Nikenkan Version 2.0

The word “homestay” excited me because I was still caught in the experience of my own homestay in Fukuoka in May 2009. Thus when I heard that application to host was open, I decided to sign up. I became doubly excited when Naho, my host in Fukuoka, told me through facebook that she is one of the participants for the upcoming homestay program. I had promised her that should she ever come to Singapore, I would host her. To my delight, I was granted this request and in no time the five of them had arrived in Singapore.

 It could not have been any more coincidental. I started to run a fever the same night the five Japanese arrived. The fever did not want to go away and soon came the other symptoms (of flu). I was upset at myself for being sick, not being able to spend the first two days with them. I also had to inconvenience a few others to bring her out or fetch her home. Well at least to Naho’s advantage, she had my whole room to herself!

I think I rested enough, I became better on the third day and I finally went out with them at night to the Night Safari. That was when I started to get to know the other four Japanese better. However, language barrier was another problem for me. My LAJ1 standard of Japanese is definitely not enough to converse with them. Apart from Naho, the rest could not really speak English well. Watching the rest talking to them in fluent Japanese made me a little envious. Well at the end, I only found myself saying a few standard things such as “are you hungry”, ”are you tired” and “are you alright?” It’s a good thing I had many translators with me.

Well apart from the whole unable to talk much thing, I did enjoy going out with them. Taking them shopping, letting them try all kinds of local delicacies and basically touring Singapore in three days with them. Along the way I learnt a few more Japanese words to use! This homestay did motivate me to want to learn more Japanese. Maybe the next time I see time, if there is, I might be able to speak more than those few pathetic phrases I know now. Oh yes, I cannot forget about the new (Singaporean) friends made and the stronger friendships forged between old ones

Some photos to share!

 Camelita