My Japanese Children..

Well...I think I'm in love. Yup, these kids are great. I teach 3 year olds to really old. But focus on primary school. They are real fun and always excited. Can't have a bad day around them. As soon as you walk by, they scream HELLO!! or EIGO SENSEI!!!!! (English Teacher). So great... Oh, and they just have to touch my hair daily or climb on top of me.






This lil one here, is so adorable. She is truly an Ichiban(number 1) student. Tries her best, and know's how to have fun. This one attacked me today to give her a piggy back ride. Well, all the kids are great...cept I have trouble with the 6th graders..the Cool stage. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon enough..

I’m the only one...

People here are SOOO nice and friendly. Unfortunately, I have not seen ONE person of color, aka Black, in the last 4 or 5 days in Hiroshima. Nevertheless, I’m not getting stared at that bad. Lol. It’s pretty cool. But I love going out to eat because the waitresses are sooo nice, and make you feel so welcome. Wherever you go.

One night, as I was biking home. I stopped at a Noodles shop which I thought was open. So I walked in, and the guy told me they were closed. He apologized so much. I was like it’s cool. So as I was unlocking my bike to leave, he came back out and apologized some more. He was telling me that it’s a special holiday weekend and they closed early. He even told me to come back for their wednesday night special. We spoke for more than I expected, but it was sooo nice of him. And that’s how everyone is here.

Last night, I finally found a lil Jazz spot and was listening to the show. I’ll give more detail later, but I didn’t have enough Yen (Japanese Dollars) for the show and he told me just give it to him next time. I mean, that does not happen in the states when you meet the person for the first time.

Everything is about catering to the other person. It is so nice. Thankfully, I’m such an individual here, most waitresses recognize me when I go by their restaurant. lol.

Everyone here is so small. Like, I’m average height back home, and here I’m on the taller size. There are people my height or taller, but not that normal to see. So, it is very hard for me to go shopping. And clothes here is expensive. I saw a pair of Gap jeans at an Outlet, for like $100. Goodness.

It’s really great having conversations with people here. You can’t help to just smile as you try your best to communicate with them. They are also very open as long as you can say a few words in Japanese. Just give them a Konnichi wa, and you’ll hear their life story.

Till next time!!!

From a Nissan Altima to a Tornade A-3000

Yes, my friends, Ralph is no longer behind the wheels. I ride a lovely bike. Not a Mo-ped or motorcycle. A two wheel All Terrain Bicycle. Lol, it has its ups and downs I guess. I don’t have to pay gas. I can park almost anywhere. And I receive a work out going up and down these hills. Downs are, I can’t travel far. I can’t shop for big items. And it is small. lol.

Well everyone here rides a bike. Many Japanese youth don’t even drive. Especially in the city. Much like New York. Everyone is on public transportation or a bike. The transportation here is slight different then tokyo. They have trolleys here which I did not notice in Yokohama or Tokyo. However, unlike the states, they are VERY punctual. You can count on the bus or train to be right on time. off by seconds, if that much. So it is very reliable.

During rush hour, the trains are sooo packed. Standing room only. You don’t even have to stand. Just lean on someone and they are porbably holding you up. Packed like sardines. The person near the door has to push people back so the door can close. In Tokyo, they had an issue during rush hour where guys would feel up on the girls. So they had to make separate cars just for women. That’s crazy.

Cars here are so different than the states. They have models you will never see in the states. They drive on the left side. And they are all about the newest. Cars older than 10 years don’t exist here. They are always getting replaced. It’s not for show or fashion, but regulated by the government. They spend a lot of money to make sure the cars are environmentally safe. Also, many people rather dispose of their older car then pay all the fees and costs to maintain it. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are the biggest makers here. They are everywhere. I swear I never see a same model twice. They have so many different types. Also, EVERYONE, I tell you EVERYONE has navigations systems. Whether it’s stock or afte-market. (Came with the car or bought after words.) And it helps, because they don’t necessarily have building numbers and street names all the time. Just a corner and a block or something.
Well if I don’t gain weight by eating, I hope I gain calves. lol.

later...


Picture of my view on the bullet train







Picture of the bullet train. Can you see it?

I sleep on the floor

So, when I first got here, I was staying at a guest house owned by the Japanese Union Conference with the other missionaries. And I got spoiled living there because I slept on a real bed. lol. Had a kitchen table with regular chairs. Even had an oven under the stove. And I had a semi-regular bathtub/shower. Fixed me.

When I walked into my apartment in Hiroshima, my mouth dropped. It was sooo small. lol, This two bedroom apartment could fit in most of ya’lls living rooms. Lol. But I’m used to it now. Well, before you walk in, you must take off your shoes. Japan also has a tradition to face them towards the door so when a volcano erupts, you can easily put them on and leave. Also, right before you enter the apartment, there is my only toilet. In a little room. Only benefit is, it has heated seats, and those butt washer things. lol. Haven’t used that yet.

Well past the curtain is my living room, with a very low coffee table which heats up in the winter. I heard it’s tradition to sit around it during winter and eat oranges. Or something like that. To the right of my couch is my cupboard, It has the plates, utensils, chopsticks, etc. Notice how it’s not even IN the kitchen. Lol.

The kitchen has all the necessities. Except the oven. I heard there are not many ovens in Japan. They use the microwave for everything, It can act like a microwave or an oven. I haven’t figured out all of that yet, i just push buttons till it starts. lol.

Ahh, the washroom. A site to see. It is separated in two. One half has the sink and the washer, and the other room has the tub and water heater. All the water flows into that room where it drains into the floor. If I need hot water, I have to turn on the gas, push and turn one knob, click the pilot, hold it down till it stays lit, then turn again. Then I can shower with hot water. Wow, talk about not having emergency showers.

Our bedrooms are very classic Japanese as in they have straw matted floors, and we sleep on Futons. We have to make our bed everyday, at leased supposed to be. I just keep it in the corner. Our rooms are split by those sliding doors. The only bad part is, that smell of straw is getting annoying. (That reminds me, I forgot to buy air freshener, it’s so stale in the apartment. The humidity and all.)

I do have a GREAT view of the city. I know Miguel would be soooo jealous. I can see a river, a lil park, and buildings. Great scene at night or day. Sunday morning these guys were water skiing in the river. Hiroshima is made of rivers and little land inlets. Imagine your hand spread out where your fingers are land, and the space in between are rivers.

Oh, trash. Hiroshima is Very clean. Well, JAPAN is very clean. A lot of us American missionaries noticed that there is like not trash outside. Wherever you go. Japan separates the trash to a T. For example, plastic goes in one, combustibles go in another. They separate paper, and wood, etc. And if you are eating outside, you most likely will bring your trash home to dispose of it properly. And if there is food in the container you about to throw away, you must wash it. And this has it’s benefits. I swear I see no flies or roaches at all. lol. I know they are there somewhere, but I can’t find them. Not that I’m looking for them.

Uhhhh...I think that’s it about my living conditions. Oh, there is no such thing as privacy here. People would just walk in and say hello. So I make sure I lock my apartment door. Also, people are very safe here, as in, my neighbor never, I repeat, NEVER closes her apartment door. It’s just wide open. Day or night.

I accidently ate Octopus

As some of ya’ll heard, I accidently ate octopus. So this is the Food section of my blog. Lol. Well, what had happened was, the pastor and his wife took me on a boat trip to see a fireworks show.

Now, everything in Japan is catered. So, they were giving free meals, beer, tea, and drinks. Well take out in japan is different than chinese take out in the states. Here, they have plates that have about 6 or more different sections, with different foods. So this one, had a rice rolls, salmon, veggies, fruit, and a bunch of other meat and stuff. So, I’m picking through the food the best as I can to not be disrespectful, and I found a veggie portion. Ever since I’ve been in Japan, I’ve eating vegetables that I would never eat back in the states. It’s out of necessity. It doesn’t taste so great all the time, but brother’s gotta eat. I’m skinny enough. Well, I’m looking at the portion, and it looks like radish, and onions, and spinach. So I take a bite. Mmmm, not bad. Kinda salty. Then I look down again, and behold, my eyes lay upon tentacles. Yes, tentacles. Staring me in the face, in the midst of the rest of God’s natural plants. Obviously, I couldn’t eat anymore after that. Lol, next time, I’m just picking and dissecting everything.

Well, from what I’ve experienced here in Japan, I doubt I’ll gain much wait. All the food is sooooo tiny. I just need a good Ol’ Diner you know? Well, they love italian food. I swear there’s an Italian restaurant in Japan for every McD’s in the states. And they have many many lil ramen noodle shops everywhere. So there is always food around. They love noodles, there are two types that I know of so far. The fatter noodles called Udon, and some other skinnier type. The broth is sooo delicious. And it is VERY polite to slurp. Yes, please slurp as loud as you can. Rice is also very very big out here. Rice balls, wrapped in seaweed. Or just with your meal. Doesn’t matter. It’s white rice everywhere.

Now, the fish here is different from the states. As in, everything is Fresh fish. So it took me a while to know if I’m eating Salmon or something else. For those who don’t know what fresh fish tastes like, it’s basically salty and tastes like the sea. And the way they prepare their fish is amazing. It’s breaded, or fried, or pealed like lil paper thin pieces that they put on top of a hot bowl of Udon which tastes great. So, I guess I’ll be living off of rice, noodles, fish, and vegetables while I’m here. Being vegetarian here is kinda tough, so I wonder how long that will last. lol.

Of course western culture has it’s way here. You can find KFC, McD’s, 7-11s, and Starbucks. Yes STARBUCKS. Problem is, there is nooo Vente or Grande. Just Talls. And definitely no Super-size. Everything here is in small portions.
Oh, and chopsticks is a must. They can give you fork and knife, but Chopsticks
are so much better after you get used to it. Makes it easier to pick up the noodles, rice, and veggies at the same time.

Well, hopefully that answers some questions. Let me know if you want more info.

Long Awaited Update

As promised to many of you, I am finally updating my blog. lol. So much to talk about, so I’ll just break down each category into an individual day. I am right now sitting in the beautiful Hiroshima Peace Park. The memorial that celebrates Hiroshima as being the site of world peace. Unfortunately, it was a sad event, however, it allows missionaries like myself to enjoy another country in peace. The park is filled with students, passer bys, and old men playing a board game. I can pronounce it, but I’m not even gonna try to spell it. lol. Just a lil while ago, an 80 year-old man just sat down next to me and started talking. It was real cool. I wish I knew more Japanese So I can ask him about his experience during the World War. Well, anyway, I’m gonna discuss, Food, Living, Traveling, and People. If there’s anything ya’ll want me to share, just ask and I will try to put it up. Love ya’ll, and miss ya’ll.

-Ralph

An Indian, Kenyan, South African, Australian, and a Haitian

I just spent the last 3 hours bonding with an Indian, Kenyan, South African, and an Australian. It was the most beautiful thing ever. Just talking about different cultures and hearing the stories of where they are from or where they have visited. I have so much more to see in this world. I mean, America has limited us so much to all the wonders and amazements these other worlds have to offer.


Have you ever experienced a Kenyan talking about how Somalians and Sudanians are so ruthless, and how scary they can be? Or even hearing stories of trains filled with people that 8 people fall off and die everyday in Bombay, India. It is also so beautiful listening to them speak Zulu, that clicking African language we Americans tend to make fun of.
I am so glad I came here. I really am experiencing heave and what the world has to offer. So much to see in this world. So much to experience. True brotherhood from 4 different continents. All with the same goal of sharing the gospel.


You know that they have to pay for ice cream sprinkles in Kenya, and we get em for free! Lol. And Japan sure has some nasty food. Lol. And I’m not even talking about seafood. I mean they eat every vegetable known to man.

But you guys need to definitely leave the states and see the world. The beautiful, the ugly, the good and the bad.

-Ralph...

P.S. Hint Hint My nurse traveling friend.