Oirase River Gorge in the fall

October 22 2009: Andi's 3rd grade class took a field trip up to Oirase River Gorge. We've been there before (back in July). But now, it is fall and the leaves are starting to turn. So, took a deep breath and volunteered to help chaperon. Oh, who are we kidding, I love going on field trips! I love it even more when I can ride the bus and not drive myself. No, really, I mean it. Let somebody else do the driving and navigating....I can just sit back and watch.
In any case, as you can see, rice has been harvested. I didn't get any pictures of the actual harvest as it was right at the time that my tooth got pulled, and I was just not in the mood to be up and walking around.

But, most of the fields get stacked in different ways. The rice has already been removed and the stalks are stacked and dried. I guess the different stacking is the preference of each farmer. They dry the stalks to be used to make the tatami mats (the mats you find on the floors in homes). Also, some will be set aside to make the door decorations for the Japanese New Year, and some of the older generation will bundle the straw and burn it in the winter. And as feed for the cattle. So many uses, nothing is wasted.

Above: Starting to enter the foothills.

At the River Gorge. I took pictures of the children during the field trip. But those photos will be forwarded over to the teacher. I won't post any with children, other than my own, as I wasn't able to speak to the parents to get their permission. But it was wonderful. There were enough parents, that I had Andi and one other child. It made for a relatively easy day (except for lunch).

The road that runs by the river. At this particular moment, there weren't many cars. Let me tell you, this road was packed with buses, car, bicyclists, everybody and their mother was here. Well, actually just a good portion of China. This is a popular tourist destination. A lot of the folks I spoke to were from Taiwan and Hong Kong. They were most fascinated with the school field trip. I don't think I've spoken so much on an outing in a long time. Was nice to interact with yet another culture.

Now, for a lunch time story. Doesn't this look just like the most peaceful place in the world to sit on a log and eat lunch and watch the water, the leaves, and talk to other passerby on the trail? Andi and I thought so. But the little girl we were with was full of whines. Andi chose a rock....nixed by the other, to close to the water. Andi chose a log with a tourist sitting on it (Andi willing to share a log with a stranger....now that girl was HUNGRY). Nope, nixed because it was with a stranger. (really, stranger danger isn't quiet as frightening here, especially when surrounded by hundreds of other tourists, and your chaperon is with you). So, on to another log. Andi pronounced it perfect, as did I. Complete with moss and little mushrooms. Andi plopped down and started eating.

The other girl timidly sat, then leaped up and asked if she could put her sweater on the log. Of course! She laid it out very primly, sat again, and started drinking her beverage. Two seconds later up she lept! Pronouncing in a slightly annoying tone..."it's to icky to sit here...I can't do it!" Now, I know if Andi can sit there...then it's not that bad. I told her there really weren't any picnic tables in this area. "I HAVE to eat at a table" "Really? Have you ever been hiking?" "Well, not in anything like THIS....I'm used to a really nice trail, and a covered picnic area" "oh...we might have a problem...there are some tables back down by where we started, but they have nature on them as well" "I don't care... I WANT TO GO BACK!"

My daughter....what a trooper. I'll have to give her credit, she tried to get the other child to look on the bright side. But to no avail. Andi rolled her eyes (mine were rolling as well, just not when the child was looking) and said "FINE, we'll go back". Back down toward the main area we trekked. We came upon another group at a table AND bench. I asked the young child did she want to eat at the table....it was complete with a THICK layer of moss. She said "no, the bench will do fine" It appeared to be clear of moss...but no telling what bugs were lurking under there. Of course I held my tongue. I think she was to the point that she would high tail it back to the bus and never come off. Andi sat at the table and ate with me. She whispered to me that she would get a different partner if we ever had another hiking field trip.

Other than that, it was a wonderful trip. The colors were beautiful. The weather wasn't too bad. Andi had hat and gloves on, plus her light weight winter coat. But I don't think 50 is to bad anymore. It was just right for hiking. Well, not really hiking. It was more like weave and dodge through some throngs of tourists. Appreciate the few moments of no one around you, then dodge the next group coming back down to the main area. Even though there were a lot of people it is still a very peaceful area.....well, unless you are trying to find a lunching spot with a 3rd grader who wants a pristine, but not nature pristine, eating area.

I survived. I'll even do it again. I was proud of Andi....usually she's not so crazy about eating on a log, but after being shot down several times for other locations, I wonder if she found the mossy log on purpose. (really not a spot I ever envisioned my child voluntarily picking out)

Below: Andi and I at the end of the day.

Towada Horse Festival

October 18 2009: Today we went off to the Towada Horse Festival. Be warned, there are LOTS of horse pictures today! Well, what did you expect? it is a horse festival, after all!
Shane, Andi and I went with our friends, the Martins....(you met them in last weeks blog) Bree drove, so there was no arguing about which way to go between Shane and I... but I got to back seat drive anyway....it's what I do (I try to hold back.....it just comes out)
Anyway, getting there was easy, it was finding parking that took longer than getting there. Trying to figure out where one can park in Japan is a little tricky. Some places are reserved for apartment dwellers...the one big lot for public parking was full. We finally came to rest at what we think was a bank, next to a funeral home...The bank was closed, and we saw a few people parking there, and walking up to the festival...so we tried to blend in as best we could. And just to relieve the suspense, yes the car was still there when we got back.

The festival took place in the center of town. There is a large park called Chuo Park Green Area. The main street out front is decorated with horse statues. Even with a festival going on, it was a quiet little town.
Of course, let me mention that while this festival going on, Misawa Air Base was hosting its annual airshow. When we drove to Towada, the rode into Misawa was backed up for miles (actually, kilometers out here). From what I understand, the base was PACKED with people, as they open the gates to the public for the show. We were very happy to head in the opposite direction..and it worked out well, the festival wasn't very crowded, and it was relaxing.

The first competition that we watched was the Yabusame....actually, that is one of the two main events. Yabusame is archery on horseback. Theses riders are very good at what they do. The horses all seemed so calm and relaxed....even in the holding areas....no horses snorting or kicking, just a relaxed air as they waited for their next run.

The other main event was English style jumping. The arena seemed smaller than what I am accustomed to seeing. And the jumps were all lined up one after another, no obstacle course to remember what jump come next.

The announcer for the jumping was very enthusiastic. As each horse jumped, and as each jump got higher, the more excited he became....encouraging the horse and rider with loud "itch, itch, itch!" (well that's what it sounded like to me....could have been something else of course) I was wondering if some of the riders wanted him quiet, but it made it much more entertaining for me.

This was the highest of the jumps. The horse cleared the jump! Well, acutally, if you look closely (click on the picture to enlargen it) it clipped the top bar. I'm not sure if the bar fell completly though....truely, I don't pay that much attention sometimes. (I know a shock to all) I'm not sure who won the competition, but this horse was one of the three to circle the arena when all was said and done.

Some of the lower jumps. The announcer wasn't as excitable with these.

Then, we turned our attention back to the archery. Children, women and men all competed. The children had a separate competition. But men and women competed together depending on their level.

After all riders were done, they'd wait at a holding area, then all would walk single file back down the field to the main holding areas. So then you could get a better look at the riders and their horses.

The bows resting...in the main holding area.

One of the competitors warming up for her ride.

Make note of her right arm in the next picture....a complete follow through with the motion...no shortcuts.

oh, and on her left arm....couldn't decide if it was a mink or a fox. Either way, it was probably real!

Getting the riders in action took a lot of work.....I think I had to delete about 20 pictures, since all it showed was the tail of the horse.

This guy (above) was one of the best. Shane said he was hitting pretty much all his targets. I think there were two on the run.

This horse was by far my favorite. And those who know me well, know I'm not really one to gush about a horse. Now I don't know anything about the lines, stance, how many hands...I just like this one.

When we had our fill of jumping and running....and of course eating (there is always plenty of food booths at these things, never any need to hungry) we continued up the main street. The sidewalks are decorated with horseshoes, entry poles have horse heads, and even the phone booths have a horse head on top (yes, I realize now that I didn't get any pictures of the phone booths)

Oh, just what the world needs! A giant ant. To be precises, a "giant, bright red leafcutting ant" (and just in case you want more trivial info: their habitat is the rainforests of Central and South America) And how do I know this....well, I have my Towada Art Center information brochure right here with me.

The Towada Art Center....wow! this is an amazing place! Can only take pictures of the outside exhibits, inside...no pictures.

But, thank goodness for gift shops and their postcards! This is "Standing Woman" The tall woman stands I don't know how high...and it is so realistic. Every little detail on the human body is on her. The little person, is an actual person.

Here is a link for the Art Center.

http://www.city.towada.lg.jp/artstowada/eng/artist/index.html

click on the "artwork" for each artist to see their work that is on display here.

"Cause and Effect" It looks like a giant jellyfish...but when you get up close, each piece is a little tiny sculpture of a human, with another human sitting on his shoulders, another on that one's shoulders, and so forth. I don't know how many pieces in all, but it s pretty neat to stand under it and look up.

The display setups are unique as well. Each one has its own room. There is nothing in there, but that display and a docent to make sure you mind your p's and q's.

If you click on #17 on the art center link, that just gives a picture of what you see passing by the room. But it is a hands on exhibit. You go and stand on the chair on the table, and put your head through the hole in the ceiling. This allows you to see the head of the seal (the strange object hanging down in the photo) and this incredible landscape as well, complete with mist. Pretty incredible.

This is "Flower Horse" it's "covered with flower patterns, exhibited in the exterior event space, is an alignment with the long historical relationship between Towada and the horse, the seasonal changes in flowers blossoming this street and the future prosperity of Towada."

A view of the mountains from the rooftop of the art center. The stairwell leading up and the rooftop itself were also another piece of work. The floor of the cafe was also decorated with an art piece.

Really and incredible place to go, and will be put on the list of things to do for future visitors.

Once again, I am just totally amazed by this area of Japan. Just when you think you've seen the best thing of your life, you turn a corner and there's another.

October 11 2009

October 11 2009: Went back to the Grand Hotel....this time with friends. They just moved here in July and hadn't been introduced to the fish. You remember.....the giant fish with the VERY large mouths? (it's in an earlier blog if you've missed it.)
Anyway, we all brought ample bread, thinking this would just be another quiet morning.
Oh, but wait....there's people...LOTS of people. Ahhh yes, there must be a "festibal" happening.

We joined the crowd and went into the hotel grounds. Noting along the way that there were no other Americans. Obviously not a festival that is advertised on base.
The kids, Andi, Jolie and Ethan started feeding the fish and soon a crowd developed around us. I wonder if people were wondering what the crazy Americans were doing. Soon, this crazy white lady (that'd be me) started handing out bread to the Japanese children. They had a GREAT time! And all were very polite, thanking me for the bread and looking so happy. I know others do feed the fish, but I wonder if it's mostly tourists.

Jolie, Andi and Ethan feeding and posing at the same time...nobody fell in!

The festival area, out on the pavilion area. Looks like a lot of people....and it is!

The three with I guess a Samurai warrior. We don't know what the festival was in celebration of. But there was live entertainment, and lots and lots of food!

Bree, the mother of the two kids, was worried about looking like a tourist, so handed off her camera to her husband, who is Japanese-American (born and raised in the states as were his parents). He said he'd be happy to take the camera, just wasn't sure what he could do about the rest of her to keep her from looking like a tourist.....she's as white as I am.

We were the only Americans there, but were definitely welcomed. Either that or they are just to polite to tell us to leave....no we were welcomed, and had a great time!

Some of the crowd.

Oh! It's lunch time! So many choices....what to get. As you can see there is fish skewered on sticks. I guess they are dried. They are definitely salted.

Or perhaps and octopus tentacle (left), mini octopus (center) or duck (right), is more your style. Ok, I had none....Garrett (the father of the two), went for the mini octopus. Yum. We all tried some....I just tried one of it's mini tentacles...it was chewy and tasted like the fish market smells. Maybe it's like calamari, just gotta eat it while it's hot, this was cooked, but no longer warm.

Cooking a big vat of something. I think it is Ramen of some kind. Whatever it was must of been good, as people were lined up (below) waiting for their portion. The line must have been over 50 yards long as it snaked all along the pavilion area.

And yes, there was some normal looking meats being cooked there. Beef and pork, and perhaps some other species of four legged animals....but to my knowledge the Japanese don't eat dog, that would be the Koreans and Chinese. So I'm going to assume that there was nothing barking in those meats.

This is just the back side of the festival. I think the pavilion always leans like that....that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Jolie, Andi and Ethan. It's great to have friends to go along on new adventures!

There were a couple of ponies out in a corral in the parking lot area. And then these two horses (uma) by one of the shrines. They were bigger than the ponies, but still not as big as some of the horses I'm acquainted with in the states.

There were other people ringing the bell. We decided to take full advantage of the moment and give it a ring ourselves. Though I think Andi tried to get in more than her fair share of gongs, those spirits must be awake by now!

Went in to a different area than I'd been before. (Andi was picking the route) Came upon another peacefully wooded area with another pond and this old water wheel. It was the backside of the modern hotel, and from our vantage point, could see into some of the rooms. We didn't look real close, as we didn't want to sneak up on anybody and startle them.

Below, a quiet pathway.

Well, that was the weekend. On Saturday night we had an earthquake of 5.2. And just now while sitting here, we had another. Or it could just be the tractors moving into position out on the road...the road is a dirt road and is being scraped and prepped for paving. I'll check in a few minutes to see if there was any shaking. I have found this site helpful in getting our info: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ just click on the area you want to go to...

Also, we did have a typhoon last week. Well, it harder in the southern areas, like Tokyo and Yakota. By the time it reached here, it had hit colder waters and weakened to tropical storm status. Pretty much it was strong winds (a lot like we get in the winter) and lots of rain, about 3 inches worth. I've seen only one damaged rice field. But who knows it may have soaked the rice to much. Will have to get out this week and get some pictures of the rice fields and see if any are being harvested yet.