Reflections on Sendai

Since we've begun our travels I've found that the number of blog-posts are directly correlated to the number of pre-readings (my part-time job) I receive and my tiredness levels. While our time in Sendai hasn't followed the tourist adventure of Tokyo, our days have been busy, catching up with family and friends.

If travel tips in Sendai are what you are hoping for, then it's best to wait for another post; if you don't mind the musings of a sentimental and reflective Mummy, shattering romantic notions of a world-roaming gypsy family, then read on.

Sendai has been less about places and more about people. We have been treated to the highest levels of  omotenashi (heartfelt hospitality) including food, gifts and an uncomfortable (for us) inability to pay for anything. However, the Man of the House (MOTH) and I have not been adhering to our rule of one-to-two days on, one day off, and there have been consequences of some what frayed tempers and frequent outbursts (parents and children alike), shouting, and poor Master T has come down with a bit of nasty cold.

Some of the wonderful relations

The juggle between seeing everybody (at least twice so that the children can become familiar with my many relations) and keeping a balance of harmony among the family has been difficult. Add to that television (which our kids rarely see), late nights, language barrier and huge cultural shock via instant immersion, I'm surprised that anyone in our whanau is speaking to each other!

I've been less available to the children than usual. In catching up on almost seven years of news, my focus is on those we're visiting and translating for the family who want to ask the children and the MOTH lots of questions. Juggling work (in English) really muddled my head, so no more until we reach England later this week.

Emotionally it has been hard. I have visited my elderly grandparents in the care homes where they now reside. Visiting my 90 year old Grandmother the first time was particularly special. We had been preparing for the worst as everyone had told us that she barely responded to visitors. However, she recognised me immediately, laughed and cried over her great grandchildren, and was the Obaachan (grandmother) I remembered. The second visit was difficult as she flitted in and out of being present, but warmed shortly before we left her bedside. My 93 year old Grandfather is still sprightly, despite his faltering eyesight, and he picked up his great grandchildren and laughed with them. The children were impressive, hugging their great-grandparents and waiting with great patience while I chatted with them.

My Ojjichan (Grandad) and his great-grandchildren (and me)

Again, big kudos to the MOTH - he has driven me to visit my family without complaint. Supported me on the hard visits, developed friendships, worked on his Japanese language and tasted every delicacy presented to him. He has been a great role model for the children.

Driving through the areas close to where my family home was before the earthquake and tsunami that hit in 2011, was a somber and sad experience. The many houses I remember are gone, replaced by eerie spaces, skeletons of abandoned houses and broken cemeteries. Blocks of make-shift housing serve as a reminder that the effects of March 2011 are still ongoing for many.

I don't want to kick the stuffing out of anyone's plans to travel with children, but be aware, it can be hard when they are dragged around relations. Sometimes it can be hard to remember to explain the different rules of behaviour until they've been accidentally broken, and five-year-olds aren't always well equipped to express and manage their emotions. We are home-staying in an amazing house out of Sendai, but living in someone else's space can also be challenging (and stressful) for everyone concerned.

Akira and his new friend Yuki

On the upside - we have courageous children. Over the last few days, Miss K has had a sleepover on her own with an Aunt, Master A spent three hours playing with an Uncle on his own, and today another four hours with his new friend, while we went shopping. Miss K went visiting family without me today - all these events have been at the children's request or choosing and it's encouraging to see that a lack of fluency in the language doesn't pose a barrier for them. We can hear them using more Japanese every day. Even wee Master T has been shouting 'Oishi' (Yummy!) when he tastes something he loves.

We have made new friends, met local Sendai characters like Date Masamune and Musubiman (although we were as much a novelty to them as they were to us!) If you ever visit Sendai, the site of Sendai Castle is a definite must do.

With Date Masamune

Musubi-man (Sendai's Mascot) at a book signing

Learning 'ninja hands' at Sendai Aobajo.

We've learnt, among other things, about Japanese money, when and where to wear slippers and that some Japanese toilets wash and dry your bottom. Mostly we've learnt how to overcome the struggles within our own family brought about by close proximity (sleeping in the same room) and over exposure, and that our Japanese family love us very, very much. We look forward to extending our omotenashi when they visit.

Fun, family moments like these, priceless!

Our sleeping arrangements :-)

A tired, but happy Miko-blogger signing off....