ヨンシャンからのレポートが届いた。
だれか訳してくれ~~
Memorable Events
Event 1:
There was one morning I followed my host dad to a nearby kindergarten for he is a music teacher there. Japanese has this culture that every house and schools you enter you have to wear house slippers. Due to the size of my small little feet, the slippers kept felling off my feet every single step I took while climbing up the stairs therefore I was kind of left behind but luckily I didn’t get lost in the kindergarten. The children there are really cute, hyper and kind. They kept asking me a lot of questions in Japanese but I couldn’t understand so I just nod and nod and nod. The girls than came and started playing with my hair because I have really long hair. They braided my hair and I definitely had a hard time untying them. I also joined them for games and played with them for about an hour. One of the girls gave me a sticker while a few of them gave me kisses. I already forgotten how kindergarten was like and the trip to the kindergarten brought me back to memories while I was still young.
During the night time, Tabushe Lion’s Club had a welcome party for me but according to the clerk it was supposed to be a meeting. I had to make a speech and later on we all played Bingo and I was the first to win. Lucky me. According to the clerk, she said this was the first time they had a formal meeting with games. That day was an interesting day and I definitely enjoy it.
Event 2 :
On the 24th, I went to a hotel to watch host dad and the other people, a singer and a pianist perform, they have their own band. They sung Christmas song and I guess some famous Japanese songs. My host dad could play a lot of instrument, some that I’ve never seen before, trumpet and some other more. He is a really good music player. Besides that, he could sing too. After their performance, we went to the Kintai Bridge located at Iwakuni city. The city symbolizes a white snake. Super cool isn’t it? The scenery there is really beautiful despite the fact that the sakura trees are all “sleeping”; imagine what it would be like when the Sakura blooms? Gorgeous. I also made some New Year cards for my family, friends and some people who helped me during my stay there.
Event 3 :
I went skiing with my host sisters on the 27th. There were three experienced high school boys taught us how to ski. There was one part where I couldn’t control while skiing down from the mountain, I crashed and hurt my leg a little. I couldn’t really walk at that moment but after awhile it was ok, but I went and take a break anyway. Two of the guys accompanied me so we chit chatted awhile. They were sharing with me their skiing experience. One of them actually cried when he first skied for it was really difficult and painful when you fall. Skiing was a really good and interesting experience but it is really tough to manage to skills of skiing. At night, I went for Japanese drum class for my host dad teaches Japanese drum too. Learned to play and danced a little. Japanese drum was very tiring because a lot of energy is needed but it was a nice experience for I had never played any drums before in my life.
Event 4 :
On the first day of New Year, I had to wake up at 5:18 because the Japanese believe that if you watched the first sun rise you will be blessed with happiness for the whole year, and to watch the sun rise, we had to go to a mountain therefore we had to wake up early. My host mum was afraid that I might fall sick again (fell sick the first few days I was in Japan) so she forced me to wear 4 layers of clothes (excluding my jumper) and the layers of pants. I am really thankful she made me wear so many layers of clothes because it was really very cold at the peek of the mountain. The process of the sun rising was really beautiful, never regretted walking up the uncountable amount of stairs, my effort definitely paid off. After we came back from the mountain, we had our breakfast. Their New Year breakfast was different from all the other meals, I guess during New Year they eat special New Year delicacy. In the afternoon, the Nakaichi family’s relatives came over for a visit. Spend some time together but the host sisters and I were sleeping almost all the time for we were all tired.
Event 5 :
The Japanese drum group often performs during New Year days and as mentioned earlier because my host dad has his own group of Japanese drum members, I got to perform with them. I’ve never done such things before so it was an unforgettable experience for me. My first performance at some hotel was a blow off for I was nervous and my mind went blank suddenly couldn’t remember the rhythm but after a few practices the other performances was rather ok. Performing in front a group of audience was something I never thought I could do because I often have stage fright but after those performances I am definitely more confident of myself.
Summary
I only had one host family which consist of my host dad, host mum, Urara (the eldest daughter), Haruna (the 2nd daughter) and Kiyo (the youngest) plus a grandmother. I stayed in Tabushe, Yamaguchi during my three weeks of home stay. I am thankful that my host family treated me like I am part of them, took really good care of me and added one unforgettable chapter in my life. The Nakaichis are like my family, always laughing and joking so I didn’t felt home sick during my stay. I’ve visited several temples, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Christmas tree elimination, the hot spring and experienced the public bath. Besides that I also learned the tea drinking ceremony, learned some sewing from the grandmother for she sew a lot during her past time. I’ve learned a lot about the Japanese culture such as saying prayers before and after meals, visiting the grave on New Year, ring the bell on New Year’s Eve, tried wearing the kimono, and so many more. Japan is one of the best places I visited so far and if I have a chance I would like to go back to Japan again to visit my host family and learn more about the Japanese culture.