Wow, Japanese have some strange tastes.

Today's subject: coffee. My parents brought Godiva gourmet coffee and little chocolate rocks in for each of my schools. The chocolate rocks were a big hit - they are really tiny, multiple pastel colors, and they really look like small rocks. They called them the Japanese word for the small rocks in a bonsai garden. They were great.

The coffee, on the other hand, didn't go over so well. We had given Nanbu their gift while we were travelling, so I didn't get to see anyone's reaction to drinking it. I have noticed that the coffee is still sitting by the coffeemakers at several stations.

Today I brought the coffee and rocks in to Oizumi. This morning, the wonderful smell of vanilla hazelnut coffee wafted into the teacher's room. I was in heaven. One teacher walked in and said (japanese) What's that wierd sweet smell!? They were very sceptical. They drank it, but they didn't enjoy it. I was amused.

This afternoon, one of my teachers came over and asked me about the coffee. 'Sarah, that coffee you brought, do Americans like it?' 'Yes, why, Japanese don't?' ... wait for a moment while she pulls out the dictionary 'It's very bitter, and it has a strange smell. We don't like it' 'Interesting...' I think it's fine that they don't like it - many Americans don't like flavored coffee either. But I thought it was really strange she discribed it was bitter. I would say Japanese coffee is disgustingly bitter in comparison - I often am cringing and gulping down my coffee at Oizumi - drinking for the caffeine buzz rather than the pleasure of coffee.

I told her about how I thought coffee culture was different in the US - as with most things we have a huge selection, and Americans can choose the size, flavor, caffeine, type of milk, etc. We talked a bit. Then she asked the office lady if she liked the coffee. The office lady said no. I'm taking the second bag (chocolate cream) home with me tonight. I figure I'll appreciate it more than they will! Maybe they'll secretly appreciate my taking the bag, so they won't have to drink it again!

Interesting... I thought coffee would be great omiyage since their coffee is so terrible. But just a difference in perspectives.

Hello!

School is dragging. My only classes of the week were cancelled today for mid-term preparations. So I have at least 4 days of no teaching, nothing. I thought this would have been a great opportunity to watch the Nanbu soccer team play the final game of the city tournament this afternoon - they're competing for first or second. But I asked my supervisor if I could go, and the answer was no. I have to sit at my desk, as I'll do the rest of the week. Pretty disappointing, as I'm sure the team would be excited if I were there, who doesn't like spectators? And I love soccer, want to see my students play. And it's the city championships! ( a really big deal, maybe 20 teams, and soccer's huge here!)

Anyways, I'm sure I'll spend plenty of valuable time on the internet this afternoon instead. Maybe I will have a chance to write more on this site.

But now it's time for lunch.

Sarah