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Published: October 22nd 2007
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My First View of Fuji
Really this is the first time that I have seen Mt. Fuji, after two months of living right next to it. Alright, I've been getting a lot of the same questions lately, so I'm going to try to get them all answered in one fell swoop: Yes, No, twice, 24 and a half, With an elephant (obviously), Only for a brief period in the early 90's, and no I have not forgotten about travelblog.
Much to my chagrin, I have discovered that classes are extremely detrimental to creating interesting stories. However, hearing that this is the reason I have not written in a travelblog in some time is much to my parent's delight, I believe.
Classes are chugging along quite steadily, though the weeks have been peppered with vacations, so I don't think I've had a solid week of classes yet, which is interesting. I'm taking three Japanese language classes, one on culture and history, one on politics and economics, one on kid's literature, and one on romantic literature (the only literature class that I'll be able to understand). My comprehension is getting better little by little I feel, and right now I'm actually more concerned about how I'm going to keep practicing when I get back to the states more than the stuff I'm not able to understand right
Fuji Q Entrance
The entrance to Fuji Q Highland. You can see Fuji in the background now - since there's plenty of opportunity to practice and improve while I'm here.
As far as extra-curricular activities, I am still doing kyudo, have joined a band through the band club, and have started going to the Chinese Club. Kyudo is fun, but still a little monotonous - You'd think hitting the target is the most important part, but apparently form is just as important if not more. The band circle is fun, we will be performing about five or six songs on November 17th for the "Tsuru Rock Festival". I'm going to the Chinese club because I was implored to by one of my friends, and it was a fun time, so we'll see how that turns out....
Anyway, the real point of this post is to sing the praises of Fuji Q Highland. Needless to say, around here they are quite excited about Fuji-san. One of the special features of the area is the Fuji-Kyuu Express train that takes you quickly to Fujiyoshida, near the base of Fuji, and has a bunch of different cartoon faces of Mt. Fuji painted on it (check it out here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_Kyuko_Line). There was even a festival FOR THE TRAIN
Post Water-ride
For some reason the first ride we went on was the water ride, which required you to wear a poncho. I'm pretty sure that, at the bottom of the ride, they just shoot a torrent of water at you. My hood flew off going down the hill and so I got a bit moist. last Sunday. the Fuji-Kyuu Matsuri. So it's only logical that they build an amusement park right next to Fuji: Fuji Q Highland.
Fuji Q Highland actually MUCH better than I expected! Apparently they have two of the top ten tallest roller coasters in the world: Eejanaika (230 feet) and Fujiyama (250 feet). Eejanaika (pronounced eeh-jya-nai-kah, and means "great, isn't it!?") also holds the Guiness World record for most inversions: 14. The seats rotate vertically, so they can flip you on your back, upside down, all around. After the first big drop, the seats swivel so that you are facing downward as you drop vertically. Pretty durn sweet.
Fujiyama was very cool too because it was built so that you could check out Mt. Fuji while riding the coaster. After the 70 meter climb to the top, there is a little flat portion during which you are looking right at Mt. Fuji, and contemplating it (as the Japanese are wont to do), before plummeting. I was actually a little more impressed with the view from the ride than the actual ride itself!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the lovely Courtney Smith made the trek
Good Idea, Bad Idea...
This is what happens when you ride the water ride and don't buy one of the ponchos for roughly a buck. out to the middle of nowhere to go with me and my friends to Fuji Q. She also brought along the peanut gallery.... I mean her wonderful friends! It is always fun to have another loud American to hang out with so that I can pretend all the Japanese people are staring at her and not me...
Once more, I think the pictures show the details a little better than I can recount them. I think it's a very interesting idea to build a theme park around a natural phenomenon like Mt. Fuji. I suppose it would be like building a theme park next to Old Faithful or Half Dome or something. I'm sure there's something like that in America, it's just that the Japanese have done it better, faster, and for cheaper - as always, hehehe....
Well, since Halloween is coming up soon, i better get to some studying so I can make up for my lost time over the weekend (though I still consider it well spent, hehe). College in Japan is astoundingly easy compared to US colleges, so on our end it takes a little bit of initiative to really get all we can out
Mentos!
This guy was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the park. A little product placement for my book of memories... of this. No worries, though, I enjoy the challenge.
I just heard about all the fires back in California, and I hope everyone is staying safe and able to keep SOME of the smoke out of their lungs. I sincerely hope that San Diego is still there by the time I get back...
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