3Third day report
Today (Tuesday
July 26) was my third day here at Toyomi. In the morning I did grass cutting. I’ve
tried grass cutting before at a different WWOOF host. I think it’s kind of fun.
I was a little surprised when I finished clearing an area and then you said, “That
was practice!” Today my body is sore but I had a good time working hard. The
afternoon was sanding the statue again, because of the rain. I don’t dislike
that work, but it gets a little boring after 2 hours! I tried to make it more
fun by listening to music.
Also
today I learned some more about Japanese manners and culture. I am trying to
remember to have a beautiful heart, for example by opening the door for someone
older than me, and saying “thank you”. It’s hard to remember it all, but I am
learning it little by little.
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4Fourth day: meeting Ting-chan and the
middle-school students
Wow!
What a fun day! The morning started off slow, working on sanding the statue
again. But around lunch time 5 middle school girls came, as well as the new
WWOOFer, Ting-chan. I was very happy to meet Ting-chan. She is very cheerful
and funny. I think we will become good friends. The work in the afternoon
became very fun because of the middle school students. We made a relay to pass
wood to and from the truck. The girls had SO much energy! It was hard to keep
up with them. I’m only a few years older than them but they made me feel like
an old woman! I was very tired at the end of the day, but it was so much fun.
In the evening I played my viola for them, and they all presented reports of the
day. It was a busy day filled with energy. I hope we have more days like this.
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5Final day in Toyomi August 1 2016
Yesterday
was my last full day here with Kentaro, Makiko, and Ting. It started with my
arrival back on the first train from Niigata city, where I had to spend the
night because I missed the last train! Makiko gave me a hug and said she had
been so worried. I’m sorry I made you worry! But I’m glad I made it back safe,
and I was very happy when everyone said ‘welcome home’.
The
morning work was grass cutting. It was very very hot so I (and everyone else)
got so sweaty! It felt good to wash up afterwards. For lunch we had somen,
which was delicious and perfect for the hot weather. It was my first time
eating somen, although I’ve seen it before. In the afternoon, we went to some
nearby hotels and ryokans to give them flyers and postcards. In Tsugawa, we got
to see Kentaro’s sculptures. We got to see pictures of fox-bride weddings, and
I saw some beautiful uchikake wedding
robes. I really do love learning about traditional Japanese culture. I will
make sure to come back to the countryside next time I am in Japan, to learn
more about it.
I
have had a great experience in Toyomi. You have taught me so much and I am so
grateful. I was only here for 9 days but I feel like I have known you all for
much longer – you really are like family. Maybe I will get the chance to come
back here someday. Until then, I will never forget my time here and what you
taught me about the importance of friends and having a beautiful heart. Thank
you so much.
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