Eleventy First Day

Good Evening this time... First of all, I had to say hello on my eleventy first day in Japan! (I've been reading Lord of the Rings lately.) :) If you are like me, and are trying to figure out what that means, I'll go ahead and tell you. I have been in Japan for 111 days now! I can't believe it. Sometimes it seems so long, and some days it seems like I haven't been here for over three months.

Anyway, I remembered something this morning that I had meant to say last night... I have not been good at replying to comments on my blog. :( I realized recently that I was asked a question in a comment, and never answered! Gomenasia (I'm sorry). The question was 'are there bath houses in Japan?' The answer is definitely a yes! There are many onsen (public baths) in Japan. Some of the most famous ones are north of Tokyo in the mountains. The baths are natural hot springs, and are mostly found around volcanoes. I have heard many funny and nice stories from foreigners who have visited onsen. I've heard how nice it feels to sit in the hot water, and feel the massages, and even sit in the electric chair! (Yes, there is an electric chair in the hot water... That's the source of most of the funny stories!) I've also been told how beautiful they are. The ones in the north are especially beautiful, since they are surrounded by mountains. I, however, have never and will never visit one of the onsen. I've been told that many of the short term missionaries are taken to the onsen against their will and end up enjoying it. But this is one short termer who will not be taken! If I want to sit in hot water with no clothes on, I am perfectly content to use the bathtub. :)

I know there was also something else I thought of that I wanted to say, but I forgot it again. I suppose it wasn't too important.

Both boys are at school now, on the first day of school. The shogakko (elementary school) is having an earthquake drill today, so they get to come home early. I think it's kind of funny... In the States we have fire drills and then go back to school. In Japan they have earthquake drills and get to go home for the rest of the day. I guess it makes sense, since earthquakes are more severe than fires generally.

I should probably go for now...

All my love,

Hannah