We all went out with our professor to a Irish pub called Molly's. Molly's has a beautiful front window facing Hakata. However, Molly's front window is four stories up. Molly's front window is also the MEN'S BATHROOM! The urinals face the street - I don't know if the people below can see us or not. Another strange thing in Japan. However, despite the interesting bathroom arrangements, Molly's was a heck of a lot of fun. It was the first time in Japan that I had a Guiniess, a scotch (Oban 14), and a steak (in sweet peppercorn sauce, served on an absolute MOUND of delicious mashed potatos) - a gourmet way to be reminded of home.
On Thursday, we had our final presentations in Asano's lab. It was good to show all the work that Alex and I finished together. We also got to show off for everyone by playing a few games of Janken versus them.
We graduated! I was really proud to receive my diploma.
The farewell party was bittersweet. I wore my yukata and despaired about not having the right shoes (in fact, I had even forgotten my sandals, making a stockinged feet appearance very likely). However, my lab group, listening to my musings about having a pair of tabi boots (jikatabi) arrived with a gift - a set in my size! Thanks to them, I am the proud owner of one of my new favorite types of footwear - too bad I can't wear them often in the states. I had a blast talking with all of the people I met here. We also got to see some taiko drummers and a short Kabuki-style dance piece. I also got to see one of my host families again as the Kim family showed up. We then sang a few songs, then it was all over.
I went to the computer lab as ordered and packed up my stuff there. I cannot believe that it is the last time that I will see that room (at least for awhile). I saw a few of my friends there, took a few pictures.
I went upstairs again to thank the Asano lab guys and Asanosensei himself. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to make any of my reservations at all, nor have jikatabi! They're really a great group of guys, and I had a blast with them.
I finally went to the clubhouse and said goodbye to all of the clubs that I had participated in while in Hiroshima. Karate, judo, kendo, aikido, power lifting, and boxing were all part of my life here, boxing most of all. I took a few pictures of the boxing club house, as I wouldn't have had any otherwise. It was dark and abandoned looking, as there's no club meetings this week, but you can imagine there being 4 or 6 Japanese guys in here beating the crap out of themselves. Picture me by myself as I weigh 30 kilos more than any of them, putting new dents in their heavy bag and scaring the little guys about how hard I can hit. I love boxing.
At night, we drove 1.5 hours away for dinner. We were in another province! Deep in the mountains, there are two resturants set across the road from each other. Each are a combination Shinto shrine and yakiniku resturant (meat grilling place). We went to the bigger one and settled down to some of the best chicken halves I have EVER had. The teriyaki sauce was absolutely delicious.
