No, I’m not leaving Japan just yet. In fact, we’ll be here for another seven months. Bronwyn has decided not to re-contract which means that at the end of July her job as a Coordinator of International Relations in Tottori will be over. The reasons are many and it wasn’t an easy decision we’re but confident that it was the right one. But wait, you might say, the end of July is only five months away. That’s because after July, Bronwyn and I will be joining the group BEE Japan on a two-month tour of the entire length of Japan.
What is BEE Japan? It’s a group of volunteers who promote environmental awareness and green living in Japan through direct action and education. The photo above is from the 2008 group. Our main event is the two-month tour where we do activities such as presentations at schools or with international groups, participate in clean-up efforts, and raise money for green charities. All the while we try our best to lead by example – supporting local businesses, choosing organic and fair trade products when possible, avoiding chain and convenience stores, avoiding excessive waste from things like packaging and waribashi (disposable chopsticks), and eating vegetarian. Yeah, I know I love my bacon, but I’m willing to go veggie for two months for a good cause.
Throughout the spring and summer the BEE riders will also be doing various events in Japan for additional charity fundraising. We’ve got a number of things lined up for Earth Day in April and I think Bronwyn and I will try to arrange something in Tottori.
Sounds like fun, no? I think it’s a pretty awesome way to bid farewell to Japan and I am totally psyched on having something to work towards.
If you’d like to donate, here’s a handy-dandy Paypal button, and I’ve thrown one up on the sidebar as well. Any funds donated will go to the charities of BEE’s choosing. We pay our own way as far as food, shelter, and ferry costs. (But if you want to help me with that, too, I won’t say no. Just Paypal me at the@jokeisup.com. No fancy donation button for personal use.)
