Hi all

Very quick message to say we had a great time in Disneyland. Exploring Tokyo today and then off home! See you all tomorrow!

Fujimedai Jr High School

Hi all

Had a day in Fujimedai Jr High today. It was an excellent day with the kids having their best opportunity yet to interact with the other students and to learn a little Japanese, including writing in hirigana and katakana. The Japanese students once again put on amazing displays and made us feel very welcome.

We had the afternoon to chill out at Tomo's pool before the hosts came to pick the kids up and spend their final night together. We had a bit of a laugh about some of the more comical moments on the trip and because everything turned out alright in the end, I thought maybe I could share a few with you. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, but when the kids return home, see if they confess to anything! Some of them are quite entertaining.

In the first week 'John' turned up to a group activity with a different wallet, loaded with Y7,000. 'John' was looked after by his host family because he had lost his wallet with his money in it... A day later, his real wallet was found... in his bag.

Vending machines are everywhere in Japan and have been a blessing and a curse. A blessing because some of the kids got a crash course in dehydration when they first arrived in Japan, and it is always handy to have the machines nearby to keep the fluids up. A curse because some kids can't walk past one without trying to put money into one. 'Bob' and 'Fred' are two such kids. During our tour of the streets of Fujiyoshida, 14/16 kids were gazing at one of the many splendid ponds of the area, but Bob and Fred, their eyes were drawn elsewhere. Ms Bray-Burns and I thought it was the awesome sight of a Japanese crane and construction crew at work a mere 5 metres away, spinning girders around with military precision. Imagine our horror as Bob and Fred wandered without pause straight past the 250 danger/no entry signs the unbelievably safety conscious Japanese had at the gate. Before they could get 5 metres though, a very friendly yet worried looking Japanese safety officer tried to usher them out of the area. A very confused looking Bob and Fred were left puzzled and quite put out, why wouldn't the guy let them get to the vending machine? That day those two redefined the phrase 'tunnel vision'.

My personal favourite, yesterday, after climbing the 414 steps to the shrine and pagoda, then completing the 3 hour tour around Fujiyoshida, a very upset looking 'Fiona' tells me, "Mr Rickard, I've lost my camera, I think I left it at the pagoda."

"Are you sure it's not in your bag?" I replied, immediately thinking back to the 'John' incident.

"Positive," Fiona said in a worried tone, "I've emptied it and everything."

Not one to see a young child's experience in Japan tarnished by the loss of her digital memories, and knowing the Japanese reputation for honesty, I volunteer to back track and look for the camera. I am immediately joined by one of our excellent hosts, and we begin running back to the shrine and pagoda. We are stopped along the way by Tomokazu, who has heard the news and has joined us to help. After I run the 414 steps to the pagoda, I am hopeful of a positive result, but no luck. The three of us then begin retracing the 3 hour tour at a clip, Tomo and our host handing out contact details to the nearby store owners and locals should anyone have the camera handed into them. Tomo contacts the principal of Shimyoshida Jr High, just in case it was left there. But in the end, no luck, the camera is nowhere to be found. Fiona is obviously disappointed, but we try to reassure her that it may turn up from the school, and at the end of the day, we have a lot of photos we can share. But the following day, great news! The camera is located, crisis averted. The camera was found... in Fiona's bag.

Then there was this evening. Just before the kids left to go with their host families and pack, Ms Bray-Burns and I took some time to have a chat with the kids about safe practises for when we are using the train, hotel, shopping etc. We also mentioned the importance of checking carefully that everything is packed because once on that bus tomorrow morning, anything left behind will likely be gone forever. With great gusto the students all communicated their agreement and set off for their host families cars with determination and purpose. Unfortunately for 'Janet' and 'Michelle', they were so keen to do a good job, they went straight to their hosts car and took off to pack... and left their bag with their togs and towels right where they had been sitting at the time of the talk. Genius.

Good times! Things that make the trip all the more special, and a little more memorable! Looking forward to Tokyo, talk to you tomorrow!

Shimyoshida Jr High and Fujiyoshida Tour

We began our day at Shimyoshida Jr High School. It was an interesting visit as it was very different to Oshino Jr High. One highlight for the kids was watching them prepare for the upcoming schools festival which will include song dance and physical events.

There is a huge emphasis placed on collective and social responsibility, and that your function is to serve 'the team'. No child ever sits out, in fact we watched one kid get drilled by the PE teacher because he 'chose' to attend the PE class wearing different uniform and therefore was letting the team down.

Watching the physical activities was amazing, students take part in a mass coreographed dance and huge skipping groups, with up to 30 kids jumping a single rope at the same time. But the one that really caught the kids eye was 'centipede'. Two rows of students are tied by short ropes to each other at the feet, place arms on the shoulders in front, and complete lap after lap around a track at a quick pace. It is deemed so important that the event is engraved into the wall at the front entrance.

After the visit, we walked to a set of 414 pretty steep stairs (Keegan counted every one!), and then went up them. I can't say the stairs were attacked by the students with the same gusto the Japanese students showed during 'centipede', but eventually, everyone arrived at the top in one piece. The humidity, caused by the typhoon the day before certainly didn't make it easy! So when the Japanese guides had a drink waiting for the kids at the top, I've never seen so many grateful faces. At the top of the stairs was a shrine and pagoda, and a stunning view of Fuji and the Fujiyoshida area.

We then walked around Fujiyoshida, visiting Shinto temples dating back to the 13th century and several of the local shops. Our guide Yuka took us to her family tea shop where the kids were treated to Roasted Tea ice cream. This ice cream may be an untapped market in NZ, the kids thought it was awesome.

Wednesday is our last day in Fujiyoshida, on Thursday morning we leave for Disneyland.

More Pics From Yesterday

A few more pics

Oshino Jr High School and 8 Ponds

Hi all,

Sorry for not posting yesterday, but I had no access to the internet. The big news of course is that technically, the kids got to experience their first typhoon. It kissed the west coast of Honshu and is now making its way North West. Of course we were only on the outside of it so it was cloudy with a little rain! Went running this morning and as the sun came up, the cloud burnt off, so it is roasting hot again.

Yesterday we visited our first school. Oshino Jr High. They were extremely welcoming and hospitable. We got a performance from the choir, a judo demonstration (including some of our boys taking part), made cranes, sat in on a music and english lesson and had lunch together. We performed our songs and our now rather famous haka.

Had to laugh when the so-called king of the school and Judo champion, who was 15 years of age asked how old Quaid was. I don't think he like the idea of a 12 year old being a good three inches taller than him. After school we visited the local fish museum, better known to you all as an aquarium. There were loads of massive sturgeons, which managed to occupy the kids for an hour. We then went to 8 ponds where the kids did some more souvenir shopping... Some of you are going to be very lucky people! Anyways, have attached another lot of photos for you to have a look at. Only 2 days left in Fujiyoshida, then off to Tokyo for a few days!

Welcome Ceremony

Over　the　weekend　we　have　stayed　with　our　host　families.　We　got　together　on　Saturday　night　for　a　meal　at　the　foot　of　Mt　Fuji.　We　had　a　great　night,　with　about　70　guests　in　total　attending　the　occasion.　All　the　children　were　asked　to　speak　and　they　did　very　well.　The　Japanese　were　able　to　understand　every　word　they　said...　with　the　help　of　Kosuke!　It　was　also　the　first　time　we　performed　our　cultural　items,　and　the　group　did　brilliantly.　The　boys　also　did　a　stirring　rendition　of　the haka. I spoke to all the kids tonight and they have all enjoyed their day and are having a good time. Tomorrow we will be attending the first of three schools. Hope everyone in NZ is doing well.

Batcave and Glass

Had another busy day today. We began at the Fuji Visitor Centre before heading off on a 2 hour bush walk through a forest that is 900 years old. The forest is formed ontop of volcanic rock spewed from Fuji-san and the tree roots have a 20m radius as there is less than 10cm of soil on the rocks. We made our way to the Bat Cave. Much to the kids disappointment, there was no Bat Mobile, but the cave network was excellent. Luckily the Japanese are overly cautious when it comes to safety and the kids were decked out in hard hats - good job as every five seconds you'd hear a thump and an accompanying 'Owww!'.

Afterwards we had lunch served to us by a restaurant owner who came over to NZ on an exchange with Tawa Intermediate many years ago. We tried a type of traditional noodle - the name escapes me at the moment, but it was not udon or soba.

We then went to a glass factory, and many of you may be in for a nice treat when the kids get home. Students had the option of designing artwork for a glass ornament then sandblasting it, or creating a piece of glass jewellery. The kids did a great job and put my rather average effort to shame.

We then had a visit to a rather strange museum. Their was no explanation, but the theme was about a book series involving cats. Kind of like a Japanese Beatrix Potter. Then we headed down to one of the Fuji Five Lakes before heading off to our host families who took us out for sushi.

Part 3!!

After the meditation and calligraphy lessons, we made our way to Fuji Sengen Jinja to witness the close of the fire festival, which also signals the end of summer and the climbing season on Fuji-san. The closing ceremony was a very colourful and energetic affair with the kids getting to take part in it. When the goddess and fuji are returned to the shrine, the kids got to chase the procession with bamboo branches fashioned with origami, a bell and ribbon, designed to guard the goddess and fuji from evil!

Part 2!

After the amusement park we travelled by train to the Zen temple Ms Bray-Burns and I are staying at. Our host and Zen monk, Yoshi (right picture in background by the sliding door), introduced the children to meditation and taught them some traditional calligraphy. Students learnt how to write their 'favourite' word and then how to spell their name using the phonetic Katakana alphabet. Yoshi was most impressed with their work!

Roller Coasters, Meditation, Calligraphy and Fire - Part 1

Our busiest day yet began with Fujikyu Highland, an amusement park. Home to 3 world record roller coasters, including the highest closed circuit coaster, the fastest closed circuit coaster and the most inverts (14 - pictured on the right). I am pleased to say that all the kids conquered their fears at least once! I was witness to and heard about many acts of bravery. Laura-Jane, who was sat next to me on the invert coaster, with the assistance of the other girls, nearly perforated my right ear drum with her screams! She did brilliantly as she was convinced she was not going to be able to go through with it. MJ has the distinction of braving the 2 hour que to ride the fastest coaster in the world and then was as cool as a cucumber when he road the highest coaster in the world with me. He was like Iceman out of Top Gun! Quaid rode the highest coaster not once but twice and Braeley, who initially did not go through with the highest coaster, duly took the long walk back to the top of the stairs and conquered the coaster they call Fujiyama - 70m high! All the kids had a ball and did a great job of getting stuck in.

Fire Festival

Had a great day today, kids played tennis with a local group of children and visited the Fujiyoshida Museum of Local History. Lunch was a real novelty for the kids as they tried traditional 'flowing noodles' - A bamboo flume is set up on a set of tripods and water is poored down it. Boiled soba noodles are then added, forming a kind of noodle waterslide. The kids then (successfully I might add) scooped the noodles out with chopsticks and put them in a bowl of soy sauce, water, spring onion and wasabi. The girls and boys then separated as the girls went to prepare for the Fire Festival by dressing in full kimono and the boys went for a swim at Tomo's gym.

The Fire Festival is an annual tradition that is to do with satisfying the goddess of the mountain that there is enough fire and that the mountain needn't erupt. Thousands f people walk down streets that have huge pyres burning. There are lots of stalls around.

The plan was that Yoshi (my host), Lou and I would meet the kids, Tomo and the other host families at a set time and place. Everyone met together except one person... me. Somehow, on a straight road, I managed to separate myself from Yoshi and Lou. By the time I finally found them, the kids and the host families had moved on! So,I wish I could show you some photos of kids in kimonos at this time, but it will have to wait until I see the kids today to maybe upload some of there shots.

Today we go to an amusement park which, I don't know about the kids, but I am definitely looking forward to!

Arrived Safe and Sound!

Hi everyone,
We arrived safely in Japan last night after a long flight. The length of the flight was quite a challenge for some of the kids. I think we were an hour and a half into it before I got the first 'How much longer 'til we're there?' comment. But they arrived in good spirits and we got to Fujiyoshida at around 9.30pm. We were greeted by our host families and headed off for a good nights rest. Plenty on the cards today. Will try to keep you up to date with what's happening.

One more sleep

Looking foward to taking off tomorrow morning. See you all at 5am!!!! Yeah!

Welcome

Konichiwa

Welcome to our blog for Tawa Intermediate School's 2009 Japanese Cultural Exchange. Ms Bray-Burns and I look forward to sharing our experiences with you, keeping you as up to date as possible as to what we are all up to.