Day 51.

Today was my day off. I wanna go there and do that, but after working like i do here, there's just one thing on your mind when you wake up on your day off - stay in bed and do nothing at all.

Anyhow, today we had a trip to some places, which at the beginning was just awesome, but then...

So first of all, we went to this... well, place, called Village. I even don't know how to call it properly. It used to be just a typical old japanese-style house, but it was renovated a little bit, so know you can live there or do things (it probably was about to break down completely... so

the renovation is just to make it look like a house again, but they didn't change anything about it!). It's like a small cafe, they have different kind

of herb, indian tea, coffee i think. They are also selling hand-made accessories, clothes, natural skin care products, honey, spices, tea - those kinda things. The house is at a small hill, surrounded by trees, bushes and basically - pure nature. It's really quiet there, if you can read/understand japanese - there's loads of interesting books, the smells are nice, so you just sit there, listen to the nature and relax, enjoy, turn off from the world a little bit.

I really enjoyed it! After a while, with a cup of nice tea

i had to take my note out and started sketching things. Handcrafting and selling it on etsy didn't quite work for us, but the idea hasn't died in my head - i really do wanna continue it. Maybe i could go through festivals or sell it for shops like that - i just have to have a decent amount of the goods.

Japan so far seems like the best location for things like that - my own business, trying to achieve something with organic/healthy living style, handcrafting, photography, basically peaceful life... For instance, you are allowed to sell/use goods made/grown by yourself, which is barely allowed in Europe. I even started thinking about importing my dad's honey into Japan... Might be good idea actually.

While travelling from A to B, i just enjoyed the view through the window, sticking my hand out and trying to catch the wind. Just like in a movie! Just like in a dream...

Sky was still gray and scary because of yesterday's typhoon, it was still raining most of the time, but i tried to ignore that. And i fell in love with Japan again and again and i don't know anymore how many times i'm gonna fall in love with this country in the future. I find here places, i like to stay at for way longer, than i'm staying, i meet people, i wanna keep as friends in the future, i like how things go here. I try to memorize every tree and bush and flower on my way, watching with my eyes wide open - i do not wanna forget anything!

I do not why, but i sometimes get the feeling that this or that village looks just like U.S. even though i've never been there... But i just get this strange feeling, and if i followed my intuition, it might be true. So right now i would like to travel through U.S. and see if i'm right!

After visiting the Village, we just kept on driving and that where the downhill for me started... We went to Shizuoka to visit hosts' friend, who i don't know.

So we went there, first of all i didn't like the guy's attitude, but not gonna post online why. It's enough to say that i reaaally was annoyed by the way he talks, moves and does the rest. Second of all, i didn't know the guy and since there was no connection what so ever, i didn't have anything to talk about to him, not to mention, that my japanese isn't good enough to just talk about anything - i'm pretty much limited to easy topics. Third of all, i was just dragged there without even asking if i want to and that really hit the core. The rest just mixed with each other and i was really sensible, couldn't manage with the noise 4 kids around me made, couldn't manage the guy, his bigger kid, who was in my eyes, really impolite, couldn't manage the smell around me, had to do something, so i just took a note, a book and went to the balcony, it didn't hold the noise too much, but at least i had my own space, where my energy could flow around me and get free a little bit, without being choked by others' energies.

This place is a huge personal struggle for myself. As much as i like my host-family, as much as i like the place where i work, it's difficult for me and i have ups and downs to often. I often feel i wanna leave and the good part is - i can leave whenever i want, but then again - i don't wanna just surrender and run. But the line between suffering and challenging is really thin here.

Today however, i managed to fight a little bit and told them i would like to leave soon... It was already evening, so i guess it wasn't too bad to ask them this kinda thing. My host-momma agreed!

So today wasn't a good day, even though it had PERFECT start... And so after my day off i feel tired.

Day 46.

Nagomi, the cafe i wwoof at:

Day 10.

Today was a busy day. And basically, it started in the middle of the night. I couldn't fall asleep properly because of the movie (we watched The Fourth Kind) and everything annoyed me: the leaves in the wind, the fan, the clocks ticking, even my own breathing. I put some music in the ears and i gradually fell asleep when at one point, my eyes opened wide and i felt something's wrong. I ran to the corridor, where i found Kazuko standing near the bathroom, so i asked whether everything's ok. She told me everything's fine and i felt relieved and probably a little bit embarrassed for running out of the room like that and asking suspicious questions. But then, when i was turning around to go back, i hear Adam's (another wwoofer) voice from the bathroom, even though he's not supposed to be in this house in the middle of the night, and then Kazuko asked: "Excuse me, could you help me putting bandages?". Adam fell from the bike and hurt his hands and chin, so we cleaned the wounds and put some bandages on it. He was really nervous, which continued through out the whole day. And i understood him, but when i realized he's just worrying about his looks, it kinda didn't look that serious anymore. I mean, shit happens, but a scar on a chin of a man didn't hurt anyone yet. But it is his body and i guess his business, not mine...

After that i again couldn't fall asleep properly, but this time not just because of the movie but also because of Adam. My head was just buzzing with different thoughts. This got on my mood later on. In the morning, even though i was pretty tired, i even went jogging despite all the heat and my still hurting skin (from sunburn). But i really had to clear my mind. I feel this weight on me and it's getting heavier and heavier every minute. No idea where this negative energy comes from and why, but i have to accept it and deal with it.

The work itself wasn't as bad as i expected. I thought our host is gonna be totally bitchy towards us, because of last evening, but it wasn't quite the case. She was actually pretty friendly. I worked a lot though... In comparison to other days, it really felt like a normal working day. In the morning i baked french non-sweet vegetables cake and i was again totally overjoyed!

Since my cookies didn't turn out the way i want yesterday, i was afraid, i'm not gonna get any cooking tasks ever again! But i was wrong, thanx god. In the morning, while gathering all the ingredients in the kitchen, i've noticed a plastic box with my cookies, that she took for the kitchen. And that really made my morning. Big time! I was so upset about those cookies, but she even took some for her employees, so it cannot be thaaaat bad.

After lunch break i worked the whole time in the cafe. I washed the dishes, was also in the customer service, bringing the food, cleaning the tables, then was tagging new goods for sale and so on. The cafe is really cozy and has many small cute thingies! If i would live in Hino, i would probably come to Clare every now and then.

Working there made me tired, but happy, because i always wanted to have my own cafe one day and this is good experience for me. I'm glad i can see work behind the curtains, even though not everything is nice to know. It was actually pretty busy, but afterwards when we didn't have that many people i had the chance to talk to the host a little bit. She is strange... She is not the most pleasant person in the world, but i cannot just close my lips shut and not talk to anyone. I've been talking to other wwoofers about the rating we're gonna give to her after we finish our wwoofing. Most of them are gonna give negative rating, but i still have some time ahead of me.

After dinner we went to hanabi to Tachikawa. HANABI (for more pictures scroll down)!!! Actually, we left Hino way too late, so we had maybe just 20 minutes of hanabi this time, but it was still nice no matter what. Adam of course stayed at home, but all of us went there... On our way back home, part of us got separated, so we were supposed to go back home immediately, but we took a brief walk in Tachikawa before going back home. I'm going to be near Osaka and Kyoto in August, so i'm already looking forward to the festivals week, because it should be awesome down there! I have a little bit more than one week at this host and then i'm leaving to another one...

In the evening my mood got even worse. I feel this bad energy crawling upon me and it's really difficult. I wanna put on some kinda shell and just ignore the rest of the world but at the same point i also want this stupid mood just to go away and be open to everything and everyone again. As always - i'm so dualistic. I'm thinking about next year in university, about my further path, about my relationship, about me exhibition and tons of other things. And i get tired. I hope i can rest at least physically completely on my days off and hopefully it's gonna get better.

In the evening my mood got even worse. I feel this bad energy crawling upon me and it's really difficult. I wanna put on some kinda shell and just ignore the rest of the world but at the same point i also want this stupid mood just to go away and be open to everything and everyone again. As always - i'm so dualistic. I'm thinking about next year in university, about my further path, about my relationship, about me exhibition and tons of other things. And i get tired. I hope i can rest at least physically completely on my days off and hopefully it's gonna get better.

Hanabi:

Day 4.

Today i had a day, when everything made me happy, or i happened to find things that could make me happy. Either way, it's really nice.

The beginning of the day was rather clumsy. I slept really long, so when i woke up i had to do everything really fast: eat, take shower, get ready for the day and go go go go go! We still had to take care of some things before we went to the train, so we really had to be quick.

Together with Natsuko we met Mihoko today. She had her birthday, so it was nice to have dinner together and do some catching-up, since i haven't seen Mihoko for a year. (Maybe i should come more frequently to Japan?) We didn't congratulate her when we met, because we wanted to keep that as a surprise for longer.

So first, we went to the ferry wheel of Yokohama, which was quite interesting and gave me a good idea for working in Japan. They had some kinda photographer at the entrance, who takes pictures of the customers if they want to and then they can get the picture. It's nothing serious, but it would be a good starting point. I guess i would do just about anything in Japan, because it's so hard to find any job at all as a foreigner, so you have to be happy if you get some place. But working plans are gonna wait until at least next year, because right now i have neither time, nor any chances to get a job.

After the ferry wheel, we went to Sweets Paradise Buffet to grab dinner. Well, it wasn't a regular dinner, since we mostly ate just sweets, but they had some pasta and curry rice, so we did

eat some proper food as well. But besides the normal food, we stuffed ourselves with cakes, ice

cream and jelly.

We managed to grab Mihoko from the table, well, Natsuko managed to do that, and i stayed, because i had to put the candles on the "b-day cake". Since we didn't have any cakes by then, i

used the croissant Mihoko took and simply like that, a regular croissant became a b-day croissant! Later on, she told us, that it's gonna be a memory she will keep for the rest of her life. I really hope so!!! I'm happy she liked it.

Even though we didn't do that much today, i still feel a little bit tired. So i'm happy the evening brought us some wind. That heat really has the ability to tire you... Besides, every day we're doing something after all, so it's a lot to handle if you compare that to some lazy summer days, when you're just lying on the couch, reading a book or watching television the whole day. But this is so much better!

So today, during our small B-day gathering, i found three places in Yokohama, where i definitely wanna come back!

1. チチカカ店 - Titikaka Shop.

This is on top of my list. It's a shop filled with goodies in South & Central American style, and it's all handmade! They have clothes, shoes, accessories, bags, carpets, lamps, beddings - basically, everything. And it is a shop, which matches my style - i dare to say that - completely. The prices are not low, but i think it's ok for goods like that. The quality seems to be really good, they're really original and beautiful and the whole shop feels so cozy! I couldn't make pictures of the shop itself, because it's forbidden to photograph in the whole building, that's a pity, but maybe i could go there again and ask them really nicely!

I bought a nice big bag, because i was looking for one for a while and wristband. For the bag i payed over 30 Euros and for the wristband - around 3 Euros. The bag wasn't cheap, i know, but i think it's just adorable! It's gonna definitely be something that reminds me of that shop for a while...

You can find the shop in World Porters in Yokohama. If i remember correctly it's in the first floor. World Porters Mall is just next to the ferry wheel of Yokohama, close to Minato Mirai. If you like original handmade goods, this shop is a MUST for you! You can find more diverse shops in that mall and i guess, it might be one of the best shopping malls ever.

You can visit the internet page of Titicaca Shop here: http://www.titicaca.jp/.

2. 洋光台の１００円ショップ - 100 Yen Shop in Youkoudai.

Don't laugh at me, i know what you're thinking. There are 100 Yen Shops like e-ve-ry-wheeeaaa, and indeed you are right. But, oh my dear reader, 100 Yen Shops like this one are not everywhere! This one you can find just right next to the Youkoudai Station in Yokohama. Go out of the station and turn right, it's in the second floor of Peacock supermarket. It is really big and it has really nice things, not just some colorless crap. It has huge household section,

where i just melt and also fair accessories department. I bought handmade foot bracelet made in Bali, India; bear ears as hair pins (those are just too adorable!!!), an incense holder and soy sauce dispenser. I am gonna buy some bowls and more kitchen utensils later on, because today i was in a rush.

Coming back to this shop when i'm in Japan would be tricky if i'm not in Yokohama, because if i'm in Tokyo, it would be quite expensive to come down to Youkoudai. So i have to use the chance now! But if you're living, visiting or staying in Yokohama, you really want to go to this 100 Yen shop, believe me.

3.ｓｗｅｅｔｓ　ｐａｒａｄｉｓｅブッフェ - Sweets Paradise Buffet (All-you-can-eat restaurant).

This is a great place if you like sweets and you want to enjoy them with or without occasion. You are paying fixed price which is 1480 Yen and you're allowed to stuff yourself as much as possible. You have some savory things like 4 types of spaghetti, salads, miso soup, rice and curry sauce, you can drink anything you want from, i think, 6 or 7 types beverages, also you

can choose different sorts of tea. And then the best part: you can eat cakes as much as you want!! Really! They have maybe 20-30 sorts of cakes, then you can also find some of japanese

sweets, jellies, fruits and waffles. Now, sit down and read this: they have a chocolate fountain!!!!!!! That's just totally amazing! You can dip marshmallows, crackers or waffles there. You can also enjoy soft ice cream in 3 different tastes. The bad part is, that you can stay just for 70 minutes if it's crowded. But my strategy kinda worked: i didn't eat in the morning too much, so i could have some space for all those yummies.

You can find it in the new high building just next to the Sakuragichou Station in Yokohama. Just go up to the 6th floor and enjoy the sweets! If you get a table near the window, you will be able to enjoy this beautiful view:

Even though Yokohama differs from Tokyo rather greatly, i really come to like it. I found many small places i would like to go back, and next time i'm in Japan, i'm 100% going to Titikaka shop! In Tokyo you have the quantity, but not all the time the quality, which sometimes isn't that nice, if you're looking for something special. Although, that Soys Cafe in Azabu-Juuban is just amazing! I guess, a little bit more of time in Japan and i will make a list of places i love visiting not as in sight-seeing, but as in buying souvenirs or clothes, getting a cup of tea or a nice snack, eating out or just visiting with friends.

I have just couple of days more in Yokohama and then i'm leaving to Hino to work... This week was definitely nice vacation for me. I still haven't found a host in Kansai and that worries me a little bit, but i'm not loosing my faith. In the worst scenario, i'm gonna stay at Natsuko's and help out her mom, just like she said. It's not that i wouldn't like doing that, because i would, but i hope i could find a host in Kansai, because i want to visit Kansai so badly! I'll keep you updated in any case... Good night!