12.25
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Today is THE DAY we have all been waitin' for!
Obviously, yesterday was Christmas Eve. I only went to Sanga to work on the farm till 12 because Ema and I were planning to go shopping in the afternoon after she got back from her English class in the morning.
I've been going most everyday since last Monday to work on the farm. Two days I went a little later in the morning so that I could skype Mom and Dad and on the 23rd I didn't go because Kazuma, my other cousin, was coming back from college.
It was really wonderful to see everyone's faces on skype! I even got to see the christmas trees at each house:)
It had been a while since we'd skyped, so I think everyone was happy to have the opportunity!
Afterwards I went to the farm. Most last week I spent clipping leaves either so that the sunlight could better reach the tomatoes or so that a disease that had attacked some leaves, would not spread further. Also there was cucumber harvesting and sorting happening and a tiny bit of cleaning the barn. I also got to help Obaachan in the kitchen before lunch a little bit. Both days I helped by peeling Yama-imo, which looks kind of like...hmm...a more dirty, larger chunk of ginger. When you peel it, it is white and also slimy so it was difficult to hold onto. Then I had to grate it, however it doesn't really grate but turns into a frothy slimy white mass in the bowl. If you know what Nato is, it is kind of like Nato in the slimy foods scale, but more thick...very hard to explain because we don't eat that kind of food in America - too freaky! Obaachan remembered that I love zenzai, sweet bean soup with dumplings, and so she made it one day. She said, please taste the flavor for me so i was expecting like a spoonful but she went ahead and filled the bowl up with soup and beans and two dumplings! I said I will wait for everyone and put most of it back and tasted the broth - aaaaaah! LOVE. She made a lot of food, tamago yaki (fried egg but made in a special way so it slowly rolled up), grilled sweet potatoes, potato stew, sausage, grilled eggplant, fried rice, curry, pickles (she makes her own umeboshi!)...you get the idea. So much food! And she urges me to eat everything through the whole meal, "tabete, tabete!". You can imagine how full I must get after eating all that good food!
But it's fun to be around them.
Obaachan tells me short little stories of how my grandmother (her sister) often came to this house and help make mochi every year, or collect vegetables when there was a lot here. Ojichan, my uncle, told me how they used to recieve the tomatoes and cucumbers and that his mom would then make mayo, cucumber and tomato sandwiches.
Obachan, my aunt, tells me how my grandmother really love grilled sweet potatoes and how she was a nurse and stories like that. Slowly slowly I'm able to piece together this abstract and very puzzly image of my grandmother.
I remember her only faintly, I think in memories mostly triggered from seeing photos. Like when she came to the US and we went and collected crab apples and little sticks and leaves... but I was happy when I heard she liked grilled sweet potatoes, because I do too. And I was happy when I heard she used to make mayo, cucumber and tomato sandwiches for her children, because my mom does too!
And so I can't help thinking when I got to my great Aunt's house, here is where she once was! And this Great Aunt of mine grew up with my Grandmother, who is my mother's mother, and was the world to my mother as my mother is to me. It's a big cycle. Always has been and always will be.
I've come to really enjoy the small farm work. I know I don't do the really tough stuff but I'm going to say that I'm not exactly doing "fun" work. I guess in some way I like the repetative work. Especially the trimming leaves to give the tomatoes more sunlight - that was the greatest! Because I had to think about where to cut so that I could cut the least amount and get the most sunlight and also it made me happy because I knew that the tomatoes would be grateful and turn beautiful and delicious because of it. I sound a little crazy...
Plus the radio is on in the green house usually so I can sit there and be lost in my thoughts while kind of half listening to the radio that I can understand a little more each day. Makes my heart say, YEAH!
Friday Kazu came home! He grew up a lot, I was so surprised! His hair was longer and his clothes more fashionable and he seemed more open and happy than I remembered. I guess college has been good for him! He loves cars and is going to start work as a mechanic in the spring after his graduation. He has always loved cars, probably due to the fact that our grandfather and his father also loves cars. He brought me a little trinket from Takayama where his college is. It is a monkey baby and it is pink, which basically means "good luck in love". Which I need! haha...don't we all:) Other colors mean different things.
He turned 20 this year so early in January there is a big celebration for everyone who turned 20 in the area. It is a big deal to turn 20 here, rather than 18. Next April he will be 21! Goodness...time flies.
Kazu took Ema and I to the train station yesterday so we could catch the train to Ogawa, another town, where there is a big shopping center. So we spent the afternoon shopping! Great fun, as always! Too many cute things in Japan. However, I often think it is too cute for me, so yesterday after buying the essentials (socks and undies and a tank top) I bought a baggy, chill-ax red sweater at Uniqlo. I have a red sweater at home kind of like this but with a hood and zipper of th front, but it is getting old...so, now I have this one!
After clothes shopping Ema and I bought doughnuts and Mister Donut's for the family. And then before heading back to the train station, we had fun doing Pirikura! The photo booth type of thing. In Japan they are WAY better, though. You can do all kinds of things, of course you pose, but afterwards you can draw on the photos and design them the way you want them to be. However, one thing I didn't realize before is that it automatically makes your eyes HUGE and doll like. So basically, you can't look ugly...because it makes you look like a perfect doll! I think that's kind of crazy...but, hey, I could see how I'd look if I really tried to look nice and cared about makeup and skin...haha.
Then we walked back to the station and took the train home to Uto where Obachan picked us up and then...TOOK US TO GET PIZZA! YEAH! I love pizza:) We got takeout but the three of us each ordered a medium for ourselves (which is a little bit bigger than a small in the US). I got tomato and veggie pizza and ATE THE WHOLE THING.
It was really good and I thought, this is my Christmas Eve dinner where usually I stuff myself with good food at Nana's and Grandpas! So I didn't feel too guilty eating the whole thing...haha. Afterwards we ate the doughnuts as well:) I ate one that was strawberry and one that was I think soy bean based, but it was delicious!
Gena sent me a present and I got it yesterday. I opened part of it last night and part of it this morning as my own personal mini Christmas celebration. This morning while I was checking my email and doing computer stuff, I kept thinking of how everyone was at Nana's and Grandpa's for the Christmas Eve dinner, probably eating and as the morning wore on, I imagined them eating dessert and opening presents and laughing and playing with the beautiful ribbons and bows that always are at Nana's. And now it is 4:30 AM in Ohio, 6:30 PM on the day of Christmas in Japan. In four hours at Mom's everyone will begin Christmas day with a giant breakfast probably with eggs and all kinds of breads and fruits after opening the stockings hanging on the half wall... Neko and Taka will probably be afraid of all the wrapping paper, but maybe they will be playing with the ribbons and bows on the floor! Who knows! And then probably around 12, Elijah will go to Dad's to join Dad and Qun and there will be more delicious food and more gifts. The Evergleam Christmas tree spinning and the mini steam engine going in circles, fritos and dip and some movie watching perhaps? Maybe this year they will change it up and I've got it all wrong! I can't wait to see photos:)
I just hope everyone has a great time:)
OH I nearly forgot! We had a "white Christmas" here in Uto! There was snow for about 10 minutes this morning, but only a little tiny bit and not nearly enough to stick. But it was pretty and it made me really happy, it is rare but I got to see it! In the afternoon I went to the farm, the wind was so strong that I thought about turning back and staying in the warm house. But soon I'd gotten half way and I hadn't given up yet so I decided to just go for it, but the riding was slow and cold and I thought, a but annoyed, that I should just walk the bike, but I kept riding and after what seemed like a long time, I arrived at the house.
For a 3 o'clock snack Chizuko-san brought me mochi with sweet bean paste inside as well as a strawberry! The strawberry was wrapped in the bean paste which was wrapped in the soft mochi - so yummy. She gave me the rest of the pack to take home to the family. When it was 4 I went back to the house and Obaachan was there and she made me take home puffed rice treats and homemade pickles that she'd just made. They are so generous! Always giving me stuff to take back to the Uto house. Chizuko-san said that Obaachan finds her happiness in giving, so that's what she does:) I appreciate it!
Tonight we are eating Tomato and Cheese Nabe! Which is basically a vat of broth with tons of vegetables and meat inside that you pick out of. I'm excited and also really hungry right now so it sounds amazing! Ema is helping her friend with a christmas party so she wont be here for dinner. Kazu is now studying and working on this huge packet of questions he was given to complete over break. Oh....school....
Well, that was very long...
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!
Please enjoy the rest of this year:)
Monday, December 26, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
tomatoes and cucumbers!
I'm getting a little lazy about my blog...
and, I have been somewhat busy the past couple days! Surprise!
So I will make this brief but hopefully informative.
On Sunday I went with Ema, Miyako and Makito to a running race in the northern part of Kumamoto that my uncle helped to organize. Ema was participating in it with members from her high school, similar to the MTB race the week before. The race was on a mountain where a large hotel was and the trail wound all around the woods around the hotel. It was beautiful! It was early in the morning when we arrived and from the starting point you could see far off mountains and still low clouds wispy in the valley.
The race started and I walked around the Miyako-obachan with Ema's coach's son, who had just turned 2. He was adorable! Rather serious but in love with pin wheels, or, Kurukuru:)
The race was a relay and Ema the third to run. We were on the trail when she came running down a little hill through a tunnel or trees, reds and yellows and the sunlight shining perfectly - it could have been some kind of advertisement for shoes!
After the race we got to soak in the onsen at the hotel and eat a giant Italian buffet lunch! It was yummy.
The event was very fun, though we were pretty tired since we had gotten up early that morning and stayed up fairly late the night before.
On Monday I went to the town next Uto where my great aunt and uncle live. The family name is Shigemoto but I will refer to my great aunt and uncle as Ojiichan and Obaachan. I think I might have said this before but in Japan you don't use names all the time, but for a young woman you will say Oneisan, and for a young man Oneesan (meaning older sister and older brother) and for a middle aged people you will call them Aunt and Uncle and so on a so forth.
I was going to help them with their farm. They have four large green houses, two for tomatoes and two for cucumbers. When I first came, Mom's cousin's wife was outside the green house and she invited me to help harvest tomatoes. Mom's cousin's name is Yoshifumi-san, his wife is Chizuko-san. They have three children, he oldest son is Fumio, then another son Makoto and the youngest daughter Masumi. Fumio is the only of the children that works on the farm, the other two have seperate jobs. It was really nice to meet them and visit with these people who are my family. In Japan, my family is vast! My grandmother had 6 sister and I think my grandfather had about that many siblings as well. I think Yoshifumi-san said there were 22 cousins in their generation, what??? That's crazy!
But big families are fun...and I finally get to meet some of mine!
After tomato harvesting I chatted with Ojiichan and Obaachan a little while eating mikan and drinking milk coffee. They have an incredibly heavy Kumamoto-ben (dialect) so, truthfully, I probably only understand half of what they say. If that. Chizuko and Yoshifumi speak to me in more normal Japanese and understand that I don't always understand so it is a little easier. However, I am happy to say that I can feel my Japanese getting better, and it makes me so happy...!
I made boxes for the tomatoes and Chizuko put the tomatoes in the boxes. I tried, but it was too hard. The tomatoes have to be all of similar size and then when set in, they cannot move around, so it was like a puzzle and let's just say that puzzles are not my forte. So instead I went back to the tomato house and cut the leaves away from the tomatoes so that sunlight could reach them. That was fun, I enjoyed that very much. But earlier I got to go with Yoshifumi-san to another town where there was an Ichiba, basically a food distribution center. Smaller local farms bring their fruits, veggies, meat and fish there in the evenigns and in the morning it is auctioned off to all different stores. That is where they take most of their produce, but we just went to buy new flattened boxes for packaging. It must be incredible in the morning when it is full with boxes and boxes of food!
Obaachan gets her happiness from being generous, so when I went home she sent me with two bags full of vegetables that she made in her garden. Beautiful, fat turnips, carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers. Today she sent me home with mikan and two other oranges, one called Sweet Springs and the other called Deko-pon. She promised tomorrow she was going to make zenzai (sweet bean soup with mochi) because she remembered from a couple years ago that I really like it:)
Today I harvested cucumbers with Chizuko-san and cut leaves of the tomato plants. It took me three hours to do...I think, 2.5 rows. Ah! But I hope those tomatoes will be happy with lots of sunlight now!
It's been really fun, though. Today I got really sleepy, mostly I think because of the heat inside the green house, it's like 70 degrees or something in there...and also because I did a lot of talking and listening and that is very tiring because I have no English outlet like I do with Makito and Miyako - only Japanese. tsukareta (tired!)
I'm very grateful they are letting me help. Always new experiences...and with this family I never really knew!
This is completely off topic but recently I found out that that convention I went to with Muto-san in Aso was not called Green to Rhythm. It is Green Tourism. I felt like a total idiot when I found that out, because it is pretty obvious once you think about it, but it never occurred to me. The katakana makes it sound like this:
gu-ree-n tsu-ri-zu-mu.
Somehow, I got it locked in my head that tsurizumu was To Rhythm, not tourism...but it's obvious now! So, I apologize!
That's all for now...tired.
and, I have been somewhat busy the past couple days! Surprise!
So I will make this brief but hopefully informative.
On Sunday I went with Ema, Miyako and Makito to a running race in the northern part of Kumamoto that my uncle helped to organize. Ema was participating in it with members from her high school, similar to the MTB race the week before. The race was on a mountain where a large hotel was and the trail wound all around the woods around the hotel. It was beautiful! It was early in the morning when we arrived and from the starting point you could see far off mountains and still low clouds wispy in the valley.
The race started and I walked around the Miyako-obachan with Ema's coach's son, who had just turned 2. He was adorable! Rather serious but in love with pin wheels, or, Kurukuru:)
The race was a relay and Ema the third to run. We were on the trail when she came running down a little hill through a tunnel or trees, reds and yellows and the sunlight shining perfectly - it could have been some kind of advertisement for shoes!
After the race we got to soak in the onsen at the hotel and eat a giant Italian buffet lunch! It was yummy.
The event was very fun, though we were pretty tired since we had gotten up early that morning and stayed up fairly late the night before.
On Monday I went to the town next Uto where my great aunt and uncle live. The family name is Shigemoto but I will refer to my great aunt and uncle as Ojiichan and Obaachan. I think I might have said this before but in Japan you don't use names all the time, but for a young woman you will say Oneisan, and for a young man Oneesan (meaning older sister and older brother) and for a middle aged people you will call them Aunt and Uncle and so on a so forth.
I was going to help them with their farm. They have four large green houses, two for tomatoes and two for cucumbers. When I first came, Mom's cousin's wife was outside the green house and she invited me to help harvest tomatoes. Mom's cousin's name is Yoshifumi-san, his wife is Chizuko-san. They have three children, he oldest son is Fumio, then another son Makoto and the youngest daughter Masumi. Fumio is the only of the children that works on the farm, the other two have seperate jobs. It was really nice to meet them and visit with these people who are my family. In Japan, my family is vast! My grandmother had 6 sister and I think my grandfather had about that many siblings as well. I think Yoshifumi-san said there were 22 cousins in their generation, what??? That's crazy!
But big families are fun...and I finally get to meet some of mine!
After tomato harvesting I chatted with Ojiichan and Obaachan a little while eating mikan and drinking milk coffee. They have an incredibly heavy Kumamoto-ben (dialect) so, truthfully, I probably only understand half of what they say. If that. Chizuko and Yoshifumi speak to me in more normal Japanese and understand that I don't always understand so it is a little easier. However, I am happy to say that I can feel my Japanese getting better, and it makes me so happy...!
I made boxes for the tomatoes and Chizuko put the tomatoes in the boxes. I tried, but it was too hard. The tomatoes have to be all of similar size and then when set in, they cannot move around, so it was like a puzzle and let's just say that puzzles are not my forte. So instead I went back to the tomato house and cut the leaves away from the tomatoes so that sunlight could reach them. That was fun, I enjoyed that very much. But earlier I got to go with Yoshifumi-san to another town where there was an Ichiba, basically a food distribution center. Smaller local farms bring their fruits, veggies, meat and fish there in the evenigns and in the morning it is auctioned off to all different stores. That is where they take most of their produce, but we just went to buy new flattened boxes for packaging. It must be incredible in the morning when it is full with boxes and boxes of food!
Obaachan gets her happiness from being generous, so when I went home she sent me with two bags full of vegetables that she made in her garden. Beautiful, fat turnips, carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers. Today she sent me home with mikan and two other oranges, one called Sweet Springs and the other called Deko-pon. She promised tomorrow she was going to make zenzai (sweet bean soup with mochi) because she remembered from a couple years ago that I really like it:)
Today I harvested cucumbers with Chizuko-san and cut leaves of the tomato plants. It took me three hours to do...I think, 2.5 rows. Ah! But I hope those tomatoes will be happy with lots of sunlight now!
It's been really fun, though. Today I got really sleepy, mostly I think because of the heat inside the green house, it's like 70 degrees or something in there...and also because I did a lot of talking and listening and that is very tiring because I have no English outlet like I do with Makito and Miyako - only Japanese. tsukareta (tired!)
I'm very grateful they are letting me help. Always new experiences...and with this family I never really knew!
This is completely off topic but recently I found out that that convention I went to with Muto-san in Aso was not called Green to Rhythm. It is Green Tourism. I felt like a total idiot when I found that out, because it is pretty obvious once you think about it, but it never occurred to me. The katakana makes it sound like this:
gu-ree-n tsu-ri-zu-mu.
Somehow, I got it locked in my head that tsurizumu was To Rhythm, not tourism...but it's obvious now! So, I apologize!
That's all for now...tired.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
u t o !
I'm quite behind right now...
On Firday the 9th, Makito-ojichan came to pick me up at noon from the farm. The day before was fairly eventful. In the morning a friend of Muto-san's came and we all chatted in the tatami room next to the guest house. In the afternoon I took pictures as Katsu, Hiro and Albert took the young pigs and moved them from the pig house into the little pens where they will be kept until they are large enough to be moved into the field. I was startled by how they had to catch the pigs. Hiro was in the pig house and caught the pigs and handed them to Albert who handed them to Katsu who carried them to the pens. The pigs were pretty good sized, I guess...like 2 months old. Yamaai Mura is very kind to their pigs, I have no doubt about that. But just like we handle cats by the scruff of their neck, they pigs were lifted by their ear and tail then over the shoulder or like a baby. The squeals and the thought of being picked up by my ear and a tail (if I had one) kind of made me ill...but they have a good happy life here running around and having good owners who really care about them.
After that Albert, Hitomi, Hiro and I sorted rice again because they got another order. I didn't realize it at the time, but that evening was good bye till February. I was happy that we at least got to sort rice together though, we chatted and drank tea and it was fun.
When Ojichan (Uncle in Japanese) came at 12 he came in and we all talked for quite a while. Then Muto-san offered we stay for lunch, so we ate pancakes, sausage and fruit salad together. Muto-san and Ojichan got along really well and I was happy for that, but soon we had to start for Uto because it takes an hour and a half and Ojichan had to work in the evening. Muto-san gave me a big hug and told me I have to come home soon, February isn't soon enough! It makes me happy that I have found such a great place there in Kikuchi. Out of all the WWOOFer profiles, it was chance that I picked his. And really, the one reason was the his was the only profile with exclamation points and emoticons! I know that is a dumb reason to choose, perhaps, but it worked out this time.
Albert bought me a box of chocolate covered almonds before I left:) Love chocolate! The three of us love music and chocolate...so we got along:)
The ride to Uto was fun. Ojichan and I talked about all kinds of things. He teaches English and has lived in America so his English is really good and with my so-so Japanese we can talk about just about anything without too much of a struggle. He did have to stop and explain a lot of words and I told him that I was very sorry in advance because I cannot remember it all now. The way I have been trying to expand my vocab is through repition and usage. I think that's pretty normal, but I don't feel very confidant but I try to forget that sometimes. If I say something outrageous I think everyone will laugh and then they will correct me! That's not scary at all! But there are words I hear so often like"tatoeba", "betsuni" ,"ya-pari", "kanari", "jitsuwa" and I get their meanings all mixed up because they mean things like "for example", "fairly", "truthfully" and "nevertheless". So they are used very often and to me, they all just are the same in my mind for some reason. It's pretty annoying...so basically everytime I hear it I have to double check what the meaning is...I guess that's practice...one day I'll get it.
We got to the house and I settled down in the room I always stay in. At this house there are two parts; the new part and the old part. The new part is two stories, the second level being Ojichan's classroom for his Jyuku and the bottom story being the house they live in mainly. It has their bedrooms, kitchen/central living space, toilet and bathroom. A hallway connects the new part to the old house which is all tatami mat rooms divided by sliding doors next to a long wide hallway that runs the length of the house. There is a bathroom and kitchen still in the old part of the house. It is where my grandfather stayed when he still alive. The old part of the house is made entirely of cypress would, so it smells wonderful. When I heard that I decided that that is what I identify as "The smell of Japan". It makes sense, because there are times when I get a wiff even in the States...
I stay in the room that has a little cove where my grandfather's bible lays open and there are photos of us grandchildren, my grandparent's and their parents. Close to the ceiling looking down are my grandparent's portraits. Hanging the portraits in that way is a Japanese tradition that is slowly fading away.
Miyako-obachan soon came home and she hugged me. When i had seen her in the beginning of my trip she was still in the hospital recovering from surgery, but now she is well again - I was very glad to see that. She said she had to go pick up Ema, who had rode most of the way home, and asked if I wanted to go along so I did! It was good to see Ema. I can't believe she rides her bike like that...it's incredible, it truly is. (I think i've written it already before, but Ema rides her bike on mountain roads to her high school nearly everyday. It is about 40 km. She leaves at 5 AM to get there in time. Such determination...amazing!).
On Saturday afternoon we went shopping at a big mall in the next town. It was really shiny and new. We first went to a Pet Store to get their dog, Nonta, his vitamins. But there were all kinds of things! Santa outfits for dogs, dog beer and wine, dog obentos, even dog UDON! I was kind of in disblief. The dog could basically live like a human, go shopping for clothes and food, vitamins, desserts and alcohol! Very interesting.
Then we went people shopping and got a few more Christmas gifts...
For dinner I had my first McDonalds sandwhich in a very, very, very long time. I can't remember the last time I've eaten food there that wasn't a dessert item...I've stolen fried from others at times, I admit it, OH and I forgot I ate a couple chicken nuggest at the Fukuda's house. I got the chicken sandwhich this time. Basically, I haven't eaten so much McDonalds since I was a kid! They have a Japan-only burger that is called something like "Gura-ke", a mix between Gratton and Koro-ke. Basically a fried patty of creamy potato stuff.
On Sunday I got up at 6 because we had to leave by 7 for Fukuoka. There, Ojichan and Ema were participating in a MTB Enduro Competition with Ema's high school MTB club. There were people from all over Kyushu, though, also participating. It started at 10:30 and went till 1:30. You could choose teams or do solo. Ema was on a team with her friend Fuka-chan. Ojichan was going solo for the whole 3 hours. It was pretty impressive to see how many people were there and all the bikes and outfits and how they just kept going and going and going. I grew a little tired jsut standing in the cold...can't imagine biking for 3 hours! The course wound around in a little grove of trees before going up and over a hill and the using a switchback down to a road and then back into the woods. Very fast.
Miyako-obachan's sister, her husband and 10 yr old son and he parents also came to the race. I was with them most of the time. Also, Fuka-chan's little sister, Manaka-chan was there again. I remembered her and she remembered me from Ema's sports festival two months ago. She is a very friendly girl so she held my hand and pulled me around sometimes. She even gave me a little piece of candy!
We went on a walk during the race, Miyako, Miyako's sister and her husband and son. There was a playground that we walk to. It was so cool! I wish I were young again:p If it wasn't so cold I might have clambered all over everywhere...but I'm also scared of heights a little...and I'd rather take photos sometimes.
I believe Makito-ojichan got 12th in the race! Ema and Fuka-chans record was a little messed up because they accidentally entered in the mens catergory...which, seeing as they were then competing against full grown men, changed the outcome dramatically. But everyone did very well, or in Japanese, みんな本当にがんばったです。
Yesterday everyone went to work really early so when I got up the house was empty except for Nonta. He doesn't bark as much when I'm around now, which I'm thankful for. I even have pet him a couple times now...:D
After breakfast I finished my Christmas shopping for good. Ojichan showed me a bike that I could ride around, he gave me a choice between a seriously nice bike and a cute little townbeater. I decided that it would be very silly of me to ride the intense bike, because I didn't really need it. Plus the town beater reminds me of my beautiful blue baby bike back home! (Yeah for alliteration!) In the afternoon I went in search of the spring that I remembered from the time I came to Japan in 5th grade. I rode there with Mom, Ema, Elijah and Kazu. It was warm so we were wading in the pool that the spring poors into and we were squatting under the spouts and drinking right from there. We also sat on the stone steps nearby and enjoyed ice cream...I have a few photos left from that trip, and I have been wanting to go back and see it again. I only remembered a few things from that time on how to get there. I remembered going left out of the driveway and then left again towards the mountains. I remembered riding across a field and I remembered a park near the spring. That was it. So I rode towards the mountains and figured if I stay on the roads nearest the base of the mountains I should come to it eventually. After winding around a lot and turning around a couple times I finally saw the park and just beyond that, the spring. I was so happy! I drank a little of the water and took some photos. Then I saw there was pointing up the road that went past the spring. I couldn't read anything but "700 m" on the sign. So I went up there and found myself climbing moss covered stairs up to the top of a little mountain where there were what seemed like graves of some sort or religious statues. It was very quiet and peaceful and the lighting was spectacular. The afternoons are beautiful since it is dark by 5:30.
I was really happy to have time to just explore. I have also come to appreciate being alone more than I ever did.
I keep thinking to when I'll be in Hokkaido, where I'll be staying in an apartment by myself through the Couch Surfing program (Thanks Patrick!!!). A couple live in Sapporo and they said I could stay in what is technically the woman's English classroom but also an apartment. So I will be alone for those three days. I can do what I want, eat what I want, sleep when I want, see what I want, go where I want...you get the picture, aha! Freedom! But then...really, I have 7 months of freedom! And after college, basically a life of freedom in which I choose my own barriers. Maybe in Hokkaido I will dedicate one of the days to eating Katsudon at all different restaurants and finding the best! Haha...it's going to be fun.
I found my way back easily and was soon at the house. Today I went to post office in the morning with Ojichan and then relaxed until around 2 watching a Dinosaur show on the Discovery channel as well as my favorite show that I always watch...but hardly understand because it used Osaka dialect.
After that I went on another bike ride. To nowhere in particular. But Ivisited two shrines a park with the coolest slide! After a while I started to get hungry so I went back, but stopped at the spring and filled my bottle up with spring water and stopped at a vending machine to buy sweet bean soup in a can - yum! I'd been looking for a vending machine with that and I was very glad I found it:)
So I enjoyed that along with a peanut butter banana and more TV! This time the show was one different area's special tradition. One prefecture made a certain dish with peanuts that the rest of Japan does without peanuts. And with TV shows in Japan, they use comedians with everything, so it made it very interesting even when you don't understand! Basically our TV shows on cooking are horribly boring...when you throw in a few comedians and go more into the origin of the food, wow! Anyhow, the next prefecture said "going to the bathroom" very strangely. Instead of using the verb "to go" they used the verb "to bounce". So that was very interesting. Japanese seems easy at first, but when you come to Japan, you realize that they hardly use the Japanese you learned! But very abbreviated and changed versions of the Japanese you learned. For example in Kumamoto "demo" which means "but" is "bu-ten" in Japanese. And basically everything end in "an". Instead of "shiranai" or "Ikanai" it become "shiran" and "Ikan" and "dakara" become "daken" and mixed with using "ore" and "are" instead of "watashi" (meaning "I") a lot of times I'm lost until I get the hang of it a little more. The worst part is that in Osaka, everything is different AGAIN from here in Kumamoto and in Sapporo will be different yet AGAIN. So...in the end...I feel that when I go back to America I will have not really improved my Japanese, just learned little bits and pieces of different dialects. My reading is getting better, though. Since they subtitle a lot of TV in Japanese it's good because I can read and hear and recognize the kanji...maybe kanji isn't a lost cause afterall!
We just went to pick up Ema who was somewhere in the mountains riding her bike in the pitch black of night. I wonder how far she had already ridden...ah!
Tonight I think we are having fish. Tomorrow Ojichan is taking me to my mom's aunt and uncle's house in Sanga, a town nearby. There I hope to help on their farm. There is some cucumber work now, though the melon season is over. I'm looking forward to it though I'm nervous because I know their Kumamoto Dialect is going to be INCREDIBLY strong since they are part of the older generation...ganba-te!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Back at the farm
I have been back at Yamaai Mura farm since the 3rd, I leave in two days for Uto.
I am sad to leave here but I'm looking forward to seeing the family and Mom just sent me an email saying that I will get to help my great aunt on their farm and even learn how to cook New Year's dishes! I'm very happy about that. I can't cook to save my life, so I know Mom is very happy as well :p
It's been great here. Peaceful. Sunny...except for today and the first day I was here again...
I was a little down yesterday but today was super! Busy with work, which I love. Pumpkin harvest, rice shelling and cleaning up the chicken coup in the morning. In the afternoon rice sorting and I finished my mural.
There is a new WWOOFer here from Holland. His name is Albert. He speaks some Japanese but mostly we have been communicating in English which has been nice, suddenly I can really truly express myself again! I guess that is what goes along with using your native language.
After Pumpkin harvest we decided we wanted to carve jack-o-lanterns. Though it is already December, I never got to carve mine at Halloween, so it can't be too late!
Yesterday in the morning we got to learn a little Kyudo at a Kyudo club right outside Kikuchi town. Albert is in love with Kyudo and really wanted to try and Muto-san made it happen! I got to try it too. I was awful but it was an unique and rare experience. I liked watching the people who were good do it first:) Everything but it is so perfect and structured. It is more about the process of doing than the doing...very interesting.
However my arm was sore from the day before. Albert made and we ate hamburgers on Monday before Hiro took us to badminton. Eriguchi-san, who is the organizer of the Open Badminton has helped me out the last few times. He keeps saying I'm getting better...honto-ni? sojanai, da-to-omou...
But after practicing with him a little Albert and I hit for like 40 minutes. Then Eriguchi-san said I could play in a real game! They played nice to me, but I was so happy and thankful that I could play in a real game! I'm not as bad as I was in the beginning, but I knew I wasn't game-worthy. Still, so fun!
It has been so cold at night. I sleep with electric blanket now and I can see my breath in my room when I wake up. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Today after work Muto-san and Albert prepared the pizza oven outside and a campfire. We made pizzas from scratch and while the dough was being mixed I carved my pumpkin! Muto-san had only ever seen it on TV, I'm glad I was able to show him something:) We put toppings on the pizza, tomato, onion, garlic, sausage, pepper, shitake and...cheese of course! I didn't realize it but the pizzas only had to go in the pizza oven for like 1 or 2 minutes, because suddenly, they were done! I couldn't believe it! So then we three sat down outside in the night air and enjoyed homemade, pizza oven cooked pizza:) Then we also baked chicken a little fish in the oven while it was still hot...EVERYTHING WAS SO YUMMY! Then in the campfire we roasted sweet potatoes as well while we lit out jack-o-lanterns. I made on traditional face and a piggy face. Albert made a traditional face as well and we set them next to the door of the house. My Halloween!
I am very content right now:) Muto-san is sleeping on the couch after battling flies with fly swatter and Albert finished watching jujitsu movie from his students in Holland.
Soon it is off to bed with me. I'm listening to Miyuki Nagajima? (forgot last name,here's the kanji...中島みゆき) Mom, everyone says you will know her, she's from "your time" :p
Good night to everyone!!
I am sad to leave here but I'm looking forward to seeing the family and Mom just sent me an email saying that I will get to help my great aunt on their farm and even learn how to cook New Year's dishes! I'm very happy about that. I can't cook to save my life, so I know Mom is very happy as well :p
It's been great here. Peaceful. Sunny...except for today and the first day I was here again...
I was a little down yesterday but today was super! Busy with work, which I love. Pumpkin harvest, rice shelling and cleaning up the chicken coup in the morning. In the afternoon rice sorting and I finished my mural.
There is a new WWOOFer here from Holland. His name is Albert. He speaks some Japanese but mostly we have been communicating in English which has been nice, suddenly I can really truly express myself again! I guess that is what goes along with using your native language.
After Pumpkin harvest we decided we wanted to carve jack-o-lanterns. Though it is already December, I never got to carve mine at Halloween, so it can't be too late!
Yesterday in the morning we got to learn a little Kyudo at a Kyudo club right outside Kikuchi town. Albert is in love with Kyudo and really wanted to try and Muto-san made it happen! I got to try it too. I was awful but it was an unique and rare experience. I liked watching the people who were good do it first:) Everything but it is so perfect and structured. It is more about the process of doing than the doing...very interesting.
However my arm was sore from the day before. Albert made and we ate hamburgers on Monday before Hiro took us to badminton. Eriguchi-san, who is the organizer of the Open Badminton has helped me out the last few times. He keeps saying I'm getting better...honto-ni? sojanai, da-to-omou...
But after practicing with him a little Albert and I hit for like 40 minutes. Then Eriguchi-san said I could play in a real game! They played nice to me, but I was so happy and thankful that I could play in a real game! I'm not as bad as I was in the beginning, but I knew I wasn't game-worthy. Still, so fun!
It has been so cold at night. I sleep with electric blanket now and I can see my breath in my room when I wake up. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Today after work Muto-san and Albert prepared the pizza oven outside and a campfire. We made pizzas from scratch and while the dough was being mixed I carved my pumpkin! Muto-san had only ever seen it on TV, I'm glad I was able to show him something:) We put toppings on the pizza, tomato, onion, garlic, sausage, pepper, shitake and...cheese of course! I didn't realize it but the pizzas only had to go in the pizza oven for like 1 or 2 minutes, because suddenly, they were done! I couldn't believe it! So then we three sat down outside in the night air and enjoyed homemade, pizza oven cooked pizza:) Then we also baked chicken a little fish in the oven while it was still hot...EVERYTHING WAS SO YUMMY! Then in the campfire we roasted sweet potatoes as well while we lit out jack-o-lanterns. I made on traditional face and a piggy face. Albert made a traditional face as well and we set them next to the door of the house. My Halloween!
I am very content right now:) Muto-san is sleeping on the couch after battling flies with fly swatter and Albert finished watching jujitsu movie from his students in Holland.
Soon it is off to bed with me. I'm listening to Miyuki Nagajima? (forgot last name,here's the kanji...中島みゆき) Mom, everyone says you will know her, she's from "your time" :p
Good night to everyone!!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Fukuda Fun!
I am back at Yamaai Mura for one more week before going to Uto and the family.
However, I really enjoyed my stay with the Fukudas. Keiichan, Hiroko-obachan and Shinchan were all very fun to be with. On Wednesday Keiichan took me to the Zoo/Botanical Garden/ Kids Amusement park in Kumamoto. It wasn't busy at all, we were nearly the only ones there. Probably because it was a cloudy day that was supposed to be rainy and a week day afternoon...But I got to see all kinds of animals, love! I got to see Zaboomafoo (lemur!) and this unique Chinese monkey that was given to the zoo by Kumamoto's sister city in China. Apparently when they monkeys first came to the Zoo, people from all over Japan came to see it. It had a beautiful little face that seemed almost blue and a lot of light brown fur...very interesting.
Of course I got to see elephants and giraffes and even a black swan! It was a chilly day but since we were walking around it felt wonderful...the changing colors of the trees was so beautiful. We also got to see a whole bunch of confused cherry blossom trees! Spring blossoms and autumn colors...awesome.
On Thursday Shinchan took me to Uniqlo to get a shirt Elijah wanted and then we went to the history museum next to the Kumamoto castle and after that to another museum called Wakuwakuza. It had a lot of fun hands on things- I think it was targeted mostly at kids, but we enjoyed it! We got to try on kimonos, sit on a horse and play with one of those new projectors that when you walk on the light on the ground the image changes where you step. I haven't seen one since we were coming back from Italy with OHS orchestra at an airport. The image originally shows the current Kumamoto city but where you walk it shoes a drawn map of how it used to be several hundred years ago. Yes! I think it was Shinchans first time seeing anything like that, pretty awesome. We had to rush at the end because we were supposed to be back at the house by 6 but right outside the museum there are many new shops in traditional style Japanese building. So it kind of has the feel of being old, but looks very Japanese - Nippon-poi (I think). We went into one store and bought koro-ke, basically breaded and fried creamed and slightly sweet potato- so delicious. Mine had a little sea urchin in it:)
Shinchan knows English very well so we can talk about differences and interesting parts of the languages (and a lot more things since now we have two languages to work with!). But I was telling him about how cute Japanese sounds, they have words like "pa-pa " and "sa-sa" which means basically "quickly". Or "fua-fua" that means "puffy". I guess that Japanese uses a lot of repetition which ends up just sounding really adorable! The four of us then went out to Conveyor Belt Sushi before Keiichan dropped me off at Yamaai Mura. When ever I'm at a Conveyor Belt Sushi restaurant, I can't stop smiling. I don't know what it is! But I feel like such an idiot that I'm brought to such gaiety because of conveyor belt sushi! I think it's partly because of how hilarious it is to see the little sushi going around and around...and I'm terrible at eating sushi. Basically you are supposed to stick one whole nigiri (piece) into your mouth, but it's really hard for me to do that and chew and not burst out laughing...it's really horrible! But I love the sushi. I always get chawamushi as well. Hiroko-obachan and I are alike in that we love food:) But Shinchan and Keiichan poke fun at her all the time basically for not being able to resist anything. After sushi she wanted to order a bowl of udon and she kept saying "But I can't eat it all by myself" but Keiichan retorted "Of course you can". I guess it's funnier in Japanese, but that banter kept up a little until Shinchan just ordered it for his mother and he ended up eating a little bit of it as well - so it all worked out! They are so hilarious, I was laughing throughout the whole dinner. But Shinchan asked me "Did you stuff yourself?" And of course I started laughing because I was laughing at everything but it was funny to hear that, because in America you don't say that - you ask "Are you full?" or "Did you get enough to eat?" . But you never hear "Did you stuff yourself?" You only say that about yourself, "OH, I'm STUFFED." I was absolutely delighted by the end of the dinner, full of green tea, eel, squid, tuna, salmon, shrimp, rice, chawamushi and caramelized sweet potato fries!
I said good bye and thank you and was sad to leave but they invited me to come again while I'm at Uto so i will see them again soon.
It seems like wherever I am, that place becomes my home...
When I got to Yamaai Mura Muto-san gave me a hug and said he was happy I was home:) Keiichan stayed for tea and Muto-san said after I left it was lonely here and Keiichan said that now, it will be lonely in Mashiki as well! I feel bad that I can't be more than one person and be everywhere everyone wants me to be at once...but, I guess that's something I'll just have to live with. It's good to be back here in Kikuchi too:) Tomorrow I WWOOFer from Holland is coming, pretty cool. And tonight we ate dangojiru, my favorite!
In my heart I feel a little warm and fuzzy knowing how I am loved by those around me here and how I love them too.
Despite all this love though...I'm starting to feel a tad achy for my family. I keep saying to myself soon enough I will be home...soon enough...I still have a lot ahead of me that I'm excited for.
For starters, tomorrow is supposed to be a gorgeous day here in Kikuchi. Today was dreary as ever and I was sad but I can feel the warmth of the sunlight already!
Come on beautiful day, blue skies and sun shine - I need you.
However, I really enjoyed my stay with the Fukudas. Keiichan, Hiroko-obachan and Shinchan were all very fun to be with. On Wednesday Keiichan took me to the Zoo/Botanical Garden/ Kids Amusement park in Kumamoto. It wasn't busy at all, we were nearly the only ones there. Probably because it was a cloudy day that was supposed to be rainy and a week day afternoon...But I got to see all kinds of animals, love! I got to see Zaboomafoo (lemur!) and this unique Chinese monkey that was given to the zoo by Kumamoto's sister city in China. Apparently when they monkeys first came to the Zoo, people from all over Japan came to see it. It had a beautiful little face that seemed almost blue and a lot of light brown fur...very interesting.
Of course I got to see elephants and giraffes and even a black swan! It was a chilly day but since we were walking around it felt wonderful...the changing colors of the trees was so beautiful. We also got to see a whole bunch of confused cherry blossom trees! Spring blossoms and autumn colors...awesome.
On Thursday Shinchan took me to Uniqlo to get a shirt Elijah wanted and then we went to the history museum next to the Kumamoto castle and after that to another museum called Wakuwakuza. It had a lot of fun hands on things- I think it was targeted mostly at kids, but we enjoyed it! We got to try on kimonos, sit on a horse and play with one of those new projectors that when you walk on the light on the ground the image changes where you step. I haven't seen one since we were coming back from Italy with OHS orchestra at an airport. The image originally shows the current Kumamoto city but where you walk it shoes a drawn map of how it used to be several hundred years ago. Yes! I think it was Shinchans first time seeing anything like that, pretty awesome. We had to rush at the end because we were supposed to be back at the house by 6 but right outside the museum there are many new shops in traditional style Japanese building. So it kind of has the feel of being old, but looks very Japanese - Nippon-poi (I think). We went into one store and bought koro-ke, basically breaded and fried creamed and slightly sweet potato- so delicious. Mine had a little sea urchin in it:)
Shinchan knows English very well so we can talk about differences and interesting parts of the languages (and a lot more things since now we have two languages to work with!). But I was telling him about how cute Japanese sounds, they have words like "pa-pa " and "sa-sa" which means basically "quickly". Or "fua-fua" that means "puffy". I guess that Japanese uses a lot of repetition which ends up just sounding really adorable! The four of us then went out to Conveyor Belt Sushi before Keiichan dropped me off at Yamaai Mura. When ever I'm at a Conveyor Belt Sushi restaurant, I can't stop smiling. I don't know what it is! But I feel like such an idiot that I'm brought to such gaiety because of conveyor belt sushi! I think it's partly because of how hilarious it is to see the little sushi going around and around...and I'm terrible at eating sushi. Basically you are supposed to stick one whole nigiri (piece) into your mouth, but it's really hard for me to do that and chew and not burst out laughing...it's really horrible! But I love the sushi. I always get chawamushi as well. Hiroko-obachan and I are alike in that we love food:) But Shinchan and Keiichan poke fun at her all the time basically for not being able to resist anything. After sushi she wanted to order a bowl of udon and she kept saying "But I can't eat it all by myself" but Keiichan retorted "Of course you can". I guess it's funnier in Japanese, but that banter kept up a little until Shinchan just ordered it for his mother and he ended up eating a little bit of it as well - so it all worked out! They are so hilarious, I was laughing throughout the whole dinner. But Shinchan asked me "Did you stuff yourself?" And of course I started laughing because I was laughing at everything but it was funny to hear that, because in America you don't say that - you ask "Are you full?" or "Did you get enough to eat?" . But you never hear "Did you stuff yourself?" You only say that about yourself, "OH, I'm STUFFED." I was absolutely delighted by the end of the dinner, full of green tea, eel, squid, tuna, salmon, shrimp, rice, chawamushi and caramelized sweet potato fries!
I said good bye and thank you and was sad to leave but they invited me to come again while I'm at Uto so i will see them again soon.
It seems like wherever I am, that place becomes my home...
When I got to Yamaai Mura Muto-san gave me a hug and said he was happy I was home:) Keiichan stayed for tea and Muto-san said after I left it was lonely here and Keiichan said that now, it will be lonely in Mashiki as well! I feel bad that I can't be more than one person and be everywhere everyone wants me to be at once...but, I guess that's something I'll just have to live with. It's good to be back here in Kikuchi too:) Tomorrow I WWOOFer from Holland is coming, pretty cool. And tonight we ate dangojiru, my favorite!
In my heart I feel a little warm and fuzzy knowing how I am loved by those around me here and how I love them too.
Despite all this love though...I'm starting to feel a tad achy for my family. I keep saying to myself soon enough I will be home...soon enough...I still have a lot ahead of me that I'm excited for.
For starters, tomorrow is supposed to be a gorgeous day here in Kikuchi. Today was dreary as ever and I was sad but I can feel the warmth of the sunlight already!
Come on beautiful day, blue skies and sun shine - I need you.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
With the past, tragic event in Oberlin...I suddenly feel the distance between this country and my lovely, caring town halfway around the world. I think the Oberlin community is suffering greatly in this time...
Emma Coleman was one of the most beautiful, kind, talented and intelligent human beings I knew. I remember playing together in her house when we were little and always admiring her violin playing for we took lessons together with Molly from childhood through high school. Her music was beautiful and struck deep inside when you listened. I think Emma really poured her heart into everything she did, and in doing so could touch people in their own hearts, leaving behind a truly unique impression.
One thing I always found delightful was Emma's smile. Of course, she was beautiful, but her smile was always genuine. Like it made her day to see you on the street, and she would smile to you in all her happiness.
There is no question, Emma will be missed by Oberlin and by all the places and people she touched in her life. She has left a long trail of her love and caring nature in the minds everyone who knew her.
I hope the very best for Emma's family... I don't think that there are words in this world for their sorrow...
I just hope they will be able to find happiness again. I think Emma would want that for her family.
Oberlin, please, take care.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Certainly a beautiful wedding...
Today we got up at 6:30 and were at the Hotel where the wedding would take place by 8:00. Yuka-chan and her husband, Mamoru-san had stayed at the hotel the night before because their preparation started very early - especially Yuka. Hiroko-obachan went to the salon there in the hotel and they did her hair in curls and sparkly pins and helped her with her kimono - the black one with the family crest and gold thread embroidery. I think Hiroko-obachan is a very beautiful woman, but it's always stunning to see when someone dresses up. I felt simple in my little blue flats, simple white and black dress, hardly any makeup and my hair plain and down. The thing is...without Gena and Mom, I can't dress up very easily. Gena always does my makeup and Mom and Gena take turns doing my hair - without them I have to keep it VERY simple... haha, so helpless! We waited around and soon the family members gathered. Yuka's family members gathered in one room while Mamoru-san's gathered in the next door room, separated by a curtain. Aya-chan, the cousin I went shopping with, was wearing her kimono as well. It was beautiful and blue with shiny sparkling thread and a pattern of flowers in the wind. Since she is unmarried, it still had the long sleeves which was fun to see. However, she said she was going to cut them soon to the shorter length.
When Yuka came, I was stunned. She was dressed in the white kimono with white cloth/hat covering her head. Only her lips were red. Yuka is very small and slender and the kimono looked so thick around her! She said it was very heavy, it sure looked it. But it was stunning. A white wedding dress is one thing, but this kimono was something extraordinary to see...
When things had settled down and all the family had arrived the woman who was leading everyone through the wedding came and opened the curtain between the rooms. The two families were sitting facing one another. The father's of the couple introduced everyone in their family. There were around 20 people per family who were there. I realized a little too late that maybe I should have stayed outside for this portion of the ceremony as well, but it was fine and I was introduced as the friend from America:)
After that the family portion of the wedding began: the family photo and the actual ceremony. I was to join with all the other guests after the ceremony for the reception where I'd be able to sit with the family rather than at a friends table, which made me very happy. Three of Yuka's cousins were also waiting outside while the ceremony was happening. I'm too shy, I realize, because it took a while before one them came up to me and asked where I was from and so we talked for a little while. We were the same age and one cousin was one year younger, I thought they were much older! I think they thought the same about me because they surprised when i said I was 18. Soon everyone came out and Yuka and Mamoru stood with their parents and greeted everyone as they entered the Reception banquet room. Mamoru-san seems like a really nice man. I know he must be wonderful since Yuka-chan is marrying him! I'm glad that they are happy together :)
The room was pretty big and filled with round tables with pretty gold utensils, flowers, appetizers and name stands. I got to sit at a table with Keiichan, Hiroko-obachan, Shin-chan and Keiichan's parents. His mother makes THE BEST umeboshi! I told her so and she seemed happy.
Soon Yuka and Mamoru-san came in with the Japanese style parasol. Yuka was in a new kimono already! With new hair ornaments and everything. They walked past our tables and to the front of the room where they were led to their seats, facing the room and all the guests. Then the waitresses and waiters poured champagne and soda into the glasses and we said kampai! before sitting down and relaxing. There were a couple videos that played, one was a profile, saying this is Yuka and this Mamoru and this is what schools they went to, their dreams and of course, their blood type. I don't even know my blood type but that's a big deal here...
As things calmed down, the food was brought out. Sashimi, a little filet mignon, a creamy scallop dish, chawamushi, stick rice and more! It was brought out one right after the other throughout the whole ceremony. Hiroko-obachan, Keiichan and a little bit Shin-chan had to go around to the tables and thank the guests and pour beer into their glasses, for you are not supposed to pour your own. So constantly people come and fill the glasses of others. Hospitality. But because they had to go around and around, they didn't really eat. However, I sat and only took photos so I got to eat just about everything! Towards the end of the wedding, though, there was the cake and the candle lighting ceremony so I didn't get to eat too much dessert. I would regret so much if I gave up a fantastic filming or photo option for even such things as strawberries and chocolate fondue!
The cutting of the cake was my favorite. Yuka was dressed in a brilliant white dress with gloves and flowers in her hair. Mamoru-san had changed into a tuxedo, but a unique one with white stitching along the edges. He didn't have the katanas anymore. They cut the cake together, posing for people to take photos for they were surrounded by a wall of cameras and people. Hiroko-obachan and Keiichan said they didn't even know what the cake looked like or what had happened because they couldn't see past the wall of guests! I was a part of that wall so I filmed the whole thing. Yuka's facial expression look a little pained and she winced at the hundreds of cameras flashing away. But soon the actually cut it and a man handed Mamoru-san a tiny little spoon and a plate and he delicately got a bite of the cake onto the spoon and very nicely fed it to Yuka-chan. It was very sweet.
Then they took the little spoon and plate away and handed Yuka a plate and then a giant wooden cooking spoon! She held it up to show everyone and you could see Mamoru-san's face turn into an "oh no" expression. He started stretching is jaw in preparation. Yuka gathered a fair bit of cake on the spoon, like a hole piece. She let him take a bite (he could only fit about half of it in one bite) then she pressed the remainder playfully into his mouth. He had a white icing beard after that! But she was given a cloth and he wiped it away moments later, how nice! But it was such a playful and happy moment, made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Even though you see everyone do it, it's different when you see it in person with people you know.
The whole wedding was incredible! The lights, the music, the dresses, the hair, the family and friends, the traditions, the food! All together it was quite the experience. The best way to see it is here: Wedding Photos!
I'm sure everyone does it, but it made me think of how one day I will get married and how Gena and Karen will get married and maybe even Elijah will get married too :p (joke! I know he will, the handsome boy he is...) And on those days I will be in Shin-chan's shoes. And maybe one day I can be in Hiroko-obachan's shoes and watch my daughter marry someone wonderful. And maybe if I am lucky, I can be in Hiroko-obachan's mom's shoes, and watch my granddaughter get married! But that is all a little to far away to think about. There is so much time in between still that I don't know what will happen... Still early, but, I can't wait to have a family! I think a wedding would be a little embarrassing and very stressful... but with all the makeup and dresses they have nowadays, people can make even ME beautiful... I think:)
Yuka and Mamoru leave for Bali tomorrow for their Honeymoon. I hope they have a lot of fun and after that, have a very wonderful and happy life together. I think they will. <3
When Yuka came, I was stunned. She was dressed in the white kimono with white cloth/hat covering her head. Only her lips were red. Yuka is very small and slender and the kimono looked so thick around her! She said it was very heavy, it sure looked it. But it was stunning. A white wedding dress is one thing, but this kimono was something extraordinary to see...
When things had settled down and all the family had arrived the woman who was leading everyone through the wedding came and opened the curtain between the rooms. The two families were sitting facing one another. The father's of the couple introduced everyone in their family. There were around 20 people per family who were there. I realized a little too late that maybe I should have stayed outside for this portion of the ceremony as well, but it was fine and I was introduced as the friend from America:)
After that the family portion of the wedding began: the family photo and the actual ceremony. I was to join with all the other guests after the ceremony for the reception where I'd be able to sit with the family rather than at a friends table, which made me very happy. Three of Yuka's cousins were also waiting outside while the ceremony was happening. I'm too shy, I realize, because it took a while before one them came up to me and asked where I was from and so we talked for a little while. We were the same age and one cousin was one year younger, I thought they were much older! I think they thought the same about me because they surprised when i said I was 18. Soon everyone came out and Yuka and Mamoru stood with their parents and greeted everyone as they entered the Reception banquet room. Mamoru-san seems like a really nice man. I know he must be wonderful since Yuka-chan is marrying him! I'm glad that they are happy together :)
The room was pretty big and filled with round tables with pretty gold utensils, flowers, appetizers and name stands. I got to sit at a table with Keiichan, Hiroko-obachan, Shin-chan and Keiichan's parents. His mother makes THE BEST umeboshi! I told her so and she seemed happy.
Soon Yuka and Mamoru-san came in with the Japanese style parasol. Yuka was in a new kimono already! With new hair ornaments and everything. They walked past our tables and to the front of the room where they were led to their seats, facing the room and all the guests. Then the waitresses and waiters poured champagne and soda into the glasses and we said kampai! before sitting down and relaxing. There were a couple videos that played, one was a profile, saying this is Yuka and this Mamoru and this is what schools they went to, their dreams and of course, their blood type. I don't even know my blood type but that's a big deal here...
As things calmed down, the food was brought out. Sashimi, a little filet mignon, a creamy scallop dish, chawamushi, stick rice and more! It was brought out one right after the other throughout the whole ceremony. Hiroko-obachan, Keiichan and a little bit Shin-chan had to go around to the tables and thank the guests and pour beer into their glasses, for you are not supposed to pour your own. So constantly people come and fill the glasses of others. Hospitality. But because they had to go around and around, they didn't really eat. However, I sat and only took photos so I got to eat just about everything! Towards the end of the wedding, though, there was the cake and the candle lighting ceremony so I didn't get to eat too much dessert. I would regret so much if I gave up a fantastic filming or photo option for even such things as strawberries and chocolate fondue!
The cutting of the cake was my favorite. Yuka was dressed in a brilliant white dress with gloves and flowers in her hair. Mamoru-san had changed into a tuxedo, but a unique one with white stitching along the edges. He didn't have the katanas anymore. They cut the cake together, posing for people to take photos for they were surrounded by a wall of cameras and people. Hiroko-obachan and Keiichan said they didn't even know what the cake looked like or what had happened because they couldn't see past the wall of guests! I was a part of that wall so I filmed the whole thing. Yuka's facial expression look a little pained and she winced at the hundreds of cameras flashing away. But soon the actually cut it and a man handed Mamoru-san a tiny little spoon and a plate and he delicately got a bite of the cake onto the spoon and very nicely fed it to Yuka-chan. It was very sweet.
Then they took the little spoon and plate away and handed Yuka a plate and then a giant wooden cooking spoon! She held it up to show everyone and you could see Mamoru-san's face turn into an "oh no" expression. He started stretching is jaw in preparation. Yuka gathered a fair bit of cake on the spoon, like a hole piece. She let him take a bite (he could only fit about half of it in one bite) then she pressed the remainder playfully into his mouth. He had a white icing beard after that! But she was given a cloth and he wiped it away moments later, how nice! But it was such a playful and happy moment, made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Even though you see everyone do it, it's different when you see it in person with people you know.
The whole wedding was incredible! The lights, the music, the dresses, the hair, the family and friends, the traditions, the food! All together it was quite the experience. The best way to see it is here: Wedding Photos!
I'm sure everyone does it, but it made me think of how one day I will get married and how Gena and Karen will get married and maybe even Elijah will get married too :p (joke! I know he will, the handsome boy he is...) And on those days I will be in Shin-chan's shoes. And maybe one day I can be in Hiroko-obachan's shoes and watch my daughter marry someone wonderful. And maybe if I am lucky, I can be in Hiroko-obachan's mom's shoes, and watch my granddaughter get married! But that is all a little to far away to think about. There is so much time in between still that I don't know what will happen... Still early, but, I can't wait to have a family! I think a wedding would be a little embarrassing and very stressful... but with all the makeup and dresses they have nowadays, people can make even ME beautiful... I think:)
Yuka and Mamoru leave for Bali tomorrow for their Honeymoon. I hope they have a lot of fun and after that, have a very wonderful and happy life together. I think they will. <3
Friday, November 25, 2011
Shopping in Kumamoto, collecting water, cheap food and expensive food too!
Yesterday I went shopping for a dress for Yuka-chan's wedding. I went with Yuka-chan and her cousin Aya-chan who lives nearby. They took me to the shopping area in Kumamoto. A covered street lined with restaurants and shops - awesome! There were already many Christmas decorations up, and at KFC Colonel Sanders was dressed as Santa. Not to mention, Christmas carols are everywhere! It feels weird for a few reasons. One, because I haven't technically celebrated Thanksgiving and gotten into the swing of the holidays. Two, because it is a little chilly, but sunny and beautiful still! Three, because this is Japan...and it seems out of place in some way. And four, because I'm not home and with my family and preparing gifts and what not in my room like I always do. That's all okay though, there is still holiday spirit here!
First we went to a store called ZARA, which was similar to H&M I guess. I'm not a fashion expert so I can't really say what kind of store it was but there had many dresses that I looked at. However, most of them were a little sexy for a wedding so we went to another store called "Beams". I was really worried at first because all the dresses in the front of the store were like $200 or more, but we found some that were at a price I could afford. Here, it was only one size, so I was nervous but shocked when I fit into them! Yuka-chan brought me one to try on it fit perfectly and it was adorable. It looks like a white blouse with a black collar and a black skirt but it is a one piece. I bought it just like that! There was nothing wrong with it whatsoever so I was so relieved that I found it. Then we went to lunch, an Italian restaurant! We each ordered a pasta dish. Aya-chan ordered spicy shrimp spaghetti, Yuka-chan ordered creamy spaghetti and I ordered eggplant spaghetti. We also ordered a giant fried rice ball filled with cheese with red sauce to share. It's "Japanese Italian" food, so I wanted to try. It was yummy! I've never seen anything like it...it's amazing what people think of!
After lunch we went to the store where Yuka-chan is renting her and her husband's kimonos, suits and dresses from. It was incredible because many of the dresses were designed by the man who owns the place. It is famous for the very unique designs. I had never seen anything like it before! Some of the dresses were far from the traditional lacy white dress. There was one that was made with beige fabric and painted on with what could have been acrylic paint with greens, pinks, blues and in stripes and circles...these dresses are for people who don't want the traditional dress at all. They were gorgeous! I saw photos of people wearing them and they looked like dolls or crazy characters out of a fantasy movie. There was a Matrix outfit for the guys who wanted live their dream! Yuka-chan's husband will carry a katana for the wedding. I didn't completely understand but I think they were joking about how this is the chance that many men have to really have fun with their outfits (carrying katana, dressing like matrix character, carrying a staff even!). It's really unimaginable...I've never seen anything like it. I didn't see Yuka-chan in her dress, we decided to wait for the wedding and be in awe then:) I can't wait!
After that we went shoe hunting for me. We looked all over and I was starting to get worried. My shoe size is in between 24 and 25 cm depending on the shoe maker and 25 is the biggest size that all the stores carry. But if the shoe size is in S, M and L format, then the L doesn't fit me...it's too small. I found a shoe that I liked and asked if they had it in 25 cm. They didn't, only in 24 cm. But it didn't look outlandishly small so I decided well, I might as well try it on...so I did and OH MY it fit. I was so relieved because it was almost 5:00 and I needed shoes unless I was going to wear my boots to the wedding. So I bought them. Soooo happy. I can breath again!
Then we went into a department store, on the 6th floor they were having a Hokkaido Food Festival. We walked around and looked around at all the different things. There were fish, fish eggs, pastries, produce anything you can imagine and more...I saw the biggest suckers ever on a chunk of Octopus leg. And the had shaped the fish eggs and raw squid into like 8 inch tall towers in their dishes...I'm going to admit that it didn't all look really delicious. It was a little freaky at some moments even! But there were also many tasty looking things so it balances out.
We went home after that. Yes! Success!
At dinner we were watching a TV show about food (which isn't a surprise because like every show is about food) but they were going to different areas and finding really rare and expensive food. Some that I can remember: a 60 year aged umeboshi (pickled sour plum) that cost $30. A giant tofu block (giant as in like 2ftx1ftx1ft or so) that costs $700, one egg from a rare chicken that costs $5, a fish that sells from $60 a kg...you get the picture. What?? I was shocked. But it was fun to see...
This morning I went with Keiichan to get water from a spring near Aso. He goes once every couple weeks and fills up all these jugs and water bottles with the fresh spring water, they say that one is the tastiest. It is very common for people to do that because there are so many springs around there. When we got there there was one couple also collecting water. Keiichan said that it very rare, that normally there is a line of people waiting to fill their containers up. The water was beautiful and the little area was as well. The water flowed from pipes but there was a stone channel that guided the water to pools surrounded by moss and grass and little rocks and trees and it was beautiful. There was a shrine next to the spring and next to the shrine was the largest ginko tree I'd ever seen, it's leaves all golden. It was so beautiful! We talked to the couple and after a little while they got to the conversation of me being from the USA and they wife said oh my younger sister lives in the USA. We asked where and she said in OHIO! We were really surprised and Keiichan said to them that I was from Ohio too. What a coincidence! After we filled the jugs we went to a food market building. There were tons of fresh produce from local farms. Then I started looking at the prices, it was so cheap! A huge cabbage, bigger than my head, was only $1. I asked why it was so cheap and Keiichan explained that this produce is not from big farms that are trying to make a lot of money, rather from more elderly people who have a passion for farming and just want to provide food and aren't looking to make much money off of it. That's incredible, right? There was tons of food, but Keiichan said by the end of the day it will all be gone. People come from Kumamoto city all the way into the country near Aso to get this produce every Saturday...that's amazing!
Then we ate soba for lunch!
Tomorrow is the wedding...I'm really excited. It's going to be very interesting!
First we went to a store called ZARA, which was similar to H&M I guess. I'm not a fashion expert so I can't really say what kind of store it was but there had many dresses that I looked at. However, most of them were a little sexy for a wedding so we went to another store called "Beams". I was really worried at first because all the dresses in the front of the store were like $200 or more, but we found some that were at a price I could afford. Here, it was only one size, so I was nervous but shocked when I fit into them! Yuka-chan brought me one to try on it fit perfectly and it was adorable. It looks like a white blouse with a black collar and a black skirt but it is a one piece. I bought it just like that! There was nothing wrong with it whatsoever so I was so relieved that I found it. Then we went to lunch, an Italian restaurant! We each ordered a pasta dish. Aya-chan ordered spicy shrimp spaghetti, Yuka-chan ordered creamy spaghetti and I ordered eggplant spaghetti. We also ordered a giant fried rice ball filled with cheese with red sauce to share. It's "Japanese Italian" food, so I wanted to try. It was yummy! I've never seen anything like it...it's amazing what people think of!
After lunch we went to the store where Yuka-chan is renting her and her husband's kimonos, suits and dresses from. It was incredible because many of the dresses were designed by the man who owns the place. It is famous for the very unique designs. I had never seen anything like it before! Some of the dresses were far from the traditional lacy white dress. There was one that was made with beige fabric and painted on with what could have been acrylic paint with greens, pinks, blues and in stripes and circles...these dresses are for people who don't want the traditional dress at all. They were gorgeous! I saw photos of people wearing them and they looked like dolls or crazy characters out of a fantasy movie. There was a Matrix outfit for the guys who wanted live their dream! Yuka-chan's husband will carry a katana for the wedding. I didn't completely understand but I think they were joking about how this is the chance that many men have to really have fun with their outfits (carrying katana, dressing like matrix character, carrying a staff even!). It's really unimaginable...I've never seen anything like it. I didn't see Yuka-chan in her dress, we decided to wait for the wedding and be in awe then:) I can't wait!
After that we went shoe hunting for me. We looked all over and I was starting to get worried. My shoe size is in between 24 and 25 cm depending on the shoe maker and 25 is the biggest size that all the stores carry. But if the shoe size is in S, M and L format, then the L doesn't fit me...it's too small. I found a shoe that I liked and asked if they had it in 25 cm. They didn't, only in 24 cm. But it didn't look outlandishly small so I decided well, I might as well try it on...so I did and OH MY it fit. I was so relieved because it was almost 5:00 and I needed shoes unless I was going to wear my boots to the wedding. So I bought them. Soooo happy. I can breath again!
Then we went into a department store, on the 6th floor they were having a Hokkaido Food Festival. We walked around and looked around at all the different things. There were fish, fish eggs, pastries, produce anything you can imagine and more...I saw the biggest suckers ever on a chunk of Octopus leg. And the had shaped the fish eggs and raw squid into like 8 inch tall towers in their dishes...I'm going to admit that it didn't all look really delicious. It was a little freaky at some moments even! But there were also many tasty looking things so it balances out.
We went home after that. Yes! Success!
At dinner we were watching a TV show about food (which isn't a surprise because like every show is about food) but they were going to different areas and finding really rare and expensive food. Some that I can remember: a 60 year aged umeboshi (pickled sour plum) that cost $30. A giant tofu block (giant as in like 2ftx1ftx1ft or so) that costs $700, one egg from a rare chicken that costs $5, a fish that sells from $60 a kg...you get the picture. What?? I was shocked. But it was fun to see...
This morning I went with Keiichan to get water from a spring near Aso. He goes once every couple weeks and fills up all these jugs and water bottles with the fresh spring water, they say that one is the tastiest. It is very common for people to do that because there are so many springs around there. When we got there there was one couple also collecting water. Keiichan said that it very rare, that normally there is a line of people waiting to fill their containers up. The water was beautiful and the little area was as well. The water flowed from pipes but there was a stone channel that guided the water to pools surrounded by moss and grass and little rocks and trees and it was beautiful. There was a shrine next to the spring and next to the shrine was the largest ginko tree I'd ever seen, it's leaves all golden. It was so beautiful! We talked to the couple and after a little while they got to the conversation of me being from the USA and they wife said oh my younger sister lives in the USA. We asked where and she said in OHIO! We were really surprised and Keiichan said to them that I was from Ohio too. What a coincidence! After we filled the jugs we went to a food market building. There were tons of fresh produce from local farms. Then I started looking at the prices, it was so cheap! A huge cabbage, bigger than my head, was only $1. I asked why it was so cheap and Keiichan explained that this produce is not from big farms that are trying to make a lot of money, rather from more elderly people who have a passion for farming and just want to provide food and aren't looking to make much money off of it. That's incredible, right? There was tons of food, but Keiichan said by the end of the day it will all be gone. People come from Kumamoto city all the way into the country near Aso to get this produce every Saturday...that's amazing!
Then we ate soba for lunch!
Tomorrow is the wedding...I'm really excited. It's going to be very interesting!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The past few days...soccer, Aso and more!
I haven't exactly been busy, but there have been several events during the past few days. First of all, on Saturday the 19th Misaki-chan, my friend (and for those who met her, she came to America with my cousin a couple summers ago) came with her mother to come pick me up from the farm and take me home for the weekend. They have a navigation system, bu it led them not on the main roads which are a lot easier to use, but on to the tiny little mountain roads which are practically impossible to work through if you don't know the way already. So, because of that, they ended up stopping at an intersection and Hitomi-san drove me there after they talked on the phone. We went to their house and waited for Misaki's father to come home. Soon after he got home we went out to dinner at a "viking" restaurant. Basically they have everything that you could possibly want and you have an hour and a half to eat as much as you want! So I had sushi, curry, grilled meat and onion, ice cream, salad and ginger ale! Hoorah! After that we relaxed at the house and Misaki and I tried this moisturizing mask from Korea made with snail slime. I had never tried a mask before, I guess it felt very nice, but the snail slime thing was definitely a new experience! After that Misaki and I chatted and looked at her "Memory Books" that everyone receives when they graduate from that school. It was interesting to look at in comparison to my year books. First of all, everyone wears uniforms and there are really strict rules about hairstyles and jewelry...so really, everyone looks very similar. It's pretty different from the variety that Oberlin High School has.
The next day we went shopping in the morning (I bought some more warm clothes since I was getting pretty chilled) and then in the afternoon we drove a little ways to the Kumamoto Roasso soccer stadium. I'd never been to a soccer game that wasn't a high school game or college game, this was Kumamoto against Yokohama! Misaki and her mom are HUGE fans. They have posters and calendars, team shirts (signed), pictures with the players, scarves with the mascot and blankets too! Before we left, Misaki had written a card and prepared a present for her favorite player, Fukuo (number 6, center defender). But apparently the coach hadn't been playing him recently, so they were pretty bummed, but they got to see him since he wasn't playing so I guess it worked out. On one end of the stadium were the crazy Kumamoto Roassa fans. They had brought banners, flags, umbrellas, jerseys, hats, drums, towels to wave around- you name it! The cheered and jumped around the entire game! It was really quite beautiful because it was organized. They waved the flags in a pattern, spun the umbrellas, and jumped around the banners running up and down the stands. Wow! Plus the cheers were really fun and catchy and had wonderful melodies. It was really fun! Plus we got to eat fun food like Takoyaki, dungojiro and sushi:) In the end, Roasso lost 0-1, but it was fun and the game was interesting. It was also really cold, but cheering made you warm up a little so it worked out.
After the game, they drove me all the way back to Yamaai Mura in kikuchi which is a little over an hour away. This time, though, I told them to take the main road because I knew how to get back if they went through Kikuchi on the main road. We almost missed the turn, but we made it! Muto-san and Ryosuke (the other WWOOFer) were there watching TV and enjoying chocolate from Taiwan that Muto-san's daughter's husband had brought back from Taiwan.
The next day Muto-san and I left for the Aso area for the "Green to Rhythm" グリーンツーリズム convention. I didn't really know what it was. We were supposed to leave 11, so I helped Hiro with feeding the pigs again (the truck got stuck pretty far from the pigs...so we had to carry the buckets...it was a little tough I'm going to admit, and the next two days had big knots in my shoulders. I think i will ask to feed the pigs more often, it's obviously the fastest way to get strong!). Hiro said at 10:45 that I should go back to the house and get ready, so I did. But Muto-san wasn't ready till 12! But we were fine.
The convention was interesting. Monday afternoon we were grouped with about 40 other people and rode on a few buses to different areas in Southern Aso region. We visited a traditional little restaurant which I believe only makes food that is seasonal and local. We got to taste little samples. I had no idea what it was, but it tasted pretty good. I'm used to just eating things, even though I don't know what it is. If it looks especially questionable, then I ask. We visited a little spring as well before going to the giant outdoor stage in the mountains called "Aspecta". We got to walk around the stage before going inside the building beneath it for a meeting. The meeting was interesting, to some extent. In the beginning I really tried to follow along and understand but after about 20 minutes I got really tired, not to mention I'd lost track of what they were talking about...but what I did understand is that this convention was about showing the culture of this region. After that, I just wrote in my journal until it was over.
The people who came were from all over Japan. Each year, this Green to Rhythm thing happens in a different place, I see it as revealing the secrets and treasures of the area to people who might overlook it otherwise. For dinner that night we all ate together at what I think was a tourist center, but it was closed and opened only for us. There was a lot of food that we could choose from, all made there and with local produce. There was also a middle school group who played taiko for us, I thought they were good. It was fun with all the food, taiko, beer and people! After people had finished eating, everyone was trading business cards (that is SO common in Japan, everyone has their own card that they hand out to people all the time). I don't have one, but a few people gave me theirs. One person brought me their business card and asked if I had understood the meeting that day and I said a tiny bit, and he said "I was impressed that I saw you writing all those notes!" Notes? I thought, then I realized he must have seen me writing in my journal....but I think too slowly in Japanese so I just nodded and smiled and accepted the card. Then two younger guys who work together and sat near to us during dinner came and brought their card, there was a mountain on it and they informed me it was Fuji. After that they also informed me that they were young, in English. It was kind of funny because I didn't know what to say to that, so I said, yes, you right! Stupid...Afterwards we split into little groups of 4 or 5 and we got taken by locals to their homes to spend the night. I think we got lucky:) Muto-san and I were with a middle aged man and older woman. We were taken to a Guest House, kind of like a hostel. I got my own room and a bed that was cushy and off the floor! I don't mind futon at all, but it was nice to have a bed. We went to onsen that was like a three minute walk from the house (awesome, right?) and I went to the outside pool. No one else was there so it was super relaxing. The trees above me were lit up a little, but the leaves were yellow and one had bunches of little red berries and beyond them I could see the stars. With the steam floating around and staring up at the sky it was probably one of the most relaxing and dreamy moments I've had so far! I want an onsen in my house...
After that we went back to the house where we drank coffee (my stomach was probably wondering what the heck I was doing, I don't drink coffee, but that night I did, and I don't drink beer, but for dinner I had a little for KANPAI!) and we ate Aso apple and Fukuoka persimmons. There is a couple that run the guest house with their son. Their friend, daughter and her daughter were also there, though. The granddaughter was adorable. Not shy one bit, when I asked if I could take her photo she put on the cutest face and posed for me! Then she introduced me to all of her toys:) The friend came out into the hall where I was and he showed me a beautiful doll and informed that the wife here made it! I was stunned. It was made of clay with a red kimono, blue eyes and golden hair. All the parts moved, she had wrists that bent and waist, ankle, shoulders, elbows, knees- it was incredible. They showed me one that was in the process, just a head, body and arms and legs not all set together yet. She said it takes a year to finish. How incredible. I've seen dolls like that before, but I never thought about how it was made...incredible. The son is a photographer and we got to see his photos, which were beautiful- i guess it helps that Japan is so exquisite, but the photographs were really wonderful. It was a house full of art and artists! I slept really well and woke up right 6:30. I looked outside and saw that the sun was starting rise, not yet over the mountains so I snatched my camera and went to take photos. Outside it was all frosty. First frost for me at least. Coooooold. The friend then took me and the other woman up into the mountain to a place where we could take photos. The clouds were really low and in the valley, a sea of clouds. The sun slowly came and peeped out over the mountains...magical. The tops of the mountains behind us first glowed a little golden before the sunlight flooded into the valley too. It has been a while since I have seen a sunrise. And I got to see one at Aso! Awesome...
When we got back Muto-san and the other man were out taking photos, but when they returned we ate breakfast. Salad and toast:)
Then we did a little more sightseeing with the group of about 40 people. After that we went to a sports center where the big convention was going to take place. All in all there were probably 300 people who showed up from different places in Aso. This, I really didn't understand. With all the many speakers and the echo I didn't understand...but after the speakers had finished we all got to eat a local food lunch again. Before you eat in Japan you always say "itadakimasu". It's like saying grace or simply "let's eat", but more polite. The guy who organized the meeting new Muto-san and therefore knew of me and asked me to say "itadakimasu" in front of everyone since I am the person from the farthest place. But I was so embarrassed because first of all, my Japanese sucks and secondly I didn't understand the meeting at all! But I could refuse...so after I accepted, of course he added that it would be fun if I could say something else too. What?? So I said " Green to Rhythm has been fun. Aso is very beautiful. I really like Japan, thank you, itadakimasu". I probably sounded like an idiot but everyone was busy eating already so it wasn't as bad as I had imagined...it never is, though. The food was good, dangojiro (my favorite), ongiri (rice balls), sweet beans, grilled eggplant, cabbage koroke and stuff like that. After that, Kumamon came! I didn't know but Kumamon (Kumamoto's mascot) is the most famous in Japan! Cool! I waved at Kumamon and he waved back to me. Awesome:D
After that, Muto-san and I left and climbed a little mountain where there was an incredible rock formation at the top surrounded by tsuzuki grass, which is the most beautiful grass ever! Just fields and fields of it, it was so happy... I could have stayed for a day and explored and enjoyed the mountain...but we left and went a different town called Takachiho. There we went to a famous gorge. This too, was amazing. The gorge was unlike anything I'd seen before. When we looked down from a bridge there were boats that people were rowing. Muto-san asked me if I wanted to rent a boat, at first I didn't want to because I don't like boats a whole lot...but he convinced me of it, and I'm so glad he did because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to see the gorge like we did. There were little waterfalls and the rock walls were crazy, I can't really describe it, but I guess they looked like fingers...bad description...I'll post a photo!
It was mystical, with ferns and moss, the waterfalls, the blue water, the fall colors...all of it. I can't get enough of it and Japan has so much of it! We walked around for a while too, the Japanese maples were beautiful and turning bright red...
I think Takachiho would be the perfect date. There were young couples everywhere, so I guess I'm not the only to think that! Muto-san said he brought his wife, Hitomi, there 35 years ago when they were dating...cute! I told him that he should bring her again, wouldn't that be nice?
After that, Muto-san took me to Mashiki which is right outside of Kumamoto where Keichan and Hiroko-obachan live (Hiroko is mom's friend from high school and for those who remember, they came for my graduation in the summer). Before that, we went to a restaurant where I ate Japanese style American chicken! It was pretty good...but not as good as homemade chicken dinner. The chicken made me think of Thanksgiving turkey...wah! Family! Soon I will be home and will wonder where the time went...
After that Muto-san dropped me off at the house. It's nice to see everyone again! Today I got to go with Hiroko-obachan and Keiichan to a kimono shop. Their daughter is getting married on the 27th, and Hiroko-obachan is wearing the kimono that her mother wore to her wedding. It's black with a golden design, hand sewn and some of it with real gold thread! However the under kimono is pink and Hiroko-obachan doesn't like that so we went to the kimono shop to get a white one. I was looking around and I saw a kimono for $5,000 and a handbag shoe set for $800...wow. But it was all so beautiful!
After that we went to the mall for a little bit to see a different Kimono store. Tomorrow I get to see bunraku! I'm very excited:) It's rare to see and I didn't know until today that Keiichan was going to take me! Soon I will also help in the garden here. They are taking very good care of me so it is the least I can do. Plus, now I have a lot of practice weeding, I'll be fast.
Yuka-chan, the daughter who is getting married, is taking me dress shopping on Friday. It's going to be difficult, I think. A dress that I like, that is simple, that is EXTRA HUGE JUNGOMUNGA LARGE and isn't four million trillion dollars...okay...let's do it.
The next day we went shopping in the morning (I bought some more warm clothes since I was getting pretty chilled) and then in the afternoon we drove a little ways to the Kumamoto Roasso soccer stadium. I'd never been to a soccer game that wasn't a high school game or college game, this was Kumamoto against Yokohama! Misaki and her mom are HUGE fans. They have posters and calendars, team shirts (signed), pictures with the players, scarves with the mascot and blankets too! Before we left, Misaki had written a card and prepared a present for her favorite player, Fukuo (number 6, center defender). But apparently the coach hadn't been playing him recently, so they were pretty bummed, but they got to see him since he wasn't playing so I guess it worked out. On one end of the stadium were the crazy Kumamoto Roassa fans. They had brought banners, flags, umbrellas, jerseys, hats, drums, towels to wave around- you name it! The cheered and jumped around the entire game! It was really quite beautiful because it was organized. They waved the flags in a pattern, spun the umbrellas, and jumped around the banners running up and down the stands. Wow! Plus the cheers were really fun and catchy and had wonderful melodies. It was really fun! Plus we got to eat fun food like Takoyaki, dungojiro and sushi:) In the end, Roasso lost 0-1, but it was fun and the game was interesting. It was also really cold, but cheering made you warm up a little so it worked out.
After the game, they drove me all the way back to Yamaai Mura in kikuchi which is a little over an hour away. This time, though, I told them to take the main road because I knew how to get back if they went through Kikuchi on the main road. We almost missed the turn, but we made it! Muto-san and Ryosuke (the other WWOOFer) were there watching TV and enjoying chocolate from Taiwan that Muto-san's daughter's husband had brought back from Taiwan.
The next day Muto-san and I left for the Aso area for the "Green to Rhythm" グリーンツーリズム convention. I didn't really know what it was. We were supposed to leave 11, so I helped Hiro with feeding the pigs again (the truck got stuck pretty far from the pigs...so we had to carry the buckets...it was a little tough I'm going to admit, and the next two days had big knots in my shoulders. I think i will ask to feed the pigs more often, it's obviously the fastest way to get strong!). Hiro said at 10:45 that I should go back to the house and get ready, so I did. But Muto-san wasn't ready till 12! But we were fine.
The convention was interesting. Monday afternoon we were grouped with about 40 other people and rode on a few buses to different areas in Southern Aso region. We visited a traditional little restaurant which I believe only makes food that is seasonal and local. We got to taste little samples. I had no idea what it was, but it tasted pretty good. I'm used to just eating things, even though I don't know what it is. If it looks especially questionable, then I ask. We visited a little spring as well before going to the giant outdoor stage in the mountains called "Aspecta". We got to walk around the stage before going inside the building beneath it for a meeting. The meeting was interesting, to some extent. In the beginning I really tried to follow along and understand but after about 20 minutes I got really tired, not to mention I'd lost track of what they were talking about...but what I did understand is that this convention was about showing the culture of this region. After that, I just wrote in my journal until it was over.
The people who came were from all over Japan. Each year, this Green to Rhythm thing happens in a different place, I see it as revealing the secrets and treasures of the area to people who might overlook it otherwise. For dinner that night we all ate together at what I think was a tourist center, but it was closed and opened only for us. There was a lot of food that we could choose from, all made there and with local produce. There was also a middle school group who played taiko for us, I thought they were good. It was fun with all the food, taiko, beer and people! After people had finished eating, everyone was trading business cards (that is SO common in Japan, everyone has their own card that they hand out to people all the time). I don't have one, but a few people gave me theirs. One person brought me their business card and asked if I had understood the meeting that day and I said a tiny bit, and he said "I was impressed that I saw you writing all those notes!" Notes? I thought, then I realized he must have seen me writing in my journal....but I think too slowly in Japanese so I just nodded and smiled and accepted the card. Then two younger guys who work together and sat near to us during dinner came and brought their card, there was a mountain on it and they informed me it was Fuji. After that they also informed me that they were young, in English. It was kind of funny because I didn't know what to say to that, so I said, yes, you right! Stupid...Afterwards we split into little groups of 4 or 5 and we got taken by locals to their homes to spend the night. I think we got lucky:) Muto-san and I were with a middle aged man and older woman. We were taken to a Guest House, kind of like a hostel. I got my own room and a bed that was cushy and off the floor! I don't mind futon at all, but it was nice to have a bed. We went to onsen that was like a three minute walk from the house (awesome, right?) and I went to the outside pool. No one else was there so it was super relaxing. The trees above me were lit up a little, but the leaves were yellow and one had bunches of little red berries and beyond them I could see the stars. With the steam floating around and staring up at the sky it was probably one of the most relaxing and dreamy moments I've had so far! I want an onsen in my house...
After that we went back to the house where we drank coffee (my stomach was probably wondering what the heck I was doing, I don't drink coffee, but that night I did, and I don't drink beer, but for dinner I had a little for KANPAI!) and we ate Aso apple and Fukuoka persimmons. There is a couple that run the guest house with their son. Their friend, daughter and her daughter were also there, though. The granddaughter was adorable. Not shy one bit, when I asked if I could take her photo she put on the cutest face and posed for me! Then she introduced me to all of her toys:) The friend came out into the hall where I was and he showed me a beautiful doll and informed that the wife here made it! I was stunned. It was made of clay with a red kimono, blue eyes and golden hair. All the parts moved, she had wrists that bent and waist, ankle, shoulders, elbows, knees- it was incredible. They showed me one that was in the process, just a head, body and arms and legs not all set together yet. She said it takes a year to finish. How incredible. I've seen dolls like that before, but I never thought about how it was made...incredible. The son is a photographer and we got to see his photos, which were beautiful- i guess it helps that Japan is so exquisite, but the photographs were really wonderful. It was a house full of art and artists! I slept really well and woke up right 6:30. I looked outside and saw that the sun was starting rise, not yet over the mountains so I snatched my camera and went to take photos. Outside it was all frosty. First frost for me at least. Coooooold. The friend then took me and the other woman up into the mountain to a place where we could take photos. The clouds were really low and in the valley, a sea of clouds. The sun slowly came and peeped out over the mountains...magical. The tops of the mountains behind us first glowed a little golden before the sunlight flooded into the valley too. It has been a while since I have seen a sunrise. And I got to see one at Aso! Awesome...
When we got back Muto-san and the other man were out taking photos, but when they returned we ate breakfast. Salad and toast:)
Then we did a little more sightseeing with the group of about 40 people. After that we went to a sports center where the big convention was going to take place. All in all there were probably 300 people who showed up from different places in Aso. This, I really didn't understand. With all the many speakers and the echo I didn't understand...but after the speakers had finished we all got to eat a local food lunch again. Before you eat in Japan you always say "itadakimasu". It's like saying grace or simply "let's eat", but more polite. The guy who organized the meeting new Muto-san and therefore knew of me and asked me to say "itadakimasu" in front of everyone since I am the person from the farthest place. But I was so embarrassed because first of all, my Japanese sucks and secondly I didn't understand the meeting at all! But I could refuse...so after I accepted, of course he added that it would be fun if I could say something else too. What?? So I said " Green to Rhythm has been fun. Aso is very beautiful. I really like Japan, thank you, itadakimasu". I probably sounded like an idiot but everyone was busy eating already so it wasn't as bad as I had imagined...it never is, though. The food was good, dangojiro (my favorite), ongiri (rice balls), sweet beans, grilled eggplant, cabbage koroke and stuff like that. After that, Kumamon came! I didn't know but Kumamon (Kumamoto's mascot) is the most famous in Japan! Cool! I waved at Kumamon and he waved back to me. Awesome:D
After that, Muto-san and I left and climbed a little mountain where there was an incredible rock formation at the top surrounded by tsuzuki grass, which is the most beautiful grass ever! Just fields and fields of it, it was so happy... I could have stayed for a day and explored and enjoyed the mountain...but we left and went a different town called Takachiho. There we went to a famous gorge. This too, was amazing. The gorge was unlike anything I'd seen before. When we looked down from a bridge there were boats that people were rowing. Muto-san asked me if I wanted to rent a boat, at first I didn't want to because I don't like boats a whole lot...but he convinced me of it, and I'm so glad he did because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to see the gorge like we did. There were little waterfalls and the rock walls were crazy, I can't really describe it, but I guess they looked like fingers...bad description...I'll post a photo!
It was mystical, with ferns and moss, the waterfalls, the blue water, the fall colors...all of it. I can't get enough of it and Japan has so much of it! We walked around for a while too, the Japanese maples were beautiful and turning bright red...
I think Takachiho would be the perfect date. There were young couples everywhere, so I guess I'm not the only to think that! Muto-san said he brought his wife, Hitomi, there 35 years ago when they were dating...cute! I told him that he should bring her again, wouldn't that be nice?
After that, Muto-san took me to Mashiki which is right outside of Kumamoto where Keichan and Hiroko-obachan live (Hiroko is mom's friend from high school and for those who remember, they came for my graduation in the summer). Before that, we went to a restaurant where I ate Japanese style American chicken! It was pretty good...but not as good as homemade chicken dinner. The chicken made me think of Thanksgiving turkey...wah! Family! Soon I will be home and will wonder where the time went...
After that Muto-san dropped me off at the house. It's nice to see everyone again! Today I got to go with Hiroko-obachan and Keiichan to a kimono shop. Their daughter is getting married on the 27th, and Hiroko-obachan is wearing the kimono that her mother wore to her wedding. It's black with a golden design, hand sewn and some of it with real gold thread! However the under kimono is pink and Hiroko-obachan doesn't like that so we went to the kimono shop to get a white one. I was looking around and I saw a kimono for $5,000 and a handbag shoe set for $800...wow. But it was all so beautiful!
After that we went to the mall for a little bit to see a different Kimono store. Tomorrow I get to see bunraku! I'm very excited:) It's rare to see and I didn't know until today that Keiichan was going to take me! Soon I will also help in the garden here. They are taking very good care of me so it is the least I can do. Plus, now I have a lot of practice weeding, I'll be fast.
Yuka-chan, the daughter who is getting married, is taking me dress shopping on Friday. It's going to be difficult, I think. A dress that I like, that is simple, that is EXTRA HUGE JUNGOMUNGA LARGE and isn't four million trillion dollars...okay...let's do it.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
山の中。。。(in the mountains!)
Today was yet another exciting day! In the morning I showed Ryouske how to do the chicken stuff (feeding and cleaning eggs). It's quite simple, I think he already has it down.
Then Hitomi-san took us to where the sweet potatoes grow and she showed us how to harvest them. First cutting the vines away, then pulling up the plastic that covers the bed, then digging them up a little before pulling them out. So we did that all morning. It was fun and very satisfying- satisfying because once again, it's a very good feeling being close to the earth and our food. Also it was a new experience, I've never done it before... (Oh so THIS is where sweet potatoes come from!).
After that it was lunch time! Muto-san was sharpening the chainsaws so Ryosuke and I prepared lunch, saraudon, crunchy thin noodles with vegetables on top. However we didn't have many vegetables in the fridge so I asked if I could pick eggplant from the garden. When I came back Hitomi-san asked if I also wanted carrots and I said yes and she said that there were carrots on the other side of the house. So I went back to the garden and there were tons of carrots...and the ones where I thought she said to pick from seemed really little so I picked them from elsewhere and they were long carrots (like ours in America) but they were fine.
Since it was a warm and wonderful day we ate our lunch on the tree deck outside under the sun! Katsu and his wife were at the farm with friends, so they joined us on the tree deck for lunch.
Afterwards we went into the mountains! We went along a little road that I hadn't gone down before. It wound around next to a dry stream bed that was entirely mossy boulders, beautiful. We were following Hitomi-san and Hiro in the van, but at one point a truck came from the other direction so we had to back up for like 100 meters to let the other truck pass... little little roads....
We climbed higher and higher into the mountain and soon it cleared and there were small fields of "kunugi" trees with grass growing beneath it. They plant them in order to grow shitake mushrooms. I knew we were going into the mountains to cut the trees, but I didn't realize how many! We stopped at one field where we were going to cut. The tall grasses had been cut all through the field and I realized that this must be the place Hiro went to for like 3 days straight to cut grass, so much work! They don't use a lawn mower, more like a weed whacker but with a round blade rather than the string. We walked into the trees a little ways (the trees were planted approximately 15 feet apart, and the field was probably 100 meters by 300 meters or so...) at about the halfway point they marked it with a stick in the ground and we started cutting, we were going to cut half of the trees standing in that field (WHAT??). They had collected a tall bamboo stalk that they used to guide a piece of a branch tied to a rope between a fork in the tree branches so that they could pull on the rope and help guide where it fell. So for the most part, Muto-san worked the chainsaw, Ryosuke and I pushed on the tree and Hitomi-san and Hiro pulled on the rope. Sometimes I pulled on the rope to because it was more fun (probably because I wasn't actually doing much...Hiro did all the work!). After we pulled a tree down I went into the branches to collect the rope tied to the stick but Muto-san was already cutting the next tree and next thing I knew I looked up and that tree's branches were falling like 3 feet away from me, close call! It was kind of scary but I was grinning and laughing like the whole time. The falling trees were so powerful to watch...they aren't even that large, maybe a foot in diameter at the most, but every tree was impressive.
These trees will sit till New Years, then they will come back, cut them into the right size and I think at that time they will inject the bacteria for shitake mushrooms (maybe that is a little later...can't remember) but then they stack them up with branches on top and they sit for about 2 years! Growing shitake seems like a real pain...but I guess it is fun in its own way. I don't know if I could do it all my life though...tomorrow we get to do it again! Yeah!
Then there was talk of going to an onsen. Hmmmm. I haven't been to an onsen in a very long time, the last time I remember must have been when I was in 5th grade and it was not a very pleasant experience because it was so hot...however, we decided to go. Ryosuke, Hitomi, Muto-san and I went. But first they drove us to an overlook that was stunning. The sun had just set and the sky was a glowing rainbow, all the colors, and the city lights shining from the valley was stunning. Photographs and video are wonderful, but the real thing is so different...
The onsen was actually very very nice:) It wasn't as embarrassing I thought it would be. Just women taking baths. It was very relaxing. We went outside where the water was really hot but we can see the stars! It was a nice bonding experience with Hitomi-san. We talked about shitake and the other mushrooms in Japan and then about family mostly. She is happy for me that I can see Yuka-chan's wedding soon. She said two years ago a WWOOFer got to see Katsu and Hiroko's wedding. How cool! I said I wanted to see another wedding so when I come back here in March, Hiro has to get married:) She told me to tell him (I don't think he even has a girlfriend right now, so that might be a little to rushed). We talked about her grandchildren and long lives...I'm glad we got to talk.
Afterwards we had dinner there. I had dango-jiro, dumpling soup:) Yum! There was a salad bar so I got salad and the soup came with rice. Everyone in Japan eats really fast, I swear, I'm always last. So this time in efforts not to be last I didn't really talk and focused on eating, I wasn't last! The food was great. Hot onsen, hot food and now I am tired. I skyped with Dad just now:) It was good to see him and hear his voice. My family! I'm not homesick really, but my thoughts do seem to be straying more often to my family and friends and my home...it's been two months. So fast..too fast perhaps. I still have a lot of time! No worries:)
Tomorrow more hard work (my favorite, unlike...weeding), into the mountains!
Then Hitomi-san took us to where the sweet potatoes grow and she showed us how to harvest them. First cutting the vines away, then pulling up the plastic that covers the bed, then digging them up a little before pulling them out. So we did that all morning. It was fun and very satisfying- satisfying because once again, it's a very good feeling being close to the earth and our food. Also it was a new experience, I've never done it before... (Oh so THIS is where sweet potatoes come from!).
After that it was lunch time! Muto-san was sharpening the chainsaws so Ryosuke and I prepared lunch, saraudon, crunchy thin noodles with vegetables on top. However we didn't have many vegetables in the fridge so I asked if I could pick eggplant from the garden. When I came back Hitomi-san asked if I also wanted carrots and I said yes and she said that there were carrots on the other side of the house. So I went back to the garden and there were tons of carrots...and the ones where I thought she said to pick from seemed really little so I picked them from elsewhere and they were long carrots (like ours in America) but they were fine.
Since it was a warm and wonderful day we ate our lunch on the tree deck outside under the sun! Katsu and his wife were at the farm with friends, so they joined us on the tree deck for lunch.
Afterwards we went into the mountains! We went along a little road that I hadn't gone down before. It wound around next to a dry stream bed that was entirely mossy boulders, beautiful. We were following Hitomi-san and Hiro in the van, but at one point a truck came from the other direction so we had to back up for like 100 meters to let the other truck pass... little little roads....
We climbed higher and higher into the mountain and soon it cleared and there were small fields of "kunugi" trees with grass growing beneath it. They plant them in order to grow shitake mushrooms. I knew we were going into the mountains to cut the trees, but I didn't realize how many! We stopped at one field where we were going to cut. The tall grasses had been cut all through the field and I realized that this must be the place Hiro went to for like 3 days straight to cut grass, so much work! They don't use a lawn mower, more like a weed whacker but with a round blade rather than the string. We walked into the trees a little ways (the trees were planted approximately 15 feet apart, and the field was probably 100 meters by 300 meters or so...) at about the halfway point they marked it with a stick in the ground and we started cutting, we were going to cut half of the trees standing in that field (WHAT??). They had collected a tall bamboo stalk that they used to guide a piece of a branch tied to a rope between a fork in the tree branches so that they could pull on the rope and help guide where it fell. So for the most part, Muto-san worked the chainsaw, Ryosuke and I pushed on the tree and Hitomi-san and Hiro pulled on the rope. Sometimes I pulled on the rope to because it was more fun (probably because I wasn't actually doing much...Hiro did all the work!). After we pulled a tree down I went into the branches to collect the rope tied to the stick but Muto-san was already cutting the next tree and next thing I knew I looked up and that tree's branches were falling like 3 feet away from me, close call! It was kind of scary but I was grinning and laughing like the whole time. The falling trees were so powerful to watch...they aren't even that large, maybe a foot in diameter at the most, but every tree was impressive.
These trees will sit till New Years, then they will come back, cut them into the right size and I think at that time they will inject the bacteria for shitake mushrooms (maybe that is a little later...can't remember) but then they stack them up with branches on top and they sit for about 2 years! Growing shitake seems like a real pain...but I guess it is fun in its own way. I don't know if I could do it all my life though...tomorrow we get to do it again! Yeah!
Then there was talk of going to an onsen. Hmmmm. I haven't been to an onsen in a very long time, the last time I remember must have been when I was in 5th grade and it was not a very pleasant experience because it was so hot...however, we decided to go. Ryosuke, Hitomi, Muto-san and I went. But first they drove us to an overlook that was stunning. The sun had just set and the sky was a glowing rainbow, all the colors, and the city lights shining from the valley was stunning. Photographs and video are wonderful, but the real thing is so different...
The onsen was actually very very nice:) It wasn't as embarrassing I thought it would be. Just women taking baths. It was very relaxing. We went outside where the water was really hot but we can see the stars! It was a nice bonding experience with Hitomi-san. We talked about shitake and the other mushrooms in Japan and then about family mostly. She is happy for me that I can see Yuka-chan's wedding soon. She said two years ago a WWOOFer got to see Katsu and Hiroko's wedding. How cool! I said I wanted to see another wedding so when I come back here in March, Hiro has to get married:) She told me to tell him (I don't think he even has a girlfriend right now, so that might be a little to rushed). We talked about her grandchildren and long lives...I'm glad we got to talk.
Afterwards we had dinner there. I had dango-jiro, dumpling soup:) Yum! There was a salad bar so I got salad and the soup came with rice. Everyone in Japan eats really fast, I swear, I'm always last. So this time in efforts not to be last I didn't really talk and focused on eating, I wasn't last! The food was great. Hot onsen, hot food and now I am tired. I skyped with Dad just now:) It was good to see him and hear his voice. My family! I'm not homesick really, but my thoughts do seem to be straying more often to my family and friends and my home...it's been two months. So fast..too fast perhaps. I still have a lot of time! No worries:)
Tomorrow more hard work (my favorite, unlike...weeding), into the mountains!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
はなちゃん、お誕生びおめでとう！(Happy Birthday Hana-chan)
On Sunday I got to visit Muto-san's real house, one kilometer away from the guest house. I'd been the driveway before but never inside the house, so I was kind of excited to see the traditional Japanese house from the inside. The reason for the visit was that it was Hana-chan's first birthday. Hana-chan is Katsu-san and his wife Hiroko-san's daughter. We had made mochi the day before with Fuma-kun and Aina-chan, the giant one being for Hana-chan to carry that night. The house was very nice. Muto-san warned me that it was old so it'd be cold, but because of the many people I think it was warm. The many people included me, Muto-san, Hiroko-san, Hiro-san, Katsu-san, Hitomi-san, Hana-chan and Muto-san's parents. Hiro and Hitomi were preparing dinner in the kitchen which was open to the living room. I was told to go and sit around the kotatsu, which is the Japanese style low table with a heater under the table. The idea is you sit and stick your legs under the table and pull the blanket that is squished between the two top layers of the table to keep the heat in...I think i've explained it before. Hiroko-san was there with Hana-chan. With the baby it is always play play, the entertainment never ceases! She was pretty good at walking around but I thought about how large the mochi is, can she do it?
We were going to eat sukiyaki. You have a pot on the little portable stove in the middle of the table and you put raw vegetables and meat into the broth and let it cook. Everyone has their own bowl and you crack a raw egg into the bowl then dip the meat/vegetables/tofu/mochi into the egg and eat! Yum:) It sounds a little strange but it is quite delicious.
Hana-chan did very well with the mochi pack! She was sitting at first, stood up with it on, walked around for a bit then sat down again. Everyone seemed very happy, so it went well! Strong little Hana-chan, she will grow only stronger!
It was nice to be in the family's house with the family. I enjoy my time with Muto-san very much, but I miss the fun and loudness of being in a family. Where everyone is always talking on top of each other and laughing together and so comfortable and in love with one another...it's such a nice feeling! It was nice to see again:)
After they cleaned up the dishes (I tried to help but wasn't so successful...) we watched a little of the Planet of the Apes, the middle one, I think. I've seen the oldest and the newest...I wasn't too impressed by what I did see, though. There was also an incredible birthday cake! A cake that Katsu and Hiro's cousin made, I believe. The cousin bakes as a hobby, but the cake was beautiful. Little and perfectly garnished with mikan slices, mint and a little cookie plaque that said happy birthday. Hiro lit the candle and Hana and Katsu blew it out after we sung happy birthday (I was laughing a little because they sung Happy birthday Japanese style, with Japanese pronunciations...I also messed up by just saying "Hana" rather than "Hana-chan"...woops!).
As a gift to Hana I wrote and painted a card and gave her a tiny robot cat I made out of clay before I came to Japan. They seemed to appreciate it, though Hana still can't read, of course, they said one day she will.
Soon Muto-san took me back to the farm house. I was happy that I got to spend time with the family and meet Muto-san's parents more officially, they are 93! That's amazing....
It was a great night and I'm very grateful they included me.
Today a new WWOOFer came to Yamaai Mura. He is Japanese and is thinking about starting his own farm so he is studying here for 2 weeks. Cool!
We were going to eat sukiyaki. You have a pot on the little portable stove in the middle of the table and you put raw vegetables and meat into the broth and let it cook. Everyone has their own bowl and you crack a raw egg into the bowl then dip the meat/vegetables/tofu/mochi into the egg and eat! Yum:) It sounds a little strange but it is quite delicious.
Hana-chan did very well with the mochi pack! She was sitting at first, stood up with it on, walked around for a bit then sat down again. Everyone seemed very happy, so it went well! Strong little Hana-chan, she will grow only stronger!
It was nice to be in the family's house with the family. I enjoy my time with Muto-san very much, but I miss the fun and loudness of being in a family. Where everyone is always talking on top of each other and laughing together and so comfortable and in love with one another...it's such a nice feeling! It was nice to see again:)
After they cleaned up the dishes (I tried to help but wasn't so successful...) we watched a little of the Planet of the Apes, the middle one, I think. I've seen the oldest and the newest...I wasn't too impressed by what I did see, though. There was also an incredible birthday cake! A cake that Katsu and Hiro's cousin made, I believe. The cousin bakes as a hobby, but the cake was beautiful. Little and perfectly garnished with mikan slices, mint and a little cookie plaque that said happy birthday. Hiro lit the candle and Hana and Katsu blew it out after we sung happy birthday (I was laughing a little because they sung Happy birthday Japanese style, with Japanese pronunciations...I also messed up by just saying "Hana" rather than "Hana-chan"...woops!).
As a gift to Hana I wrote and painted a card and gave her a tiny robot cat I made out of clay before I came to Japan. They seemed to appreciate it, though Hana still can't read, of course, they said one day she will.
Soon Muto-san took me back to the farm house. I was happy that I got to spend time with the family and meet Muto-san's parents more officially, they are 93! That's amazing....
It was a great night and I'm very grateful they included me.
Today a new WWOOFer came to Yamaai Mura. He is Japanese and is thinking about starting his own farm so he is studying here for 2 weeks. Cool!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
What a day!
Today is...Saturday. Woke up and did the chicken work like normal and after I done I went to Muto-san to see what I should do next but he told me to get ready to leave. I knew that we were going to his friend's Open Garden gathering of some sort, but it was only 10 and I'm supposed to work a half day! But I obeyed and got ready. At first I just put on some jeans and looked pretty baggy... but then I saw Muto-san! He had nice shoes, slacks, button up shirt and jacket- what? Dress up? So I but on my black jeans and the more decorative sweater I have...it helped a little.
I said we better be back by 4 so that I could do the chickens this evening since we were checking out so early....
We drove a little bit towards Kikuchi, but turned right before we got to it. The house was surrounded by a wall, but we went through a bamboo gate and into a gorgeous, traditional Japanese garden. Stone walkways, little fountains, Japanese maples, perfectly trimmed azalea bushes, red umbrella and little seats scattered around. The ground was mostly dirt with moss and little ferns in the areas where people don't step on so often...Muto-san said that it was a pain to keep such a beautiful garden, so much weeding! I've always entertained the idea of having a Japanese garden when I grow up...but that might have just turned me off of it...weeding. Many women were dressed in kimonos, it seemed in some ways a step back in time. The house was incredible and the doors were opened to the outside air so the wide rooms of tatami mats were visible from the garden that wrapped around the house. We sat down and were immediately served manju (a sweet bread with sweet bean paste inside) and tea made like in a tea ceremony. We toured the garden a little after that then actually got to participate in a mini, informal tea ceremony. The house has its own tea room, so there is a little "hole" in the middle of the tatami mat where there are coals and the pot of hot water sits there...I believe. Everyone was huddled inside the little room, thigh to thigh (and I begged that this was not going to take long because I can't sit like that for very long before my knees start to freak out). We were once more served little sweets, this time thin crunchy cookies and something that I couldn't really figure out except for that it was very sweet. The sweets before the tea is supposed to balance out the bitterness of the tea used in tea ceremony. People around me were doing the proper actions (excepting the bowl, turning it to the right, drinking in three gulps, turning it to the left, admiring the bowl etc....I don't really remember...mom knows!).There was an alcove in the room with a scroll with calligraphy by someone famous, everyone was admiring it. There was also a very elaborate pot that apparently has tea inside with flowers to keep it fresh...
The door from outside into the tea room was tiny, so I was pretty nervous about being the clumsy America to either fall out or bust the door trying to crawl out and step into my shoes at the same time, since for some reason I always have difficulty with that as well...some people went out before me and I was able to study how they did it...thank goodness!
Then we were asked to go into the main room and sit around a giant table covered in food. At this gathering you were supposed to just go from station to station, so once we were done eating, new people could take our spots around the table. Since I'm an America, they offered me a tiny stool to sit on but Muto-san said I didn't need it. Be strong knees! Be strong! The food was great, two rice balls, potato, tamago-yaki (fried egg dish with sugar) and I have to admit I ate a lot of the sweets. One was a traditional Japanese cake using peanuts and soy beans...and I ate a couple mochi with anko inside...my favorite.
There was another "gaikokujin" there (foreigner). He was older and Italian and is a father at a church here in Kikuchi. He said he has lived here 25 years and still doesn't always understand what people say...bummer...
There was a room where there were six women playing koto, all in kimonos. It was very wonderful, you could hear it from anywhere in the garden. Afterwards they cleared the tatami mats to make room for a red mat that they laid out for a game. There was an elaborate wooden block with a little red fan thing on top. Two people sat across from each other and gently tossed the fans at the little red fan on the block trying to make it fall a certain way. In the different ways each item fell you could get different points...however it didn't matter because when I tried, I got zero! It was hard.
After that we thanked the hostess and went off to the ruins of Kikuchi castle. It was on a mountain top and there were paths and stairs winding around the mountain top so we could see the surrounding mountains and valley- so beautiful! We could even see Yamaai Mura farm across the valley. There is a huge cow farm nearby with white roofs that we could see clearly, what a treat! The castle ruins were interesting, the one main tower you could see inside, but there were just many columns, I guess no one really lived in there, but it was very impressive to see the columns. It was nice to be in the mountains with a view!
Today Muto-san's daughter's (Ayumi-san) daughter (Aina-chan) was going to the temple to pray since she is three years old. Girls go pray when they turn 3, 5 and 7. We got to see them before they went. Ayumi-san was gorgeous with a kimono and her hair done. Aina-chan, though, was especially impressive. Her kimono was very elaborate with bright colors and her was done up in a traditional Japanese hairdo with decorate dangles and hair pins. She was adorable!
When we returned to the farm I did the chickens and as I was in the storage house Hitomi-san was there as well, preparing mochi rice for the mochi machine. Soon Ayumi-san and Aina-chan as well as her brother Fuma-kun came. When the mochi was ready, they started making it into small round patties. However there was one large patty, probably 10 inches in diameter. Hitomi-san told me that Katsu's daughter, Hana-chan, is turning 1 tomorrow and that she will have that big patty tied to her back and she will walk like that...or something. That must be heavy! I don't know if I'll be able to see it, but I'm hoping I do. Hitomi-san invited me to help make the patties too. Aina-chan and Fuma-kun were having fun with mochi. After we had finished, Fuma-kun was kicking a soccer ball around with Hiro, but he still had a sticky mess of mochi in one of his hands that he would occasionally eat off of. After a while he must of gotten tired of it because Hiro went to help him wash it off. Aina-chan and I kicked the other ball around a little but then she thought of a game! We collected rocks from the driveway and made a little ring on the ground, and we tossed the ball into the ring, trying to get the ball to stay. I couldn't do it! By the end Aina-chan had three points, Fuma-kun had two and I had zero...again! It had gotten dark so we were in the storage house and Fuma-kun was showing me some of his English skills, he could write a few letters! They both wrote "America" in katakana, アメリカ。 And throughout the time they asked me to say stuff in English...and I asked them to teach me some Japanese! Soon they had to go, though, because it was getting close to dinner time so everyone departed. I was really happy I got to spend some time with the kids, maybe next time I see them they wont be so shy. They called me oneichan, meaning older sister. That's how you refer to people though, as if they were family. A young woman is oneichan, a young man is oneechan (older brother ) an older man can be ojisan (uncle) and so on and so forth.
It was a very wonderful day:)
I said we better be back by 4 so that I could do the chickens this evening since we were checking out so early....
We drove a little bit towards Kikuchi, but turned right before we got to it. The house was surrounded by a wall, but we went through a bamboo gate and into a gorgeous, traditional Japanese garden. Stone walkways, little fountains, Japanese maples, perfectly trimmed azalea bushes, red umbrella and little seats scattered around. The ground was mostly dirt with moss and little ferns in the areas where people don't step on so often...Muto-san said that it was a pain to keep such a beautiful garden, so much weeding! I've always entertained the idea of having a Japanese garden when I grow up...but that might have just turned me off of it...weeding. Many women were dressed in kimonos, it seemed in some ways a step back in time. The house was incredible and the doors were opened to the outside air so the wide rooms of tatami mats were visible from the garden that wrapped around the house. We sat down and were immediately served manju (a sweet bread with sweet bean paste inside) and tea made like in a tea ceremony. We toured the garden a little after that then actually got to participate in a mini, informal tea ceremony. The house has its own tea room, so there is a little "hole" in the middle of the tatami mat where there are coals and the pot of hot water sits there...I believe. Everyone was huddled inside the little room, thigh to thigh (and I begged that this was not going to take long because I can't sit like that for very long before my knees start to freak out). We were once more served little sweets, this time thin crunchy cookies and something that I couldn't really figure out except for that it was very sweet. The sweets before the tea is supposed to balance out the bitterness of the tea used in tea ceremony. People around me were doing the proper actions (excepting the bowl, turning it to the right, drinking in three gulps, turning it to the left, admiring the bowl etc....I don't really remember...mom knows!).There was an alcove in the room with a scroll with calligraphy by someone famous, everyone was admiring it. There was also a very elaborate pot that apparently has tea inside with flowers to keep it fresh...
The door from outside into the tea room was tiny, so I was pretty nervous about being the clumsy America to either fall out or bust the door trying to crawl out and step into my shoes at the same time, since for some reason I always have difficulty with that as well...some people went out before me and I was able to study how they did it...thank goodness!
Then we were asked to go into the main room and sit around a giant table covered in food. At this gathering you were supposed to just go from station to station, so once we were done eating, new people could take our spots around the table. Since I'm an America, they offered me a tiny stool to sit on but Muto-san said I didn't need it. Be strong knees! Be strong! The food was great, two rice balls, potato, tamago-yaki (fried egg dish with sugar) and I have to admit I ate a lot of the sweets. One was a traditional Japanese cake using peanuts and soy beans...and I ate a couple mochi with anko inside...my favorite.
There was another "gaikokujin" there (foreigner). He was older and Italian and is a father at a church here in Kikuchi. He said he has lived here 25 years and still doesn't always understand what people say...bummer...
There was a room where there were six women playing koto, all in kimonos. It was very wonderful, you could hear it from anywhere in the garden. Afterwards they cleared the tatami mats to make room for a red mat that they laid out for a game. There was an elaborate wooden block with a little red fan thing on top. Two people sat across from each other and gently tossed the fans at the little red fan on the block trying to make it fall a certain way. In the different ways each item fell you could get different points...however it didn't matter because when I tried, I got zero! It was hard.
After that we thanked the hostess and went off to the ruins of Kikuchi castle. It was on a mountain top and there were paths and stairs winding around the mountain top so we could see the surrounding mountains and valley- so beautiful! We could even see Yamaai Mura farm across the valley. There is a huge cow farm nearby with white roofs that we could see clearly, what a treat! The castle ruins were interesting, the one main tower you could see inside, but there were just many columns, I guess no one really lived in there, but it was very impressive to see the columns. It was nice to be in the mountains with a view!
Today Muto-san's daughter's (Ayumi-san) daughter (Aina-chan) was going to the temple to pray since she is three years old. Girls go pray when they turn 3, 5 and 7. We got to see them before they went. Ayumi-san was gorgeous with a kimono and her hair done. Aina-chan, though, was especially impressive. Her kimono was very elaborate with bright colors and her was done up in a traditional Japanese hairdo with decorate dangles and hair pins. She was adorable!
When we returned to the farm I did the chickens and as I was in the storage house Hitomi-san was there as well, preparing mochi rice for the mochi machine. Soon Ayumi-san and Aina-chan as well as her brother Fuma-kun came. When the mochi was ready, they started making it into small round patties. However there was one large patty, probably 10 inches in diameter. Hitomi-san told me that Katsu's daughter, Hana-chan, is turning 1 tomorrow and that she will have that big patty tied to her back and she will walk like that...or something. That must be heavy! I don't know if I'll be able to see it, but I'm hoping I do. Hitomi-san invited me to help make the patties too. Aina-chan and Fuma-kun were having fun with mochi. After we had finished, Fuma-kun was kicking a soccer ball around with Hiro, but he still had a sticky mess of mochi in one of his hands that he would occasionally eat off of. After a while he must of gotten tired of it because Hiro went to help him wash it off. Aina-chan and I kicked the other ball around a little but then she thought of a game! We collected rocks from the driveway and made a little ring on the ground, and we tossed the ball into the ring, trying to get the ball to stay. I couldn't do it! By the end Aina-chan had three points, Fuma-kun had two and I had zero...again! It had gotten dark so we were in the storage house and Fuma-kun was showing me some of his English skills, he could write a few letters! They both wrote "America" in katakana, アメリカ。 And throughout the time they asked me to say stuff in English...and I asked them to teach me some Japanese! Soon they had to go, though, because it was getting close to dinner time so everyone departed. I was really happy I got to spend some time with the kids, maybe next time I see them they wont be so shy. They called me oneichan, meaning older sister. That's how you refer to people though, as if they were family. A young woman is oneichan, a young man is oneechan (older brother ) an older man can be ojisan (uncle) and so on and so forth.
It was a very wonderful day:)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Feedin' the piggies.
I had been waiting for a beautiful day so I could get nice photos when I go feed the pigs, and monday was a beauty!
Clear blue skies and the whole thing, I was very happy.
Since it had rained for a few days and been cloudy, the dirt roads that wind around to the different lots where the pigs are were muddy. Some impossible to pass through. I got out of the little truck once when it went up a steep hill, it might have not made any difference, but perhaps it did! I was nervous for Hiro because the truck was swerving around in the mud, but he does this a lot so...I didn't really need to worry. The pigs in this area were really big.
I guess I'm used to seeing the younger pigs down by the farm house, so I was a little surprised at their size. Hiro said these pigs were ready to go..sad.
Since the truck was kind of stuck we carried the bags to the little shelters at the different lots, the farthest maybe 100 meters. Each lot has a small shelter with a feed bin and water. I only carried the bags...twice I think and I was tired! Normally Katsu and Hiro would have to carry them alone, on days it rains and on days that there is snow. Who knows where the truck would get stuck. Hiro said on New Years day last year he was carrying the feed and since there was snow he slipped and fell. I'm assuming he was very upset, probably especially since it was New Years. I said on days that it snows, wouldn't it be easier if you used a sled? He said good idea! Maybe this year they'll try it...I personally think it would make it a lot easier. It's two and half bags for each bin...and the bags weighs around 18 kg each. I thought to myself, well if I helped them everyday, I would get strong really fast! My arms could use a little more muscle...weak!
Then we had to go get more feed, this time in 5 gallon buckets. We went up a different little road to reach two more lots. This road was crazy! Very uneven with big rocks so the poor truck bumped and hummed along. I thought this can't be good for the truck, I wonder how often they have to replace the tires... we carried the buckets to the shelters here too. Hiro had to walk around each lot and check the fence to make sure it was intact so while he did that, I took photos. The light was really beautiful (maybe it just seemed especially gorgeous since it was the first sunlight in few days). Happy pigs in he mud! I love watching them run around. The followed Hiro around the edge of the lot, probably just curious.
We had turned left to see if we could drive to the shelter but we got stuck in the mud so Hiro rocked the truck while I sat in the drivers seat freaking out and trying really hard to not kill the truck...it's manual so I had to do the clutch thing and I'm not good at that at all...we straightened out but were facing the wrong way. Hiro had to go backwards the whole way back, probably around...300 meters (rough estimate). Rocky, uneven, narrow road...reverse. Ah! I don't know how we didn't crash, once again, he must be used to it...and we survived!
It was a fun experience, I offered the next time it rains since normally I don't have much to do that I could help again. At least that way he wouldn't have to carry quite as mnay bags alone...we'll see.
On Sunday Muto-san took me to a gathering at his friends house, deep in the mountains, way deeper than Yamaai Mura even! It was a gathering called "Merci". Muto-san said that normally it is held outside but since it was a rainy day it was taking place in this tiny little log cabin. We went to the entrance and there in the doorway were about 50 pairs of muddy shoes. We had to take ours off then step on other people's shoes to get into the house and the house was packed! It was basically impossible to move around. There were children everywhere! Crawling, sitting and running on the floor, between people's legs, grabbing onto women's skirts- it was a little crazy. However the atmosphere was very welcoming and cozy. There were little stands inside the house where people were selling crafts, food and other items. I guess most of the people there would be considered hippies. I love their clothing! I felt a little out of place but tried to just relax and forget any insecurities. I went into a room where some people had set up products from the fair trade store. I walked around and ended up doing a little shopping...hehe.
After a little while Muto-san told me we should go upstairs, because that's where a concert was taking place. The room was packed, but somehow I tiptoed my way to a small clear patch on the far side of the room and sat down. But more people kept coming and we kept scooting closer to the walls and everyone closer together. It was so crowded! A middle aged woman and her husband, their daughter and a guy friend were playing music. It was kind of a mix of folk and Hawaiin music, that's an awful description, but I really liked it. It was fun music and pleasnt to listen to. I didn't understand the words really, but from what I did understand it was mostly about the earth. In the middle of the performance, the father had a speech. He talked about all kinds of things, focusing on topics of the environment, the horror of Nuclear power, finding the path of your life and living peacefully in this world, thankful for life and what the earth provides (thus, "Merci" being the name of the gathering). It was a nice talk from what I understood, but I was really sore from sitting so cramped for so long...I was glad when they started playing music again.
Soon after that we left the house and drove a little further into the mountains to his friends house, who is also a WWOOF host (the only other in the area, I believe). They are a couple and I remembered meeting them at the monthly Kikuchi Farmer's Market a little bit before. We talked for almost two hours. They showed us photos from their trip to Oregon and California (places I haven't really been to) and showed us photos of different travelors that have come here. The couple seem to be involved in a lot of volunteer activites. They volunteered to help clean Kikuchi gorge before the really busy season, and they volunteer at either a hospital or nursing home, I'm not quite sure. They seem to have very interesting lives. The house was cute, litterally nestled in the mountains, very secret.
I went to badminton again with Hiro on Monday. I took tennis shoes and shorts so I could play with Sato-san again. At first I thought she wasn't coming and I got nervous, but soon she came, saying she was late because she had to wash dishes. She hit with me for a while, and taught me something that made hitting the shuttle a lot easier! Hit the shuttle when it's in front of you, rather thatn above you. It's probably common sense, but I'm terrible so it helped me out a lot. I'll be able to go one more time. Next week!
The sun went away yesterday afternoon...it's supposed to rain this afternoon. Sigh.
It's also cold today, I guess that's how the season roll! It's getting really pretty, though, so at least I can appreciate the changing colors:)
Clear blue skies and the whole thing, I was very happy.
Since it had rained for a few days and been cloudy, the dirt roads that wind around to the different lots where the pigs are were muddy. Some impossible to pass through. I got out of the little truck once when it went up a steep hill, it might have not made any difference, but perhaps it did! I was nervous for Hiro because the truck was swerving around in the mud, but he does this a lot so...I didn't really need to worry. The pigs in this area were really big.
I guess I'm used to seeing the younger pigs down by the farm house, so I was a little surprised at their size. Hiro said these pigs were ready to go..sad.
Since the truck was kind of stuck we carried the bags to the little shelters at the different lots, the farthest maybe 100 meters. Each lot has a small shelter with a feed bin and water. I only carried the bags...twice I think and I was tired! Normally Katsu and Hiro would have to carry them alone, on days it rains and on days that there is snow. Who knows where the truck would get stuck. Hiro said on New Years day last year he was carrying the feed and since there was snow he slipped and fell. I'm assuming he was very upset, probably especially since it was New Years. I said on days that it snows, wouldn't it be easier if you used a sled? He said good idea! Maybe this year they'll try it...I personally think it would make it a lot easier. It's two and half bags for each bin...and the bags weighs around 18 kg each. I thought to myself, well if I helped them everyday, I would get strong really fast! My arms could use a little more muscle...weak!
Then we had to go get more feed, this time in 5 gallon buckets. We went up a different little road to reach two more lots. This road was crazy! Very uneven with big rocks so the poor truck bumped and hummed along. I thought this can't be good for the truck, I wonder how often they have to replace the tires... we carried the buckets to the shelters here too. Hiro had to walk around each lot and check the fence to make sure it was intact so while he did that, I took photos. The light was really beautiful (maybe it just seemed especially gorgeous since it was the first sunlight in few days). Happy pigs in he mud! I love watching them run around. The followed Hiro around the edge of the lot, probably just curious.
We had turned left to see if we could drive to the shelter but we got stuck in the mud so Hiro rocked the truck while I sat in the drivers seat freaking out and trying really hard to not kill the truck...it's manual so I had to do the clutch thing and I'm not good at that at all...we straightened out but were facing the wrong way. Hiro had to go backwards the whole way back, probably around...300 meters (rough estimate). Rocky, uneven, narrow road...reverse. Ah! I don't know how we didn't crash, once again, he must be used to it...and we survived!
It was a fun experience, I offered the next time it rains since normally I don't have much to do that I could help again. At least that way he wouldn't have to carry quite as mnay bags alone...we'll see.
On Sunday Muto-san took me to a gathering at his friends house, deep in the mountains, way deeper than Yamaai Mura even! It was a gathering called "Merci". Muto-san said that normally it is held outside but since it was a rainy day it was taking place in this tiny little log cabin. We went to the entrance and there in the doorway were about 50 pairs of muddy shoes. We had to take ours off then step on other people's shoes to get into the house and the house was packed! It was basically impossible to move around. There were children everywhere! Crawling, sitting and running on the floor, between people's legs, grabbing onto women's skirts- it was a little crazy. However the atmosphere was very welcoming and cozy. There were little stands inside the house where people were selling crafts, food and other items. I guess most of the people there would be considered hippies. I love their clothing! I felt a little out of place but tried to just relax and forget any insecurities. I went into a room where some people had set up products from the fair trade store. I walked around and ended up doing a little shopping...hehe.
After a little while Muto-san told me we should go upstairs, because that's where a concert was taking place. The room was packed, but somehow I tiptoed my way to a small clear patch on the far side of the room and sat down. But more people kept coming and we kept scooting closer to the walls and everyone closer together. It was so crowded! A middle aged woman and her husband, their daughter and a guy friend were playing music. It was kind of a mix of folk and Hawaiin music, that's an awful description, but I really liked it. It was fun music and pleasnt to listen to. I didn't understand the words really, but from what I did understand it was mostly about the earth. In the middle of the performance, the father had a speech. He talked about all kinds of things, focusing on topics of the environment, the horror of Nuclear power, finding the path of your life and living peacefully in this world, thankful for life and what the earth provides (thus, "Merci" being the name of the gathering). It was a nice talk from what I understood, but I was really sore from sitting so cramped for so long...I was glad when they started playing music again.
Soon after that we left the house and drove a little further into the mountains to his friends house, who is also a WWOOF host (the only other in the area, I believe). They are a couple and I remembered meeting them at the monthly Kikuchi Farmer's Market a little bit before. We talked for almost two hours. They showed us photos from their trip to Oregon and California (places I haven't really been to) and showed us photos of different travelors that have come here. The couple seem to be involved in a lot of volunteer activites. They volunteered to help clean Kikuchi gorge before the really busy season, and they volunteer at either a hospital or nursing home, I'm not quite sure. They seem to have very interesting lives. The house was cute, litterally nestled in the mountains, very secret.
I went to badminton again with Hiro on Monday. I took tennis shoes and shorts so I could play with Sato-san again. At first I thought she wasn't coming and I got nervous, but soon she came, saying she was late because she had to wash dishes. She hit with me for a while, and taught me something that made hitting the shuttle a lot easier! Hit the shuttle when it's in front of you, rather thatn above you. It's probably common sense, but I'm terrible so it helped me out a lot. I'll be able to go one more time. Next week!
The sun went away yesterday afternoon...it's supposed to rain this afternoon. Sigh.
It's also cold today, I guess that's how the season roll! It's getting really pretty, though, so at least I can appreciate the changing colors:)
Saturday, November 5, 2011
there is so much history...
I am always in awe of the history that Japan has...the incredible depth of the culture. Yesterday I had the afternoon off since it was Saturday so Muto-san took me to a little culture festival in Kikuchi. But before that we walked through and saw a Mum show. I think they were mums at least, the smaller ones were recognizable as mums but the larger ones I hadn't seen before. They were huge, like the size of my head! And in yellows, white and reds. And the petals varied a little too, thin ones and puffier ones too. Since it was some kind of show there were also sets where people had grown the mums in different ways. There were two sets of life size dolls and their clothing wasn't clothing at all, but intertwined mums! It was really beautiful and colorful. The statue in the middle of the square added to the magnificence, since it is the old Lord (i think) of Kikuchi riding on a horse. The horse looks crazy with its mane and tail flying around and the Lord's weapons sticking out dramatically. I wish it was a little closer to the ground so I could see it better...
after that we walked to the culture festival a block away. I don't exactly know what it was for but it was held at a traditional theater that they use for Kabuki. It is across from the Kikuchi high school and a shrine that sits next to a very large tree. It wasn't very tall and its branches reached out across the road and towards the school, and they were so large and the tree so old it the branches were held up with supports. It was beautiful, covered in moss and a little fern and other things once again giving the tree a very mystical appearance.
It was a rainy day so the theater had been surrounded by blue tarps to keep the rain from falling on the viewers. The blue light through the tarp and the warm light from the lamps in the theater gave the performances a very drastic look, adding to the magic of it all! The first performance was about...30 6th graders playing taiko. There were two kids to a drum and they played one song, very enthusiastically. After every performance there was a little interview of a few of the participants, and these younglings were very shy and adorable. The next performance was really stunning. I think...10 high school girls dressed up in very magnificent outfits. I'm not sure exactly what it was but it looked like warrior outfits and they switched between having swords, spears and golden fans. It's hard to describe...they just moved very fluidly and used the swords, spears and fans to create various patterns. I liked it a lot.
Next were four adult men dressed up again in some form of Kimono, maybe it was ancient entertaining clothing...I'm sorry that I don't know at all, I will ask Muto-san later when I feel he can be bothered by my many questions! One man played taiko (small ones so he could sit on the ground), one man played the fue (japanese flute) and the other two danced with swords and a bunch of bells with ribbons hanging down from the handle. I got nervous because at times it seemed they were going slice each other with those swords, but it never happened and they danced and danced and danced!
Next was a parade of children, one carried a sign, a few others carried lanterns, a few carried a platform with a taiko drum on it, and the two pairs of boys carried what I assumed was a lion outfit, like the Chinese dragon dance, while all the other children had flutes. One boy stood in front of the two lions and clapped two wooden blocks together and by doing that controlled the lions and made them dance. It was pretty impressive. The jaws of the lions were clapped shut to the beat of the flute music. The lions danced and their big heads swayed back and forth according to the arms of the boy with wooden blocks. It was fun to see the children, they were really good.
Next was another taiko group. There were a couple adults, about five high school aged kids and two little boys maybe eight years old. I personally thought that they were all very talented. Spot on, full of energy, totally fearless and really strong. There was a girl my age and I couldn't take my eyes off of her, she was so wonderful on stage. You could tell that she loves taiko, her passion was impossible to miss. One of the little boys was right in front and I watched him too, I don't think he ever messed up and his face was very serious but I thought to myself he must be stronger than me! They played three pieces and for each one I was more impressed. The energy of taiko is awesome.
Next was a group of girls, elementary school aged. They were dressed in pink and white with tall, black mesh hats. They had a variety of instruments. There were three men with them as well, dressed in white, also with instruments. One of them sat behind an intricate gong. I don't know what this music was called either (my apologies, again) but the sound was very obviously Japanese. I think in Akira Kurasawa's Dreams (a movie) this music was played in the first dream, when the boy goes in the woods and sees the wedding of the fox...anyhow, it was a little hard to listen to, but still impressive. The instruments were ones I hadn't seen before. Wooden ones... then a group of girls dressed in white with yellow flowers on their head and a little curtain of metal dangles hanging in front of their eyes came out. Four of them with ribbons and four of them with fans. The danced very slowly and methodically with the music. Their outfits were so beautiful...
This is part of Japan's culture, the instruments, the robes and kimonos and dresses, the dances, the music and the manners...I'm stupidly sentimental at times but when I see these kinds of things I can't help but feel stirred up deep inside. There is so much history, so much time before us! When you start to think about it becomes really powerful...
The last event was a woman playing koto, a very beautiful, complicated instrument. Then a woman told stories (in Kumamoto Dialect so I had no clue what she was saying) and then the two collaborated so she told a story while the other woman played koto to go along with the story. We left before it finished since it was getting late. Watching koto made me want to play...I have no idea and I'm sure that in reality I wouldn't have the patience to learn but to be in control of such beautiful sounds, I'd like to be able to make music like that. (It makes me miss the violin...there is a guitar here but I can hardly play, therefore I can hardly express myself. The violin, I'm a little better with...).
I was very glad that Muto-san had taken me to see that.
Afterwards we went to a little restaurant/cafe his friend owns. The restaurant is actually in a house, but they transformed it, so it is very cozy and quiet. It is a healthy restaurant, so I believe they use organic ingredients and try not to use much salt or sugar. Our meal was very beautiful, of course served on a variety of dishes (like 6). It was very delicious, despite the fact there was no sugar used! Impressive! Muto-san's friend came in and they chatted for a while. He showed me a poster of some kind of potato they grow. In the photo it looked like burdock root, but apparently this potato is bigger. When you mash it up it turns into a sticky paste, it looked to me like pizza dough...but I don't know these things! It was nice he tried to explain it to me but...I'm hopeless.
Muto-san and I talked about birthdays a little. Muto-san, his wife, his parents and three kids are all born in and between January and April. I thought that was pretty interesting. No May babies for them! Which is too bad because... well...it's the best month, of course. (For anyone who doesn't know, I'm born in May!:p)
After dinner we went by a cell phone store since Muto-san is actually serious about getting one of those crazy phones! I went to the super market and bought mouthwash and had someone help me find the face wash because I couldn't find it anywhere! I usually use Noxema but they didn't have it so I'm trying this Dove thing. The only thing I know about it is that it is "fresh". That's the only thing I can read.
This morning I got up and fed the chickens even though it is Sunday. I like doing it, I guess, and it makes me feel a little more useful! But after I only washed three eggs I went in to eat breakfast since Muto-san had woken up, and afterwards I went back and Hiro had already washed the rest! I'll beat him to it this evening...
Today I think we are going somewhere but I don't know where yet. I will see soon!
after that we walked to the culture festival a block away. I don't exactly know what it was for but it was held at a traditional theater that they use for Kabuki. It is across from the Kikuchi high school and a shrine that sits next to a very large tree. It wasn't very tall and its branches reached out across the road and towards the school, and they were so large and the tree so old it the branches were held up with supports. It was beautiful, covered in moss and a little fern and other things once again giving the tree a very mystical appearance.
It was a rainy day so the theater had been surrounded by blue tarps to keep the rain from falling on the viewers. The blue light through the tarp and the warm light from the lamps in the theater gave the performances a very drastic look, adding to the magic of it all! The first performance was about...30 6th graders playing taiko. There were two kids to a drum and they played one song, very enthusiastically. After every performance there was a little interview of a few of the participants, and these younglings were very shy and adorable. The next performance was really stunning. I think...10 high school girls dressed up in very magnificent outfits. I'm not sure exactly what it was but it looked like warrior outfits and they switched between having swords, spears and golden fans. It's hard to describe...they just moved very fluidly and used the swords, spears and fans to create various patterns. I liked it a lot.
Next were four adult men dressed up again in some form of Kimono, maybe it was ancient entertaining clothing...I'm sorry that I don't know at all, I will ask Muto-san later when I feel he can be bothered by my many questions! One man played taiko (small ones so he could sit on the ground), one man played the fue (japanese flute) and the other two danced with swords and a bunch of bells with ribbons hanging down from the handle. I got nervous because at times it seemed they were going slice each other with those swords, but it never happened and they danced and danced and danced!
Next was a parade of children, one carried a sign, a few others carried lanterns, a few carried a platform with a taiko drum on it, and the two pairs of boys carried what I assumed was a lion outfit, like the Chinese dragon dance, while all the other children had flutes. One boy stood in front of the two lions and clapped two wooden blocks together and by doing that controlled the lions and made them dance. It was pretty impressive. The jaws of the lions were clapped shut to the beat of the flute music. The lions danced and their big heads swayed back and forth according to the arms of the boy with wooden blocks. It was fun to see the children, they were really good.
Next was another taiko group. There were a couple adults, about five high school aged kids and two little boys maybe eight years old. I personally thought that they were all very talented. Spot on, full of energy, totally fearless and really strong. There was a girl my age and I couldn't take my eyes off of her, she was so wonderful on stage. You could tell that she loves taiko, her passion was impossible to miss. One of the little boys was right in front and I watched him too, I don't think he ever messed up and his face was very serious but I thought to myself he must be stronger than me! They played three pieces and for each one I was more impressed. The energy of taiko is awesome.
Next was a group of girls, elementary school aged. They were dressed in pink and white with tall, black mesh hats. They had a variety of instruments. There were three men with them as well, dressed in white, also with instruments. One of them sat behind an intricate gong. I don't know what this music was called either (my apologies, again) but the sound was very obviously Japanese. I think in Akira Kurasawa's Dreams (a movie) this music was played in the first dream, when the boy goes in the woods and sees the wedding of the fox...anyhow, it was a little hard to listen to, but still impressive. The instruments were ones I hadn't seen before. Wooden ones... then a group of girls dressed in white with yellow flowers on their head and a little curtain of metal dangles hanging in front of their eyes came out. Four of them with ribbons and four of them with fans. The danced very slowly and methodically with the music. Their outfits were so beautiful...
This is part of Japan's culture, the instruments, the robes and kimonos and dresses, the dances, the music and the manners...I'm stupidly sentimental at times but when I see these kinds of things I can't help but feel stirred up deep inside. There is so much history, so much time before us! When you start to think about it becomes really powerful...
The last event was a woman playing koto, a very beautiful, complicated instrument. Then a woman told stories (in Kumamoto Dialect so I had no clue what she was saying) and then the two collaborated so she told a story while the other woman played koto to go along with the story. We left before it finished since it was getting late. Watching koto made me want to play...I have no idea and I'm sure that in reality I wouldn't have the patience to learn but to be in control of such beautiful sounds, I'd like to be able to make music like that. (It makes me miss the violin...there is a guitar here but I can hardly play, therefore I can hardly express myself. The violin, I'm a little better with...).
I was very glad that Muto-san had taken me to see that.
Afterwards we went to a little restaurant/cafe his friend owns. The restaurant is actually in a house, but they transformed it, so it is very cozy and quiet. It is a healthy restaurant, so I believe they use organic ingredients and try not to use much salt or sugar. Our meal was very beautiful, of course served on a variety of dishes (like 6). It was very delicious, despite the fact there was no sugar used! Impressive! Muto-san's friend came in and they chatted for a while. He showed me a poster of some kind of potato they grow. In the photo it looked like burdock root, but apparently this potato is bigger. When you mash it up it turns into a sticky paste, it looked to me like pizza dough...but I don't know these things! It was nice he tried to explain it to me but...I'm hopeless.
Muto-san and I talked about birthdays a little. Muto-san, his wife, his parents and three kids are all born in and between January and April. I thought that was pretty interesting. No May babies for them! Which is too bad because... well...it's the best month, of course. (For anyone who doesn't know, I'm born in May!:p)
After dinner we went by a cell phone store since Muto-san is actually serious about getting one of those crazy phones! I went to the super market and bought mouthwash and had someone help me find the face wash because I couldn't find it anywhere! I usually use Noxema but they didn't have it so I'm trying this Dove thing. The only thing I know about it is that it is "fresh". That's the only thing I can read.
This morning I got up and fed the chickens even though it is Sunday. I like doing it, I guess, and it makes me feel a little more useful! But after I only washed three eggs I went in to eat breakfast since Muto-san had woken up, and afterwards I went back and Hiro had already washed the rest! I'll beat him to it this evening...
Today I think we are going somewhere but I don't know where yet. I will see soon!
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