DAY 3 (March 13, 2013)
The snow is constantly melting down.
We started our day with the usual body temperature check and breakfast. Then with another program orientation we were taught on the great things Kuji City is famous for, and the damages caused by the disaster in parts of Iwate.
Having some free time, after the lecture, some went out for photos and some played with the sled, made snowman, snowball fights, etc.
Façade of the main building.
Ski/snowboarding area.
Ski lift. We thought we could try it out, but only those with ski boards are allowed to use it as there’s no other way down but to ski.
We had curry for lunch! One of my most favorite Japanese food! And as expected, authentic ones are the best!
In preparation for departure, we were given reminders again and the coordinators lent us this.
Some sort of radio, where we can hear their translation for the sessions that we will be having.
Batch 2 was divided into 2 buses according to the Amber group and Fishermen group. I was part of the Amber group. Then we’re off to the Amber museum in Kuji City. It took us about more than hour to reach the museum. It was a small but very beautiful museum. This was the back-side of the museum anyway.
Simply amazing, isn’t it?
After a short discussion about amber, we were given this kit that we will be using to make our own pendants.
I thought it would be easy to make, but no. I have to be really careful in using the sandpaper to shape it out. I think I failed. Mine was a bit thicker when compared to the sample pendant that was lent to us.
Ambers, anyway, according to the information we got from the museum, are the hardened secretion of the fluid called “resin” that protects a tree’s wound when its trunk have been damaged, when its branches have been broken, or if the tree’s been dead. Some of this resin fossilizes over a long period of time after being buried underground, and thus become the “amber”. Kuji City’s amber are said to have been existing since the Cretaceous period, roughly 85-90 million years ago.
Afterwards, we toured the museum. In the displays, trapped insects such as ants, mosquitoes, bugs, spiders, etc, in hardened ambers were also displayed. It looked scary but somehow an amazing thing to see. I wonder how old those ambers are. There were also the amber mosaics, though not for sale, just by simply looking at it, it looked like it’s worth millions.
We also went into the old amber mine. Despite the label, I really can’t figure out which is the amber and which is not, can you?
Then I went to the souvenir shop. And my, ambers really are expensive. Ambers with the insects are also being sold as pendants, but those are more expensive. I was tempted to buy a necklace but it’s too expensive so I bought a star-shaped amber charm instead, the cheapest I found in the shop.
Then we went to Kuji City Cultural Hall or most commonly known as the Amber Hall where we waited for the fishermen group to arrive.
There, we were separated into 3 buses according to those groups whose homestay families lived in either Samuraihama-cho or Yamagata-cho.
The homestay part is the activity I am most looking forward to, but to be honest, I was a bit disappointed finding out we’d only be staying in our host family for a night. Anyway, I was excited and nervous.
I think it was past 4pm when we arrived in our host family’s home. We were the ones to get off the bus first. There’re 3 of us. I was the only one in the group that could somehow communicate in Japanese so it really was very challenging for me as I am still not a fluent speaker of the language. I was just at least hoping someone in the family could communicate in English or I wish I better in speaking Japanese. I was afraid that we might not be able to make a conversation with our host family. I just really hate language barriers.
Upon arriving, we were greeted by the mother, which we called “Okaasan” afterwards when she told us to do so. Before the program coordinator left, he reminded us that we will be picked up the next morning at 9:15am. I was so nervous that I was not able to say myself the words “Hajimemashite” and “Osewa ni narimasu.”
As we entered the genkan or the entryway where they take off their shoes before entering the main part of the house, Okaasan called her 17-year old daughter, Sayaka. She went out of a room and wow, she’s very beautiful and her cheeks were so red, probably because of the cold. Our host family’s house was a traditional one by the way, so it was unusually cold even inside the house. Then, we met Obaasan, which we were told was sick at that time so she’d mostly be staying in the 3rd living room.
I find it hard to catch up to what Okaasan was saying because I’m unfamiliar with some of the words she was saying so it became even more challenging for me who is still learning the language.
Okaasan led us to our room so we can leave our carry-ons and showed us around the house. She even showed us their Hina-doll set di[ in the room just beside ours, before going back to the kitchen where the heater/stove is to keep ourselves warm. It looked like this, but half of it was the size.
She offered us some Okashi (Japanese snacks) and green tea, then we formally introduced ourselves to her. She was surprised upon hearing my name and it was the same as her other daughter, then showed us a photo of Arisa-san during her seijin-shiki (the coming of age ceremony). She took a paper posted in the refrigerator which turned out to be our profile with all the information (hobbies, etc.) we have written in our applications before, and also she took out the Japanese conversation-guide booklet, the same as the one given to us.
As Okaasan couldn’t speak English, she asked us questions from the booklet, and I in turn, with all that I can, translated my group mates’ answers in Japanese. Sayaka-san was there too to somehow help me understand in easier Japanese when Okaasan was saying some Japanese that she knew I wouldn’t understand, and I was very thankful for that even if she couldn’t speak English. Okaasan asked us about our families, schools, hobbies, foods that we like, how did we find Japan, Kuji City, the weather, and sorts. And when asked if we like Japanese music, that was the one question I answered really fast because I am a huge fan of Japanese music, and when asked of what group I like the most, I said Arashi. Okaasan was quite surprised how I knew about Arashi, and I was thrilled when they said they love Arashi too! What a coincidence! I was at my happiest that time!
By the way, our parents were farmers. They own a backyard farm where they grow and produce spinach and shiitake mushrooms.
We asked Okaasan how they were when the disaster happened, and said they were alright since they live far from the sea. We also asked if it was their first time to accept a home stay. It wasn’t, but it is for Filipinos. She did mention that students from Tokyo University who studies agriculture stayed in their home for a few days. So even now, I was left wondering on what kind of impression we, Filipinos, may have left.
Otousan came home, and Okaasan and Sayaka-san started preparing for dinner.
We had a simple dinner, but mind you, simple it may be, it was the best Japanese meal I’ve had by far, especially the spinach with sesame dressing I loved the most, made by Sayaka-san. The spinach probably was their produce because it seemed like it was freshly picked due to the crunchy-feel in every bite. I barely eat vegetables but that spinach made me eat whole lot, it was that delicious! Aside from that side dish, we also had miso soup, chicken with eggs (I don’t what it’s called but it was tasty as well), and a kind of fish whose taste was close to our country’s tinapa. For dessert, we had Fuji apples. We talked a bit about various things. Some questions were left unanswered though because there were words that I didn’t know the meaning already. I was so disappointed in myself.
We helped Okaasan in cleaning up the table, then we offered to wash the dishes for her but Okaasan said that she’ll do the rest.
We stayed in the 1st living room to keep ourselves warm with the kotatsu table as we watch the television with Sayaka-san and as Okaasan prepared the tub for our bath. That room was filled with a lot of certificates, aside from the diplomas, I’m not sure what each was but it sure seemed like the achievements of the family. Sayaka-san showed us the wedding album of her parents. If I remember it correctly, it was 20 or so years ago when Okaasan and Otousan got married. I couldn’t help but say “Natsukashii”. We were called by Okaasan saying that the bath is ready and that she’d be preparing our beds, but we insisted that we’d do it instead.
Then it was my turn to take a bath. I wonder how I’ll do because it became even colder that night. To be honest, I’ve never once soaked myself in a bath tub so it was my first. In watching Japanese dramas, the only thing I know is that they soak themselves in the tub with a kind of bath salt mixed in the water and stays there for about half an hour. Okaasan did put some bath salt in the tub, and told us to wash ourselves first before entering the tub, then rinse again afterwards. I think I was in the tub for about 20 minutes, and my, the tub was hot but it felt great and relaxing.
After taking a bath, Okaasan made us wear a yukata and helped us to get dressed up. I’ve only been seeing girls in yukatas in the dramas I’ve watched, and I can’t believe I’d be able to wear one already.
Coming back to the living room, Sayaka-san and I had conversations about Arashi. Finding out we both have the same bias, I got hyped all over again. Okaasan mentioned after dinner that she wanted us to teach Sayaka-san to speak English so we’ve been trying to have conversation in English too. She also showed us some pictures from her field trip in Kyoto. Then, Okaasan brought us a cake made of spinach. Who knew spinach could be made into a cake too! It was delectable as well!
It was getting late when Otousan said he’d be going to sleep since he has work to do tomorrow, then Okaasan. The rest of us stayed up until about midnight watching the television and talking about various things. I wanted to stay up even later to have more conversations with Sayaka-san. Even though she said that she didn’t have school that whole week because entrance exams for the incoming 1st year students are being done in her school so it’s okay for her to stay up late, but I didn’t want to. I didn’t want her to stay up late just so I could talk to someone. So we just helped her clean up the kotatsu table and washed the utensils that we used before getting to our rooms and saying “Oyasuminasai”.
Seeing my own breath when we got out of the living room just proved the cold even inside the house. Thanks to the heater and the 4 layers of blanket we had, I had a good night sleep.
My experience in the family completely changed my first impression with Japaneses families I have seen in the dramas and documentaries I've watched. They almost make no difference in Filipino families, even better when you looked closer. I was glad to have proved that first impression wrong.
Prologue
Day 0 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
We started our day with the usual body temperature check and breakfast. Then with another program orientation we were taught on the great things Kuji City is famous for, and the damages caused by the disaster in parts of Iwate.
Having some free time, after the lecture, some went out for photos and some played with the sled, made snowman, snowball fights, etc.
Façade of the main building.
Ski/snowboarding area.
Ski lift. We thought we could try it out, but only those with ski boards are allowed to use it as there’s no other way down but to ski.
We had curry for lunch! One of my most favorite Japanese food! And as expected, authentic ones are the best!
In preparation for departure, we were given reminders again and the coordinators lent us this.
Some sort of radio, where we can hear their translation for the sessions that we will be having.
Batch 2 was divided into 2 buses according to the Amber group and Fishermen group. I was part of the Amber group. Then we’re off to the Amber museum in Kuji City. It took us about more than hour to reach the museum. It was a small but very beautiful museum. This was the back-side of the museum anyway.
Simply amazing, isn’t it?
After a short discussion about amber, we were given this kit that we will be using to make our own pendants.
I thought it would be easy to make, but no. I have to be really careful in using the sandpaper to shape it out. I think I failed. Mine was a bit thicker when compared to the sample pendant that was lent to us.
Ambers, anyway, according to the information we got from the museum, are the hardened secretion of the fluid called “resin” that protects a tree’s wound when its trunk have been damaged, when its branches have been broken, or if the tree’s been dead. Some of this resin fossilizes over a long period of time after being buried underground, and thus become the “amber”. Kuji City’s amber are said to have been existing since the Cretaceous period, roughly 85-90 million years ago.
Afterwards, we toured the museum. In the displays, trapped insects such as ants, mosquitoes, bugs, spiders, etc, in hardened ambers were also displayed. It looked scary but somehow an amazing thing to see. I wonder how old those ambers are. There were also the amber mosaics, though not for sale, just by simply looking at it, it looked like it’s worth millions.
We also went into the old amber mine. Despite the label, I really can’t figure out which is the amber and which is not, can you?
Then I went to the souvenir shop. And my, ambers really are expensive. Ambers with the insects are also being sold as pendants, but those are more expensive. I was tempted to buy a necklace but it’s too expensive so I bought a star-shaped amber charm instead, the cheapest I found in the shop.
Then we went to Kuji City Cultural Hall or most commonly known as the Amber Hall where we waited for the fishermen group to arrive.
There, we were separated into 3 buses according to those groups whose homestay families lived in either Samuraihama-cho or Yamagata-cho.
The homestay part is the activity I am most looking forward to, but to be honest, I was a bit disappointed finding out we’d only be staying in our host family for a night. Anyway, I was excited and nervous.
I think it was past 4pm when we arrived in our host family’s home. We were the ones to get off the bus first. There’re 3 of us. I was the only one in the group that could somehow communicate in Japanese so it really was very challenging for me as I am still not a fluent speaker of the language. I was just at least hoping someone in the family could communicate in English or I wish I better in speaking Japanese. I was afraid that we might not be able to make a conversation with our host family. I just really hate language barriers.
Upon arriving, we were greeted by the mother, which we called “Okaasan” afterwards when she told us to do so. Before the program coordinator left, he reminded us that we will be picked up the next morning at 9:15am. I was so nervous that I was not able to say myself the words “Hajimemashite” and “Osewa ni narimasu.”
As we entered the genkan or the entryway where they take off their shoes before entering the main part of the house, Okaasan called her 17-year old daughter, Sayaka. She went out of a room and wow, she’s very beautiful and her cheeks were so red, probably because of the cold. Our host family’s house was a traditional one by the way, so it was unusually cold even inside the house. Then, we met Obaasan, which we were told was sick at that time so she’d mostly be staying in the 3rd living room.
I find it hard to catch up to what Okaasan was saying because I’m unfamiliar with some of the words she was saying so it became even more challenging for me who is still learning the language.
Okaasan led us to our room so we can leave our carry-ons and showed us around the house. She even showed us their Hina-doll set di[ in the room just beside ours, before going back to the kitchen where the heater/stove is to keep ourselves warm. It looked like this, but half of it was the size.
She offered us some Okashi (Japanese snacks) and green tea, then we formally introduced ourselves to her. She was surprised upon hearing my name and it was the same as her other daughter, then showed us a photo of Arisa-san during her seijin-shiki (the coming of age ceremony). She took a paper posted in the refrigerator which turned out to be our profile with all the information (hobbies, etc.) we have written in our applications before, and also she took out the Japanese conversation-guide booklet, the same as the one given to us.
As Okaasan couldn’t speak English, she asked us questions from the booklet, and I in turn, with all that I can, translated my group mates’ answers in Japanese. Sayaka-san was there too to somehow help me understand in easier Japanese when Okaasan was saying some Japanese that she knew I wouldn’t understand, and I was very thankful for that even if she couldn’t speak English. Okaasan asked us about our families, schools, hobbies, foods that we like, how did we find Japan, Kuji City, the weather, and sorts. And when asked if we like Japanese music, that was the one question I answered really fast because I am a huge fan of Japanese music, and when asked of what group I like the most, I said Arashi. Okaasan was quite surprised how I knew about Arashi, and I was thrilled when they said they love Arashi too! What a coincidence! I was at my happiest that time!
By the way, our parents were farmers. They own a backyard farm where they grow and produce spinach and shiitake mushrooms.
We asked Okaasan how they were when the disaster happened, and said they were alright since they live far from the sea. We also asked if it was their first time to accept a home stay. It wasn’t, but it is for Filipinos. She did mention that students from Tokyo University who studies agriculture stayed in their home for a few days. So even now, I was left wondering on what kind of impression we, Filipinos, may have left.
Otousan came home, and Okaasan and Sayaka-san started preparing for dinner.
We had a simple dinner, but mind you, simple it may be, it was the best Japanese meal I’ve had by far, especially the spinach with sesame dressing I loved the most, made by Sayaka-san. The spinach probably was their produce because it seemed like it was freshly picked due to the crunchy-feel in every bite. I barely eat vegetables but that spinach made me eat whole lot, it was that delicious! Aside from that side dish, we also had miso soup, chicken with eggs (I don’t what it’s called but it was tasty as well), and a kind of fish whose taste was close to our country’s tinapa. For dessert, we had Fuji apples. We talked a bit about various things. Some questions were left unanswered though because there were words that I didn’t know the meaning already. I was so disappointed in myself.
We helped Okaasan in cleaning up the table, then we offered to wash the dishes for her but Okaasan said that she’ll do the rest.
We stayed in the 1st living room to keep ourselves warm with the kotatsu table as we watch the television with Sayaka-san and as Okaasan prepared the tub for our bath. That room was filled with a lot of certificates, aside from the diplomas, I’m not sure what each was but it sure seemed like the achievements of the family. Sayaka-san showed us the wedding album of her parents. If I remember it correctly, it was 20 or so years ago when Okaasan and Otousan got married. I couldn’t help but say “Natsukashii”. We were called by Okaasan saying that the bath is ready and that she’d be preparing our beds, but we insisted that we’d do it instead.
Then it was my turn to take a bath. I wonder how I’ll do because it became even colder that night. To be honest, I’ve never once soaked myself in a bath tub so it was my first. In watching Japanese dramas, the only thing I know is that they soak themselves in the tub with a kind of bath salt mixed in the water and stays there for about half an hour. Okaasan did put some bath salt in the tub, and told us to wash ourselves first before entering the tub, then rinse again afterwards. I think I was in the tub for about 20 minutes, and my, the tub was hot but it felt great and relaxing.
After taking a bath, Okaasan made us wear a yukata and helped us to get dressed up. I’ve only been seeing girls in yukatas in the dramas I’ve watched, and I can’t believe I’d be able to wear one already.
Coming back to the living room, Sayaka-san and I had conversations about Arashi. Finding out we both have the same bias, I got hyped all over again. Okaasan mentioned after dinner that she wanted us to teach Sayaka-san to speak English so we’ve been trying to have conversation in English too. She also showed us some pictures from her field trip in Kyoto. Then, Okaasan brought us a cake made of spinach. Who knew spinach could be made into a cake too! It was delectable as well!
It was getting late when Otousan said he’d be going to sleep since he has work to do tomorrow, then Okaasan. The rest of us stayed up until about midnight watching the television and talking about various things. I wanted to stay up even later to have more conversations with Sayaka-san. Even though she said that she didn’t have school that whole week because entrance exams for the incoming 1st year students are being done in her school so it’s okay for her to stay up late, but I didn’t want to. I didn’t want her to stay up late just so I could talk to someone. So we just helped her clean up the kotatsu table and washed the utensils that we used before getting to our rooms and saying “Oyasuminasai”.
Seeing my own breath when we got out of the living room just proved the cold even inside the house. Thanks to the heater and the 4 layers of blanket we had, I had a good night sleep.
My experience in the family completely changed my first impression with Japaneses families I have seen in the dramas and documentaries I've watched. They almost make no difference in Filipino families, even better when you looked closer. I was glad to have proved that first impression wrong.
Prologue
Day 0 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10