Natsuyasumi « Glimpses

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Natsuyasumi

August 27, 2006 by mickeydeo

Summer is ending so soon, and here comes autumn…

Summer is the most expensive, most awaited and lively season in Japan. Nihonjins have prepared a lot of festivals and in our case, had enjoyed a weeklong summer break to enjoy under the sun. It starts in the months of June and stretching until August. It is really hot during this season, the average temperature is 20C but now stretches to 30-40C.

During the first week, I joined the barbeque-beach party at Fukui beach with PSJ people (Philippine Society in Japan), Nagoya chapter. It was fun to have my kababayans with me. As expected it was a wacky day… I did not miss home. We did things pinoy-style, enjoyed the karaoke in the bus, had this pinoy “repetitive-round-song” usually sung only when you are drunk:

- May pulis, may pulis sa ilalim ng tulay…
- May dala ang pulis ng pansit sa ilalim ng tulay…
- Hinabol ng aso ang pulis na may dala ng pansit sa ilalim ng tulay…

The music goes on and on, usually creating a story, until everyone ends laughing and trying to catch breath.

Natsuyasumi, or summer break, falls on the 2nd week. It was my first time to watch hanabi, a fireworks display in our neighboring town at Tokai Shi. We went to picnic in the park and waited for the fireworks. It started at seven and lasted for about an hour and a half. Wow, I was like a child marvelling at the color display just above me. The night sky was perfectly clear while I lie down myself in the ground.

Following night, we went to Bon Odori, three blocks away from my house. I wore my first yukata, it was red. Takeuchi san and I danced to the beat of the ethnic drums and the song dearly loved by the locals. I think I was the only gaijin (foreigner) around. It was very brief, but I enjoyed my first yukata and my first dance as well.

The following day, we head on to Mt Fuji. The weather is perfect at 2,400 meters. We started our climb at 6.30PM and head on to the 7th station by past midnight. We arrived at 3,010 meters, chilling, tired and losing almost our sanity. It was the hardest climb I had in my life, the worst physical activity I engaged ever. I had underestimated the highest peak in Japan — I was not prepared for the freezing cold (temperature was 0-5Celcius), strong winds, rocky ground and the thinning air we were having as we ascent. Though, the view from the top was spectacular. The city below us is like a glittering stones – torqouise, gold, silver and diamonds. Seeing it is breath taking. I was fortunate to see the sunrise at 4.30AM though very short. I had to go back to the inn to warm myself. I was still chilling, it was winter at the top… Regretfully, we didnt make it on the summit at 3,776meters.

After leaving Mt Fuji, we went to a nearby onsen. It was my first time to enter an onsen, I was literally shocked to see so many women walking in their nudes. Hehehe. It was culture shock indeed. I couldnt look at their eyes too because I was really hazukashii!!!! hehehh. And I got nervous and tensed afterwards because I knew I have to be nude too to enter the onsen. My filipino friend and I entered the onsen with our towels wrapped on. But once I entered the shower (which was also an open area of course), I didnt have a choice but to go nude too. heheheh. The shower was relaxing and I trained myself already not to be aware of the Nihonjins beside me. I choose a spot where there were few taking a shower. i enjoyed it after all. But since we didnt have time already, we missed the onsen itself (the public hot bath/swimming pool).

The following day was still a treat. We went to Fuji Safari Park. We entered the safari with the car we used (my japanese friend and her husband) drived. We enjoyed taking pictures of the animals. The den of lions was just less than a meter beside me. I checked the lock of the car for fear I might accidentally opened it and be thrown in the center of the lions. Couldnt help to be sure about it hehehe.

Today, my face is still coping up from the sunburn. I forgot to put on UV shield heheh. I became dark again but it was worth it. I enjoyed my summer break.

Some pictures we had taken throughout the trip: