November 29 2010

November 29 2010: Well, a slow week has passed. All right, so it wasn't so slow...it went rather quickly. Thanksgiving came and went, as did the leftovers! We had a great meal on the 25th celebrating with neighbors.

The past few mornings we've been out trooping through the woods walking another neighbors dog (well, they live a quarter of a mile away, but that's close enough for being a neighbor) while they are out on holiday.

The morning walks give great opportunity to catch nature in action. Though Shane and I are still on the look out for deer in the woods. (not going to happen in Japan.....there are no deer, at least not in this area) Noah, the dog, is fairly convinced that he is stalking something. I have yet to see what he is pointing at, but perhaps his imagination is as great as the children's.

Last week was a full moon. Night photos don't turn out so well, but did catch a not so full moon during the morning.

One of the highlights of morning walks, is catching a hawk out looking for morning munchies. I dutifully carried my camera with me every day on the Noah walks. Caught sight of this fellow Saturday morning. Was hoping to catch it in flight, but the sun was at the wrong angle.

This morning (the 29th) I went out WITHOUT my camera (really, I should know better) and had the privilege of being able to stand and watch a hawk play in the currents right at tree top level for about 5 minutes. I wished, of course, that I'd had the camera with me so as to record the flight. The sun pushing through clouds behind me, clear sky above the hawk, slight breeze, and not even the slightest sound, not even a crow!

Someday I would like to have time to just go sit in the fields and try to get pictures of the hawks, storks and whatever other big birds (except the crows) come by. I find it as tranquil as watching fish in an aquarium or going to the beach to watch the waves. Someday.....

Sunrise on one of the walks.

Ah, I told you it had been a slow week. (but oh so fast) This week will probably be the same, with just a tad more excitement built in. Nothing exotic like a trip. Well, there is a trip, just to the dentist for some surgery. Nothing major, just MY usual.

Sunday walk and a field trip

Sunday November 12 2010: We had a weekend of puppy sitting one of the neighbors dog (neighbor being a quarter of a mile away...close by) so we did a few days of family walks trooping through the woods. Found an old Hornets nest. Which Shane very diligently shook up to make sure it was abandoned....it was. Though Andi, the dog and myself were poised for a quick flight out of there in case it wasn't.
Leaves can make the most interesting shapes!

Really, I was trying to get the red of the bush, but somehow the fence just added to it.

Ok, enough walking around. Lets get to the weeks main event. The 4th graders at Andi's school had a field trip to one of the local Japanese elementary schools. Okamisawa to be exact. Their four 6th grade classes hosted the 4th graders. After a greeting song, they split off into groups to play games.

Some of the games were a little hard to figure out the point. The 6th graders use this opportunity to work on their English skills. It came down to....try a game, go try another. The Japanese children were a bit shy, but at the same time very proud to practice their English and play with the 4th graders.

Andi was a bit shy to start with. It was kind of overwhelming....so many children....so much noise!

The above game was fun. 5 or 6 colored round wooden blocks, stacked. Take a little hammer and whack the bottom disc. the goal is to leave the stack standing and keep doing this til the last disc. I wanted to play, but didn't get a chance. I see a trip to the toy store in the future.
Children from the younger grades would come and take a peek during their free time. The Americans visiting the school is a big thing. It's a block of time off from regular studies and have a little play time.
Learning to write Nippon (Japan) in characters.

This is the 6th grade class Andi's group was teamed up with (though it was pretty much a free float through the activities) There was a total of about 150 6th graders in four classes, that's about 37 kids per class! Andi's class has a total of 18, and had to be split in two so each Japanese class had some American students.
Above and below: The ultimate game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors". Start out one on one...the looser goes behind the winner. The winners from that round take on each other...each group of losers forming a chain behind the winner, 'til you have one long chain...the leader is the ultimate champion.

Time to leave: Students and teachers from Okamisawa form an archway for the American students to go through. The lady on the right is actually Andi's Koto teacher from this last summer. She is also a counselor at the school. She was so happy to see Andi. Andi was happy to find a familiar face!

Waving goodbye as we head out the door. It was a fun morning. Did learn some additional things. The students clean their own school...from sweeping the floors to cleaning the bathrooms. They bring their own Bento boxes everyday (lunch box) and the school provides the rice (so no large industrial kitchens). I'm not sure how old the school is, it is well worn, but the students take pride in taking care of it themselves. And what a way to instill a sense of responsibility!

One last video for the day. This is from our walk on Sunday. We could hear a hawk screeching. So crept out of the woods, hoping to find it flying in the skies above the field. Still couldn't see it, but if you turn up your speakers, you'll be able to hear it. (I hope) Ignore the crows...their just everywhere!

Oirase Salmon Catch

November 13 2010: Salmon catch day! Decided at the last minute to get tickets for the annual salmon catch. (there are several in the area each year, this being the final one) So glad we did. It was a beautiful day. Well, perhaps the fellow out in the middle of the river didn't think so. From what I could see on my zoom lens, looks like he was clearing debris.....he probably would've preferred to be over at the catch.

Now, we all know by now that Japanese festivals consist of food, lot and lots of food. Today is no different. Above are lollipops that we forgot to buy on the way out and fried goodness of something below. (by the time we left I couldn't find this tent anymore, there was just way to many people...so didn't get to try this dish)

Above: The Statue of Liberty like you've never seen her before. One should always hold a cross section of a salmon.....

Below: A kiddie pool was stocked with a half dozen salmon. Here the younger kids could hone their skill and practice catching...just lean over and pull it out by the tail, seems so easy. (no I didn't try it...I already know what a fish feels like.) Andi gave it an attempt but was too squeamish about what it might feel like....(though that part of the story is to be continued in a little bit)

Above: Getting ready for the catch...Observers line the edge of the pond. I think it would've been great if these ladies had had on red hats. The pond area (a man made cement pond where the fish are stocked for the catch...not as sporting as wading out into the river, but I'm sure that would bring up a lot of liability issues) was lined with watchers and catchers. (there are several catches...4 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday)
Above: One of the dignitaries give a demonstration on how to catch, and in his case how easily they get away (if you look at the bottom of the picture you can see the splash of the fish as it escapes back to the water)
And into the water go the masses of people. (Andi and I observed this year.) Shane decided to go as traditional as he could get....no shoes and barehanded. Most folks had on at least rain boots or better. Most had gloves.
Now if you are expecting a picture of him proudly holding up his fish....keep in mind there are lots of people and he has a slippery fish. His goal was to get to the people with the handy plastic bags to put the fish in.

Above: Putting the fish in...but notice something sticking out. Those salmon, give them a little window and they put in a huge drive thru. Saw it happen with lots of folks....yup, this one got away.
But it didn't take long to wrangle up another and properly contain it! That's not the peace sign he's making...it's the number of times he had to catch!

You should've seen Andi's eyes bug out when the fish started flopping in the bag! But she didn't drop it.

Lots of people, lots of fish. It's pretty much one per person, or however many tickets you paid for. Entire families will do this. Not sure what they do with all that fish to eat...I'm sure they freeze it.
Ok: A bit of a disclaimer before you scroll down to the next pictures......it gets a little bloody here. We are going to take a trip to the on site butcher. For 300Y they would clean the fish for you (really, I would've paid a lot more! 300Y is about $4) Anyway, it is a little bloody, but it is part of the process. So the next 4 pictures are either quick whiz buys or whatever you want to do.....

Above: A swift whack to finish off the salmon....rather violent (and in case you are wondering, Andi is off doing something else) To ensure you get back the fish you caught they tag the bag with a number, and give you the other half of the tag. And off they go.

There were probably about 10 ladies gathered around the table, just doing what they do at great speeds. From beginning to end we waited about 10 minutes. Really, I have no idea if we got the same fish back...don't really care, but the Japanese being as precise as they are, I'm sure we did. It all seemed very chaotic, but at the same time it was very organized.

Ok....so where was Andi during all this? She was back at the kiddie catch pool. She so wanted to figure out how to catch one, but still leery of the slime factor. Apparently, while Shane and I were at the butcher, a little Japanese boy caught a salmon and realizing her hesitancy handed it to her for her to hold. She did, took the fish by the tail...and from there became a salmon tail catching whiz! Time after time she could just then reach in and grab the tail and pull it right out! She caught and released 7! Nothing like having your parents completely out of the picture and a language barrier to help you overcome your fears!

She is all geared up to do the catch with dad next year!
Above: A look at part of fairway...I should've gone to a high spot to get a picture of all the people. It really was very crowded. But now we had our butchered fish, so what next? We did remember to bring our cooler, but seeing as how we are midway through November, and thought it would be colder, we didn't bring any ice! As a result we got our fried goodness to go and headed home.
And on the way home found a pretty purple house....and an old train sign.
Oh, and the salmon....that's the most delicious part. Our neighbor has a smoker....so we invited them to dinner...over at their house! (we brought the food, they did the soak and smoke) Many thanks to Kevin for preparing the brine soak and smoking the salmon. And to Jenell for setting a place for us all to eat! It was a really great meal!

Ground Golf

November 8 2010- Ya' remember how now and then I run across these older people playing a game that is a cross between golf and croquet? And how it is that for some reason I could never figure out what it is called? Now, to be amazed....it is called "Ground Golf" (but then you knew that from looking at today's title?) I always suspected it would be an obvious name, but yet, when I finally realize it, BAM! Surprise! Go figure.

http://www.city.onomichi.hiroshima.jp/english/kanko/data_mitsugi/s_golf.html

So, in my "googling" process...looking up Ground Golf, can give you all sorts of rules about the game of golf and grounding the club....or ball, or something (I zoned out, or crossed my eyes, or something) but the above link gives brief overview of the rules and etiquette.

And that will be it for today. I know....no exciting trips, walks, bumps or falls. It was a pretty tame week. Saturday was a gorgeous day and Andi and the neighborhood kids all went to the park to play...ALL DAY!! I took the time to purge her room (with her permission...either stay home and clean the room, or go play and Mom cleans the room). Now we are back in neat nik mode....she'll make her bed every day AND fold her pj's up and put them neatly on her bed. I give it a week. Maybe a little more, since she lost a lot of things, though there have been no complaints (wise girl).

All right, off I go to commence this week. Let's hope it has some sort of excitement...but not to exciting!