Yesterday, November 27th, was the first real snow of the year here in Montreal. Not that much fell really, just about 3 cm, but it was enough to coat the streets with a slippery slickness that made driving a little more challenging. It also coated the now-bare trees with a beautiful, almost mystical dusting which made for a lovely Saturday spent indoors watching the snow fall.
And of course, I have not yet taken any photos, but now I can see a lot of great possibilities for photo ops in the upcoming months.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Bronzage
I am really missing the sunshine. These shorter days are taking their toll on me, and it is only November!
In order to keep my body topped up with sunshiny happiness, I have been taking my vitamin D every day, and I just had my second visit to the bronzage (sun tan salon).
I know it is artificial, but I don't like looking like a pale ghost; seriously, I turn practically transparent in winter!
I went to a bronzage that I really liked called Bronzage Bishop. Just a few minutes will do ya!
http://www.bronzage-bishop.com/index.html
In order to keep my body topped up with sunshiny happiness, I have been taking my vitamin D every day, and I just had my second visit to the bronzage (sun tan salon).
I know it is artificial, but I don't like looking like a pale ghost; seriously, I turn practically transparent in winter!
I went to a bronzage that I really liked called Bronzage Bishop. Just a few minutes will do ya!
http://www.bronzage-bishop.com/index.html
Desperately Seeking Onsen
I've been in Montreal for nearly two months now, and have settled in quite well. Am I missing my former home, however? You bet I am.
Although I am content with things here, I do miss a lot of things from Japan. And Susono. Of course I miss my material possessions like the car and motorbike, but really I miss cultural things, like the way people communicate, like izakaya (especially tori-ichi in Susono), and, especially especially, onsen.
In my search to replace what I am missing, I found a spa in the mountains north of Montreal. Actually, there are several, one of which is even called O-Furo (which means bath in Japanese!). And on Sunday, I went to a spa called La Refuge, which comes as close to an onsen as I'm likely to find here.
It is a lovely spa, less than an hour's drive from the city. Yes, different from onsen - people have to wear bathing suits unlike in Japan where we go naked; the water was not as hot; and, the worst thing for me - it smelled like chlorine. However, as long as I turn off my comparison-meter, La Refuge was excellent. A wet and a dry sauna, a cold bath, including a cold river plunge!, and two hot baths. Big comfy sofas to relax on, herbal tea on demand - a very relaxing day, really, and I hope to go again for sure. Or even, maybe I could check out O-Furo!
http://www.spalerefuge.com/index.php
Although I am content with things here, I do miss a lot of things from Japan. And Susono. Of course I miss my material possessions like the car and motorbike, but really I miss cultural things, like the way people communicate, like izakaya (especially tori-ichi in Susono), and, especially especially, onsen.
In my search to replace what I am missing, I found a spa in the mountains north of Montreal. Actually, there are several, one of which is even called O-Furo (which means bath in Japanese!). And on Sunday, I went to a spa called La Refuge, which comes as close to an onsen as I'm likely to find here.
It is a lovely spa, less than an hour's drive from the city. Yes, different from onsen - people have to wear bathing suits unlike in Japan where we go naked; the water was not as hot; and, the worst thing for me - it smelled like chlorine. However, as long as I turn off my comparison-meter, La Refuge was excellent. A wet and a dry sauna, a cold bath, including a cold river plunge!, and two hot baths. Big comfy sofas to relax on, herbal tea on demand - a very relaxing day, really, and I hope to go again for sure. Or even, maybe I could check out O-Furo!
http://www.spalerefuge.com/index.php
Desperately Seeking Onsen
I've been in Montreal for nearly two months now, and have settled in quite well. Am I missing my former home, however? You bet I am.
Although I am content with things here, I do miss a lot of things from Japan. And Susono. Of course I miss my material possessions like the car and motorbike, but really I miss cultural things, like the way people communicate, like izakaya (especially tori-ichi in Susono), and, especially especially, onsen.
In my search to replace what I am missing, I found a spa in the mountains north of Montreal. Actually, there are several, one of which is even called O-Furo (which means bath in Japanese!). And on Sunday, I went to a spa called<a href="http://www.spalerefuge.com/index.php"> La Refuge</a>, which comes as close to an onsen as I'm likely to find here.
It is a lovely spa, less than an hour's drive from the city. Yes, different from onsen - people have to wear bathing suits unlike in Japan where we go naked; the water was not as hot; and, the worst thing for me - it smelled like chlorine. However, as long as I turn off my comparison-meter, La Refuge was excellent. A wet and a dry sauna, a cold bath, including a cold river plunge!, and two hot baths. Big comfy sofas to relax on, herbal tea on demand - a very relaxing day, really, and I hope to go again for sure. Or even, maybe I could check out O-Furo!
<a href="http://www.spalerefuge.com/index.php">http://www.spalerefuge.com/index.php</a>
Although I am content with things here, I do miss a lot of things from Japan. And Susono. Of course I miss my material possessions like the car and motorbike, but really I miss cultural things, like the way people communicate, like izakaya (especially tori-ichi in Susono), and, especially especially, onsen.
In my search to replace what I am missing, I found a spa in the mountains north of Montreal. Actually, there are several, one of which is even called O-Furo (which means bath in Japanese!). And on Sunday, I went to a spa called<a href="http://www.spalerefuge.com/index.php"> La Refuge</a>, which comes as close to an onsen as I'm likely to find here.
It is a lovely spa, less than an hour's drive from the city. Yes, different from onsen - people have to wear bathing suits unlike in Japan where we go naked; the water was not as hot; and, the worst thing for me - it smelled like chlorine. However, as long as I turn off my comparison-meter, La Refuge was excellent. A wet and a dry sauna, a cold bath, including a cold river plunge!, and two hot baths. Big comfy sofas to relax on, herbal tea on demand - a very relaxing day, really, and I hope to go again for sure. Or even, maybe I could check out O-Furo!
<a href="http://www.spalerefuge.com/index.php">http://www.spalerefuge.com/index.php</a>
Oops!
Huge huge lapse in blogging!!
I really hadn't realized how much time I let go by between posts.
Dexter has been keeping me busy of course - and he is healthier now, too.
More updates to come. Just wanted to say that I'm still alive.
I really hadn't realized how much time I let go by between posts.
Dexter has been keeping me busy of course - and he is healthier now, too.
More updates to come. Just wanted to say that I'm still alive.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Holidays in Japan
As my first Halloween in more than twelve years approaches, I realize that Japan does not celebrate many of the holidays the North Americans do, such as Halloween or Thanksgiving (then again, neither do the Brits, or anyone outside of North America!); I reverse thought about all the holidays and festivities that I will miss by not being in Japan.
One of the things that made working in Japan quite pleasant was the sheer number of national holidays - fifteen per year. That is not including the regular summer O-bon holidays. But more striking to me than just having a day off work, I liked the reasons behind these holidays. For example, in March (around the 20th), there is Shunbunnohi (春分の日）、and in September, Shubunnohi (秋分の日) - the spring and autumn equinox. Now who else has days off work to recognize the equinox?
And like North America, there are also numerous events and festivals and celebrations that are not actually holidays - such as Setsubun (節分) on February 3rd. This festival is to celebrate the beginning of spring, and is now largely for kids. They cast beans while shouting, 'oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!' ('Demons out! Happiness in!'); in temples and shrines, someone may dress as the demon to be chased away.
Even though I'm no longer in Japan, I will definitely continue to recognize and appreciate the customs - let's face it, throwing beans to make sure the devil is gone with winter can never be bad luck!
For a complete list of Japanese Holidays and events, visit the Japan Guide here http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html
One of the things that made working in Japan quite pleasant was the sheer number of national holidays - fifteen per year. That is not including the regular summer O-bon holidays. But more striking to me than just having a day off work, I liked the reasons behind these holidays. For example, in March (around the 20th), there is Shunbunnohi (春分の日）、and in September, Shubunnohi (秋分の日) - the spring and autumn equinox. Now who else has days off work to recognize the equinox?
And like North America, there are also numerous events and festivals and celebrations that are not actually holidays - such as Setsubun (節分) on February 3rd. This festival is to celebrate the beginning of spring, and is now largely for kids. They cast beans while shouting, 'oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!' ('Demons out! Happiness in!'); in temples and shrines, someone may dress as the demon to be chased away.
Even though I'm no longer in Japan, I will definitely continue to recognize and appreciate the customs - let's face it, throwing beans to make sure the devil is gone with winter can never be bad luck!
For a complete list of Japanese Holidays and events, visit the Japan Guide here http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html
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