October 27 2010

Well, glory be! I actually went out for a walk on this fine day. I don't know what was wrong with me. It could be that I needed a change of pace. It's odd to go for walk, but first drive to a location first...I had thought of walking all the way to the destination, but figured I'd be crawling back up the hill from the train station. It is a steep hill to and fro. So, drove to a nearby location, parked, then commenced the walk. I have made mental notes, that this part of the walk has no sidewalks....something to remember when there is road construction, morning commute of students on bikes going to the train station, and regular motor car commuters.
Above is my goal. A temple on the top of this hill. Going down the right side there is the staircase.....ahhh....the workout approaches!
But first a short jaunt through the train station. Above are some of the bikes that are left for the day.....this is just a SMALL portion. I couldn't get a good picture as the angle of the sun was wrong.

Yes, the sun was shinning, but as you can see below, I did have to keep an eye on that big ol' rain cloud, especially since I had no rain gear with me.

Ok, up we go! And in case you wonder....it's 110 steps up and well, the same on the down side. (which in case you wonder, it's the same set of steps, just a view from below and above)

A view of part of Misawa. This is the area down by the train station. And below is looking straight across the little valley to the next hillside and another temple. Which I've already been to and taken pictures of.(I think in July of this year if you need a stroll down memory lane)

Above: The temple was a tad smaller than I thought it would be. It seems larger from below (why is that?) There is no cemetery attached to this one (many don't). Considering how close to the hub of the city I was, it was very quiet and peaceful on the grounds.
Well, back to the walk. I think I have taken a picture of this little boat before...not sure. I do wonder what the stories are behind such things as this. Why is there a boat dry docked behind the old grand hotel? Who did it belong to? Why do they hold on to it? Have I mentioned at how frustrating it can be to not know the language (and how frustrating it is that I am so slow in learning it!) and find out the history behind some of this stuff. Though it can be good for the imagination, as I conjure up a tale to go with the boat. (which I'll not put down at this time...I'll let you do some conjuring)

Below: Well, you knew it was coming.....some "artsy fartsy" picture must come into play.
Halloween 2010:

A night for the weather to play a trick on us! Rain, rain and some more rain. But that didn't stop this celestial sorceress from having a good time. We started the afternoon off with a trip to the haunted house on base. The "PG" showing for the younger crowd. Andi's first haunted house, and what I suspect will be her last for years to come. She scares easily, and is petrified of doctors.....combine Halloween and scary doctors at the haunted house, and well, we should've recorded Andi for authentic scared screams for some Hollywood production. The girl can scream!!! And she was thoroughly frightened. I will say though....that as soon as the characters realized she was truly frightened, they would shut off whatever power tool they had, or their scare tactic, and spoke in a friendly voice....she was still scared. The "guides" ran us through pretty fast....not fast enough for Andi. I thought it was a great haunted house, though I think my ears are still ringing from Andi's screams....I did feel bad for her, and held tight to her. She had Shane start going first to try to lure the monsters into scaring him instead of her.
Poor girl. She did manage to fall asleep in her own bed though. But like I said....it'll probably be another decade before she goes again....and even then I'm not so sure. She just likes the idea of being scary things......
And so another week ends, and another one begins. We'll see what tricks this week has up its sleeves!

Kosawada Apple Orchard

October 19 2010- A field trip for Andi's class! Once again, I get to go along as chaperon. I'm beginning to wonder if my child will ever go on a field trip without me. She has gone on two without me in the past....but it was kicking and screaming the whole way. I know she'll tire of me eventually, so I'll enjoy it while I can.

The above picture was taken just down the street from us. The folks who own it have been working hard this year to improve their garden spot. Last summer it seemed like just one improvement....this summer was a bevy of activity. If only I could get my grass to be that lush....the weeds are lush, but it's just not the same.
Ok, lets get on with this field trip. It was a beautiful day for an outing. This is a LONG bus trip. About an hour and half. The kids did pretty well...of course I had my headphones in, so didn't hear a lot.
This is the first time I've seen the straw from the rice baled in such a manner. Shane said he thought it looked like people standing out in the field.
At the orchard (see that was a quick trip for you to get to the orchard....I had to endure lots of twisty mountain roads, seated at the back of the bus) we got a lesson on how to "plopely pick an apple". The kids got to pick two a piece, and the grown ups three. If you wanted more there was a charge of 100 Yen. I held out for the apple juice (yummie) at 300 Yen for 1 liter...well worth it! I was a little disappointed that that was all we did. Just pick our few apples, then back up to the bus we went, for another long ride. It would have been nice to learn some history of the area....ah well, next time I'll remember to be more vocal.
Andi had a good time finding just the right apples to pick. She had an even better time devouring it at home!

I'm not sure what there is to sweep in an orchard...

Workers were laying tarps out under the trees. I can only assume this is so the apple doesn't get dirty as it lands on the ground. Nah, I know it's so that it is easier to pick up those that fall before being picked....I just like the neatness aspect of it all.
From the orchard we could see this great dragon...it would have been fun to climb, but that is another orchard....now if I can just remember how to get back there, I might get to climb the dragon some day. Oh, I mean Andi might get to climb the dragon....it's Andi who wanted to do that!

Below: The farmers wife.



Once we finished our apple picking, it was back on the bus for another hour to a playground area to eat lunch. I was starving by then. Can only imagine the kids, who were almost 2 hours past their usual lunch time. I think they did really good though.
Nope, don't know where the village is..but it's on the road that we took to get to the orchard...I do wonder what that road is....not really, half the fun of living here is getting lost.
Below: decorations on the little posts by the crosswalk at the park.

October 23 2010: This Saturday we went for a drive to Hachinohe to Shane's beloved computer store. It was a successful trip. On the way home we had to divert to look for the vehicle inspection place. Once we figured where that was, we decided to keep going on the road to see where it would lead us.

A fantastic drive this turned out to be. Lots of farm land, quaint little villages. Houses with decorative roofs. A Buddhist temple with a large statue....

oh, are you waiting for pictures???? You know, as we were getting ready to leave, I said to myself "self don't forget the camera, you know we'll drive about". Halfway to Hachinohe, Self said "dammit, I forgot the camera!!" followed by a few other minor explicatives....Self has a swearing problem. So, if only you could see the pictures in my mind, you would see it was a wonderful detour that we were on Saturday.

And, Self pledges to bring the camera, though we are sure it must be Shane's fault in some way....And Andi would be a few dollars richer if she would fine her mother for swearing...though I blame that on Self.....

Yabusame Time!

October 16 2010: It's time for the horse archery again! I love this festival, so many colors and decorations on the horses. And the horses aren't to bad....they're my height....not so scary.
There was a group of children in a small riding ring. They were done with their demonstration, but stuck around for a photo op.
This unfortunate rider fell from his horse while taking a shot. I didn't have him in my sights when he fell, but could hear the crowds surprise.

And down the stretch comes our favorite horse. Really, I don't know the scoring system or anything like that....it's just that SAM all really like the way this horse looks!

A few more riders.

After that....round? heat? skirmish? (I just don't know what the groups of runs are called) we went back to the area where all the horses and riders gathered. It didn't seem like as big of a crowd as last year, but still just as colorful. Every now and then you find western cowboys clothing mixed in with the traditional Japanese.


The young riders and their instructor out doing another demo. He'd get them riding in a circle, then throw the ball at them (he's holding it in his right hand) with the hopes they'd catch it. Missing wasn't an issue, as they'd just leeeeaaaaannnnnnn waaaaaayyyyyy over in their saddles and pick it up. Gee, when I lean that far, it's always followed with a thud to the ground.

Above: Well, Andi almost gets her fantasy of riding one of the horses fulfilled.

Below: Next was a presentation of dress/costumes. All riders gathered in an area, then rode out to the field.

These are just a few....would love to post all the pictures...but that would make for a very long blog.

Just on the other side of a knoll, was the sounds of a baseball game going. We stopped to watch for a little while. Will have to take Andi to an actual game someday....baseball is on of her few sports that she enjoys watching.

And then, back to the business at hand. The riders all gathered on the center field while some sort of long announcement was going. It was more fun to watch this guy (below) keep himself amused.


Below- Andi, who usually won't speak to the Japanese, finds herself at no loss for words when it comes to getting her own ice cream. I sent her on her own to get her most favorite treat. Asked her afterwards if she actually spoke to the guy. Nope, just held up one finger, gave money to his outstretched hand, and took whatever change he offered and waited for her treat. No language barrier there!

And it's always good to know where the octopus treats are! (no I didn't get any...just wasn't in the mood.....truthfully, I'm never in the mood for octopus)
One of things I've always been disappointed in is the lack of local crafts at these festivals. On this particular day we decided to humor Andi when she asked "what's in that building?" Shane and I figured probably nothing, as it looked like it was just a civic center. A civic center it was....but in it were the local arts and crafts displays and some things for sale. AHA! now we'll starting looking for civic centers nearby festivals.... Now in the "painting" above...I'd like to point out it's not paint....it's all pressed flowers! Even the mountains and clouds are not paint. I can't remember what they were made of...but not paint! I wish I could have bought one of them...but my poor little budget....
And at a stop light leaving Towada City we noticed Boston Club. Something else to check out someday!