Osaka Bay at sunrise.

The moon looked a lot bigger in real.

Kobe at sunrise.

Waterfall near downtown Kobe.

Last night was our 'night training' for the trailwalk. We took off around 10:30p.m and did a 35km+ route to downtown Kobe arriving around 7 a.m. I haven't slept since I woke up Friday morning...39 hours ago. I suppose I should get around to that, but as I've discovered my previously medieval ability to procrastinate can also apply to basic human functions. Awesome.

As school is winding down, so is my most important subject, and as a result I spent the morning throwing (making) my last pieces of pottery. The awesome past is that I've gone from cups and bowls to vase's and today threw my first Nabe pot (very large bowl). 

The hike was great, except the fact that it was one third the distance we'll be walking in three weeks. That's kind of... intimidating to say the least. Go do something really hard, done? Now do it twice more. It's like saying, 'oh great, you've run a marathon? Your less than halfway to a 100k! Keep going.' But as I've found the best way to deal with things is not by walking 100 km, its by walking to the top of the hill, then seeing what's around the next corner, then the next... and eventually you're there. 

This is Japan:

As reported by the Asahi Shimbun on April 22, there have been a recent spur of tulip vandalism throughout the country. It began with one serial tulip assaulter and has since spawned copycats throughout the country. The vandals have police mystified, despite posting officers at major tulip collections the vandals were still able to take the heads of several hundred flowers. The Shimbun was also able to interview a local psychiatrist and gain insight into the acts, noting them to indicate a 'disregard for life' and are 'the signs of an oppressive society'. 

Tulips.

This sounds like a romance novel gone wrong. Don't piss me off, or I'll steal your tulips. Take that botanists!!

Gauntlet and Hash

Well in my infinite amount of free time I submitted an article and photos to the U of C student paper, and it ended up getting published. Check 'er out.

The photos are pretty much as cliche Japan as you can get, but I suppose that exists for a reason.

http://gauntlet.ucalgary.ca/~gauntlet/eg/eg2/20080417/Travel2008.pdf

This weekend was mildly epic as far as weekends go. I've come to accept that 90% of my life happens on weekends, the rest is just a nap until Friday.

Saturday was a pretty solid run which reminded me that when you don't use it, you lose it, and I clearly have, but was still great to get out. Sunday was the red dress Hash then the trailwalker fundraiser party, all of which were off the hook. I was given my official and honorary Hash nickname of Icy Booty, best not to ask.

Trailwalker 2008

On May 16th, myself and three others are going to do the Oxfam 100km trailwalk from Odawara city to Lake Yamanaka Japan, overlooking Mt. Fuji. As part of getting to do this event we've agreed to raise a minimum of 120,000 Yen, about $1,200 to benefit Oxfam, and so far have hit just over 100,000 Yen. I was hoping to ask if you would be willing to donate any amount, no matter the size to help us reach our goal.

The team name is Kinky Hashers (Kinki is the region we live in) team #47, and you can donate online athttps://oxfam.jp/forms/en/sponsor_teams_form.html. Should you have any questions please feel free to let me know.
The full event details can be found here: http://www.trailwalker.jp/en/aboutus/event_information/


Many thanks!

From the Kobe Sakura Hash and bbq.

Last night I was having trouble falling asleep then about 1 a.m I heard the closet squeak, then the earth gave me a free massage. Actually, most people would call it an earthquake, and it was pretty damn cool. I don't imagine it was that strong, but it lasted for a couple seconds and the aftershocks lasted for about 15 minutes. It kind of felt like I was suddenly sleeping on a water bed. Apparently this is pretty run of the mill in Japan. Neato.

Well, the verdicts in. It doesn't look like I'll be spending the summer in the Sault this year, as I've taken the job in Algonquin. This is good because I can spend more time in Toronto, and a bit more relaxed job as well as doing an extra online course and hopefully getting some first aid stuff topped up. 

The flip side it that it's shabby because I haven't been up in a long while, and this job doesn't quite offer the material benefits of the other. Such is life! All day long staring at a blackboard and I start to hallucinate, or rather see the future and of course its filled images of canoes, campfires and jumping in the lake on demand. I'm pretty happy being a 21 year old child, hopefully this is a trend I can continue for the rest of my life.

Almost officially, I'll be home May 22 to June 25th, then again in August for a week or so.

I know I've said this every post for awhile, but its hard to imagine there's only... 36 days left. Not that I'm counting or anything....

I love Japan, I really do. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it. Its definitely the top on my list of island countries that start with a J that are south of mainland China. Its just the thought of spending my evenings on the back deck with beer, barbecues and friends is way to tempting. I'm pretty sure I could have told you this in grade 12, but I'm happy to use the excuse that I'm not cut out for a desk, or at least with every inch of my being I reject it. Its slightly unfortunate that Japan had to bear the brunt of my annoyance at being asked to visit one for several hours a day.

On the eve of another test, I can go in tomorrow with my chin high knowing that no matter the outcome of this piece of academic toilet paper, that the night before I successfully perused every one of Calgary's online bike shops, and not only that, but I also caught a solid half an hour of the latest Die Hard movie. Without the valuable knowledge and lasting images of Cervelo's beautiful 2008 P3 Carbon triathlon bike, I feel that my life would have been just that little bit less complete.

The photos from the Tokyo Marathon course are up and there's some pretty awesome shots should you have the time. Check out the ones from the start, it gives you an idea of the masses of people.

http://www.tokyo42195.org/index_en.html#

The few, half over remaining cherry blossoms

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This is totally uncharacteristic landscape for Japan, though a gorgeous rock garden.

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Mr. Al-Kanida

A wrap around staircase carved into the sand/rock.

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I think people meditate underneath this.

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I don't know if this is a cherry blossom, but I'm going to say it is.

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Kobe

Well today was quite an epic hike in many ways. First, it reminded me of why I came to this country. Ironically enough it has nothing to do with classrooms or computer screens and everything to do with mountains and not being in a classroom. We did a 30k through the Rokko range just a brief walk up from Kobe. 

Second... it was epic, and fun. The terrain was pretty normal Japan for the most part except for the sand/rock park pictured above. I'd love to write more, as there's so much to write, but once again I'm exhausted and going to bed. Read the Gauntlet!

How can there possibly only be 43 days left? A mere 6 weeks tomorrow and I will be getting on a plane... We had a 'how to checkout' meeting tonight. 

I'm looking forward to being out of school and into summer, but have mixed feelings about leaving Japan. It has offered such awesome experiences and sights, but I really feel that I've seen the majority of it. But then again, when I started school I felt as though I was done with the country and was quickly disproved. I have yet to make it to Hokkaido, much of Kyushu or any of the islands, as it does not appear my trip to Okinawa will take shape. 

I've gotten some more pots and such back from ceramics which both adds to my oh this is 'funky' pile, and oh this will be fun to smash pile.

The good news is that in 5 weeks and 1 day I will be walking 100 km for Oxfam as part of a hash inspired team the Kinki (region I'm in) Trailwalkers. It should take just over 24 hours and be quite an experience as it goes through the mountains and ends up with a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. I'm going to try to ignore the fact that I have exams the day before and Monday after and simply realize that in 10 years I won't remember a grade, but I will remember this hike.

Hashing has been great, we did a gorgeous hike in the Rokko mtn. range, walking distance from the main Kobe station for about 4 hours, then met for a hash afterwards. It led us through some incredible cherry blossom (sakura) tunnels and viewing spots and finished off with a bbq at a river crowded with families and Japanese fascinated with these foreigners who ran, ate and drank all in excess. I also have it on good authority that P.E.I is about to receive its first Sakura compliments of a hasher.

Should any of you be at the U of C, keep an eye out for the travel supplement in coming weeks, there may be an article from Japan in there.