American Style

Friday came and we were off on our final field trip. Under cold and rainy skies we headed south along the coast. The drive afforded us a view of the Niigata coastline which, like much of Japan's coasts, is covered in cement things (I already forgot what they're called) which prevent the erosion of the beach. Japan is obsessed with erosion prevention, they literally are fighting back the sea. Eventually we reached our destination, Yahiko Shrine.

Yahiko Shrine dates back over 2600 years. It was established by the first emperor of Japan. Needless to say, it's a bit of a tourist attraction. Even on a rainy weekday there were plenty of people about. We even ran into a group of young Americans, who exclaimed they were glad to see other English speakers. To tell the truth, I like being away from the groups of American tourists, I really don't see us as tourists here. Unfortunately Yahiko Shrine was a guided tour, which meant we had to be led around and it didn't give me much opportunity to explore. That and our tour guide liked to talk, a lot.

Yahiko Shrine

After seeing the shrine we took a bus up a rather perilous dirt road to the Yahiko Cable Car. Here we rode the cable car up to the top of the mountain. It wasn't the funnest ride in the world as we all had to cram into one car and at the top of the mountain we were in the middle of the overcast sky so there was no view to be had. We enjoyed lunch at the restaurant on top of the mountain, which I'm sure would have had an amazing view of the area had we not been encompassed in a gray quagmire of cloud. After lunch, with no reason to stick around, we took the cable car back down and, once breaking out of the ceiling, took many pictures of the local area from up high. At the bottom we got back on the bus and took another perilous journey down the mountain road. We were given a half hour to browse local shops, but all they sold was cheap trinkets that weren't worth buying.

Our next stop was a place called the Northern Culture Museum. It's actually the old estate of a land baron whose dominion was broken up by McArthur after the war. Here many of us relaxed in the beautiful gardens, taking in the peacefullness of the flowers and flowing water. After everyone had a chance to walk around we boarded the bus and headed back for Shibata.

I rode the bus all the way back to Keiwa where I met up with Anne and Hitomi. Anne presented me with a couple of children's learning books, as a thank you for dinner I suppose. Then she took me to the library where she had me help her pick out books on various aspects of English. I did my best to pick books I felt held useful information, but it wasn't the easiest task in the world. My main concern was finding a book to help her with tenses, as she has some trouble them, and I recall myself having plenty of trouble with them when I was younger. After the library we waited for Momo-san and once she arrived we went over to Matsumi Heights.

At Matsumi the American students were putting together a party to celebrate the end of the trip. We tried to do it American style, outside, loud music, booze. Apparently because I suggested it in the first place it was my party, which people reminded me of every time a problem occured. In the end though it worked out well, with plenty of food being served and everyone in general having a good time. I pulled Anne to the side before she had to leave and tried to talk about some things. I don't really know right now what to make of the conversation, other then I felt as if she didn't have the same feelings I did for her. If we'd been alone I think it would have been much easier to understand, but she tends to act differently when friends are nearby. After Anne left Seth and I talked, which helped, and we went back to the party and cracked out the sparklers I'd sent him out to buy earlier. The sparklers didn't last long but were fun, as burning things always are.

The rest of the party was spent letting the drunk people make asses of themselves (and maybe me, but I wasn't drunk). Still, it was good fun, and I think most everyone enjoyed themselves. Eventually the party started to break up and people headed home. I went back to my apartment and basically passed out. This wasn't the best day of the trip for me. Tomorrow is the day we say good bye, I'm going to be as positive as I can for it.