Saying goodbye to Kibukawa

Class 5-1

Class 5-2

Class 5-3

Class 6-1

Class 6-2

Class 6-3

I finished the last of 2 great years of classes at my elementary school this week. I'm going to miss these kids something terrible.

Fuji-san (x2)

I have heard that there is an old saying about Mount Fuji. Anyone would be a fool not to climb it once -- but a bigger fool to climb it twice. Although statistically only 1% of Japanese people are said to climb it in their lifetime, the volcano still receives over 250,000 climbers a year. Last year my good friend Ann and I travelled to the mountain with the goal of climbing from the bottom of the mountain to the top. Due to bad weather and our own unpreparedness we only made it half way, so this summer we resolved to reach the top. 3776 meters (12,388 ft.) above sea level. After successfully making it to the summit I can safely say that either that proverb is wrong or I am a complete fool. When Metta mentioned that he was interested in climbing Mount Fuji, of course we had to do it! And I am so glad that we did. I had so much fun climbing it twice. I had two different experiences. Both sunrises were beautiful and completely unique. That alone definitely makes it worth the soreness and tiredness.

Mount Fuji is located in Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures. From Tokyo it takes about 2 and a half hours by train to reach the towns at the base of the mountain. Many years ago monks and pilgrims would climb from the bottom of the mountain, stopping at mountain huts that are placed strategically along the path. Nowadays climbers take a bus from the town of Kawaguchiko up to the 5th Station and climb up past the 9th Station to the crater.

 Most people who climb the mountain go up at night and stay to see the sun rise, and that is what we did too. The first time I climbed the mountain Ann and I left Kawaguchiko Station at 9pm and started climbing at around 10pm. In our backpacks we brought food, water, extra clothes and rain gear. It was a slow climb up to the top, mostly due to the crowds of people! The path is narrow, rocky and hard to see at night, so we often had to stand in lines waiting to move forward. As we ascended the mountain we stopped to rest outside several of the stations along the way. We passed many people who were huddled along the side of the path looking tired or ill with altitude sickness. Lots of people were inhaling oxygen. When we finally reached the top of the mountain at around 4:30am after 6 and a half hours of climbing the sky was already starting to lighten.

We found a place to sit and watched the sun come up for the next 45 minutes. Good thing we got there when we did! Soon there were no places to sit and there was still a line of people waiting to get to the top. We could see their headlamps coming up all the way from the bottom of the mountain. 

Waiting.

It's coming.... 

.... 

I was in awe when the sun finally came up. We wanted to walk around the crater but it was crowded and it would have taken about an hour so we headed down the mountain. It was cold and I was exhausted, but it was so worth it. The descent was a path of slippery volcanic rock, and it took us about 3 hours to finally return to the 5th Station. The hike lasted about 10 hours in total, from 10pm to 8:30am. 

When Metta and I hiked the same path about three weeks later the sunrise we saw was completely different. We started our climb an hour earlier; at 9pm. There were a lot less people climbing and we were able to hike at a steady pace without waiting for tour groups and long lines. It took us about 4 hours to reach the 8th Station and around 5 and a half to reach the top. We got to the summit at 2:30am and the sky was still dark. Because we were so early we were able to get a great seat at the edge of the mountain. We sat there and waited as the sky gradually lightened.

4am. 

We could see the lights of Tokyo in the East. The 5 Fuji lakes were visible dark areas in the midst of all of the lights. It was bizarre to see how much of the country wasn't asleep!

4:30am

Anxiously waiting for the sun to rise. I don't know about Metta, but I was so cold!! It's coming... 

 Here comes the sun. 

 The rays of light were unreal. I've never seen anything like it. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, so we could see the sun's progress incredibly clearly. 

 4:45am.
The mountains and lakes and the sun is rising. 

5am. 

It was getting lighter by the moment now.

5:06am.

And I say.

It's alright.

And all of a sudden the sun was up! Everyone became silent for a moment. When I looked back at my pictures I realized that people were praying. Then from somewhere within the crowd a man called, "OHAYOO GOZAIMASU" (Good morning).

In unison everyone answered him, "Ohayo gozaimasu!"

By 5:10am the sun was completely visible and the sky was bright. Almost immediately it started to become warmer. We walked around and explored the shops for a few minutes. On the top of Mount Fuji there are many stalls selling souvenirs, postcards, and hot food. We checked out the crater briefly and then headed back towards the 5th Station. From the time that we reached the top until the sun rose we were probably waiting and watching the sky for about 3 hours. By the time we reached the bottom it was 8:30am. We caught a bus back down, checked into our hostel, and almost immediately passed out for around 6 hours. The entire hike ended up taking us about 12 hours from start to finish, including the time spent sitting at the summit. 

So maybe I am a fool, but if you asked me to climb Mount Fuji I would probably climb it again tomorrow. I hope I can climb it every year. If each sunrise is as uniquely beautiful as the two I saw, it would be worth it every time. 

Beginnings of Summer

Summer has begun. With only 4 more days left of work, the fact that it's here has finally started to sink in. SUMMER!! Yes please, and thank you!

This weekend my good friend Lolo came down from Nagano-ken and we adventured down to Kyoto to see the Gion Matsuri.  A great way to kick off the warm hot weather! After relaxing in Minakuchi for a couple of hours, we made our way to Kyoto. As soon as we got off the train we started to see people in yukatas (the summer equivalent of a kimono). Gion is a festival that takes place for the entire month of July, but culminates on the 17th (Tuesday) with a large parade. On the days leading up to the parade, giant floats (like in the picture above) are carried out to be displayed and many of the main streets are blocked off for pedestrian traffic. We went on Saturday the 14th, also known as Yoiyoiyoiyama. If this is what it's like three days before the parade, I can't imagine what it'll be like tomorrow! It was crowded. 

The blocked off streets of Kyoto. This is as we were walking away, so we weren't fighting against the crowds. 

As we walked through the area with the floats we saw tons of stands with festival foods. They smelled delicious. Some common ones are fried chicken, ice-cream, roasted corn, frankfurters, shaved ice, and candied apples. It reminds me a little bit of the fair without the rides. There are even the same type of games that you can play! This is a stand for bacon egg and cheese sandwiches in the shape of fish! Usually they have sweet custard filling. 

Here's another favorite. Grilled squid!! Delicious. 

I snuck this picture of some women wearing traditional summer clothing, yukatas. A yukata is very similar to a kimono, but it's designed to be cooler and easier to wear in the heat. They aren't worn in everyday life, but people will often dress up in order to go to special occasions such as summer festivals. Learning how to dress in one and wear one is a skill that has to be "properly learned" and some people take classes in how put them on. 

All in all, it was a very exciting adventure. Most towns have their own unique festivals during the summer. Going to one of Kyoto's was lots of fun, and I'm looking forward to (hopefully) going to a whole lot more!! 

So many exciting things are happening and will be happening soon. Traveling great places, relaxing with great people. Having a break from work to recharge and spending time with my family and friends! Summer has definitely begun, guys.  I am pumped!

Anticipation

Lately, I feel like I have been waiting. I'm not always waiting for the same thing, or even for anything in particular, but I can tell that something is coming. The warm weather, the summer months, the rain. I have a lot of things to look forward to this summer and I am impatient. But it's the wait that makes them so much more enjoyable. So I will savor it, if I can.  

As if to foreshadow good things to come, there have been some beautiful sunsets in Minakuchi lately. I hate to be in my house before dark when I can be outside and see THIS: 

 or this...

 I love living in the countryside. It's quiet, my neighbors are kind, and I only get a few strange looks when I walk around with a camera taking pictures...

 In other news, rainy season has begun. Starting tomorrow we are suppose to be getting our first typhoon of the year: Guchol. It's coming in from the south and passing through the center of Japan. Tomorrow's forcast: rain. Wednesday's forcast: rain. I actually don't mind, especially when I can relax inside in the dry warmth. It's an interesting change from cloudy and humid! Let's hope that it holds off until after I get to school, though! :)

I'll be here, trooping through the puddles! Catch you later!

Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro Festival

It has been a beautiful weekend, and yesterday I went to Kyoto to see the Higashiyama Hanatouro Light Festival. In December and March, parts of the city of Kyoto are illuminated with lanterns and lighting fixtures that create a path through the city. It's a picturesque walk through the city that stops at shrines and parks. You can see dancers and performers, eat festival foods from little carts, and even have a little picnic and sip a beer. My friends and I went together to wander along the paths with the hordes of Japanese families and couples. It was quaint, cozy, a little cold, and a lot of fun!

Light show on the back of the Chionin Temple

Storefront on the path up to Kiyomizu-dera

Lighting fixtures in the garden

Kyoto Nightscape from Kiyomizu-dera

As the weather slowly gets warmer, the people in Kansai are out and about, and I'm glad to be one of them. 

On a different note, today (March 11th) is the one year anniversary of the Tohoku tsunami and earthquake. Japan is still feeling the affects of the disaster and it is a continuing struggle for recovery. I can't pretend to know too much about politics or to be an expert on this topic, but I do know from living here that it was an event that touched every person in Japan. The country pulled together emotionally and practically to support each other, and they continue to honor that today in remembrance ceremonies and continuing relief efforts. 

Japan Times -- 3.11 Anniversary

Valentine

Happy (Belated) Valentine's Day!! 

Japan celebrates February 14th in almost the same way we do in the states, with candy and LOTS and LOTS of chocolate. It is called Red Day, and is a day when girls can give a gift or love letter to the boys they care about. A month later on March 14th, they can expect a present back from their sweethearts. Chocolate between friends is also common, as is "obligatory" chocolate within the workplace. 

In the spirit of the holiday, my friends and I set out to make our own chocolate! We bought the necessary supplies and attempted to make some tasty treats to give our coworkers and friends. My chocolates didn't turn out very good (not very tasty or pretty), but some of my friends' were delicious! 

Hearts, stars, and animals! 

 Even my school lunch celebrated. The main dish is a heart-shaped croquette! I also got festive cupcakes and cheese and herb bread. Om nom nom.

I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day with someone special, be it friends, family, or significant other! I definitely did. <3

Elementary

Good evening!

It's been a cold cold week in Shiga. It's nothing compared to Upstate-NY, but that doesn't mean I haven't been huddling underneath a blanket all week. I've been running as quickly as possible between one heated room to the next, trying to avoid the chilly hallways.

Today was an elementary school day! 5 days a week I teach at my base school, which is a Junior High, but once a week I spend half a day at elementary school teaching 5th and 6th graders. On these days I also eat lunch with a pre-determined class, which today was 1st grade, class 2.

Fact: small children are adorable.
Fact: Japanese children are especially adorable.
.... this, coupled with...
Fact: White people are pretty non-existent in Japan.
When you put this all together, what does it add up to?

Annica becomes a celebrity at lunch time.

Seriously, I "signed" about 10 notebooks. AUTOGRAPHED. They should keep them. Some day they might be good for kindling. I also read aloud every one of the kids "Engrish" shirts, recited the names of many household objects, and shared my love of Pokemon.

Today reminded me that children are pretty fantastic. If I could get each of these kids' signatures, I would do it. They have so much energy and happiness. Their outlook on the world is so young and innocent. Just the fact that they couldn't stump me with an English name for something was mind boggling to them. "You really ARE an English teacher!!" (Never mind the fact that I speak the language natively).
One boy wanted to know how I was getting home. When I said, "by car", he seemed surprised. "America?!"
"No, I live in Minakuchi."
"........!" <------- SHOCKCONFUSION!

My sixth grade classes have been going less smoothly, and it's mainly because I'm not a novelty to them just by existing anymore. I'm that person that they know who teaches them English. I love that I've gotten to know them, and today made me realize that I need to work harder to make sure that I keep their class just as fun and exciting as it used to be. If it means that I have to be over the top and work twice as hard to find good material for them, then so be it. I am determined to not let their apathy towards English continue! And not to let myself be apathetic as well.

Although I didn't have too much time to ponder my lunch, I was able to snap a picture before I went to the classroom.

WHALE! I ate whale today.

That is all. 

Backlog

It's been a while since I've posted on here. Almost a month again. That's pretty bad on my part, but I completely know the reason for it. In the end of September I lost my camera. Usually these blog entries end up going up when I have pictures with a story behind them, and it's been a while since I had any to share. Not that my life isn't full of events and adventures... (ha). 

Regardless, I was able to get some pictures off the camera that I'm borrowing from my friend, so here are some incredibly backlogged photos from the month of October and November.

This is pretty self explanatory. I already posted Halloween photos, but I thought this was worth sharing. I went to a Halloween party held for kids in the Koka City area. It was organized by an international organization in the area and the English ALTs volunteered to help. On the left is Jessica, as Pikachu. I am Doraemon. We are some angry (cute?) characters! Happy Halloween!

This is a Doll Festival that happened in mid-October. It was a small local shrine that's nearby an ALT who lives a town over. A few times a year they hold a festival to cleans the spirits and life forces from old dolls and toys before they are thrown away. All of the dolls in this picture once belonged to someone, but are now "dead". After the priest finishes the ceremony the dolls are up for grabs. I grabbed a few for safekeeping. 

In the beginning of November I attended the Yuru Chara festival in Hikone. Many of the geographica areas in Japan are represented by their own character. This tradition began in Hikone with Hikonyan, Hikone Castle's cat mascot. This festival is held at least every year. You can walk around Hikone Castle park and meet all of the mascots, see shows, by souvenirs, and generally be enthralled by the sheer number of people in costumes. This Bear melon headed thing was one of the more ridiculous ones. 

Another major event in early November was my school's Bunkasai Festival. 文化 ("bunka") means culture, and the Bunkasai is a day in which the students and teachers do not attend regular classes and instead hold a singing competition, present artwork, and hold club demonstrations. For a few weeks leading up to the Bunkasai, the students and teachers spend a lot of time practicing and preparing for the performances that will occur. Each homeroom class performs a song in front of the entire school and an outside judge assesses and grades the students based on various aspects of their performance. Everyone takes it very seriously, and enjoy showing their artistic achievements to the parents who attend. This picture is of the brass band performance that took place in the afternoon. 

As always, purikura happened.... 

And recently, I got an oven! It's handy, and I've already made a few things this week. While my first batch of cookies wasn't as successful as I would have hoped, this quiche and the muffins that I made the night before were delicious. I love being able to bake! 

Today I had the day off to celebrate 感謝祭, or Japanese Thanksgiving and Labor Day. Since the Japanese don't celebrate same type of Thanksgiving that we do in the US, my friend Ann and I took the opportunity to make a bunch of food, watch movies, and listen to music. All in all, not a bad thing to do on a Wednesday. It's going to be strange going back to work tomorrow, let me tell you. 

Speaking of, it's time for me to get some sleep. Elementary School calls tomorrow!

Biwako Bike Trip 2011

It's only been a few days since I last posted, but I wanted to put up some pictures from the Biwako Bike Trip. It was amazing and completely exhausting. I had a great time and I may just have to do it again next year.

Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan. Surrounding the lake is a bike path that stays close to the shore and  gives bikers a scenic view of Shiga prefecture. I live fairly close to the lake so I am glad that I was able to take this weekend to really take advantage of it. I did this bike trip with a group of 30 people. I started by taking a train at 6:20am heading to Nagahama. I met up with the rest of the crowd at the train station at around 8:30am and we headed out soon afterwards. We biked all of Saturday and stopped for the night at a hostel by the lake called BB Dylans (apparently the owner likes Bob Dylan a lot). On Sunday we started again around 8:30 and got back to Nagahama around 4. I arrived home officially at 8pm. According to this website the total trip is 149.5 km or 92.9 miles.