My Japan WWOOFing journey begins...

Yufuin Country Road Youth Hostel
Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu
WWOOF period: 27th March to 19 April 2013

My first hosts in Yufuin, Oita. It is in Kyushu and Yufuin is well known for the various onsen.

My first day did not start off very well as I arrived late. I have been contacting my hosts promptly. Arrived on time at Yufuin bus center. But I missed. The local. Bus up the slope to the hostel abd have to wait for another hour and a half. Did not want to spend 500yen on locker so sat at bus center to pen my journal and reading. I never called Ryo san about me having to wait for the bus. Ryo-san was unhappy meeting me. I was led to my room at basement and met another Taiwanese WWOOFer. She's Den and very young. Den guided and taught me the jobscope here. At 23 years of age, she is very efficient apable. I am such a blur and slow learner and found it tough to meet all the expectations.



My first few days working there were interesting as I am such a blur queen and a slow learner. Made many mistakes and I should say, made me feel real bad. Interestingly, after one week, after Den left, I performed better. My relationship with Ryo san and his wife Tomo san improved.

Work here is quite relaxed, I should say. Scheduled like this:

6.30am - 8.30am : Breakfast preparation for guests, setting up table, washing up of dishes, kitchen etc
8.45am - about 11.30am : Housekeeping, changing of bedsheets or futon sheets, vacumming rooms, mopping the floor and furniture
* Ryo-san often plays music of X-Japan or Fukuyama Masaharu during the morning tasks.Coincidentally, I listen to X-Japan and the songs of Fukuyama Masaharu too. 
The guests will often be out by 9.30am and we will start do the housekeeping, with the music blasting loudly. Ryo san will always shout 'Break time!' in the middle of work and all of us, together with Tomo san will stop work and have coffee and snack at the sofa area. This is one of my favourite moment, drinking coffee with Japanese snacks and chatting with one another. This is the time I get to know Ryo san and Tomo san better. They are very relaxed and will try to get to know me and about Singapore.

12 noon to about 4pm : Free time (I often go to the town and just walk around, sit, read and look at people engaged in their daily life...normacy)
5.45pm to 8.45pm ; Dinner preparation for guests, setting up table, washing up and cleaning of dishes and utensils
8.45pm onwards ; Free time / playing games with guests or just hanging around with guests

On the end of my first week, my hosts, Ryo-san and Tomo-san decided to close the hostel for two days so as to bring their three lovely children to a theme park.

It was nice of them to let me stay in their nicely furnished and cozy hostel. It is a sixty  year old Japanese styled house. They bought it six yrs ago nd transformed it into a hostel. over the years they have established, quitepositve reputations among backpackers and Japanese alike. As I walked around the hostel upon my arrival, while waiting for work to start at 5.45pm in kitchen, I could see why. Dark brown woodenparquet flooring, deep brown furnitures, furnished with lots of tiny decos...there are much to see here.

It was a privilege to be able to stay in the hostel all on my own. I managed to communicate with my family members through Tango and I remembered I enjoyed the time and privacy.

I also took the opportunity to travel to Mt Aso during my 2 days break. It is about 3 hours away from Yufuin by bus. The trip is really a good break and I indulged in the vast space around me. I got to see that I had allowed myself to garner pre^assumptions about Japanese being polite outwardly but not sure how they really feel or think. It could have hindered me getting to know them and allowing them to know me too. I decided to just not doubt any sincerity from any of my hosts and only in that way, barriers can be broken.

The hostel, Aso Base Backpackers Hostel is really worth to stay. Meticulously tidy and clean, and well furnished. After spending half a day in Mt Aso, I took a stroll in the small town. It has a large grocery store, book store and a botique. Spent sometime in the book store and supermarket to get food to prepare dinner. Managed to spend time taking pictures of the houses and some farms as I walked into the small lanes.

Returning from the my off days, I was looking forward to start the regular routine in Yufuin Countryroad Hostel again. I was calmer, more relaxed and remind myself to smile and be happy. Nur's reminder helps. Thank you, Nur. Words from the card by Sharifah and friends remind me of my purpose of WWOOFing in Japan. Beside saving cost, my main purpose is to immerse and understand the culture and most importantly, the Japanese. Come what may, I said to myself. A journey is not always a bed of roses. Ups and downs are what make the journey memorable and impressionable. These are the things that will teach me something and open up my mind and heart.


 Tomo-san and her very adorable children....

 

Ryo-san is often energetic. On some evenings, after dinner, he will gather the guests in his hostel to play really interesting games together.

At the end of my 3 weeks with Ryo-san and Tomo-san's family, I felt sad leaving them. I have known Chimi-san, the hardworking Korean Wwoofer and George, the 70ish year old French who makes me laugh and let me see what it means to take things easy. There are days when I was the only WWOOFer. 

Meeting guests staying in this hostel from different countries including Singaporeans, engaged in games with them under the cool initiation of Ryo-san... I had also gotten good at the kitchen and the tasks. ~_~

Cherry blossoms outside the hostel

My cosy tiny room during my WWOOFing time in Yufuin Country Road Hostel

My room is at the basement where guests do their laundry... that is the door to my room. Low door, very interesting...

Manga corner just outside my room.

One of the breakfast meals prepared by Ryo-san and Tomo-san for the guests. They are very particular about the way utencils are displayed, the location etc...very meticulous in details. I got to decide on which table mat design and chopstick holders to use for each meal.

This is the script I have to read every day before breakfast and dinner. Through a speaker to call out for the guests to come to the dining hall for the meals prepared.

The WWOOFer book. Ryo-san drew a cartoon character of me on my page. He does that for every WWOOFer. 

On one of the mornings, after breakfast, a rare sight where clouds covered the whole of the town which is in view from the hostel. The hostel is about 30 mins walk uphill from the town.

Every afternoon, during my break, I would take a stroll downhill to the town....

some of the sights which met me daily....

During one of our off-days, Chimi-san, the Korean WWOOFer and I set off to trek on of the moutains in Yufuin.

Chimi-san, who WWOOFed in the hostel for just a week. She had WWOOFed in Japan for seven months before arriving in Yufuin. I , on the other hand have just started with my first WWOOFing expereince in Japan. She is a very talented lady who speaks English, Japanese and Mandarin fluently. Amazing! We got along very well and she shared much of her WWOOFing expereince in Japan. She had her share of negative and positive experiences.

At the top, we see the whole of Yufuin!

On the way trekking down..... this old cemetry intrigued me... with all the moss and mould...

On my last night, I took a stroll outside after dinner duty has completed...

The unexpected in Japan

Arrived in Japan yesterday morning, at Kansai International Airport to change flight to Fukuoka in the evening. Finally, stepping on this land which I have longed to come but never thought it would be possible.

Saw some large men in traditional Japanese clothings and cloaks and realised they are Sumo Wrestlers. They are very well respected figures in Japan. I was like a little girl, joining in some foreigners and took a picture of them from the escalator, a distance away. What a nice opening to my journey in Japan, I thought to myself.

Till I almost wanted to take a mobile rental plan with SoftBank, an established cell phone and sim card rental at the airport.  I could not buy a SIM card as my phone is not compatible, nor could I rent a mobile phone with a standard phone plan. The reason is, they accept only credit card payment. I have only debit cards and cash to pay. But no can do. It is also quite expensive in renting a phone, on top of paying the phone-calling plan per minute.

So, I decide to be in Japan just with my Singapore mobile number. The only down side for me is not being able to Tango or Whats App so spontaneuously with my family and friends anymore.
In Japan, WIFI is rare as 99 percent of Japanese have internet on their cell phone. Then again, technology is so well advanced one can always find alternatives.

Skype on internet on a pc will be one way to stay in touch with my family.

It takes a while for me to adjust to the fact that I will not be able to chat as much with my family and friends anymore. Thats the reliance on technology, I realise. I had never done this before in all my short travel alone...using whats app. So, I should be able to get use to soon. Its just a change of mentality to talk to my loved ones by writing postcards or emailing if there is an internet on a pc.

Finally boarded the 6pm flight from Kansai to Fukuoka. This is where I had my second unexpected situation. My lugguage did not appear on the conveyer belt after much waiting. A japanese airport staff came forward and tried her best to asked about how my luggage look like. She then contacted the staff of JetStar. Soon, a JetStar staff came, asked for my boarding pass and begins my long wait at the airport for them to track the trail of my luggage.

I remembered thinking to myself, This is the first time my luggage got lost along the way. I have travelled in third world and less developed countries, with long transit hours and I always have my luggage arrived safely.

It is in this developed and highly-tech country of Japan that my luggage got lost.
What astounded me more is that the staff are not sure of the procedure in handling lost luggage. They kept telling me to wait for 5mins for the staff in Kansai to track my luggage. When I asked how would the airline handle it if they found my luggage, they are not sure and assured they will check with the head office. That answer press the red button. I spoke to them firmly trying to suppress my harshness, instructing them the airline should sent me my luggage as soon as they located and recieved my luggage in Fukuoka, at their own cost. I asked if they would pay any compensation, which they lady then apologetically speaks more confidently in English than before.
She assured they will give an allowance of about 4000yen for me to buy any toiletries and clothings. Her name is Mika.

In the midst of this, her collegue came and informed us my luggage has been flown to Sapporo, Hokkaido by mistake. That's all the way in the North of Japan and Fukuoka is in South end of Japan.

It was a relief that they found the luggage. I gave Mika my Fukuoka guesthouse address and contact, and my fist WWOOF host's address in Oita prefecture, should the luggage arrived only in a few more days. She was more assuring this time, making a copy of my guesthouse and WWOOF host address written in Japanese and promised to call my guesthouse as soon as luggage is found. She keeps apologising throughout my
I managed to contact my guesthouse through email about my situation and I would be late.

As I travelled in the subway from the airport to Kaine Guesthouse, it began to dawn on me that it is really the inhibition the Japanese held in speaking Japanese that make them seem not that helpful initially. 

Kaine Guesthouse is a place which I found much warm and assurance. The staff were really friendly and warm. It is a very small but cosy guesthouse located behind a noodle shop, literally. They were ampathetic towards what happened but I told them 'Shinbai-nai!', not to worry. Night in Fukuoka was quite chilly as I walked to look for convenience shops to get a toothbrush and toothpaste. There was a group of working Japanese in suits who exited from a Japanese noodle and sake shop, some bowing to each other and parting ways. Exactly like what I often watched in the Japanese drama. 

Back in the guesthouse, it was already 9ish and I stayed in the common area and talked more with the 2 staff. Some other guests returned, 3 japanese young undergraduate who are having their spring vocation, a young German girl who's an exchange student here and later another 3 Hong Kongers who joined in. It was such a comfortable moment with all of them, eveyone showing interest to know each other, chatting with some struggles to find the right words... though I was tired, I wanted to stay in their company. We talked, joked and shared till pass midnight. I may not see some the next day as they would have left for another place in Fukuoka. 

I felt a sense of hope at that time, that things will not get as bad as how it looks. 

So, this afternoon at 2.30pm, 28th March, as I was entering my blog, my luggage arrived.
The JetStar staff came with another middle-aged man in full suit holding my backpack with both hands and presented it to me like a gift, giving me a full 90degree bow. I could not remember how many times they both apologised and bowed. I just keep thanking them for delivering my luggage back efficiently. 

I have more to understand and know about the Japanese... and their way of doing things... and I am very very keen to... I am glad I am going to be here for 3 months to immerse in their lifestyle and outlook of life.

Last night in Taiwan, meeting my little brother...

On my last night in Taiwan, I was so so excited to be meeting my little brother, Wee with his wife and little En En. Even if it was just for less than 30 mins. They have planned for a short trip with his in-laws. They are to go Tai Chong straight from the airport. It was an impromtu arrangement to meet them.

I spend a few hours in Cheng Ping bookstore again in the morning and bought a few book.s. For my siblings... Wee will have a heavy bag to bring home on my behalf.

On the hour bus ride to TaoYuan Airport, I could not contain my excitement...Arrived in airport 2 hours early and started writing to my family. The bag of gifts and letters, I send with all my love and thoughts of them. Hope they all like them.

It took almost 40mins of standing at the arrival panel waiting in anticipation of seeing Wee pushing his trolley of luggages or with En En siting on it entering my view... I never knew it could be such a mix of excitement and slight disappointment when each time, it is not the person you are looking forward to meet.

The short moment with Wee, little En En and Ching Ling is so wonderful. Being able to give hugs to them, talking to them, seeing little En Ens excitement... and being able to pass some of my things to Wee and yes, the bag of gifts! Wee passed me a small paper bag of gifts too... cards from my sisters Bettina and Angelia and a bottle of ginseng powder and my black watch from mum. Bettina has thoughtfully packed some 2 in 1 coffee bags for me, knowing well that I will need them.

I cherish the short moment of togetherness with family as I will not be able to see them in this way for the next couple of months.

On the bus journey back, I read the cards from my sisters... their words touched and moved me, sensing how much they have been thinking and praying for me. Their love moved me to tears.

Thank you, my dear family, for being so supportive and thinking of me.
I will always remind myself to continue to be positive and enjoy the moments of my journey, taking the positive and negatives in stride.

I have since arrived in Fukuoka last night. An unexpected situation happened which I allowed myself to be upset by it...
But the night ends with much heart warming time at the guest house, in the warmth of the staff and Japanese, Hong Kong and German travellers here... that I stayed till pass midnight just chating and enjoying their company... will update in a later post...

My dear friends and family, I hope you will not be too disappointed if I could not share much photos at times... which I will try to if possible. I hope the sharing of my thoughts and experiences can also keep you interested. Thank you to all who are still taking time to enter the internet and read my sharing. Take care, all!

From the greens of the farm to the blues of Peng Hu

Arrived in Bayhouse Hostel in Peng Hu 棚 湖 on 21st March. I felt quite unsettled on the first day here. It's a transition from a home-like warmth and routine life in the organic farm to a almost ghost-like little village in Shui San 水山, the southern tip of Peng Hu.

I was adjusting my mentality and mood. After recieving so much hospitality from Vincent and Sally in 内普，Ping Tung 屏东 and  befriending the mother and daughter LiJuan 丽娟 and Little Irene 小 I, I feel a sense of lost somehow. As I walked on the lanes of this quiet town, I hardly see any souls.

In Peng Hu, the main town centre is at Magong 马公市区. That is about 30 mins bus ride. It is really best to have a scooter or car and travel in Peng Hu archipelago. I figured that out already on my first day as I waited almost 2 hours for the bus to go to town centre. Simply because I missed the earlier bus.

During my short four days in Peng Hu, figuring and understanding the bus schedule is what I mastered. ~_< Much restrictions in time as travelling to other parts of Peng Hu from town centre may take 30 mins to an hour. And buses to these other towns have 2 to 4 hours interval. That means, I can only visit one or two places each day. However, I am not dampened by it. I just want to take in the lifestyle here.

As I have to take the bus from where I stay to the main station at Magong Town Centre, in order to take other buses to other parts of PengHu then travel back to the main bus station again, I end my days just watching the sea and the clouds at the bay where Rainbow Bridge 彩虹桥 is.

On my second evening, heavens graciously granted me a gift. It was a sunny day unlike the first, when it was cloudy and extremely windy. It reveals in the skyline the orange glow of the sun while it is setting...I sat there a distance away from the couple whose silloute helps add some interest to my picture. And just pause and take in the gradual transition in the sky. It lifts my spirit and I felt myself more light hearted again.

Some young people stood along the parapet and took pictures and two ladies were equally transfixed by its beauty, snapping pictures of themselves in front of the phenomenal transition.

The park reminds me of Marina Bay in Singapore, where families or friends will come and just chill and marvel at the night skyline. Children's laughter with their parents taking their evening strolls make me miss my family's presence at that very moment. I visualise all my young nieces laughing and playing together, Victoria 姐姐 laughing along with Gabriel 哥哥 trying to chase and tease them. My mum and siblings relaxed with the children's simple joy. They will love the sight and the vastness of the space here.

I stayed there till it gets dark and I saw the moon while getting ready to leave.
'Ah! Thank you Moon... Moon Lady.' I said to myself.

Peggy came to my mind. 'Moon Lady' is the name she gave me as I love looking out for the moon at night.
'You must be watching over me behind the moon in heavens?' I thought to myself. 
'Thank you Peggy. How are you?', I spoke to the heavens and the moon.

Seeing the solitaire of the Moon glowing in the dark sky often calms me and gave a sense of assurance. At home in Singapore, I will move my matress and sleep under the moon light whenever it enters my room.

That very night will stay deep in my memory. A normal moment can be special when we stop and take in with appreiciation of Mother Nature. Not forgetting our loved ones..

The mighty sun humbly downs its radience to give way for the moon's quiet glow...

On my third night here at the bay, while as routinely waiting for the 7pm bus back to my hostel, I managed to see the lighted up Rainbow Bridge. It was cloudy that day and hence no more witnessing of the sun setting like the day before.

That's how Mother Nature is. When she grants you a gift like the beauty of the sun setting or showering us a gift of a rainbow after the rain, pause and take in the moment. It is meant for you, just you, at that very moment. The next time, it will never be the same again.

My mother's hands

During my stay in Xiang Yuan's Organic Farm, I thoughtt of my mum quite often. It's not homesickness. While working at the farm, I found myself smiling whenever I stepped among theantith my tools. I waly happy just being there a getting my hands dirty and working hard.

Under the hot sun weeding for the growing crops like t corn plants, chilli plants and to remove weeds to make coodusive space for more young seedlings. I tried

 to work fast but my perfectionistic and meticulous side of me do slow me down. My fingers on my right hand have become thicker just within a few days. The ring finger cannot be bent fully towards my palm. Every night I tried to rub on my right hand fingers hoping to make them agile.

I have always admire hands with thick fingers and deep lines scratched with cutshere and there. My  mother's hands will never be complimented as ' beautiful' by conventional description. Her fingers are coarse and thick, finger nails chipped and short. My mother is quite insecure with her pair of hands.

I love my mother's hand. They are hands with deep lines of stories. Hands which sacrificed a young woman's suppleness way too early for her dilligence and care for her parents and siblings with daily manual chores. The fingers which lost their slenderness to even more unconditional care for her husband, mother-in-law and children.

hands of sacrifice and love...

My mother's hands have never been idle. Hers is such a soulful hands with stories of selfless love for her family. My small slender hands are shadowed by hers.

I thought of her hands when I looked at my swollen right ring finger and smiled. I hope my journey in wwoofing will mould them to be like my moher's, dilligent and serving. And may it never stop when I return home... to do much more for my mum and to serve others selflessly with them.

Thank you mother, for inspiring just with your actions. And your beautiful pair of hands.
谢谢 妈妈