Sup again.
Monday we took a ferry (making me miss summer!) to Inujima (this island is named after a dog, so that's why inu (dog) is in the name). The island used to be a copper smelting factory, and the ruins have been made into an art project that takes you through the factory. One of the installations included a hallway that looked as though you were going to a drop off, but was actually lined with mirrors that created the illusion. I was creeped out by the whole thing, especially the falling-down smoke towers and didapilated refinery. But it was beautiful in a way, especially the black slag (residual material from the smelting process) sand and bricks. I would love to show you pictures, but for the art peices they weren't allowed. I do have some of the ruins, however.
Yesterday was also pretty full. From Uno Port we took another ferry to Naoshima. We got some famous udon (thick noodles) from a little shop as we waited for the ferry to Teshima, where we would spend the day. Luckily there were sixteen electric assist bikes at the rental store. And those things are cool- we spent most of the afternoon riding them in the mountains. Basically you turn the battery on and it gives you an extra push with every pedal. I know- I sound like a commercial. But they are seriously awesome. On the way was the Teshima Art Museum, a big white dome tucked next to bright green rice terraces on the side of a mountain. The installation was done by Rei Naito and Nishizawa. You go in and see something moving across the floor like little bugs, but when you get closer you realize it's water. Inching along the white floor, leaving no wet marks or any trace at all. At first it's weird but after awhile it feels sort of soothing. That was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The next museum was The Archives of the Heart by Christian Boltanski, and I registered my heart beat with the installation. Afterwards you can go into a room and hear it played on a speaker as a hanging light bulb flashes to the beat. That was also pretty fun and a little weird too. I got a CD of the recording, so if anyone wants to hear how my heart sounds through a stethescope, just ask! After the bike ride was finished we stopped for matcha (green tea) ice cream and visited some art houses on the island. Next we took YET ANOTHER FERRY(!) back to Naoshima. Everyone got dressed up for the fancy dinner, a seven-course French meal that included Amuse Bouche (like an appetizer) and a pre-dessert hibiscus palette cleanser. Delicious. Well that's all for today, got to go get ready for the Japanese dinner tonight. I hear it's getting cold there, but today it was about 90 for us! Missing you!
-Georgie (^.^)
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The Big Trip
Sup.
So, as you may or may not know, this week is a big trip for the group. We're going all over to visit different things and living in hotels (L-O-V-E LOVE it!). And there's traveling to be done. Lots and lots of traveling.
Anyway, it started off on Sunday when we got up at seven to catch a Shinkansen (Bullet Train as they're more commonly known as in America). It was about an hour's ride to Okayama, the land of Momotaro (peach boy). We dropped our luggage at the hotel and headed out. Everyone was super hungry, and we happened upon an outdoor food festival. We got the best steak on a stick (like a kebob) and it was so good I stole my dad's. After our snack we continued on to Korakuen stroll garden. The group spread out, and my dad and I explored around too. We bought some fish food for the coy, which here are about 30 inches long and weigh around twenty pounds. They're also beautifully colored-- red, yellow, orange and gold. My favorite are the bluish-gray, which you can only see when the light hits the water just right. Of course I got hungry too, so we stopped for homemade peach ice cream at a little shop in the garden. I collected a fuzzy little peach charm for my cell phone. Once we got back to the hotel we were exhausted from the morning, so it was nice to finally have some time to rest. After a little power nap it was time to go again, this time for dinner in Kurashiki. We ate at an unagi (eel) resturant. I didn't try any, but the gyoza (dumplings) and yakitori (fried chicken) I did eat was delicious.
I have to go get ready for the day, a museum visit and beach hangout (yay!). I'm feeling industrious, and since today is special, I'll try to blog this afternoon too. Missing everyone bunches!
-Georgie @:)
So, as you may or may not know, this week is a big trip for the group. We're going all over to visit different things and living in hotels (L-O-V-E LOVE it!). And there's traveling to be done. Lots and lots of traveling.
Anyway, it started off on Sunday when we got up at seven to catch a Shinkansen (Bullet Train as they're more commonly known as in America). It was about an hour's ride to Okayama, the land of Momotaro (peach boy). We dropped our luggage at the hotel and headed out. Everyone was super hungry, and we happened upon an outdoor food festival. We got the best steak on a stick (like a kebob) and it was so good I stole my dad's. After our snack we continued on to Korakuen stroll garden. The group spread out, and my dad and I explored around too. We bought some fish food for the coy, which here are about 30 inches long and weigh around twenty pounds. They're also beautifully colored-- red, yellow, orange and gold. My favorite are the bluish-gray, which you can only see when the light hits the water just right. Of course I got hungry too, so we stopped for homemade peach ice cream at a little shop in the garden. I collected a fuzzy little peach charm for my cell phone. Once we got back to the hotel we were exhausted from the morning, so it was nice to finally have some time to rest. After a little power nap it was time to go again, this time for dinner in Kurashiki. We ate at an unagi (eel) resturant. I didn't try any, but the gyoza (dumplings) and yakitori (fried chicken) I did eat was delicious.
I have to go get ready for the day, a museum visit and beach hangout (yay!). I'm feeling industrious, and since today is special, I'll try to blog this afternoon too. Missing everyone bunches!
-Georgie @:)
Friday, October 5, 2012
Heyyyyy
Hi again, for like the eighteenth time.
Rasberry flavored Kit Kats.
And ties in a vending machine.
Meat flavored caramels.
These are all things, believe it or not, that I have seen in Japan. Hilarious right?
So anyways... we were supposed to go on a snorkeling trip a couple weeks ago but it got cancelled because there were 3 meter (9 foot) waves. Bummer.
We had a typhoon the other day, which is like a hurricane, so it rained for two days straight.
What else... what else... We went to a super-fun arcade last weekend and played Taiko, which is a game where you have to play a drum with the rhythm of a song (kind of like DDR but with drums).
I caught a cold yesterday so I'm resting up for our trip this week. I'm missing school for a week while we go to temples and shrines all over Japan. Just hoping I feel better.
I've been taking ballet three times a week and doing stuff on the weekends. With homework, school, and everything else I've been pretty busy.
Well, that's it I guess. If anyone has any suggestions or questions or things they want to know about you should let me know. That way I can post more. The next few days will be filled so I'll try to blog a little more. Sayonara ^_^!
-G <3
Rasberry flavored Kit Kats.
And ties in a vending machine.
Meat flavored caramels.
These are all things, believe it or not, that I have seen in Japan. Hilarious right?
So anyways... we were supposed to go on a snorkeling trip a couple weeks ago but it got cancelled because there were 3 meter (9 foot) waves. Bummer.
We had a typhoon the other day, which is like a hurricane, so it rained for two days straight.
What else... what else... We went to a super-fun arcade last weekend and played Taiko, which is a game where you have to play a drum with the rhythm of a song (kind of like DDR but with drums).
I caught a cold yesterday so I'm resting up for our trip this week. I'm missing school for a week while we go to temples and shrines all over Japan. Just hoping I feel better.
I've been taking ballet three times a week and doing stuff on the weekends. With homework, school, and everything else I've been pretty busy.
Well, that's it I guess. If anyone has any suggestions or questions or things they want to know about you should let me know. That way I can post more. The next few days will be filled so I'll try to blog a little more. Sayonara ^_^!
-G <3
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