Monkey Business

Posted by on Oct 17, 2011 in Nagano, Travel Volunteer Journey | 8 Comments
Monkey Business

When Katy and I first met we went through our favourite movies together, as new couples tend to do. There was plenty of crossover. Katy: “Have you seen Amelie?” I had seen Amelie. “Have you seen Garden State?” I had, even though I couldn’t remember much about it. “Have you seen Baraka?” I had not, ...

The Ice Monsters Cometh

Posted by on Oct 1, 2011 in Travel Volunteer Journey, Yamagata | 2 Comments
The Ice Monsters Cometh

In a mountain town in Yamagata, people go about their daily lives as if everything is normal. Men repair potholes; women linger in shops, waiting for customers; mile after mile of soba is served in little restaurants. No one seems worried by what’s to come, and yet they know – they must know – what ...

Day One – Toyama

Posted by on Sep 15, 2011 in Toyama, Travel Volunteer Journey | 7 Comments
Day One – Toyama

There was part of me that thought we might get an easy start to life as travel volunteers. That part – the fool – was completely wrong. Between jet-lag interrupting our sleep (again) and the possible consumption of one sake too many the night before, the start of our real journey crashed in on us ...