The Climb to the Top

Career-wise I still have quite a ways to climb before I reach the top. Yet, this does not stop me from making other climbs along the way. I am talking about one of the highest mountains in Japan and noted as the most active volcano on these islands we call Nippon. Yes, Asamayama (or Mt. Asama in English) is what we call it. A huge group of us (about 20) took the holiday that we had and decided to hike this grandiose mountain on what turned out to be a beautiful day. There was nothing more exciting than finding the place. Apparently we weren’t quite sure where the access to the trail was and because I was the only person in the lead car who could read some Japanese, it was my mission to find out. Needless to say, my ability to read kanji is at about that of a 1^st or 2^nd grade level. You could imagine how far this got us. However, when we stopped to ask for directions, I was all over that and soon enough we found our way. Thus begins the hike, which ended up taking several hours to the top. Yet, as soon as we broke out of the trees, man oh man, what a sight it was. It seriously reminded me of scenes from the Lord of the Rings (so, I guess, New Zealand, then, lol). We decided to rest about halfway and a group of people stopped there. They didn’t want to continue. I did and decided I was going to catch up with the lead group. Joey decided to come with me and so the two of us set off only to encounter something amazing. At first, I thought it was some sort of bear. From behind it had a very broad butt and it was hard to see as it fled away from us. However, it eventually stopped and gave a look back at us, in which case we determined that it was a deer-like creature. Reminded me of the mythical forest spirit in Princess Mononoke with its white beard and high-strung head. Antlers prominently displayed, the two of us couldn’t believe what we had seen. We soon found out that these animals are extremely rare to see in the wild and we were so lucky to have been so close to one.

Our adventure begins...easygoing at first.

If we weren't convinced it was a volcano already.

Yeah, let's play in the waterfall!

Karen sneaks off down the path. Asamayama still far off in the distance.

Just a little ways up and already breathtaking views.

There's the beast, deceptively close.

I think I saw Frodo frolicking about...

Ah, at last, the vegetation dwindles away. Yet, the steepest part is yet to come.

You could spend days taking it all in.

Warning, shhmorning.

Krissy's expression mimics mine.

The crater

Group photo at what looks like the end of the Earth.

Nothing like a good vogue at 8,425 ft. 

Takoyaki Taking on Physics

Wow, it is already August. Cannot believe it! Went into school for the first time today. I am working at Usuda Jr. High School (臼田中学校, usudachyugakkou) as my main place of residence. I will also be teaching at four elementary schools in the area on rotation. I met the principal of the school and he was very nice, Ichimura-sensei. He is a very proud man who is very proud of the school that he runs. In some ways, it makes me even more proud to be teaching there. We had a nice little chat and went on our way, Nagaoka-san showing me the way to get from my house to the school. Ended the day fairly early, which was great news because it had been a long week.

That evening Erika, Tom, Joey, and myself all went to Ueda where there was pretty much a hippie fest happening. It was aptly named Joint Fest and was held at the old castle grounds in Ueda…very scenic place for bands to be playing. It was neat because there were traditional festival type foods there for consuming. Personally, I loved it. The sights, sounds, smells, people…it was all that and more. The Japanese youth were all over dancing. There were few people who were standing that were not bopping to the beat and I don’t just mean nodding their heads or shuffling their feet but outright dancing. Such energy and spirit in everyone as opposed to just a few back in the states. Now, having walked around the stands and scoped out the food, nothing caught our attention more than the guy making takoyaki, which for those who may not know is fried octopus. It is basically octopus and a batter that is fried in a ball shape. It starts out flat on the griddle and with lightning fast chopstick maneuvers that Hollywood can’t even mimic, the artist (had way to much talent to be called a cook), formed the batter into perfect little balls and without skipping a beat, tossed them off into containers. If the idea of trying fried octopus hadn’t sold me already, this display of talent got the money out of my pocket without a problem…well I did ask to see if they had dairy in them first. :P

The rest of the evening was a great time. We hit up a traditional Japanese-style bar, where we met a few new people and had a decent time aside from some chain smokers who nearly killed me and another girl at our table. Took the train back into lovely Saku and had ourselves a good sleep.

Ueda Train Station (complete with  Joey's head)

At JointFest with Erika, Karen, Brynn, Joey, Wes, & Tom