LAST 'stubby-in-japan' POST

After 484 posts (this is number 485) it is the end of an era.

I have been blogging on 'stubby-in-japan' from the time that I knew that I was going to Japan. I believe the first post was on Friday, May 20th, 2005. Man, has my life changed since then.

As I am no longer living in Japan, I will no longer be posting on this blog.

If you're interested in my life after Japan check out 'stubby-in-europe' (Pete's European Debacle) and then 'stubby-in-NZ' (name is to come).

Thank you to all those that have contributed to this blog. I know it has made people laugh, cry, angry and frustrated.

CHEERS GUYS

LATERS

Pete

Last day in Japan

I woke up early. I was tired, hung over and sick.

Today I was leaving Japan (YAY). I decided that I was going to go back to NZ and then go to Europe - WHY NOT!!!

I went to Tokyo (Honestly!!!) and caught my plane home!!!

Last full day in Japan

We woke up early and left the onsen hotel.

Yasue gave me a ride to the gym in Yamaguchi city. We parted ways. I was a little emotional. This may be the last time I ever see Yasue - I wasn't too sure.

I had a work out and went back to Hagi.

Once home I decided to pack.

After I had packed I payed a visit to Dan. Dan couldn't be found. I was a little upset by this as I wanted to say goodbye to Dan. I decided to look around the Hagi festival for him. As he is a big white man there is a good chance that he will stand out. I looked and looked but couldn't find him.

I decide to go back to his place and leave a note. Again I set out to look for him. This time I was lucky and found him. I also found Furusho sensei. He was drinking. I really didn't want to get on the piss tonight. I knew though that once Furusho got going there was no hope for me. We drank a few beers at the festival. Whilst doing this students were coming up to us and saying hello. I didn't think that drinking beer in the presence of my students was the best idea. I guess I'm leaving the country tomorrow - so who cares!!!

Furusho sensei and me went to a few snack bars, a hostess bar and a final bar for food. I got home at 4am, pissed drunk and needing to get up in 2 hours.

I was not a happy trooper as I knew tomorrow was going to be a shocker.

The penis temple and onsen hotel.

We set out early to find the penis temple. I had really wanted to visit this before I left Japan.

Apparently it is the biggest penis temple in Japan. The penis temple is used to help with fertility. Apparently, a visit here and your conception worries will be all over.

We went there and I was amazed at the types of penises that were there. There were some MONSTERS - My goodness - I was a little intimidated by the size of some of them. We investigated all the penises before we left. I was a little disappointed. For the biggest penis temple in Japan I didn't think it was all that big. DESPITE this I was happy to have seen the temple.

After that we headed to an island that I had been to with Justin and co after the festivus in December. I hadnt realised that I had been there before until we actually got there. I felt like a bit of a dick but it was a good outing with Yasue nonetheless.

After the outings we headed back to the onsen hotel, had dinner and an amazing outdoor onsen. We headed to bed early. I was very tired (and hadn't been sleeping well).

PENISES

1 big penis



Many small (Japanese :-P) penises



More penises



Wooden penises.

AND more penises

An old wooden one.



MMM - tasty!



Penises of stone nestled in the bushes.



This one has a lump - What could it be?

Tunoshima

Drying squid and fish.

Yasue

Nagato onsen hotel

DINNER - YUM!



More of dinner.



The attire of the onsen hotel.



Yasue in the onsen attire

1st day of the Hagi festival

Today I did a lot of stuff. I had to pack my apartment into 5 bags - MAN IT SUCKED ASS. I could see many possessions that I really wanted to take home that I would have to leave in Japan (Or throw away!!!) - BUGGER

Yasue came up later in the day.

Hagi was having a festival for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. We went to the festival, had a lamb kebab and saw fireworks.

On the way home we bumped into John (Matt's predecessor) and Crystal. They were going out for a beer so we joined them. In the end most of the Hagi crew met in Sais bar (only my second time here) and had a few drinks.

Yasue and I left early. We were going to Nagato tomorrow to check out the penis temple and an onsen hotel.

Leaving Presents (From the rugby club).

A 'No Side' bar bib.



Hagi Rugby Jersey.



Number 14.



Peetaa. The Kanji means -SECRETS-GREAT-MANY (Last 2).
I Guess it means 'many great secrets' - Quite fitting for me I think.

Rugby Leaving Enkai

Lots of fun.



Kissing the guns.



Posers.



The 'No Side' crew.

Rugby Leaving Enkai - More Pics.

Everyone was welcome - Even Babies!



Aichan and me.



At the bucket place (the 3rd bar of the night).



Coach Mie and me.

Rugby Leaving Enkai - Even More Pictures

A long night for this poor soul.



Pimp Mie.



A long night for Mie.



Last J-man standing.

The Leaving Enkai - The First Restaurant

The meal was overlooking the sea and a beautiful sunset.



Table 1



Table 2



At 'No side' bar.

No Side

Some teachers at one of my schools.



Spiller.



Furusho Sensei.



The 'No Side' bar staff.

It Gets Worse, MUCH WORSE.

HMMMM.



At the Hostess Bar.

Leaving Ceremony

Today was my leaving ceremony at Kawakami (one of my favvourite schools). It was nice. I received gifts fomr teh students. My favourite students are at Kawakami. They are very nice and good for a joke.

I got presented with a tie from the Kocho Sensei (maybe a hint :-)) and some presents from the students. They had all written to me.

I had to do a speech. Some of it was in Japanese but most was in English. It was actually a really well done speech and I wished the teachers and students could have understood it. After my speech I walked down the hall between the students and teachers and said goodbye to all of them. I went back to the staff room and waited for everyone to return.

I was amused at the number of girls that wrote "I love you". Of a school of 20 girls(40 in total) I managed to get 10. - Quite impressive I thought.

The day ended at 12 and I went home. I will miss the students at this school. I was a little sad to be leaving.

The day after Juu – ban

Last night we had juu – ban. It was a very hot curry. For this reason I knew I would pay the price. For the whole night my stomach had been in knots. It was very irritated.

At 8am, whilst at Koma, I was hit with the sudden urge to crap. I headed to the toilet for relief. I guess calling it relief is a little misleading. I find with squat toilets going for a crap is never relieving. I like to spend time on the toilet, read a book and relax. This was not the case. The curry had caused ‘fire poo’. It was horrible. I had to squat for half an hour and it was not a pleasurable experience.
When I returned from the toilet my JTE was worried about me and asked where I had been. All I had to say was “Coco’s Cuury, Juu – ban”. We laughed about it and mused at the stupidity of such an act.