Japanese Volleyball

In Japanse, ボレバル ("Borebaru")

I'm sitting here in bed with an Asahi, feeling the aches and pains in my knees and forearms that only a good hard volleyball practice can bring. Tonight I had my first practice with my teachers at Noko (my base school).

I was pretty nervous about showing up tonight, seeing as how none of my english teachers could make it, so I would be playing with teachers I didn't know very well (none of which speak english). I had already navigated the travel agent today with my very limited Japanese, and I was tempted to go home and make an early night of it, perhaps getting the first full night of sleep I've had all week.

But I wanted to play. I miss volleyball. I always miss it. It is still the greatest sport on the planet as far as I'm concerned. So I decided to ganbatte it.

I arrived in the gym to see three other male teachers, throwing a ball around. Great. Let the awkwardness ensue. I'm almost used to it by now. Almost.

But by the time the volleyball coach showed up and we started playing three on three, we were in a good groove. I found I could keep up pretty well with these guys (although Japanese people don't seem to sweat, where as I pour...) Ah Sports! One of the great world languages! All we needed was "hai!" "okay desu" "outo", sprinkled with a few "niisu"'s and "onegai shimasu"'s, and of course, many a "gomennasai" (sorry).

Japanese volleyball is essentially the same as in America. What I found hilarious was the running commentary provided by the men, which consisted of many different variations of "heeeeyyy" "okaaayyyyy" "haaaaiiii" "wooooo" "ayyyyyeeee" "niiiiiisssuuuu", in a startling array of intonations and volumes of course . It was non stop!

We played three on three super hard for a straight hour and a half, no stopping. I was gasping for breath, trying to work up the courage to say "eeetoo, sumimasen?! o mizu... dai jo bu?!" As in, "uh, sorry... do you think I could get some water real quick?!" but all of a sudden we were done, thanking each other for all the hard work, in the usual Japanese fashion.

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It struck me as I was leaving school at around eight o'clock, driving the short distance home with the windows down, that I really have a life here now. I'm not just visiting, this is my home. I guess being involved in school activities outside the english department serves as a strong reminder of this. I love the Noko community, and while I really can't communicate with most of the teachers, I feel warmth and openness from almost everybody. Something that has consistently amazed me here.

We have a tournament in the city next weekend! Tanoshikatta!!