The last Vacation...

Yesterday marked the last vacation, other than climbing Fuji, that I will be taking this year. My wonderful sister in Christ, Madeline, joined me in Japan for a 5 year reunion of friendship and traveling the world. We started the 17th (well Madeline did flying the long way here). We first rested and recouped in Kofu, attending the sports day where my students were competing for the big prizes the bragging rights of the school. We watched baseball, soft tennis, soccer, and some pool cleaning (not a sport but they were so we watched for a while). The baseball team won the number one prize- They were so stoked! Madeline and I cheered and stood out while students yell "oh GAIJIN (foreigner)". Hey its life. Any who we were also the only girls in the place with shorts on and t-shirts- the lady next to us had long sleeves, pants, a hat with a towel under it protecting her neck and face. She looked like one of the wisemen, but that is the style here.

Any who after a day of sports and sun, we took to church on Sat night. We had a special speaker and I was excited to hear him. BUT it was an experience where much prayer and possible leadership change is needed. The speakers name is not needed but raised an interesting fire in the church. He was an older missionary from America who has lived here for many years. He talks about the history of Christianity in Japan. Much to my liking I might add- History of Christianity in Japan how interesting. He also has written a book about it and was endorsed by President Bush and many other well known evangelists. As he spoke both in Japanese and English- from the beginning we were very confused to his  meaning. Since he spoke in both Japanese and English (giving his translation of both) we didn't receive all the information in either language. There were gaps and this made it hard to follow. Also he was very brash- he said things that if said in America he would have a lawsuit on him by many different people such as the Obama supporters, and supporters of homosexuality, and PWSGT (people who support good translations when in a multi-lingual group-yes I just made that group up but It should be started). He also said some pretty brash thing about Catholicism too. This was all very unnerving. His credibility was not well displayed thus we all had to discern what he was saying about history (and this after we did our own study on the History of Japan). Mind it- it finished and I prayed that God would lead hearts closer to himself no matter the most ridiculous of speeches ever. It was a wonderful chance to open up my heart to seek what I believed and discuss why I disagreed or agreed with what he said lined up with scripture. So my heart was challenged but saddened by a seasoned missionary who could easily turn people away from Christ. So this was challenging and good to see- in a way that we were challenged to step out in what we believed. 

Sunday came and with that the rain that wouldn't end for the two days were were there. We went to Tokyo via the trains with one of my English teachers, Mrs. Ono, and the home economics teacher, Ms. Matsumoto. They have both become my friends and I appreciate them very much. We visited the Meji temple and the wonderful gardens they had near the temple. The azaleas were in full bloom and they were a wonderful addition to the day. SLosh SLOsh- we then sloshes through stores shopping and looking while many MANY people hustled and bustled around us doing the same. 

Then Sunday we endured rain again, visited Sensoji temple- with the remark "that is one HUGE lantern" Ate some Ann BEAN- a sweet bean considered the Japanese sweet- but seriously it is so good- but not like candy- more like a healthy candy. And then began our trek back to the station to catch a 510 buss to Kawaguchiko (a lake at the base of FUJI). Well we were still on the subway at 500 and sweating because we were so nervous about being late- then it happened......

The subway doors flew open, and the race began- we were dodging Japanese people right and left. Sliding up between the smallest crevices and up the LEFT side of the escalators (which is the running side). As were were running up the -sclator- we were abruptly stopped by two STANDERS- I thought- seriously??- standing in the moving side- how not Japanese. And thus I wanted to say Excuse me (SUMIMASEN) but the words would not come out. Maybe it was the extended time that I have spent with Madeline speaking English or my lack of study here the last few weeks I am in Japan but the words would only come out in English- THUS Madeline gave me a gentle "hey tell em excuse me" and lightly smashed her hand on the railing- which was so American-(loved it)and the ladies looked back and started to move. IT worked! While laughing we moved to grab out bags from the coin locker (coin ROCKER- is how you say it in a Japanese dialect- and thus is my favorite favorite thing to say or ask for- Do you have a coin ROCKER? what kind of Rocker are you? A coin ROCKER- ok enough). But we were panting-laughing, and being laughed at while trying to grab our stuff- throw it on our backs and throw the scrabble tiles on the floor. Thankfully they didn't spill everywhere but carrying a small black satchel- and having it fall on the ground in the middle of the ground then picking it up and running.. Sketchy if you ask me- and we were! Then after the scrabble mishap we were off to the races again... going left and right dodging people yet trying not to knock people unconscious due to our huge bags and flailing arms. Then it was about 510- we were so fast- they were on the last calls for the buss and we flung out stuff on the ground while panting and then flew onto the buss as it pulls away. All this while realizing we were the only foreigners and girls under the age of 45 on the buss- we laughed then enjoyed the AC and wonderful views while traveling.

the next day we biked/ ran around the Kawaguchiko lake- about 3 hours combined, and enjoyed taking sweet pics of FUJI! 

This have become to long and about two weeks over due- thus I shall end here and say- On to the next topic. Until Next time!!!

Remember: You know it is bad when you are so tired at your desk- so you decide to take a walk to the bathroom sit on the lid and catch a few winks. My count for toilet naps- is up to 4! Ridiculous but when you can't say you are sick and need to "sleep" on the nurses beds- you gotta go somewhere!

~MOlly