Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
Okay so March doesn't start with H in either English or Japanese.
But it should, because it seems like everything else in March starts with H. By everything else, I mean life in Japan.
Here is a list of all the things I did in the second half of March. But before you begin, I have a riddle for you.
What starts with H, ends in Y, and describes Julie Garner in the month of March? (scroll for answer)
March 16 was the last day of school, prior to Haru Yasumi, or Spring Break. Bye Bye Tosajoshi for vacation! (Though I'll see you next week at Koto practice.)
Haruno Kouen is a big sports arena about a 6KM run over the mountains from my host house. It's probably one of my favorite places in Kochi Prefecture, because it's this huge quiet sports arena, with hidden trails thru the mountains. It's the ideal spot for one of my crazy runs. My host sisters have Synchronized swimming there, so I often get to be dropped off to run and explore the park. Then I usually run back home.
Bamboo Forests on one of the secret trails in Haruno Kouen.
This little hidden Shinto Shrine, I discovered right outside the park.
At my host sister's School marathon, I had to find my Japanese host mother in a sea of Black hair and dull colored clothes. Quite an impossible task.
These are Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Trees before they bloom.
Post Office or Shoe Box? I'll let you be the judge of that.
A 2 minute walk from my house, is the brilliant Hair Saloon. Whether or not you can get a beer while they cut your hair, is the ultimate question.
This is the Osaki Residence in Kouda, Kochi City, Japan. There are 9 residents (including me), 3 cats, and various visitors throughout the day. I have to say, there is never a dull day.
On March 25, 2007, my host parents, and younger host sisters, Hikari and Maako, went for a scenic drive of the Tosa City Coast. There we passed through a city called, USA. haha. Anyway, the drive furthured my belief that the Kochi coastline in one of the most beautiful unspoiled hidden treasures in the world. Oh yeah, Hama, in Japanese, means Beach.
Tosa City Coast
My little host sister, 7 year old, Hikari, looking out onto the water.
Maako, Okasan, Hikari, and Otosan as they trek down the steep forest path to Goshiki Beach, Tosa City, Kochi
Me on the Beach
Maako and Hikari on the rocky shore looking ut at the ocean
Okasan, Maako, and Hikari
The 2 somewhat mandatory shots
Me, Maako, and Hikari trying not to get TOO soaking wet. EVen though by the end of the day I had a water spot on my jeans that made me look like I wet myself. At least I had alot of fun!
Crazy Julie Goes Rock Climbing- gosh that was dangerous...and awesome.
I love this picture!
You can not, in good faith, tell me that the Kochi Coastline isn't stunning. I used to wonder why no one has ever head of such an amazing place, but then driving on the curvey dirt highways and it all makes sense.
I often find myself having arguments with my host mothers about the status of a flower. To me, it's a flower. To a typical Japanese person, it's utter beauty. Things are changing though, during the end of March I spent everyday pondering about the status of the Sakura. Hana in Japanese means flower.
This is a picture of an Ume tree. The Ume flower is the first sign to Japan that spring is on the way. Personally I like it better than the Sakura, but probably because I'm not Japanese.
An early Sakura at Haruno Kouen
Hirosue Yurie-san and I went for lunch at Kochi Castle on one day during my Haru Yasumi. In Japan, a persons last name is actually their first name. So often, I have to address my friends like Ms. Tanaka, or Yamamoto. With Yurie, it's Hirosue-san.
Hashiru is Japanese for running. And since in the month of March, I ran at least 3 or 4 times a week, I think it's a suitable H. One of my favorite runs is up through Kouda Mountain and into Haruno Township. These are a few of the pictures from the run.
A busy highway Kochi style.
Now for the answer to the riddle on the top of the page (What begins with H, ends in Y and describes Julie in the month of March)...
