4/4/2010 THE BODIN GAZETTE

A little intro… Volume 4

Hello everyone! From couldn't come along Anyways, for the first March 20 to 28th we to Japan with us due 2 days we stayed in Note: Most Pic- went to Japan along to work. Japan was Tokyo, then we went tures are on the with our extended very pleasant for me, to the Mt. Fuji area for last page family in Thailand but unfortunately I another 2 days then (that’s why you’ll see was out for 3 days due the greater Kobe area some unfamiliar faces to food poisoning . for the last 4 days (this in our pictures). Un- includes Kyoto and fortunately, my dad- Hiroshima).

When I went to Japan, I people in a hurry. In addition was very fatigued, so my mom noticed the kind ethics of the Japanese people would be in a took me to see the free clinic to Japanese people. The first ex- organized line when waiting for have me lie down in rest. The ample was during greetings. the metro to come, and letting kind nurses did not only provide The Japanese has a friendly the people who are getting off me with a bed to rest, but she greeting of “arigato gozai mus” the metro to come out first. In also checked my temp. and did and they bow gracefully to eve- addition, in the train, the gov- other health matter. It was like ryone they meet, even ernment provides priority seat- a free hospital in the metro sta- strangers. Furthermore, on es- ing for the elder, the sick, the tion, and those people not only calators, the Japanese would pregnant, etc. (see the picture cared about , but also helped either shift to the left or right, in below to the left). This all re- call an ambulance and provide order not to be an obstacle for volves around the concept of health recommendations. I “treat others like you thought these people running want to be treated.” But the free clinic were very nice perhaps the best thing I and moral, as well as other Jap- appreciated from Japan anese people, are very nice, and was their hospitality I hope that in the future, you when I was sick. When I guys will experience the same was so weak at the hospitality that we experienced. Kyoto train station, ( our I wish the USA and China could hotel was in Kobe, a have the same hospitalities like good 1 hour away) I Japan. THE BODIN GAZETTE Page 2 FLUSH! Advanced Japanese toilets and bathroom!

As the told you guys cleaning and washing but- in the 2nd Bodin Gazette, tons in the toilets, and for Shanghai is going to have an washing hands, there are Exposition, as different coun- automatic soap, water, and tries will have their pavilions dryers, all in one sink! in the Expo. Unsurprisingly, Japan’s will include the ad- vanced technology of Japa- nese toilets and bathroom. Japanese bathrooms are well known as the most hy- Buttons on toilet seat gienically clean bathrooms of the world. What’s special about most Japanese toilets (especially public toilets) are the built in seat warmer,

The 3-in-one sink

RESTAURANT SCOOP: YAYOIKEN

For my first meal American food. My cous- that instead of the tradition way of the in Japan (at Tokyo), we ins (who eat everything in waiter asking you for your order and went to a special restau- a voluminous amount), providing you with menus, at this restau- rant named Yayoiken. The ate , deep fried rant, there is a vending machine that food was delicious! I or- pork with rice (see picture you add money and then you push the dered deep fried shrimp at the bottom left corner). button for the dish you would order. Out with steak and potatoes What I like about this is of the vending machine comes a small (see picture below ). This that there were unlimited voucher that could be broken in half, dish is a fusion dish be- rice refills. What’s special and you give the waiter one half to get tween Japanese and about this restaurant is an order.

The vending machine Outside of the restaurant Volume 4 Page 3

Japanese food is one of don, another delicious delica- dried seaweed, green onions, my favorite cuisines in the cy, is deep-fried pork cutlet, and even corn. world. One of the most fa- egg, and condiments over mous and delicious Japanese rice. A common presentation food is . Sushi is a spe- of Japanese food is a bento cial vinegar rice with other box, or like a lunchbox meal. ingredients. The special type A bento is usually a main of sushi is , or raw fish course with , rice, (one of my favorites). Sushi is and other side foods. Teriya- Sushi often served with soy sauce ki ,a popular Americanized and wasabi (a green Japanese Japanese food, is when foods spice) There is also . are boiled or grilled into a Tempura is a dish of deep sweet soy sauce. Probably the fried vegetables and seafood, most famous Japanese food especially shrimp. One of my that you could only find in brother’s favorite food is Ten- Japan is Ramen. Ramen is don, which is Tempura over noodle in meat- or fish-based rice. Japanese dishes that end broth, often flavored with soy Various Types of Sashimi with “don” means “over sauce or miso, and uses top- rice”. For example, Katsu- pings such as sliced pork, Wasabi

Bento Box Tempura Teriyaki Katsudon Ramen COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS  “I read through Bodin Gazette and was amazed how you wrote about Shanghai 's life. very impressive and it is " Junior Lonely Planet Shanghai " version....Great job...are you guys ready to be a guide tour in Shanghai ?”  “I love reading the Bodin Gazette. Po and Ton are doing a good job of writing about their adventures.”  “Thank you for your report! It sounds like the boys are doing well and exploring the city. How are you adjusting to life in a big city?” Our answer: We are doing well adjusting to life. We try to escape traffic and a lot of people by going to parks and often ride on the metro.  “What a wonderful newsletter you put together. It was very exciting to read all about your activities in Shanghai. I am looking forward to your Japan edition!” CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS (continued)  “It is so great to hear from you and your family . It looks like you all are having so much fun and at the same time learning so much! Thank You for sending me emails on your life over there in China, I really enjoyed reading your wonderful stories, at the same time I learned a lot about how China is same but also different in many ways to life here in America”  “Amazing!!! Priceless times with your children. Keep it coming.”  “Thank you for a very informative newsletter once again! I feel like I've just visited Shanghai my- self after reading it!”  “It sounds like you are getting to do a lot of exploring and observing -- very cool. We will be very interested to hear about the Japan trip.”  “Thanks so much for this gazette. I send each to our grandchildren. But, Ricardo and I enjoy all the news and pictures and adventures you are having. What a great school comparison.”

In Japan, we stayed luxurious among the oth- the most unique about at three hotels, one at To- er hotels, as it was by a this hotel was that the ho- kyo, one at Fuji, and one beautiful lake, and it had tel not only served free at Kobe. What I saw as a onsen (my brother will breakfast for its guests, big difference between tell you all about that) but also a complimentary American and Japanese and a swimming pool (it Japanese dinner! hotels were the bathroom was closed due to weath- TOYOKO INN AT KO- size. In all the hotels, the er). The room was also BE bathrooms were about 5 the biggest. What I liked This inn was alike to our feet by 8 feet ( see picture most of this hotel was the hotel in Tokyo. What was in bottom right). HOTEL emphasis on Japanese cul- different was they includ- SAKURA IKEBUKU- ture. The hotel provided ed free breakfast both RO (Tokyo) every guest UKATA, a western and Japanese This hotel was a hotel and traditional Japanese robe, style. a dormitory and apart- and Japanese slippers and ment for college students for our room, there were or small groups. The hotel beds available to sleep, room was pretty small, and also mats to sleep on but at least we stayed in the floor. (Futon) There that hotel about 1/10 of was also a Japanese our time awake in Tokyo. drum show, and a bingo FUJI LAKE HOTEL game at night. What was This hotel was the most Page 5 THE BODIN GAZETTE

In our trip to Japan we to write their wishing mes- travelled to many Zen tem- sages and hang it along with ples and gardens. Zen is a sub others. Also famous, is the religion of Buddhism. At Zen Zen gardens which are opti- Temples, there is a fountain mal for meditation Another filled with water, and every special thing is, in one temple time you go to that temple, to Kyoto, there is a “Rock of you are supposed to wash Love.” People believe that your hands and mouth with one will be lucky in love if he/ this holy water. Another spe- she could walk straight with CLEAN WC @ ASAKUSA TEMPLE cial thing we see at Buddhist his/her eyes closed, from one Japanese temples are the rock to another. special wood-plate wishes. People buy the wood plates

GIGANTIC TREE @ ZEN TEMPLE

ZEN TEMPLE

HOLY WATER CLEANSING

ZEN GARDEN

WISHING MESSAGES Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 6

TOKYO TOKYO TOKYO TOKYO TOKYO 3/20-3/22

I like Japan!!! I wish I could visit it again. day at the Rainbow Bridge at Odiaba. Japanese monks. We took many pictures To me, Tokyo is a crowded city with many Odiaba is a park near a river. You would here so we will show you. After that, we people and cars. Its subway is amazing think it would in New York because there rode Ginza line again to Meiji Jingumae, with more than 20 lines crossing the is a Statue of Liberty, and a river is right another park with temples and people bursting city. Even though it is a busy city, next to it. We went back to our hotel with again throwing money in for the monks. people are friendly and polite. There are a very tiring day of travel and we know We walked around the park, enjoying tak- many modern and clean facilities like that tomorrow is an exciting new day. The ing pictures and having fun talking. The vending machines that you could buy hot next day we first started the day with hav- next stop was at Shibuya, and we ate at a noodle soup by just dropping some coins ing a satisfying breakfast with rice and small branch outside of the mall. We final- in it. For the suburb town, the scenery is fish, again. Then we rode Yamanote line to ly finished our supper and then was sur- stunning, the temple is peaceful, and the Ueno Park with a bunch of Cherry blos- prised by the crossing road because of local food is yummy. From the Airport, we soms (sakura). Too bad, I lost my trans- lots of people crossing the street in all went to Tokyo by a rental car with driver portation card here, but I was lucky that directions the we were puzzled where are to get to Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It was a long 2 this was our last day in Tokyo so I don’t we going to go. We finally crossed the hour ride because of the traffic jam. For have to worry about it. Next, we rode sub- street and then went to train station going JR (Japan Rail), it would taken 2hrs and way Ginza Line to Asakusa, a big, crowded back to our hotel. We spent our night 15min because of transfer. After our long shopping street leading to a big temple packing for the last day at Tokyo, and the ride from Narita to Tokyo, We ate a little inside. There are places where people next day will be at Mt Fuji! snack of rice and fish and finished that throw money into for donation to the

We went to Mt Fuji by train, of course, and and a little piece of beef steak. I also had a pickles and small fish, many kinds of soup we rode the Choa Line (limited), and then we plate of egg and rice and dessert. The adults and soya drink and tea. After breakfast, we transferred to the Fuji line. When we got each have their own special set menu with started our trip by riding the train to visit the there, we ate teriyaki for lunch. Then we rode chicken clay pot rice, lots of small dishes. pagoda. We need to walk up 500 steps to get a cable car up to the Mt.Fuji’s sightseeing After our delicious dinner I went to change up there. I thought we could have gone to the spot. IT WAS A VERY GOOD SIGHT! I into my Yukata (Special Japanese clothing) top of the pagoda, but it was closed today. could see Mt.Fuji clearly today from top to to try Onsen. This is my first time doing When we got up there, we cannot see Mt. bottom. I realized that its base was really big. Onsen, I am very excited to try. I read the Fuji very good, but luckily, we could see There are not much cherry blossom up there, instruction in the Onsen room so I know what many cherry blossoms. When we went down, but that was OK with me. I wanted to hike up I need to do. First I will have to be naked and we rode the train back hotel. When we got to Mt.Fuji but the weather was too cold and take a good clean shower also shampooing Kawakuchigo Station (our home station), my cloudy. Never mind, maybe when I grow up, my hair to make sure that I am clean to get in brother and my cousin, Peab wanted to go to I will have a chance to come to visit her the Onsen tub. We can’t wear any clothing in the nearby amusement park Then my mom, again in summer time. You will not believe this tub. When I stepped in, the water was my aunt, and I went walking to a park near it: In the summer, it is still 32F up there on very hot but when I get used to it, I feel re- the Fuji area, Then we went home and ate top of Mt.Fuji. We took a lots of pictures laxed and comfortable. It is so good!!! I like dinner. The adults ate rice and fish including anyway. Tonight, we will stay at Fuji Lake it very much. After I was done soaking in the some sashimi (raw fish). We quickly changed Hotel. I like this hotel the best because it has tub, I quickly rinsed and changed back to my and ended our day with everyone’s favorite lots of cool places for example : big room Yukata robe and headed back to my room for activity : Onsen. The next morning I woke with 2 beds, dinning area plus large space to a good night sleep. up early just to go to onsen again for the last put on four futons for sleeping Onsen bath- The next day I woke up with the sun and time. After that, I went to eat breakfast, the house, Mt.Fuji sightseeing deck . When I went up to the Mt Fuji observation deck. Too same thing as yesterday. Finally, we headed came back from the cable car, I went up, with Bad It was too cloudy that I barely see any- out the door to ride a bus to a train station, my aunt, to the Fuji observatory. When we thing. Then, I went to have breakfast which is and then ride another train to connect to the came down, we ate dinner in a private room, a real feast. They served both American and Shinkansen. I had a kid’s meal of Japanese Pizza, Salmon, Japanese dishes like porridge with lots of Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 7

SHINKANSEN JAPANESE MONEY There are three kinds of bullet trains. Each bullet train is In Japan, we use YEN for the currency. Ap- different. We usually take Hikari because it is fast and proximately, 1 US dollar is equal to 100 not very expensive. Hikari runs 285 mph. It costs about yen. For example, a bowl of noodle is 600 1000 Yen. Shinkansen is very comfortable, in fact, it even has a clean restroom and seats that are like air- yen that is about $6. The Yen banknote has planes! When we got to Shin Osaka, my brother was the least value of 1000 and the most value sick. Too bad that happened! We let my brother rest at hotel while my relatives and I went to find something to of 10,000 Yen. While the coins have the eat at Mosaic garden. Then, we checked a mall near Mo- least value of 1 yen to 500 yen. Do you saic garden to see what is interesting there. The next day think it is more confusing than our US we woke up to a hearty breakfast and then rode the ro- mantic train. The romantic train is a train that is very old money? To me, it really is! and when you look out the window, you see a very good view of the river. Then, we ended the day by waiting for my brother because he needs to get on an ambulance to the hospital to have a checkup.

Today, we went to HIROSHIMA by bullet train from Shin-Osaka station. It was about one and a half hour ride. Then, we had to interchange to an- other train for another half an hour. When we got there, we got on a 5 minutes ferry ride to HIROSHI- MA Island. The first thing I saw were about 10 deer wandering around in an open park; they were very tame because they did not run away when we came closer to take their pictures. Too bad, we could not pet them. We had a quick lunch at the nearby res- THE JAPANESE TRAIN taurant in a shopping street. Then we went to see the Itsukushima Shrine Otorii which is the famous Red Gate Hiroshima. After that we got on the cable car to the top on the mountain to a stunning view of HIROSHIMA town and surroundings. We started hiking up more with some rests in between, only halfway , I felt out of breath already. I found myself moaning for such a long and tiring hike. But I did not give up, for another 20 minutes later, I found myself standing on the top of the mountain. I was so proud of myself for being able to climb up this high. Hiroshima I spent about 15 minutes there and started to make my way down. I noticed that it was much faster on the way down than up. On the way back ,we saw the Itsukushima Shrine Otorii again but this time its base was covered with water and I remembered this morning it wasn’t. This is because the water got lower in the morning while the tide kept getting higher in the evening. For dinner, I had Ramen, a buckwheat noodle with some meat in broth.

This year I got to travel to many places especially by an airplane to another country. I would like to share with you the process of international air travel. First you need to have your passport, a book that has your picture in it. You have to apply for your passport from the government. Next you need to check if you need a visa to get into a specific country. For example, the US resident will need a visa to enter China but no visa is needed for visiting Japan in less than 30 days. This is very im- portant because you need to plan ahead whether or not you will need a visa to get into a country.

Next is the air ticket; we bought our air tickets from the local travel agent. Some people could order air ticket online called e-ticket. On your departure day, you got to have both passport and your air ticket ready to go to the airport. Usually, for international flight, you will need to go 2 – 3 hours in advance to check in at the airport. Don’t forget to check which terminal your airplane is. Also when packing your luggage, you need to watch out the weight limit for each airline or else you have to pay for extra baggage charges. Here are the steps for checking in for the flight. First, you need to get in line for the airline’s check in counter. How do you know? You need to look at the display board for your flight information. Also you need to remember if you are First class, Busi- ness class or Coach (economy). When it’s your turn show your passport and air ticket, also weigh and check your luggage here. Importantly, the airline staff will put the sticky tag on your luggage. This tag will show where is your final destination so the airport porters know how to handle your luggage. Now come to your carry on item, these items are not allowed to carry onboard: water or other liquid bottle, sharp, flammable objects. If you have some medication, put it in a smaller con- tainer and stored them in a clear zip lock bag.

When you are done checking in, you will receive a “Boarding pass” In the boarding pass, you will find which gate your flight will be depart from, your seat number and also your boarding time. Then, you need to head to Security check and Immigration counter. When you are done with these two processes, make sure you go wait at your gate before the boarding time. Now you can relax and ready for your flight to take off.

Now is boarding time, you will have to find your seat and store your carry-on baggage in the over- head bin or under your seat in front of you. For the seating chart, I love window seats the most be- cause I can look out through the window and see when the airplane takes off , the landing ,and also, the nice views or some clouds. Aisle seat is also convenient for getting in and out of your seat while the middle seat is the least favorable.

During your flight, the flight attendant will give you some immigration form for you to fill in to show to the officer at the airport. When getting off, you need to check the monitor at the airport which baggage claim your flight will be loading. Once you pass the custom check , you can go wait there to get your bags. Then, you can head out the Arrival door to meet with your friends or anyone who suppose to pick you up. If you need to get a taxi, look for a sign “Taxi stand” and head out that way. ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!!!! TOKYO PICS

RAINBOW BRIDGE @ ODAIBA AT ASAKUSA, WE SAW A WRAPPER MAKING MACHINE

OUR TABLE FILLED WITH FOOD!