A quiet one

Well I had a tremendously dull weekend. No one's fault but my own really. Friday night was the speech by my fellow CIR, Mario. He comes from Peru and so spoke about his country since everyone is so curious about it. It was an interesting hour or so. Unfortunately he had some trouble with the computer and his powerpoint production was slightly painful but it was informative anyway. It made me want to visit and have a squiz around. After the speech was over we stayed and were jumped on by various Japanese people all eager to use their English. Personally I don't like the idea that someone is only interested in talking to me because I happen to speak the language they are trying to learn, so I made little effort to become friendly with anyone. When they did talk to me I replied in Japanese, which is my usual tactic for getting rid of those who are only interested in English and not in me. Unless I am being paid I am not going to stand around talking to native Japanese people in English, after all, I didn't come all the way over here for that. After the speech a few of the foreigners went out for some beer and I tagged along. Unfortunately my night was cut off early, as it tends to be, by the need to catch the last train home.

Saturday I spent a good deal of time in the library in Okayama looking for and reading books. It was nice, but way too many screaming children for absolute relaxation to kick in. If you can't keep your child quiet for 5 minutes together I will give you a tip; don't take them into places where it is expected you be silent! So after about an hour I left in disgust and sat under a tree next to the main road, which was somewhat quieter. The best part of the weekend was chatting to some old friends who have found their way back to Japan. Plans for catching up are under way and I am HEAPS excited about that prospect. Next weekend I am going to go somewhere interesting I promise, then I can write about something more interesting than children with no manners being loud in quiet places.

YAY!