How to Travel in Japan Cheaply

Autumn afternoon at Lake Sanaru, Hamamatsu

Side note first: 

Lately, I haven't been writing regularly because my busyness is killing my creativity. I'm working 10-12 hours a day, 6 days a week. I also have church responsibilities on Sundays. There's no time to think and allow ideas to grow. It's really true that too much work can drain art. (Art, really? hehe!) I want to write at least 3 times a week but whenever I open my blog, I'm just staring and staring on the screen. I'm not complaining about work, just hoping I can have more time to think and write. So that's about the side note.

It's no secret that Japan's an expensive country to visit and explore. I've been around several countries in Asia and so far, Japan has the priciest accommodation and transportation. Justifiably, the accommodations in Japan, even the youth hostels, are really clean and safe. The transportation system is dependable and efficient. Still, wouldn't it be nice to save some Yen while enjoying this country? 

One secret to travel cheap here is by using the Seishun Juhachi Kippu. In Translation it means, Youthful 18 Ticket. (Juhachi= 18, Kippu= ticket). It's a collection of 5 tickets to JR local trains worth 11500 Yen. 

What Flowers to Give?

One of my Business English classes ended last week. As a way of saying thank you, my students gave me a bouquet of assorted flowers. I don't know the names of the flowers; I just know they're beautiful. I received a few bouquets of flowers on my last day in my former school, too. The few schools I substituted during my first months here also gave me flowers. When I was a guest speaker in a community English class, I got flowers. I'd probably get flowers in March when I bid farewell to my current school.

In Japan, giving flowers is a customary way of showing professional appreciation.Giving flowers is not only for women. Schools and companies also give "flowers of appreciation" to male employees. Also, the more elaborate and more expensive the bouquet, the more it shows how appreciated you are. From the grapevine, the principal in my former school got a bouquet worth 20,000 Yen during his farewell party. (That's 10000 PHP or 200USD!) I find it quite extravagant. I'd prefer cash. (haha!) But well, that's their culture and that's how they say a big THANK YOU.

Why My Heart is in School?

photo credit: http://mommywrites.blogspot.jp/2010_08_01_archive.html

If I were rich, I'd use a large portion of my money supporting students. If I were poor, I'd find a way to support at least one student. No matter how much I earn, I vowed to myself I will do my part, big or small, to help send someone to school.

I'm from a lower middle class family with 6 other siblings. My parents can't afford to take us on trips or buy us things that would expose us to a bigger world. Schools did that for us. We had our first computer when I was already in 3rd year high school. The priciest gift my parents gave us was an encyclopedia set paid in installments. We had the streets if we want to go beyond our small home. We had a TV if we want to see other things. The environment I grew up in is limited and I would have stayed limited if I didn't go to school.