Nearly home

Well I'm on the last leg now. I'm on the train to
York at the moment and
London is predictably packed on a Friday! Bad tempered people fighting
and sprinting down the platform. You don't get that on japan!

Nearly home

Well I'm on the last leg now. I'm on the train to
York at the moment and
London is predictably packed on a Friday! Bad tempered people fighting
and sprinting down the platform. You don't get that on japan!

Nearly home

Well I'm on the last leg now. I'm on the train to
York at the moment and
London is predictably packed on a Friday! Bad tempered people fighting
and sprinting down the platform. You don't get that in japan!

Departure

The city university students from 2008 took me out last for probably the best meal I had here. After just five hours sleep I am now at the airport and will be off to the gate soon. Pretty tired but at least it means that I
might sleep! Talking of best meals, I just has the worst. Breakfast at burger king. Yuk!

Yeeeeeaaaaaay!

I have finished all my meetings!!! All seemed to go pretty well too! I rewarded myself by blasting my ears with deerhunter and then
a coffee in pacific coffee.

With Winnie at the Jockey Club

phew

Been a bit busy over the last couple of days. I was at Chinese U yesterday and met up with Winnie and her colleagues. I gave the presentations and we had some, what I think were, good, positive discussions. They took me to (working!) lunch at the Jockey Club and then I rushed off to Kowloon to see an alumnus before heading back the hotel for ( a much-needed) 10 minute power nap! Then it was out again to meet Mike from Lingnan.

rush rush rush

Had a good presentation and meeting at Lingnan yesterday and now off to Chinese U!

Work

A couple of hours preparing for Lingnan today and City U tomorrow followed by CELT e-mails. Now I have finished that I have some free time .... to work on my MA assignment before I head off to Kowloon Tong to meet Mike.

Hotel

How about this for a room with a view??

Coffee

Woke up at 5 but then slept for another 3 hours so that makes 10 hours altogether! I feel better now that I normally do in York ha ha.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Off out straight away for a coffee which I am enjoying right now. I don't think I have ever seen the streets so quiet!

Monday night

Did some work in the hotel and then headed off down Nathan Road for something to eat. Hassled every few steps by guys trying to sell me a tailor-made suit. They have this very clever technique of greeting you like they know you so you have fight the urge to respond to them. This turn-taking behaviour must be hard-wired in my brain. Anyway, I am becoming very good at avoiding eye contact and walking past them.

Back to the hotel and bed at 10 .... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The flight

The plane was packed too so I ended up being wedged into a window seat. It wasn't so bad but I do like to stretch my legs from time to time and I felt bad disturbing my neighbours. I arrived OK too and I thought to myself I really must get the name of the hotel written down in Cantonese so that the taxi drives know what I am on about .....

When I went to check in I was told that there were only smoking rooms available. She said that she would come up with some air freshener if the stink was that bad... Hmmm, nice, poisoned twice over. I started to complain, she made a phone call and suddenly there was a no-smoking room available after all... bizarre. Anyway I am in it now, smelling its sweet air.

In my seat now! Hope the video works cos it isn't now!

Hong kong

Well this is my first ever mobile blog on my new phone. I'm sitting in a packed pret a manger drinking some disgusting coffee. Why didn't I go to costa?? It's so packed here that they wouldn't let me through security yet. I was hoping for a quiet corner to do some work for a couple of hours but it doesn't sound like that's possible anyway!

Kofu

Now I am in Kofu in my boiling hot room getting ready for the day at Yamanashi PU. I was taken for an Indian meal last night by the Takano family. It was very nice but I was so exhausted!

Weekend

Saturday morning was off back to Tokyo - I seem to have done an awful lot of dragging my cases around Japan at the moment. Though I arrived later than I wanted I actually had some time to watch a bit of a DVD! Then it was out for a Korean meal with former students.

Next day I met with another student who had been on the Link course and she helped me with shopping .... very busy round Shibuya and Shinjuku!

Dinner in Nagoya

The dinner conundrum was resolved by having it with staff and students from 2009 and 2006. Really nice food and a couple of beers after the presentation to NUCB staff. I think they liked it. One of them asked me for a job!

Nagoya

Been so busy haven't had time for this blogging business! Working all morning (Yamanashi want me to do three different presentations next week!) and then off to a meeting and then a dinner. Back late. These dinners in Japanese restaurants seems to last a long time! That's pretty much how the last few days have been.

Last night we were taken to the same tofu restaurant that I was taken to by Doshisha staff five years ago........... There weren't quite so many courses last night and it wasn't ALL tofu either!

Now I am in Nagoya, sitting in an "Excelsior Cafe" waiting for them to let me into my room. I arrived half an hour or so ago on the Shinkansen - I was on "Hikari". Amazing machines.

Today I have two meetings, one presentation and so far two dinners - haha. One of them will have to be sacrificed. Koryo students from a couple of years ago invited me to a German restaurant :) but then the staff and last year's students invited me out too last minute. Not sure yet how this will pan out. Jenny has gone off to Tokyo so that is the end of the joint CELT/IO bit of my visit.

Kansai tour

Yesterday had a meeting first thing at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. It was first time there and there nibbles of interest in a possible new course for their staff. I then dashed off to Kobe on the train for a meeting at Konan' Women's University. After that I met up with the five York students and then headed off with them to Osaka for something to eat. We went to one of these places with little private cubicles things with the sliding doors. The staff knock on the door to deliver the food. I finally made it back to Kyoto after midnight..... at least the meeting at Kobe College is in the afternoon!

Public holiday

There was another wedding in the hotel today ... obviously the season for it.

Went to Karaoke last night with people from many UK universities and what I lacked in skill I made up for in enthusiasm so I think I represented York OK .... they weren't 100% impressed with my choice of Elvis songs though.

Worked this morning, then meant to head off to Nara in the afternoon. I was half way to the station though when I realised I had forgotten my train pass. So, I decided to get to know Kyoto a bit better. Went to a temple and then up to the river where I had a lovely walk in the sun. Sat and read for a bit, watched the world go by. I saw one guy with his cat sitting on his shoulder. I think I might try this up and down the Ouse with Franz.

Then back to the hotel to prepare for Ritsumeikan and Konan tomorrow. Think I just about have the presentation sorted now.

Kyoto streets

Kyoto streets

Lots of girls in kimonos

food ....

This is where I had lunch yesterday. You pay and select your food using this machine.

Kyoto

I moved rooms today - when I saw that some rooms had views of Kyoto castle rather than a building site I enquired it was possible to move. It was, but not to those premium rooms. Still, it is better than the building site!

Whilst having breakfast there was a rehearsal for a wedding which was to take place place pretty much is the lobby with people like me gawping at them over their bacon. I think they were going to close some blinds for the real thing but this was a full dress rehearsal with all the people involved complete with keyboard like mine, flute and a Westlife tune (I didn't know that, I just looked it up on Google!).

After that I spent the morning/afternoon ploughing on with studying and taking part in the online seminars. My tutor called one of my contributions excellent! What a swot.

Took a bit of time off for a coffee and fresh french loaf "sand" from the coffee place round the corner and then watched The Office. OK OK I know you will all probably think I should have been visiting temples and the like but I have been here before and this was just about the only time I have had to relax and not do much! I think I needed it - I might even have a bath later!

Yesterday

Spent the day working in my room and also went to the British Council briefing. Just about worth going to, I guess. Then in the evening it was off to Kunadachi to meet students and staff from Tsuda. There were about 30 York summer course 'alumni' there, which was nice. Two students sacrificed themselves by sitting next to me and did their best to entertain me while the other mostly enjoyed catching up with their mates! It all laste about six hours and then I got lost in Shinjuku - I think someone had removed all the signs whiile I was away.... I wasn't best pleased at the time as I was a little weary.

Apart from at breakfast, when I bumped into someone I had met the day before, I haven't had to listen to my own voice all day ... :)

Kyoto

Finally arrived in Kyoto ... had a nice ride on the Shinkansen. Did some work, listened to some music and watched Japan flash by. It's much further from the station than I thought - I am sure it was supposed to be right by the station. Anyway, it meant that getting here was much more difficult than I thought it would be and there is not much round here ....

Typhoon

Well the typhoon finally hit .. though it was a typhoon of students ... I just spent the last 5 hours talking. Mostly about things I didn't quite fully understand. So I guess no change there then. haha. Felt like telling myself to just shut up! Need something to eat and a beer badly ....

On the way back to the hotel. Staying just across the road from here.

My trusty wheels

well so far the typhoon hasn't materialised and it's a lovely sunny day!

Just back from Tsuda College. It was a bit of a nightmare getting there as most trains were cancelled because of the Typhoon, apparently. We had to go right round the houses and after I got off a stop early (I panicked, attacked the doors with my umbrella only to find that the station we wanted was 'next'....) we were about an hour late. But the meeting went well and I have an hour before going off to the agent fair. I have a feeling I haven't really done my homework properly for this.

yesterday

Yesterday at TWCU

yesterday

Turned out to be a long one yersterday! Left the hotel at 10:30 and got back over 12 hours later! The presentation went well though and they loved the video! Spent the afternoon with students/Miho and Martin. They were supposed to come and ask us about York but I think we only had two in the end! Went out for a meal with Martin afterwards and I was almost falling asleep by nine .....

And then couldn't sleep at all last night so I'm knackered now with another long day ahead! I maanged to get another coffee from across the road though so that is doing its work as I write :)

It's raining but no real sign of the typhoon proper yet. Everyone is talking about its approach with some dread.

Typhoon

well so far it is just a bit of drizzle .....

slept really well - better than ever in York! Only woke up the once. Just grabbed an 'excelsior' coffee from across the road - somehow the green tea in the room wasn't right before breakfast.

food blog

had a nice pork noodle soup :) washed down with a couple of asahi. Just across from the hotel so I am back now and ready to sleep. zzzzzzzzzzz

weather

we are just waiting for the typhoon to hit, apparently. Nice.

Low-rise Tokyo suburbs from the train

Train

This is the Narita Express I got from the airport

Arrival

well I have arrived in Tokyo. The flight was fine - apart from the rubbish films but at least I got some cup noodles which were only meant for business class passengers - I was advised to hide it from the Japanese staff ....

The hotel is huge and I am on the 23rd floor so you can imagine perhaps how much I enjoy the view.... I must admit that I felt more at home in my small place in Kichijoji - this is a real business/tourist hotel and I would normally avoid such places but then well, I guess I am here for work! My room is correspondingly palatial - clearly the type of place that NYS are used to booking for University staff!

The building opposite is full of ranks of salarymen ... or at least it was - they've gone off home now! Clearly already done their bit for the economic recovery in their normal working hours.

Perhaps the best thing so far about being in Japan is how friendly people are. A woman tried to help me with directions today, which didn't really work as she didn't speak any English and my Japanese has declined since the heady days of being in LFA level 2.

Met up with Jenny from the International Office to coordinate movements. She's gone off to a meeting with agents and I am about to have a meeting with the shower. Something which is most needed. We might meet for dinner later but that might depend on if she is bringing the agents with her.

Google video chat works an absolute treat here!

Departure

07:53

well I'm off this morning. Vastly overweight (and that it my bag not me) but apart from taking out a couple of shirts maybe there isn't much I can do about it. I hate this bit - checking you have everything, thinking you might have forgotten something, but that's probably just me being mental. Anyway, the taxi will be here soon, then train to London and flight direct to Narita, Tokyo after that.

Packing day

OK so now it's the last chance to pack everything I need .... got loads of promotional stuff which weighs a ton. Hopefully I won't have to repack everything at the check in counter like last time. That sweet JAL lady was surprisingly firm and could not be won round with my charm haha.

My new e- reader touch should come into its own - you can actually buy e-books that are not more expensive than the hard book hand-quilled ones. Must remember to load them ..... should I take the Bolano book as back up though? I only have 20 kilos ....

Got four or five new albums to listen to as well :)

eeek it's past ten - better get packing. I have done nothing yet! But mostly it's all ready.

Japan

OK here we go ... Japan now. Tickets. Check. Hotels. Mostly. Meetings arranged. Some. Packing. None.

bye bye

Well I'm off now so this is the last post from China - see you in the UK!

Saturday

Hmm, for some reason my photo won't upload to the blog .... anyway, a student took me out round the Lake today. We walked for a bit and then hired some bikes which was great - apart from the fact you had to dodge the masses as you cycled along the causeways. We stopped off along the way to look at tombs, temples and places of study. All very nice - saw a guy doing some tai chi on the top of a rock and wished I had kept mine up - or at least found a decent teacher.
Shadi then insisted on taking us to the Shangri-La for the buffet lunch they do -apparently it's famous - I can agree with that ... for the prices probably. I was outraged at Y560 and that must have been a fortune for her. It was full of older fat foreigners and not my kind of place at all - I would have been happier with a sandwich by the lakeside. Anyway, some things I guess we have to endure.
Afterwards I sat by the Lakeside and watched the sun go down while reading an e-book.
Later, dinner was a hugely challenging experience with noone in the 'western' restaurant I was directed to by the hotel staff speaking any English at all and I am afraid that my Chinese has not really improved. I found myself trying to mime 'french fries'. Needless to say, I didn't get very far and I caused the usual mix of terror and mirth.

Friday

I spent the day eating and being driven around in big black cars .... the lunch I had was at least 10 courses and this was just two hours or so after a huge breakfast (bacon at laaaast!). Had a good meeting at Zhejiang University though. They have an immense modern campus - makes you realise how old and small York is! They are keen on a course in Feb next year - I hope IO will help as much as they said they would!
Spent the afternoon doing budget projections in my room. hmmm.
Ended up in another Japanese noodle place where I terrified the waitresses once again. At least this one was nice and especially with a couple of Asahi :) On my way there a young lady asked me for a massageee ... I made my excuses and left. Now for a DVD I think.

hotel transfer

The driver had no idea where it was but we made ... this is a slightly nice place and i don't get stared at so much! I'm on the 14th floor so maybe you can imagine how much I enjoy looking down ...
After a pretty awful dinner in a Japanese noodle place (I should get a medal from the University or something as it only cost about £2.00) I went for a walk along the Lakeside. Not exactly quiet though, with a kind of Chinese techno blasting out and ranks of massed line dancers doing the moves. I think I might start something similar in museum gardens!

Breakfast

Well I just used 100% of my Chinese vocabulary at breakfast! I had a noodles, a meat packet and corn and some green things of unknown origin - all very nice. It's a good job you don't need to eat so what we might call politely here, so I was able to slurp up the slippery green things without causing offence!
I'm changing hotels today so that will be my next challenge and then on with some work .... I have no meetings today but that is no bad thing after yesterday's 12-hour shift! Some students offered to show me round at the weekend so that will be nice.

This is the ZUT campus - huge!

and here I am having yet another huge meal with ZUT staff. After this we had a meeting to talk about contract nitty gritty - they finally dropped Northern Ireland! But at what cost .... Then I gave a presentation to their studnets - and most of them seemed really bright and keen which was good to see. I was whisked for dinner after that - but it was at a steak house! There were no fries though but that's no problem as I can have them for breakfast! ha ha!

we stopped for a couple of pics of the west lake as we drove to the University

Dinner

What we could choose from ...








Eating it with Grace, Roger and May

My rooms and its views across Hangzhou!

Dinner

Just back from dinner with the director, Roger, who seems a nice guy. Went well but I need some sleep!

Arrival

I finally got here ... after a three hour delay in Hong Kong I was put on a China Eastern flight and then they told me they couldn't find my bag so for a couple of hours I was facing the prospect of dinner and presentations in jeans and a T-shirt ..... they found it though before I got round to shouting at anyone. Not really what you want at what was about 3 in the morning!

Met at the airport by Mei and then checked in and straight off for coffee with her and Grace and now I have less that an hour before dinner with the director! Full itinerary for tomorrow too. They seem really nice though .... but I am just exhausted. I have been up for over thirty hours!

Hangzhou seems busy, green, high rise, modern. Perhaps not the image that is portrayed in the UK.

Departure

Well I managed to get up and 4.30 for my 6.00 train to London. I can honestly say that I can see nothing good about getting up at this time. Except maybe to remind you how delicious sleep is. Even the cats were still asleep!

multiple stabbings

well I have had my jabs .... after being admonished by the nurse for leaving it so late. Polio, diptheria, hepatitus, tetanus, typhoid .... nice.

Busy packing now and having all the usual agonies about what to take!

visa

it arrived the other day so there's nothing stopping me now!

well i have my letter of invitation and some rather horrible looking passport photos for my visa application so this is sure to get more exciting soon ..... honest ..... with pics and everything...

confirmed booking

finally did it today and I'm going a day earlier! Here we go then. Now I just have to start sorting everything out. Accommodation, visas, meetings, transport ....

OK so not quite China yet... more like Wales

actually it's not quite booked yet - will sort it out in the morning. With the tricky return journey time it is hard to fit in the two meetings I need to have.

The start

Just started things off now ... booked my flights to China today! Need to sort out that visa now ....