Hakodate Ika Odori

Last night, I went to a squid themed festival where I danced a special dance called the "Ika Odori" (squid dance) for an hour with (allegedly) 50,000 other people. It was AMAZING!
And instead of goldfish you can catch turtles?

A Few New Pictures

So, from the top: Me and some friends at an event called the "outdoor spectacle" in which we were dressed like Japanese townspeople and took part in a re-enactment of Commodore Matthew Perry coming to Hakodate. Can you tell we're wearing rubber Japanese hair?

Then, there's me and my host mom and a temple matsuri (festival). She is carrying A LOT of food that she bought. Below that is some kids dancing the "ika odori" (squid dance) and the same festival.

Finally, pictures from this weekend's hike up Hakodate Yama (Mt. Hakodate).

Return to Niigata

This past weekend was 中休み (mid-program break) and I went to Niigata to visit friends from last year. It was wonderful to see everyone, but a little bittersweet. I really loved living there, and the people I met, but at the same time I'm happy that I left and I like what I'm doing now. Nevertheless, I hope to be able to go back sometime soon.

Birthday!

I received a lovely cake, and my host mom gave me a strange dress (and Ian gave me a stuffed hippo).

Sorry for not writing much - we've been kept so busy on this program that it's hard to find time for blog-reflection.

More Pictures!

From the top: Ikebana, the view of Tachimachi coast after a beautiful hike, the bikes my friends and rode around Onuma lake on, and the French Trappistine Convent 20 minutes from my house.

Sorry for the silence...here are some pictures!

Various activities:

Jomon archaeological site visit
Kimono/Yukata wearing class
A strange cookie I received from my host mom...
Elementary school festival with my friend Kate and her host family

つけもの and my room

I met my host family this past weekend... Quite an adventure. So far I'm enjoying the homestay, although it was a bit of a shock to discover that they don't have internet. I suppose this is my chance to experience a wireless world, but I believe I'm currently going through withdrawal.

On Saturday I helped my host mother make つけもの, or a type of Japanese pickled vegetable. We cut up the giant pile of...something (maybe similar to rhubarb?), boiled it with salt, and then soaked it with kombu (seaweed) and sugar.

Also, you can see my room!

Hakodate Day 2

The view from my school, and Hakodate at night from the top of the ropeway.

Hakodate Day 1

First day of the program - placements tests and time to walk around! Hopefully more text to come soon...