Hiroshima Christmas

December 24 and 25





We finally arrived in Hiroshima, the land of my roots, my people. We went to all the typical sights and the one thing that I felt in the end was a sense of pride. From what I know, I am from this area. When such a disaster happened, the idea was that Hiroshima could not become a place worth living for more than 70 years. Yet, immediately after the explosion, the people picked themselves up and started to restore their city and in only a few years later, they created a wonderful thriving city. Everywhere I looked I couldn't imagine that the city I was looking at was once completely leveled. It really gives a sense of hope to humanity, being able to pick themselves up at even the hardest times. It was a humbling way to bring about Christmas.





On Christmas we woke up bright and early to visit Miyajima. Then when we came home, I was happy to talk with my family on Christmas only to find a great Christmas present, my acceptance into the China program. We all then took a nap to get us ready for a Spanish dinner.

Iya Valley , Chiiori House, and the oldest Onsen

December 22 and 23


I have always wanted to see the most traditional side of Japan. Little by little, I am learning that the "old Japan" that is usually advertised in guide books, are mostly restored temples next to convenience stores and banks. But in the secluded world of Iya Valley, there was not one vending machine and all stores closed at dinner time. The Chiiori House became the best experience of how traditional Japanese people experienced their lives. It is a NPO that focuses on educating people about old style farming and thatched roof houses. We spent our evening over a fire, drinking sochu and enjoying each others company, minus TV, radio, or any other media. It was refreshing.




Then we made it to the oldest onsen in Japan. All over Japan, this onsen is said to be the best and the ultimate in traditional. When we arrive, we came into the biggest city in Shikoku and found the oldest onsen. It ended up being a old-looking onsen surrounded by souvenir shops, boutiques, and cafes. It did not have the Japanese feel I was looking for, but we enjoyed a nice soak and watching the naked old ladies gossiping in the bath.

Naruto Whirlpools- Shikoku

December 21

*Try to look at the bridge base-you can see a little bit of the whirlpool*


Shikoku's main star of interest is in its 88 temple journey. A quest that usually was a suicide mission because those that did it tried to complete the journey on foot for more than a month. Today, people ride bikes or cars to complete the journey so the beauty of completing the 88 is a bit lost, some still take on the adventure. Since we had only 3 days, we decided this quest would be best saved at another time. Instead we went to see what else Shikoku was known for... the whirlpools. Just getting off the bridge to Shikoku are the only whirlpools in Japan, sometimes so strong, it can suck up the sightseeing boats around it. Unfortunately, since it was 7 in the morning where the sight spots weren't open and winter time, the whirlpools looked more like big ripples-BUST! But we did enjoy a miso soup and senbei breakfast. Next was Tokushima, also a BUST city, but the udon noodles which are a specialty here were delicious. By the evening, we tried to find the Iya Valley and slept in a rest stop- four of us in the car. Ron got a little touchy in the middle of the night, unfortunately not with me, but with our buddy Sam. We all woke up as both Ron and him were screaming in the car in surprise and digust.

Osaka

December 20







We saw two whale sharks, a penguin march, and a scuba-diving Santa Claus. I've realized that the additional perk of traveling in the winter is being able to see Christmas illuminations. Morioka's illuminations are limited to a string of lights looking like a christmas tree on the walls of our bank on the main crossroad. Not very impressive. So it was nice not only to see a different city, but also the collection of their pretty lights. Osaka was our first real tourist stop after Tokyo, but we were also given a little detour challenge. Our friend Kunino's dad asked us to take a TV in our packed car and take it to Tenri Town, a hour away from Osaka, but on our way from Tokyo. Well, we named it "Casey" and departed to find this town. The temple was beautiful, but it is not the usual tourist sight. So seeing four foreigners in this sleepy town, holding a television and asking where to put it, was a challenge in itself.


Finally it was dropped off and we made it to Osaka. Soon after the aquarium, the okonomiyaki, and the ferris wheel, we departed for three more hours til the isolated island of Shikoku.

**okonomiyaki- egg, batter, veggies, and meat mixed together and fried in a roundish shape. It tastes like a Japanese egg pancake.**


BECKY AND SAM

JAPAN! Part One

On friday, five Moriokans left their home of Iwate to travel 500 kilometers to Tokyo, the first destination of their adventure. Late in the evening, we arrived and was welcomed by our friend Kunino's family. We said goodbye to our Tokyo-bound friend and the four remaining enjoyed a night of eating nabe, raw oysters, and countless amount of Otosan's sake.... Early on Saturday, we made the second part of the long haul to Osaka, the real beginning of the voyage.

OSAKA

After battling the confusing toll roads of Osaka City, we found our way to the port part of the city and enjoyed our first Tourist sight... the Osaka Aquarium, known to be the largest tank in the world- 15 stories tall, and housing two whale sharks. We took the elevator up and wound our way down to the bottom, appreciating all forms of ocean-life. We ended the night with Osaka's famous Okonomiyaki and the largest Ferris Wheel in Japan.

~Going on a Road Trip~

This Friday four friends will be making a long two week journey through the main island of Japan and the small unknown island of Japan- Shikoku. Our 19 day excursion will start Friday morning when we go to Tokyo and stay the night at Kunino's. Then, the next day we will go to Osaka to see some big fish. Next stop are the whirlpools and old temples of Tokushima in Shikoku. Then we will visit Iya Valley and work as old-style farmers in a refurbished thatched-roof house. Then we will visit the oldest onsen in Japan in Dogo Onsen. Soon after, venturing to the Hiroshima homeland for Christmas. Then scooting back to the traditional worlds of Kansai for a couple days with drunk middle-aged men. Eventually making it back to Tokyo to celebrate the new year and on a very sad day, make our way back to the snowy tundra of Morioka. Bliss, sweet bliss.

Year End Onsen Party

This is year two of going to one of the famous onsens in the area. Here, we cook dinner, exchange gifts, and drink until the night is young. Of course along with many many baths. It was a very different group from last year which made the traditional gathering new and different. We had a delicious Greek Chicken dinner and two beautiful Christmas cakes. Ron and I ended up with a random Froggie set of goodies and we enjoyed our evening with baths, massages, baths, card games, baths, and great conversation.

Our First Skiing Weekend

This past weekend opened up the Skiing Season for Iwate... Finally! So we took a couple of friends to the famous Appi Ski Resort, known for their powder snow and family friendly courses. I was really nervous about going since it had been a year. Luckily, I readjusted quite well and soon went to the very top of the mountain to ski down below. I took some pictures, but I realized that taking pictures of people bundled up with a white background does not make for award winning pictures. But, for the fun, enjoy!