Day 2 and I was feeling great until about 6pm and the jetlag kicked in again. I'm totally exhausted, but things are still fine. I went to my new school in Akashi this afternoon. I just wanted to check things out and find out what time I'm expected there in the morning. I'll observe classes there tomorrow morning and at another branch on Monday morning. Then Golden Week...which means I won't actually start teaching til May 7th. That's going to be a nice break for me to relax, settle into the new apartment (which will be in Kobe) and take in more things Japanese!
For those of you who live in Japan or have done the visa run thing there from Korea; you'll recognize this contraption. For my friends and other watchers from Canada and places "not-Japan", this may be a strange sight. Yes...it is what you may thing. A beer vending machine on the street. They aren't everywhere, but there are some. Reasonable prices compared to convenience stores too! HeHe...I find them amusing...hence the picture.
I can't imagine if these things were in Canada. They'd be torn out of the wall and stolen within minutes!!!
This is the first time in six years that I will be in Canada for Remembrance Day. Not only am I back in Canada, but am in Ottawa and will be downtown early on Sunday morning for the parade and ceremony. I'm excited to be in Ottawa this year because this day means a lot to me. Sunday, November 11th will be a day to remember our history and those who made sacrifices I can never imagine.
A touching tribute to Canadians past and present serving our nation.
I took these pictures last year at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Korea. 516 Canadians were killed in action during the Korean War and many are buried in this cemetery. It's a powerful place to go. Often reffered to as "Canada's Forgotten War", Canadian troops distinguised themselves for their grit, tenacity and bravery at such places as the Battle of Kapyong.
if you are in Ottawa Sunday morning you should check out the ceremony.
Parade Route - Parade will march off at 1030 hours moving East on Queen Street in rear of the pipe band and colour party to a position facing the Memorial on the triangle forming the southern portion of the National War Memorial. Parade to be in position at the Memorial by 1040 hours You can see more infor about the official ceremony in Ottawa on Sunday morning here.
If you are abroad...in Korea...check out cbc.ca at 9:30pm (Korean time) for live streaming video of the ceremony and events surrounding it. (You'll need RealPlayer).
So, those who know me, know that after many years I have left Korea and am, for the time being, calling Ottawa my home. If you're not Canadian, Ottawa is the capital city of Canada(not Toronto...it's the largest city). Being the capital, it's a major tourist destination. Ottawa is home to many of Canada's finest museums, galleries, monuments and of course, the houses of Parliment.
Ottawa is also home to the Canadian War Memorial and a newer addition, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was installed in 2000. The Governor General's Footguard is a Canadian military unit famous for doing presenntations and drills every morning during the summer months on Parliment Hill.
During the summer months they also post sentries at the War Memorial. They look snazzy and when some idiot disrespects the tomb (I saw one idiot sit on it so he could get a better angle while taking a picture of his wife) they tear them a new one!! (That poor sap almost had a corinary when they screamed at him, "Get off the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...he deserved it...it's like sitting on a person's coffin). I think that another major reason for having the guards there during the summer months is to create a photo opprotunity for visitors to the city...they are a smash with camera-happy tourists.
Here's a video I took a few weeks ago of the Governor General's Footguard doing a guard change at the Canadian War Memorial.
I realize that this is a very "touristy" blog, but give me a break. I haven't been in Canada in years and it's really my first time being in Ottawa. I'm still seeing the city through "tourist" eyes.
