tokyo)where I was lucky enough to get a teller who spoke relatively good English. I'm thinking to myself, this is gonna be a breeze, right? WRONG. She then tells me I need a phone # which I obviously didn't have yet. So I said I would be back to open the bank account later on after I went to get my phone. So I leave the bank, the next mission: get a phone! Apparently the best place to buy a Pre-paid PHONE is called "SoftBANK." Why? I have noo idea. First place, eigo te wakarimasuka? (Do you speak English). He says no we don't in Japanese, but go down the street and there is another one. I go there, wait for 30 minutes for someone to help me and then they tell me the same thing: They all don't speak English. So I head back to the train station, completely discouraged, ready to head home to eat.
I get on the train, and get off....at the wrong stop. Finally made my way back home and figured i would try one last branch of SoftBank. I needed directions, so I asked this 60 yr old Japanese woman. I said, "Sumimasen..." then she cuts me off with a dismissive wave of her hand and says "Baka ne!" Basically I said "excuse me..." and she says "What are you stupid!" Wowww..that was great. So much for the myth that ALL Japanese people are polite (which most really are). So I asked someone else and found the phone store. Although this guy didn't speak English either, he was nice enough to call someone on the phone to translate for us. Badda bing badda boom I had my phone!
I'm exhausted..but getting forced to go out to Karaoke, ill check in with you all later.
PS. Anyone know how to upload pics on this blog?
Friday, April 1, 2011
errr...whatever has happened to my life, I like it!
Ohayoo minna san!
Wow. Just wow. Its only been 12 hours since i've been in Tokyo and there are soo many things I want to talk about. I guess the first thing I should mention is my initial reaction landing at Narita airport and getting off the plane. The flight attendant was talking over the loudspeaker in Japanese, I was surrounded by Japanese people, then walked off the plane into this gorgeous but very Japanese terminal. I was overcome with such a strange feeling like "My goodness Drew what did you get yourself into?" My mind was suddenly in a state of hilarity, I had this HUGE grin from ear to ear while muttering to myself some incomprehensible garble...craziness. Well from the terminal to customs to the baggage claim, every airport employee I had to talk to, assumed I was Japanese (or at least spoke it) began speaking to me in the native tongue. Now I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before but my Japanese is, for lack of a better term, horrible. (More on this later)
I finally got my two 60lb bags along with my backpack and found my student "escort" (no not that kind!), Kikuchi-san. He spoke great English and we were practicing my Japanese all the way back to the dorm (2.5 hrs, 3 trains, 5 staircases later). And yes, staircases because many of the escalators were not working due to the need to conserve power due to the Fukushima Daiichi powerplant situation.
We arrived at my dorm and as soon as I walked in there were five International students waiting for me looking absolutely thrilled to see me. I was thinking dang I must be cool! lol. Maybe I am, but turns out they were just excited to see a new face because over the past 3 weeks 30 of the other International residents and their good friends were sent home by their respective home colleges because of the delicate situation here in Japan. They were the only ones left, the rest of the rooms have been filled with Japanese students. They were great though, very friendly, very informative, and overall a great group of guys.
There is so much more to say, but if you are still reading you probably have better things to do right now. So my main conclusion: my Japanese language skills need to improve and ASAP! But this is going to be a great journey filled with plenty of excitement, learning, embarrassment.. etc etc....
I'll keep updating you all later!
Wow. Just wow. Its only been 12 hours since i've been in Tokyo and there are soo many things I want to talk about. I guess the first thing I should mention is my initial reaction landing at Narita airport and getting off the plane. The flight attendant was talking over the loudspeaker in Japanese, I was surrounded by Japanese people, then walked off the plane into this gorgeous but very Japanese terminal. I was overcome with such a strange feeling like "My goodness Drew what did you get yourself into?" My mind was suddenly in a state of hilarity, I had this HUGE grin from ear to ear while muttering to myself some incomprehensible garble...craziness. Well from the terminal to customs to the baggage claim, every airport employee I had to talk to, assumed I was Japanese (or at least spoke it) began speaking to me in the native tongue. Now I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before but my Japanese is, for lack of a better term, horrible. (More on this later)
I finally got my two 60lb bags along with my backpack and found my student "escort" (no not that kind!), Kikuchi-san. He spoke great English and we were practicing my Japanese all the way back to the dorm (2.5 hrs, 3 trains, 5 staircases later). And yes, staircases because many of the escalators were not working due to the need to conserve power due to the Fukushima Daiichi powerplant situation.
We arrived at my dorm and as soon as I walked in there were five International students waiting for me looking absolutely thrilled to see me. I was thinking dang I must be cool! lol. Maybe I am, but turns out they were just excited to see a new face because over the past 3 weeks 30 of the other International residents and their good friends were sent home by their respective home colleges because of the delicate situation here in Japan. They were the only ones left, the rest of the rooms have been filled with Japanese students. They were great though, very friendly, very informative, and overall a great group of guys.
There is so much more to say, but if you are still reading you probably have better things to do right now. So my main conclusion: my Japanese language skills need to improve and ASAP! But this is going to be a great journey filled with plenty of excitement, learning, embarrassment.. etc etc....
I'll keep updating you all later!
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