anyone know it yet, do I tell the herewith, I am back in the good old Matsuyama. Somehow the city will get smaller and thus more homely. Yes, I think know that I am after this week returned home. And if there is no home, then definitely a place where I can be all I, I can relax and come back to rest. After all the hustle and bustle, the impressions of the great cities, all the events that can accumulate in such a week, it's nice to return back to a place like Matsuyama. I like Matsuyama.
But today I do not want to talk about Matsuyama, but the last of my travels in places that may look at the first moment of the same, but each has its own character, which you notice immediately. Is not that amazing?
Let's start with Uchiko. A twenty thousand souls village south of Matsuyama, known as Little Kyoto around here. I could make the comparison. It is not * g * Or rather, actually, it's true, at least in the way it was meant. (And thus, implies that one can in Kyoto and see it in Uchiko, guess not, how it looked in the old Japan in about) in all other things is Uchiko the exact opposite, a quiet little village in which one may be old, but will not spend his youth. It is really wonderful.
I have a German friend in Uchiko where I am for the duration of my stay was quartered. Marko is a very nice fellow who is fond of Kendo (that such a blend Daniela * gg *). I've met him when he suddenly appeared in our times in training, and then seen from time to time, for example, in the Dan-examination in which he has passed his fourth Dan. Meanwhile, I've also had the pleasure to fight him. This was the first and last time in the foreseeable future, he is just too fast * ggg * I have only a bit better ^ ^
be So, and for those who already harbor hopes, I have to say is no, because nothing. He is not my type! He also has a problem with his age, I can understand, but still does not understand.
In any case, I had a place to stay in Uchiko, which almost always The biggest problem is with such travel. Round trip, you always somehow, but if you do not know where we should stay ...
As Marko at the time was often in Matsuyama, then I went with him by train to Uchiko. And when he had said beforehand that training on Wednesday evening, I have actually dragged my arms into the holidays. Actually I had set for a 3-hour training, it should be five.
On the first night (Tuesday) we were eating well and somehow we have now for the upcoming weekend, a kind of Home Stay organized. Do not ask how because I was such a Japan that no one knew of us, But the Japanese knew the other, who was still here, and then knew Marko (because he bought with him a mobile phone), and suddenly, the first Japanese called his mother, with whom we talked then everyone and everything arranged. I'm curious to see whether we do really. I must ask again. (Addendum: Did demand, it was of course canceled ^ ^ I had also wondered if we had never done that * gg *)
The next day, where I really wanted to see Uchiko, it was raining. I've looked at me Uchiko anyway ^ ^ And an umbrella for extra purchase (I did not want to return to the apartment, through the rain) * gg * and many pictures of this Morning made. A few have become quite decent, I think. I try so a bit in the art of photography. Although I have no idea of lighting and set all the bells and whistles, but I try to photograph what I want, too beautiful in scene, not to shoot only from the front, but sometimes from a different angle. And I started in black and white photograph. Black and white images have a very different outcome than pretty pictures have. Highlight much that is left behind all the images in bright colors. And they shall be liable to a kind of nostalgia that I like.
I was probably only about two hours on the road, but that was enough for me then. My shoes should not be dry enough for the day.
the afternoon, after warm up a bit I could, I went to Kendo training in the local high school. The training would last three hours. What is worse sound than it really was, because we have often made breaks. I went anyway with a somewhat crushing sense, because I was by all students (five in number) made ready. This contributes not just to the self-confidence in using. I think I still lack something for Kendo, the will to make a point (not necessarily to win). Perhaps that will come.
should the evening, after dinner, again training be, this time with middle school students. Since then Mark was there too. I was a little tired from the training before but I've obviously gone through anyway. The time was an interesting exercise. For the first time because I belonged to the adults, I sat at the departure and welcome on the side of the teacher!!
I'm really a bit out of place felt wrong, I, with my fifth kyu, all students were likely before me on. And then I had even imagined yet. Well, now is the * gg *
Training that was pretty funny. Sometimes I gepeilt not exactly who begins now with the technology that had somehow a entirely different system. And continue in the series, I could not because I belonged to adults and therefore for the whole school was something like a sensei, a bit anyway. Unfortunately, since I was a bit tired from training in the afternoon, I could not necessarily do my best. I just got in the end it also apologized to the Sensei.
The Sensei was the way ne force. He went into Kamae and stood like a rock in the surf. Actually I wanted to give up because it already. Now honestly, how can you achieve anything? That was quite an experience.
After training, we were still good, very good eating, with the other two adults, in addition to us and the sensei were still in training. It was a very funny evening in which we not only brought a bottle of red wine (very tasty by the way, I had chosen well) drinking, but have also eaten raw horse and fried frog legs. Among other delicacies, so to speak. Such evenings I love, especially after such a kendo training ^ ^
should the next day in the city held a celebration to which we went too. And I could see how to make mochi stuffed with Anko and I've taken that course. I like the things, yummy!
afternoon Iaido training should be and I could take part. Iaido is the art of drawing the sword and Cutting. I did it was when Stefan was still with us, twice. And actually I had planned to begin here in Japan with it, but somehow I've completely lost sight of. But that afternoon I was able to join * g * The people were very nice and gave me the first Sensei Kata shown that I was able to practice in the end all the time.
And in between we went to bamboo cutting! With real swords! Me too! There is photographic proof! * Gg *
evening I am again after I made a little walk through Uchiko not wet, went home (that was the Thursday evening). I should have but again on Saturday in his Uchiko * Gg *
This weekend was in fact a kind of homestay program for foreign students and foreigners generally. And iaido sensei invited me to do so. And when Mark works for the city, which all co-organized and sponsored, he arranged that I can come too, so very short notice. Some friends of mine should be also, as it turned out.
On Saturday morning we met, we came from Matsuyama, at the station and drove to Uchiko, where we were already expected. It was not a problem that I came at such short notice to do so. I have even the travel costs, like all the others paid, and I was allowed to stay in a guesthouse in Uchiko.
The whole weekend was spoiled for me but unfortunately something, because my eye had probably ignited something. In any case, it hurt and was really sensitive to light. And I also got cough. Thank God it was the eye (the lay-hay fever diagnosis was what it was then, thank God was not) on Sunday in order, only the cough remained, and the cold. I had caught a regular cold, or should I start on the day (as opposed to Saturday was the Sunday that is very rainy). But do not worry, I'm all better again. 'm Fit as a fiddle so to speak.
The Home Stay program was really funny. A group of women who all volunteered, (the men were in the background) showed us on the first day, the city Uchiko and all its attractions and in English told us everything worth knowing, and the second day we went by bus to the surrounding area. We spent the night in small groups separated in local hotels (which were quite exquisite!) And I found myself with another girl in the middle of nowhere, just five minutes from Uchiko away again in the mountains. What a lovely view. Only the landlord was a bit strange. Although my Japanese was better than theirs, he has a lot of talk with her * gg * I'm already that he does not like me. But perhaps it has even put off my red hair * lol * In the evening we saw Howl's Castle, a wonderful film! And the food was fantastic!
On Sunday evening there was a party with a buffet, where I have something to eat. But it was so good! And there was wine, and was the iaido sensei also back (and one can not say no to alcohol * gg *). And even if I would still stay the night there can, I'm back in the evening. The next day I wanted to go to Hiroshima.
the train, we (not only I wanted to go back that night again) then get in time, but time for a ticket I did not then. But the story I told you so.
At the weekend, two Danes were there, the German language. Was nice to talk to again German with other people. But when they spoke Danish, I have not understood a word.
That was Uchiko. Next time comes then Hiroshima. And after Kyoto. I just wonder how it would be with Kyoto, even if I write about Uchiko three sides. At least I've seen in Kyoto so much that I'm already almost no longer can remember everything * gg * But Kyoto is great and I absolutely must at least show you some pictures from Kyoto.
So, see you tomorrow or the day after. Tomorrow begins my first lesson. Kanji. I do not even know what physics lectures I visit, or if I ever do. I have to go ask my tutor. After * gg *
Until then, have you loving, Janina
