Random

Here are some random pictures . . .

Matt and I sitting down by the beach playing backgammon and getting lots of stare downs!

Date night on the porch!

We were invited to one of my students houses for dinner. It was a beautiful apartment on the 26th floor.

Construction near the school . . . not quite sure what they are doing.

These ladies were just walking down the street. Matt was embarressed but I asked them for a picture. They were so happy!

Ramen

In Japan different regions are known for certain kinds of food and Fukuoka is known for ramen. It is basically noodles in a pork broth, not to be confused with Top Ramen. Another part that is specific to Fukuoka is "kaedama", this is an extra portion of noodles you can ask for after. Noodle shops are all over here.

This one that we went to is popular for lunch. You buy what you want at the vending machine and then hand your ticket through the private window stall you sit in. It's definitely an experience.

Don't worry even though you can barely see her, this lady bows every time she leaves your window.

This place had a menu in English, which is not very common.

Fukuoka Fish Market

We finally went to the fish market here in Fukuoka that is held one weekend a month. Tons of people go and leave with suitcases full of fish. It was pretty cool, but the smell was unbelievable and I'm not quite sure they would pass code in the States.

Just sitting on the floor . . .

They had this fish on display. It was enormous!

Random baby I snapped a quick picture of.

Volleyball

What should I say about our volleyball team . . . they like to have fun and that doesn't include winning! Even though I can count on 1 finger the amount of wins they had this season, Matt and I did have a lot of fun coaching. The girls' team went to Sasebo (near Nagasaki), Hiroshima, and Nagoya and the boys' team went to Kyoto and Kobe. They improved a ton this year.

Our team with Hiroshima's team!

Matt and I look down the bench during the first game against Hiroshima and one of our girls is eating a fried chicken patty. She says, "I was hungry!" We couldn't stop laughing . . . only in Japan!

Waiting for the shinkansen (bullet train)

On the Navy military base in Sasebo for a tournament. The girls kept asking, "Is this what America looks like?" Also, they ate Taco Bell for the first time and loved it!

At the beginning and end of each game the girls have to stand at the end line and in Japanese basically say thank you very much and bow. After they have to go to the ref, both coaches, fans, and game workers and do the same thing.

Korean BBQ

So, this is one of our new favorite restaurants in Fukuoka. It's down the main walking street about 10 minutes by bike from our house. We have no idea what the name is, but it's korean bbq which basically just means cooking meat on your table. We also love the bibimbap, a signature Korean dish with rice and a bunch of other things cooked in a hot bowl. Overall, it's a really cool experience.

Front of the restaurant . . . nope definitely can't read the name!

You'll notice that nobody is wearing shoes. The floor is tatami the traditional Japanese flooring.

Our best friends here in Fukuoka . . . Aki, the music teacher and from Fukuoka, and The Bucks, Ashley and Matt (4th grade teacher).

So, someone could probably make a fortune doing English translation for the menus here in Fukuoka. I'm pretty sure they just put it in google translator and this is what they got.

"It is chiken's thigh. It is a hard and deep tasting." Yummy! That description is so appetizing!

Our waitress stirring our bibimbap. It comes out almost like how fajitas at a restaurant and there is a raw egg on top that they stir in.

Matt and Ashley