Friends of Japan Series: There and Back Again…a few times: A JET Story Part 1 A - Laurence Inniss
2021/5/1
Friends of Japan Series: There and Back Again…a few times: A JET Story Part 1 A - Laurence Inniss
There and Back Again…a few times.
A JET story
Part 1A: The Journey
Many of my most interesting stories tend to begin with “This one time when I was in Japan…”, this is the first of such stories.
Many years ago, I set out on what would prove to be the longest and most exhausting trip halfway around the world. The destination: Japan. The why: for the love and fascination with its culture I’ve had since I was a little lad. You may think it a bold move to put it lightly and you would be right but it was also an easy one that I will always cherish.
Tokyo wasn’t my final stop though; it was Nagasaki Prefecture. Have you ever seen an airport on a man-made island in the sea? I knew that’s what Nagasaki airport was like from pictures and television but to be in a plane trying to land on a strip in the ocean was a bit off-putting yet exciting all at the same time. As far as first impressions go, Nagasaki was off to a great start.
My first month would find me quickly figuring out the way of life in my new home town. There are many activities happening when you arrive in Japan for the JET Programme. Starting in August there are the Summer Festivals, known for their beautiful and lengthy fireworks displays and of course the festival treats are plentiful. You can eat yourself in to a food coma with all the delicious goodness that is Japanese festival foods. Later on in October, in the city of Sasebo is the Yosakoi Festival which is truly a sight to behold. Vibrant colours, breathtaking dance choreography and togetherness abound for this grand dance festival called Yosakoi.
Having settled in for the first few months, I had made up my mind that I love this place. Bustling yet peaceful, traditional while industrious describes Nagasaki and quite possibly Kyushu on a whole. The people were welcoming, friendly and helpful. Work was a new environment just as any but the vote was in, Nagasaki is a winner!
Mini-Series Contents
Part 1: There
1A: The journey, 1B: Nagasaki
Part 2: Back again
2A: Back again – prologue, 2B: Back again
Part 3: …A few more times
3A: Jet Alumni, 3B: And then…
Friends of Japan Series: There and Back Again…a few times: A JET Story Part 1 A (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
A JET story
Part 1A: The Journey
Many of my most interesting stories tend to begin with “This one time when I was in Japan…”, this is the first of such stories.
Many years ago, I set out on what would prove to be the longest and most exhausting trip halfway around the world. The destination: Japan. The why: for the love and fascination with its culture I’ve had since I was a little lad. You may think it a bold move to put it lightly and you would be right but it was also an easy one that I will always cherish.
Tokyo wasn’t my final stop though; it was Nagasaki Prefecture. Have you ever seen an airport on a man-made island in the sea? I knew that’s what Nagasaki airport was like from pictures and television but to be in a plane trying to land on a strip in the ocean was a bit off-putting yet exciting all at the same time. As far as first impressions go, Nagasaki was off to a great start.
My first month would find me quickly figuring out the way of life in my new home town. There are many activities happening when you arrive in Japan for the JET Programme. Starting in August there are the Summer Festivals, known for their beautiful and lengthy fireworks displays and of course the festival treats are plentiful. You can eat yourself in to a food coma with all the delicious goodness that is Japanese festival foods. Later on in October, in the city of Sasebo is the Yosakoi Festival which is truly a sight to behold. Vibrant colours, breathtaking dance choreography and togetherness abound for this grand dance festival called Yosakoi.
Having settled in for the first few months, I had made up my mind that I love this place. Bustling yet peaceful, traditional while industrious describes Nagasaki and quite possibly Kyushu on a whole. The people were welcoming, friendly and helpful. Work was a new environment just as any but the vote was in, Nagasaki is a winner!
Mini-Series Contents
Part 1: There
1A: The journey, 1B: Nagasaki
Part 2: Back again
2A: Back again – prologue, 2B: Back again
Part 3: …A few more times
3A: Jet Alumni, 3B: And then…
Friends of Japan Series: There and Back Again…a few times: A JET Story Part 1 A (Japanese Embassy Facebook)