DAY 4 (March 14, 2013)
The thought of leaving the house was just too painful to take. I wanted another night to spend with them.
I woke up in the middle of the night, freezing. The heater seemed to have shut itself off. Very sleepy, I tried to figure out how to open it. I almost gave up when I couldn’t make it work but I couldn’t bear the cold anymore even with 4 layers of blanket so I tried once again and finally, the heater started working again.
Okaasan woke us up at around 7am. We changed clothes and had homemade pizzas for breakfast.
Okaasan showed us where they work every day: their backyard. We first went into the greenhouse where Shiitake mushrooms are being grown and saw Otousan holding a basket filled with the harvested mushrooms. I don’t normally eat mushrooms but it looked like you could eat them straight away and would get a crunchy-feel, and they’re pretty big. “So that’s how they grow mushrooms”, I thought. Then we went to the greenhouse where the spinach is. One thing I noticed is that, it was warmer inside the greenhouse. There’s ventilation inside. Is it to still grow mushrooms even if its winter? If that’s possible, then why don’t Filipinos build such greenhouses where they could regulate the temperature inside so that they’d be able to grow produces that don’t normally grow in Philippines’ tropical weather? The government might be able to save up even just a bit from the expenses they acquire in importing fruits and vegetables.
It was when we were taking pictures in the 1st greenhouse when Sayaka-san said that it was snowing. I was surprised because the snow’s already gone in their place and I thought there would be no chance of snowing at all because spring is approaching Iwate Prefecture, but it did. Light and lasted for just a while it may be, it was my very first snowfall. And we returned to the house happy, as finally we experienced snow falling.
We’ve used all our time left to take pictures with everyone. Family pictures, if I could say.
Then as the time for our departure comes closer, we took the opportunity to give our small gifts and thanks to Okaasan for the warm welcome and for taking care of us. I cried. I couldn’t stop myself. It may just have been for a night; we might not have been able to have more conversations; but I was so happy to have been part of that family. I do miss them. Yes, even now.
Okaasan asked us to visit them again in our private trips by all means if we can; to bring friends along with us when we come back if we can. I do want to see them again. I was relieved when Okaasan said she’d be coming with Sayaka-san in the Cultural Night, but Otousan can’t since he had to take care of Obaasan.
The bus came, it was time for us to go, and my tears got even worse, despite telling me not to cry. Even Obaasan who was still sick at that time went out of the house to bid her goodbye. Otousan, Okaasan, and Sayaka-san sent us off as our bus left for the fishing port. “We’ll see in Sunday again”, I thought.
With snow falling, we arrived at Kuji port and were divided according to the Amber and fishermen group. We headed to the Marusa Saga Shoten Company Shop (Kuji Seafood Processing and Refrigerating Factory) while the other half went to the Kuji Fisheries Cooperative Association.
During our 1st night in Kuji City, we were shown this video.
This was the 2nd ship in the video docked on the same port that was devastated by the tsunami on that fateful day.
The captain wanting to save his ship ignored the danger and faced the tsunami. We were glad to hear that the captain was safe and that those in the fishermen group were able to meet him.
And before reaching the refrigerating factory, we saw these, along the way.
They are called tripods used as breakwaters. Though almost complete, reconstructions of the damaged seawalls are still ongoing that time. And these tripods are yet to be placed off the shore to reduce the strength of another possible tsunami.
Philippines barely encountered tsunamis. What we always have are storms and typhoons. And just few years ago, just because of the monsoon rain that caused a storm surge along Manila Bay, the seawalls have been destroyed causing the flooding of streets along Roxas Boulevard. What is DPWH doing with such weak construction of seawalls? And mind them, it was just a storm surge caused by a monsoon, it wasn’t even a tsunami. What if it was a tsunami? Those would be completely useless and Manila would most likely be a total mess. And they’ve been using big rocks from the mountains for breakwaters, right? Why don’t they just build breakwaters such as those used in Japan so that they wouldn’t have to destroy mountains?
Arriving in the factory, there was a strong sea breeze making it very cold. It was just a simple, small factory but it was very clean. You wouldn’t even find flies.
We found dolphins among their catch of the day. I was surprised though I knew they’re allowed to catch dolphins.
Then we entered the huge -35°C-refrigerator.
We were given warm chocolate and coffee drinks, and they served us octopus and seaweed. It was my first time eating an octopus; it was just like eating a squid. The texture of the seaweed we had was different from the ones I’ve had before too; it was a bit slimy but the taste was fine.
Then the story telling began. We met the owner of the factory and he told the story himself and showed us pictures of the extent of the damage in the site after the disaster. Nothing was saved from the factory but he managed to revive his business with the support of the local government, his perseverance and hard work.
Jokingly, before we left, he asked us if there’s anyone who would like to succeed him in managing his factory as his children have chosen different paths so there’d be no one to inherit the business.
We now switched places to the fishermen group. And we were at the building of the Kuji Fisheries Cooperative Association. It was just a 3-floor building but its height is the same as a 7-floor building. The blue mark was the tsunami height that hit the building.
Good thing its foundation was strong enough to receive the first impact of the tsunami so the offices on the ground floor were the only ones destroyed. They were at the building when the earthquake happened, with that earthquake, they already expected that there would be a tsunami so the employees have evacuated the building. No one was hurt from their employees. It was said that there were 2 fishermen, having nowhere to go to with the approaching tsunami, evacuated in the topmost floor of that building to save themselves from the tsunami. They were safe.
The rest of our story-telling was held at the 3rd floor where we can see the whole port. If you remember the red pole (now white) in the video I attached above, that is where it happened.
This fish market has once been wiped by the tsunami as well. But since the morning market starts from 4am to around 8-9am, no one was there when the earthquake and tsunami happened.
Then this place was an ice-making factory. The height of the tsunami surpassed those 2 gas tanks. But thankfully, even one of those tanks was swept away by the tsunami, it didn't cause an explosion or gas leak.
On the other side (I was not able to take photos though), they told us up to where the tsunami reached. It was indeed far from the shore. You can see a school and a hospital from the distance, but then again, thankfully, the tsunami didn't reach that part because of the river that somehow served as the catch-basin. Those in the hospital have immediately evacuated to the roof top of their building upon the tsunami alert, but after seeing that miracle, it was such a huge relief for them.
With the little support they got from the central government, and the opposite they got from the fishermen of other prefectures, they are back with their normal operations now. I remembered the banner I saw hanged in front of the building facing the ocean, given by the people from Hokkaido who helped them with the fishing boats. It was just so nice to see people from different places support each other.
In Kuji City, there were 2 dead, 2 missing, and 10 injured; and about 277 buildings in total were destroyed by the tsunami.
It was then time for lunch at Royalpark Kawasaki, 10 minutes away from Kuji port. Then we left again for a 2-hour journey to the Soba no Takumi-kan for our Mamebu cooking session. It started snowing again, and it was heavier that time.
“Mamebu” is a local soup dish in Iwate Prefecture, particularly around Yamagata Village. The soup has dumplings with brown sugar and walnuts in it, then, boiled with tofu and some vegetables. We made the dumplings in the cooking session. And seriously, with the brown sugar and walnuts, you would definitely think it’s a sweet soup.
The taste was interesting, but I really liked the dumpling and soup the most.
While we were making the dumplings, a lot of interesting things happened. The whole place was filled with laughter. That’s why maybe on the thank you message we were once again told that their impressions with the Filipinos are: very happy and kind people. They even said that we are more kind than the Japanese tourists, and that we smile a lot. It was touching, but then again, it was time to go back to Hiraniwa and it was another 2-hour journey.
With a word from our supervisors that it snowed heavily last night, we were hopeful that it might still be snowing by the time we get back. And it is still snowing. Compared to past 2 days when we arrived there, it wasn’t too cold. That’s when I thought that it is colder without snow falling than when there is.
I’ve always been a victim of these 2 slopes, the one from our cottage and the one on the way to the main building/cottages.
There was never a day that I didn’t either slip and hit my butt on the ground or almost slide. That why I was so glad to find out that it is not at all slippery when you walk on fresh snow.
With an hour of free time, everyone played with snow.
I've always thought you could only see it through a microscope, but look at what was caught in my camera lens!
Playtime was over and it’s time for dinner.
We had a mini workshop where we had a group sharing of what we knew about Japan before coming for the program and what we have discovered after the past 4 days. We’ve written all our thoughts in the sheets provide and posted them in the white board.
From these, we were able to make the foundation of the contents that will be discussed for our action plan presentation in the Cultural Night.
Then, we had another short practice for our cultural dance.
After that, my friends and I have decided to try the onsen. Our visit in Japan would never be complete without trying it.
So yeah, if you would be asking me anything about culture shock, nothing but THIS. Cameras are not allowed so I’ve got no photos on how the onsen we went into looked liked at least for everyone to see. But anyway, shoes are also not allowed so we have to change with the slippers provided, and then of course, the male’s and female’s are separated but outside, there’s a living room where you can sit and watch in their huge flat screen television, 2 massage chairs, and even a vendo machine. When you enter the female’s area, slippers are also not allowed so you enter barefoot, you can also either choose to put your stuff in a locker or in a basket. We have trust in the Japanese, so chose to put ours in the basket. The bath area and the changing area are separated by a door. It really is a transparent door, but you wouldn’t be able to see what’s inside because of the moist from heat. There’s also a comfort room, 3 sinks, 3 chairs, 3 hair dryers, 2 weighing scales that can be used, and there’s also a water dispenser.
We were trying to peek on what’s inside, there were some Japanese people including some of our female coordinators. “Towels not allowed” is no joke at all. We almost backed out because it was really awkward, but we didn’t let ourselves lose. I admit we were too noisy that time, deciding on whether we’ll go or not. One of the coordinators went out, naked with only a towel covering her front, then taught us what we should do.
So we went inside wrapped in our towels at first. But then we really have no choice, so we just hanged our towels where we could hang it inside. We’ve been brave. Besides we’ve got nothing to lose and we are all females.
There are rows of mirrors, chairs, and showers where you can seat and wash yourself. There are 3 pools, 2 are hot pools where one is a Jacuzzi, and the third pool has the cold water where you can soak yourself after using the sauna.
We washed ourselves first before dipping ourselves into the 1st pool where the water is VERY HOT! I think you could almost cook a hardboiled egg from it because it really was that hot! The water felt great and relaxing afterwards. Then we also used the sauna. The temperature inside was a steaming 40°C, pretty close to our summer heat.
We were in the pools for more than an hour chatting. And when we got out of the main hall to return to our cottages, we don’t feel too cold anymore.
We have an early assembly the next day so we called it a day.
Prologue
Day 0 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10
I woke up in the middle of the night, freezing. The heater seemed to have shut itself off. Very sleepy, I tried to figure out how to open it. I almost gave up when I couldn’t make it work but I couldn’t bear the cold anymore even with 4 layers of blanket so I tried once again and finally, the heater started working again.
Okaasan woke us up at around 7am. We changed clothes and had homemade pizzas for breakfast.
Okaasan showed us where they work every day: their backyard. We first went into the greenhouse where Shiitake mushrooms are being grown and saw Otousan holding a basket filled with the harvested mushrooms. I don’t normally eat mushrooms but it looked like you could eat them straight away and would get a crunchy-feel, and they’re pretty big. “So that’s how they grow mushrooms”, I thought. Then we went to the greenhouse where the spinach is. One thing I noticed is that, it was warmer inside the greenhouse. There’s ventilation inside. Is it to still grow mushrooms even if its winter? If that’s possible, then why don’t Filipinos build such greenhouses where they could regulate the temperature inside so that they’d be able to grow produces that don’t normally grow in Philippines’ tropical weather? The government might be able to save up even just a bit from the expenses they acquire in importing fruits and vegetables.
It was when we were taking pictures in the 1st greenhouse when Sayaka-san said that it was snowing. I was surprised because the snow’s already gone in their place and I thought there would be no chance of snowing at all because spring is approaching Iwate Prefecture, but it did. Light and lasted for just a while it may be, it was my very first snowfall. And we returned to the house happy, as finally we experienced snow falling.
We’ve used all our time left to take pictures with everyone. Family pictures, if I could say.
Then as the time for our departure comes closer, we took the opportunity to give our small gifts and thanks to Okaasan for the warm welcome and for taking care of us. I cried. I couldn’t stop myself. It may just have been for a night; we might not have been able to have more conversations; but I was so happy to have been part of that family. I do miss them. Yes, even now.
Okaasan asked us to visit them again in our private trips by all means if we can; to bring friends along with us when we come back if we can. I do want to see them again. I was relieved when Okaasan said she’d be coming with Sayaka-san in the Cultural Night, but Otousan can’t since he had to take care of Obaasan.
The bus came, it was time for us to go, and my tears got even worse, despite telling me not to cry. Even Obaasan who was still sick at that time went out of the house to bid her goodbye. Otousan, Okaasan, and Sayaka-san sent us off as our bus left for the fishing port. “We’ll see in Sunday again”, I thought.
With snow falling, we arrived at Kuji port and were divided according to the Amber and fishermen group. We headed to the Marusa Saga Shoten Company Shop (Kuji Seafood Processing and Refrigerating Factory) while the other half went to the Kuji Fisheries Cooperative Association.
During our 1st night in Kuji City, we were shown this video.
Click to viewThis was the 2nd ship in the video docked on the same port that was devastated by the tsunami on that fateful day.
The captain wanting to save his ship ignored the danger and faced the tsunami. We were glad to hear that the captain was safe and that those in the fishermen group were able to meet him.
And before reaching the refrigerating factory, we saw these, along the way.
They are called tripods used as breakwaters. Though almost complete, reconstructions of the damaged seawalls are still ongoing that time. And these tripods are yet to be placed off the shore to reduce the strength of another possible tsunami.
Philippines barely encountered tsunamis. What we always have are storms and typhoons. And just few years ago, just because of the monsoon rain that caused a storm surge along Manila Bay, the seawalls have been destroyed causing the flooding of streets along Roxas Boulevard. What is DPWH doing with such weak construction of seawalls? And mind them, it was just a storm surge caused by a monsoon, it wasn’t even a tsunami. What if it was a tsunami? Those would be completely useless and Manila would most likely be a total mess. And they’ve been using big rocks from the mountains for breakwaters, right? Why don’t they just build breakwaters such as those used in Japan so that they wouldn’t have to destroy mountains?
Arriving in the factory, there was a strong sea breeze making it very cold. It was just a simple, small factory but it was very clean. You wouldn’t even find flies.
We found dolphins among their catch of the day. I was surprised though I knew they’re allowed to catch dolphins.
Then we entered the huge -35°C-refrigerator.
We were given warm chocolate and coffee drinks, and they served us octopus and seaweed. It was my first time eating an octopus; it was just like eating a squid. The texture of the seaweed we had was different from the ones I’ve had before too; it was a bit slimy but the taste was fine.
Then the story telling began. We met the owner of the factory and he told the story himself and showed us pictures of the extent of the damage in the site after the disaster. Nothing was saved from the factory but he managed to revive his business with the support of the local government, his perseverance and hard work.
Jokingly, before we left, he asked us if there’s anyone who would like to succeed him in managing his factory as his children have chosen different paths so there’d be no one to inherit the business.
We now switched places to the fishermen group. And we were at the building of the Kuji Fisheries Cooperative Association. It was just a 3-floor building but its height is the same as a 7-floor building. The blue mark was the tsunami height that hit the building.
Good thing its foundation was strong enough to receive the first impact of the tsunami so the offices on the ground floor were the only ones destroyed. They were at the building when the earthquake happened, with that earthquake, they already expected that there would be a tsunami so the employees have evacuated the building. No one was hurt from their employees. It was said that there were 2 fishermen, having nowhere to go to with the approaching tsunami, evacuated in the topmost floor of that building to save themselves from the tsunami. They were safe.
The rest of our story-telling was held at the 3rd floor where we can see the whole port. If you remember the red pole (now white) in the video I attached above, that is where it happened.
This fish market has once been wiped by the tsunami as well. But since the morning market starts from 4am to around 8-9am, no one was there when the earthquake and tsunami happened.
Then this place was an ice-making factory. The height of the tsunami surpassed those 2 gas tanks. But thankfully, even one of those tanks was swept away by the tsunami, it didn't cause an explosion or gas leak.
On the other side (I was not able to take photos though), they told us up to where the tsunami reached. It was indeed far from the shore. You can see a school and a hospital from the distance, but then again, thankfully, the tsunami didn't reach that part because of the river that somehow served as the catch-basin. Those in the hospital have immediately evacuated to the roof top of their building upon the tsunami alert, but after seeing that miracle, it was such a huge relief for them.
With the little support they got from the central government, and the opposite they got from the fishermen of other prefectures, they are back with their normal operations now. I remembered the banner I saw hanged in front of the building facing the ocean, given by the people from Hokkaido who helped them with the fishing boats. It was just so nice to see people from different places support each other.
In Kuji City, there were 2 dead, 2 missing, and 10 injured; and about 277 buildings in total were destroyed by the tsunami.
It was then time for lunch at Royalpark Kawasaki, 10 minutes away from Kuji port. Then we left again for a 2-hour journey to the Soba no Takumi-kan for our Mamebu cooking session. It started snowing again, and it was heavier that time.
“Mamebu” is a local soup dish in Iwate Prefecture, particularly around Yamagata Village. The soup has dumplings with brown sugar and walnuts in it, then, boiled with tofu and some vegetables. We made the dumplings in the cooking session. And seriously, with the brown sugar and walnuts, you would definitely think it’s a sweet soup.
The taste was interesting, but I really liked the dumpling and soup the most.
While we were making the dumplings, a lot of interesting things happened. The whole place was filled with laughter. That’s why maybe on the thank you message we were once again told that their impressions with the Filipinos are: very happy and kind people. They even said that we are more kind than the Japanese tourists, and that we smile a lot. It was touching, but then again, it was time to go back to Hiraniwa and it was another 2-hour journey.
With a word from our supervisors that it snowed heavily last night, we were hopeful that it might still be snowing by the time we get back. And it is still snowing. Compared to past 2 days when we arrived there, it wasn’t too cold. That’s when I thought that it is colder without snow falling than when there is.
I’ve always been a victim of these 2 slopes, the one from our cottage and the one on the way to the main building/cottages.
There was never a day that I didn’t either slip and hit my butt on the ground or almost slide. That why I was so glad to find out that it is not at all slippery when you walk on fresh snow.
With an hour of free time, everyone played with snow.
I've always thought you could only see it through a microscope, but look at what was caught in my camera lens!
Playtime was over and it’s time for dinner.
We had a mini workshop where we had a group sharing of what we knew about Japan before coming for the program and what we have discovered after the past 4 days. We’ve written all our thoughts in the sheets provide and posted them in the white board.
From these, we were able to make the foundation of the contents that will be discussed for our action plan presentation in the Cultural Night.
Then, we had another short practice for our cultural dance.
After that, my friends and I have decided to try the onsen. Our visit in Japan would never be complete without trying it.
So yeah, if you would be asking me anything about culture shock, nothing but THIS. Cameras are not allowed so I’ve got no photos on how the onsen we went into looked liked at least for everyone to see. But anyway, shoes are also not allowed so we have to change with the slippers provided, and then of course, the male’s and female’s are separated but outside, there’s a living room where you can sit and watch in their huge flat screen television, 2 massage chairs, and even a vendo machine. When you enter the female’s area, slippers are also not allowed so you enter barefoot, you can also either choose to put your stuff in a locker or in a basket. We have trust in the Japanese, so chose to put ours in the basket. The bath area and the changing area are separated by a door. It really is a transparent door, but you wouldn’t be able to see what’s inside because of the moist from heat. There’s also a comfort room, 3 sinks, 3 chairs, 3 hair dryers, 2 weighing scales that can be used, and there’s also a water dispenser.
We were trying to peek on what’s inside, there were some Japanese people including some of our female coordinators. “Towels not allowed” is no joke at all. We almost backed out because it was really awkward, but we didn’t let ourselves lose. I admit we were too noisy that time, deciding on whether we’ll go or not. One of the coordinators went out, naked with only a towel covering her front, then taught us what we should do.
So we went inside wrapped in our towels at first. But then we really have no choice, so we just hanged our towels where we could hang it inside. We’ve been brave. Besides we’ve got nothing to lose and we are all females.
There are rows of mirrors, chairs, and showers where you can seat and wash yourself. There are 3 pools, 2 are hot pools where one is a Jacuzzi, and the third pool has the cold water where you can soak yourself after using the sauna.
We washed ourselves first before dipping ourselves into the 1st pool where the water is VERY HOT! I think you could almost cook a hardboiled egg from it because it really was that hot! The water felt great and relaxing afterwards. Then we also used the sauna. The temperature inside was a steaming 40°C, pretty close to our summer heat.
We were in the pools for more than an hour chatting. And when we got out of the main hall to return to our cottages, we don’t feel too cold anymore.
We have an early assembly the next day so we called it a day.
Prologue
Day 0 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10