Vaccination Fun

During summer holidays, Mel and I are going to Vietnam and Cambodia for a few weeks. As part of the preparation process, I needed to get my Hep A and tetanus booster.

In Brisbane, this would entail going to a travel medicine clinic. In Japan, it is a little different. The first step was finding out where I could actually get the vaccinations done – not an easy task. Luckily one of the teachers I work with helped me out, went online and tracked down a hospital in Nagoya where I could get it done.

The next step was to work out when I could go. The vaccination clinic (which services all vaccinations including childhood) was only open for 2 two-three hour sessions Monday to Friday and only during office hours and a short session Saturday morning.

I took advantage of a free afternoon and went on my adventure – braving the limitations of my Japanese, not knowing exactly where I was going and the long waits between each of the many steps of the process while I was at the hospital.

I survived and now have an appointment set up for the follow up Hep A shot. (^_^)

A Trip to the Zoo

My wife is involved with the Camera Club at her school, and on Saturday they went on an excursion to the zoo at Higashiyama Koen in Nagoya. I went along for the outing.

The day started well when a Japanese women (thank you again) came up to me while we were waiting to buy tickets and gave me two free entry vouchers.

The zoo itself was enjoyable - it has a good layout and a good variety of animals from around the globe. Unfortunately the space limitations placed on the animals in some of the enclosures is a little sad.

The Robots

Yesterday Mel's father and I went to the Robot Museum and store situated in Sakae in Nagoya. The store has a wide variety of robot based merchandise priced from a few dollars and going way up. If you want a present for anybody interested in robot based toys including amime, this is a great option.

Our first stop in the museum was a ride of the Segway, a two wheel self balancing one person transport. Although it takes a little getting used to, it was fun. The rest of the museum has exhibits of the history of robots in the media and in reality. Its surprising how many robot concepts started in film and are now starting to be seen in reality, although I think I would be worried if some of the super robot anime designs started to show up. (^_^)

Sumo - sport of giants

I am one of those gaijin that thoroughly enjoy the spectacle, sport and religious ceremony that is Sumo. I went to my first tournament in Nagoya last year and unless we are travelling I will be going again this year.

Today was the last day of the January Tournament held in Tokyo. The phenomenal Mongolian Rikishi (Sumo) Asashoryu won his twentieth grand sumo tournament. His opponent for today's match was the popular Kotooshu from Bulgaria. Sumo is definitely not just for the Japanese as a participant or as a spectator.

If you decide to come to Japan for a holiday or to live - check out Sumo. The colour, spectacle and athleticism makes it a truly a great experience