And Now for Something Completely Different

In (planned) contrast to the previous entry, this one is full of Japanese culture and experiences.

On Tuesday (day of fire in Japanese), I caught a train to the Toyama prefecture after school with the other Canadian in Kanazawa and two Aussies. We're all Rotary student, but because of the way the exchange works, they've been here since January (and will be leaving next January). On was witty and tall with golden blond hair and the other seemed of Asian descent (however, he is Australian) and is also very tall. The Canadian I've met before at the first reunion where we were reminded of the rules of the exchange, she's average height with brown hair and eyes. Anyways, we learned about their experiences on the thirty-seven minute ride (they time these things amazingly well). By the time we got to Takaoka station, we were already getting along well.

At the station we were greeted by Rotarians who ushered us to their meeting taking place a few minutes later (and since Americans now measure distance in time unites, I'll add) and down the road. Here we met two more exchange students, the last Canadian and one of the Americans. The Canadian was tall and blond with blue eyes, and the American was and is the epitome of an American (which we himself knew and would often play up). We sat through the Rotary meeting, introduced ourselves in Japanese and traded banners with the club. We were then split up and sent to different Rotarians houses. I was placed with the witty Aussie.

We were brought to the house of an accountant and he must have been rich. Their house was well made with hardwood floors, computerized toilets, wireless Internet, and a nice television. We spent the night talking and playing PSP. He's now addicted to Patapon, a rhythm game where you beat drums to command a tribe of cool creatures called Patapons. He told me about the Chaser and I told him about the Rhino party (seriously look both up if you don't know them). We had a good night's sleep and woke up for a Western style breakfast the next morning. We had sandwiches. Then it was off to Rotary's office where we waited with the other five. For those of you who can count, that's one more than last time. The other American finally showed up after missing the train he was supposed to take with us.

After a short wait it was out to the harbour where we toured an old boat, ate lunch, and were guided around on boat. We were even given chips to feed the seagulls as we passed by. It was fun watching them swoop down and try to catch the food, then land and swim over to it to get it. Then we were taken to an official building across the way where we met and talked with (through Japanese half sentences and an interpreter) the mayor. We found out about the festival we would be taking part in that day. Apparently all the Shinto shrines in the area have large movable structures which they use to bring the gods down to the city to spread prosperity. We helped pull a few of them while shouting a "let's go"-like phrase. It reminded me of Patapon. After much pushing shouting and picture taking we went back to the office and chatted for what must have been over an hour.

For supper it was back to the host houses where we had sushi and crab (which I was creeped out by, but we each tried a leg anyways). Then the Aussie (as you may have noticed, I don't use names) and I sat down to watch an extreme game show called Sasuke where all sorts of athletes take on three stages of obstacle courses. Our favourites where a firefighter who beat most of the professional athletes and even finished the first stage (one of nine percent) and still had plenty of energy, an American free runner who had fun on his way through, doing flips and tricks and showing off while finishing the course with time to spare and one guy who made it more so by doing everything with precision than by rushing through everything.

At about seven-thirty we gather once again to enjoy the festivities going on at the shrines that night. The large monuments were still going around, now with hundreds of the signature Asian lights on them. We wandered through the streets filled with people and stands of people selling all kinds of food, fish and games. We bough cheap plastic masks and went into a magic house which was a small wooden room raised off the floor. I wondered why we were in a swing like contraption. Then the door closed and the room literally began to spin as we we were rocked back and forth. My sense of direction when round and round with the room, I kept thinking I would fall out, but gravity never seemed to take full effect. A few minutes later, seven gaijin (foreigner) stepped out, dizzy and disoriented (I still get motion sick thinking about it). We walked and talked, an American tried one of the shooting games and we even had a nice chat and picture with a nihonjin (Japanese person) who learned English on a trip he took to England.

Then it was back to the house for the night. We finished off the sushi and talked until we went to sleep. The next morning we again had a western style meal which the family prepared for us. It really was a nice place. I gave the host mother a gift (on of the Cape Breton calendars) as thanks and we headed out once again. This time we went to a pottery shop a little ways out of the rural town. We were shown how to make plates, vases and cha bowls and then given a few hours to try it out. I made a cha bowl, then a plate in the shape of a leaf, and a cup much resembling the kind used for sake (I'll be using it for Coke). Next it was off to a mall. We found an Italian restaurant where we had pizza, spaghetti, penne, a ceaser salad and one meal I forget the name of (each of use had a different dish, except the pizza which was split three ways). We walked around, went to the crazy photo booths and I tried out a Gundam arcade game. It's a pod with a 180 degree spherical screen, pedals and two joysticks. I faced off against other players online and got my ass kicked, but it was reallly cool.

And for our final part of the trip, we were brought to a Buddhist temple (all temples in Japan are Buddhist actually and shrines are Shinto) which was built like a castle. It was impressive, and it's even a national treasure, but if you really want to know about it look it up on a tourist site. It's called the Zuiryuji Temple. Then we walked around for a bit, had some ice cream and finally it was off to the station. On the way back we talked some more, then we reached Kanazawa station and went our separate ways.

Really, pretty much everyone you meet on a trip like this instantly becomes a friend. I can't wait for the next reunion we're apparently going to have in November. From what I hear we get to hang out at an awesome resort courtesy