Compared to Wednesday, Thursday was jam packed with adventure. In the morning I helped explain glazes and the process if firing to the other three in the program, for lunch we had bento boxes from Isakaya (delicious just like always!), and then after lunch we walked around Seto to check out all the local potter's works. It was a lot of fun to go as a group and even more fun to look at all the beautiful pieces. I purposefully left my wallet in my apartment because I knew I'd want to buy everything. That way I could look at everything and go back later if I found one I absolutely needed.
The evening was just as exciting and fun. Cheuky and Kuan invited everyone (Megumi, Hairol, Ai, and myself)
over to the bed and breakfast they were staying at for a BBQ and then to go to the firefly festival. However, it rained in the morning so the festival was canceled. The BBQ was absolutely delicious. Their host, Lowell, had a huge smoker to cook our feast. We had chicken wings, tons of vegetables, pork (which we thought was beef when we bought it), and then also Japanese noodles, salad, watermelon, and cake. I definitely stuffed myself. The conversation was great, company even better. Lowell's home was beautiful and it was great to hear the story of how him and his family ended up in Japan (he is originally from Canada).
After our feast, Lowell drove all seven of us up the mountain in search of the fireflies. We had to trek to where they are normally spotted down the hiking path. It was fun, all of us walking in the dark with the ambiant lighting from the moon and cloudy sky. Unfortunately there weren't too many fireflies out, but as we stood there searching for them, a few started to appear. Fireflies flash their light in search of a mate. At first there was only one, flashing their light so bright, then, all of a sudden another started flashing and they dartes for each other. It was almost magical. More started appearing after that and I was even able to catch one so everyone could look at it closer and try to take pictures.
On the way back to the car we took a different path, on past the cabins and camping grounds. We found some more fireflies and watched their beautiful dance close to the water. It was a beautiful evening and we didn't even get chased by a wild boar (yes, there are wild boars!). On the was back to the house Lowell drove to an out look spot and we got to see the city of Nagoya at night. Another very beautiful moment. Absolutely perfect.
I will cherish the adventure and the quiet moments in Japan and mostly I will just cherish the fact that I made it this far and have made some new friends along the way.
over to the bed and breakfast they were staying at for a BBQ and then to go to the firefly festival. However, it rained in the morning so the festival was canceled. The BBQ was absolutely delicious. Their host, Lowell, had a huge smoker to cook our feast. We had chicken wings, tons of vegetables, pork (which we thought was beef when we bought it), and then also Japanese noodles, salad, watermelon, and cake. I definitely stuffed myself. The conversation was great, company even better. Lowell's home was beautiful and it was great to hear the story of how him and his family ended up in Japan (he is originally from Canada).
After our feast, Lowell drove all seven of us up the mountain in search of the fireflies. We had to trek to where they are normally spotted down the hiking path. It was fun, all of us walking in the dark with the ambiant lighting from the moon and cloudy sky. Unfortunately there weren't too many fireflies out, but as we stood there searching for them, a few started to appear. Fireflies flash their light in search of a mate. At first there was only one, flashing their light so bright, then, all of a sudden another started flashing and they dartes for each other. It was almost magical. More started appearing after that and I was even able to catch one so everyone could look at it closer and try to take pictures.
On the way back to the car we took a different path, on past the cabins and camping grounds. We found some more fireflies and watched their beautiful dance close to the water. It was a beautiful evening and we didn't even get chased by a wild boar (yes, there are wild boars!). On the was back to the house Lowell drove to an out look spot and we got to see the city of Nagoya at night. Another very beautiful moment. Absolutely perfect.
I will cherish the adventure and the quiet moments in Japan and mostly I will just cherish the fact that I made it this far and have made some new friends along the way.