The underground trains have a bit of a notorious reputation in Tokyo and I wasn't quite prepared for the experience that was 'Rush hour'! The trains are so frequent and efficient and the air conditioning is a god send but in the mornings and evenings they are absolutely crammed to the brim. We got on a train that was fairly full and after two stops it was completely packed I thought there was no way any more people could get on but when the train stopped and the doors opened the people on the platform just turned round and backed on to the train pushing with all their might! And after that the last few became contortionists, bending their limbs into any available space (not much by now!) I would have laughed out loud if I could breath! Once the train starts, from the outsie, people's faces are all pressed up against the glass like a giant jar of pickled people or if anyone has seen that episode of the Simpsons when Maggie goes to the ball pond - kinda like that! Luckily, I am reliably informed, Japanese people don't sweat like westerners so you are spared that at least and I guess I'm quite lucky because my head is at least a foot higher than most of their arm pits! For such a polite race of people the Japanese sure now how to shock on the trains! I am very grateful that I am within walking distance of my school!
Posted by anna on August 23, 2007 3:13 PM
Your Comments
Hiya Anna
glad to find you are still enjoying the job. I read your article about sushi then read the train article and had a vision of sardines in a can just like the people on the trains.
What are the classes like and what is a typical day in school? How does it differ from what you were doing in Gateshead?
Is there any creativity or is it all rote learning as I guess that is the impression of Japanese schools or as it is in English do you follow the National Curriculum?
Posted by: Mike Carter on September 4, 2007 12:58 AM
Trains
The underground trains have a bit of a notorious reputation in Tokyo and I wasn't quite prepared for the experience that was 'Rush hour'! The trains are so frequent and efficient and the air conditioning is a god send but in the mornings and evenings they are absolutely crammed to the brim. We got on a train that was fairly full and after two stops it was completely packed I thought there was no way any more people could get on but when the train stopped and the doors opened the people on the platform just turned round and backed on to the train pushing with all their might! And after that the last few became contortionists, bending their limbs into any available space (not much by now!) I would have laughed out loud if I could breath! Once the train starts, from the outsie, people's faces are all pressed up against the glass like a giant jar of pickled people or if anyone has seen that episode of the Simpsons when Maggie goes to the ball pond - kinda like that! Luckily, I am reliably informed, Japanese people don't sweat like westerners so you are spared that at least and I guess I'm quite lucky because my head is at least a foot higher than most of their arm pits! For such a polite race of people the Japanese sure now how to shock on the trains! I am very grateful that I am within walking distance of my school!
Posted by anna on August 23, 2007 3:13 PM
Your Comments
Hiya Anna
glad to find you are still enjoying the job. I read your article about sushi then read the train article and had a vision of sardines in a can just like the people on the trains.
What are the classes like and what is a typical day in school? How does it differ from what you were doing in Gateshead?
Is there any creativity or is it all rote learning as I guess that is the impression of Japanese schools or as it is in English do you follow the National Curriculum?
Posted by: Mike Carter on September 4, 2007 12:58 AM