Japanese language, Thai tourism, Beth unprepared

I was in a Madison non-freakout mode for the past week, but have fully returned to my New York freakout mode. Here we go...

Agenda:
1) WWOOF Japan update
2) Elephant Nature Park update
3) Newest topics I realized I should be freaking out about

1) WOOF Japan update:
Beau noticed this in the WWOOF Japan handbook. It seemed blog worthy.
"Pronoucing the word 'WWOOF' in Japanese
In the Japanese language there is no 'w' and 'f' sound, so the word 'WWOOF' is pronounced something like 'u-oh-who' and can be difficult for non-speakers of Japanese to recognize."

Speaking of language, I picked up a Japanese phrasebook and a Thai phrasebook last week before I went to Madison. They're really small but have a lot of info, not just phrases, and since the Lonely Planets for Japan and SE Asia are both huge, I figured these would be a helpful without being too bulky. Also, since I was in the bookstore, in the travel section I picked up Lonely Planet Antarctica. I'm pretty addicted to it right now. I borrowed Lonely Planet and Let's Go guides for Japan and SE Asia but can't put down the Antarctica one long enough to read through the other ones. That's ok.

Oh, I also got an interesting email from the healing place that wrote me the message i posted in my last entry:

"Dear Beth
Hello again, It is Katsura Shimoyamada , Himorogian.
I am sorry to say we are not able to have you at a moment. As we wrote in wwoof book, we only accept women.
Hope you can find a good place to stay.
Katsura Shimoyamada"

I just wrote back to her and told her that Beth is sometimes a shortened version of Elizabeth and I am indeed a women and would still like to come. In the first message they said they wanted someone for more than 2 weeks, and I'm only going to be there for 4 weeks so I don't know if I want to make a commitment like that, but I said if they were interested in having me for a week and a half I would love to come. We'll see how that goes.

There are sooooo many places I want to work for though...

I got an update with a ton of new host listing and two places looked really neat. At one place they "run a pizza & sweet shop and a Japanese needle restaurant." Hmm... fingers crossed they meant noodle. I can't image needles are any fun to eat.

The second place is called "The Outpost," where they run "Organic Western Foods Diner and Catering, Ecoworld Computer Graphics Studio, Organic Greenhouse Salad and Berry Production, Natural Therapies, Sustainable Living Events/Seminars/Workshops, Eco-Tourism, English & Snowboarding School." They're aiming at "...generally eco-fying the place without loosing its old world charm." Don't loose the old world charm! And they run an English school?

I liked this entry for two more reasons...

1. " Things WWOOFers should bring:
Warm clothes, short & long sleeve T-shirts, sunscreen, slippers if you have large feet, long socks, brim hat, jacket with hood, neck warmer & positive attitude."

So most Japanese homes have slippers for guests, but I guess not if your feet are too big. Not a problem for me! My mom noted, "Wow Beth! You and your little feet will finally fit in!" Thanks Mom.

2. "Info on pets or livestock kept: Goldfish." Awesome!

So I'm not too worried about finding a host. I just have to wait to hear from the first people before I can start emailing more people.

2) Elephant Nature Park update:
I sent them my deposit and was sent the Volunteer Info Pack. (Yeah, yeah, it's "volunteer" but you pay a small amount to cover room, board, transportation and help pay for medicine for the elephants.) On the "How to get here" page it said, "Some people have reported that taxis and other transport drivers as well as travel agents have informed them that Elephant Nature Park is closed, doesn't exist or has befallen a whole range of calamities. Unfortunately this dishonest behaviour is quite common."

Well that's kind of depressing. What gives Thailand tourism industry?

I found out.

So the Discovery Channel and National Geographic both did stories about Lek (the woman who started and runs the park) and gave the whole rundown of what's going on with the elephants working in the tourism inducts. Her mission is to shift elephant tourism to a more educational approach where people can learn about the Asian elephant's uncertain future (only 30,000 left!!!), instead of forcing them to stand on their heads for applause and getting abused in the process. So then, I'm not completely clear on this, but apparently PETA saw some of these reports about the abuse that the elephants go through in these tourism spots and decided to take a stand against the Thai tourism industry. Wait, PETA being ridiculous and extreme to the point of completely missing the point? That doesn't sound like them at all...

Anyway, in return, the tourism industry got pissed at Lek and so now taxi drivers and travel agencies tell people that it doesn't exist and was closed down.

Oh boy! This is going to be fun. The link to the park is on the right side of the page. Get yourself educated! Otherwise this blog will get even more boring, even faster.

More fun things from the Info Pack...
"You are about to begin the adventure of a lifetime. An experience world's apart from standard treks or tour packages. You will soon have a cultural, political, social and elephant experience unlike anything you will read about in holiday brochures or travel guidebooks. Join us with an open mind, and a flexible attitude and you will leave Thailand with some extremely unique, special and unforgettable memories."
"We do not provide alcohol during your stay but you may bring up small supplies of your own. Moderate consumption of alcohol is expected."
"First, your guide will take you to a local produce market to purchase food for the elephants... Have your camera ready when your vehicle arrives at the elephant camp as happy, hungry elephants greet you."
"You are advised to read and study the information provided at the farm, and to understand the needs and behaviour of baby elephants."
"Note that sensual relationships are discouraged during the term of your volunteer position. Remember the reason for your application is to look after and learn about elephants."
"You'll wake with the rooster and help your mahout find your elephant on the mountainside."
"Gossip is not acceptable and political groupings are not encouraged."
"No Politics - Just Elephants"

3) Newest topics I realized I should be freaking out about:
1. Travel insurance - got to buy it.
2. Contact lenses - have to figure out how bad those 30 day/night contact lenses really are, and if I should get them or get more of my normal ones.
3. Japan Rail Pass - to buy or not to buy. Have to buy it before I leave if I decide to go for it. It's a really good deal but I don't know how much traveling in Japan I'll be doing.
4. Danny's leaving January 2nd to go to Costa Rica with his lady, Alki probably can't come, so now I'm relying on meeting people who want to do this Full Moon Party thing with me. SE Asia is getting sketchier, but I don't have to worry about that stuff yet.
5. I don't have a Hong Kong --> Seoul ticket or a Seoul --> Tokyo ticket yet. (I do have a place to stay/person I know in Tokyo though! Super cool!)
6. HOW TO PACK!!!! It's going to be winter/cold/snow in some places in Japan and hot/tropical/humid in SE Asia. And I'll be living out of a backpack for three months. Any suggestions?

Think that's it for now. Leave me a comment if you made it through this whole thing.