Sushi Deshi, 1 year in Japan

So, Aude arrived on the 10th of August at 23h, Haneda Airport. I`ll remember this date!

We had been almost 5 months away from each other, and this was enough. We didn`t really have time to think about how to react after such a long time, since we had to rush to get to Narita airport to catch our flight for Hokkaido. So I guide her through all these foreign signs and I have to confess I was proud to lead the way, I remember how lost I felt when I arrived at Narita, So I made it as smooth as possible for her.

After a few hours of break in the airport, we flew to Hokkaido for a road trip of 9 days! It was awesome. At first I was planning not to have any plan, and go with the flow. But many Japanese people told me "you should book". I was like "Yeah...". They were like "No, really you should book". And when I realized our trip was coinciding with the annual Japanese Holiday week, I pulled my fingers out and start booking all these nice Ryokan hotels. I don`t regret it now.

We went from the land of Hot springs (Noboribetsu) to the land of Bears (Shiretoko) going through the highest mountain of Hokkaido (Mount Asahi-like the beer- Dake, 2400 meters), visiting farms filled with colorful flowers and lavender fields. We ate eggs that were cooked by the steam of volcanos, saw some deers, bear poop and swim naked in a public hotspring. In one word, Amazing. If you don`t believe me, check the pictures below. (Spoil alert: There are no pictures of the hot spring)

After Hokkaido, we went back to Tokyo, where Aude was really expected by everyone! We were invited at many occasions, and everybody was very nice to her. I suspect they want us to stay :)

As an exemple, one of the student at the dojo, told me he`d like to invite us for dinner, as his wife is a very good cook. On the same day, there was a matsuri (festival) close to his house. So we went there, had a look at the matsuri, and went at his place. It was a family birthday dinner.... We felt so embarrassed at first, but everybody was so nice that we quickly forgot. One week of nice people, and nice encounters.

After that, we flew to Bali to celebrate Sensei Jon and Sharon`s wedding. I was very glad to see some friendly faces. As much as I like living in Japan, It made me feel that I still want to go back to my life in Melbourne. So it was great to catch up and we partied like it was 1999.