Teachers' Holiday

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Today was the last of my 3 day teachers' holiday, compensation for the Saturday and Sunday we worked this past weekend for Sports Day. After spending the night in Matsuyama with friends, I biked it home with the good ol' Mama Chari and switched gears to my new big red for a day out in the sun.
Biking north along route 196 the gusts were in my face, along with the sun, but the trip along the ocean was worth it. Working off the drinks and kansai pancakes last night I biked up along the coast through small fishing towns. The shrines popped up here and there. Semis flew past my shoulders, but kindly nudged over once they saw my shiny new red helmet. Ha! I finally got tired and decided to stop. Luckily I had stumbled upon a somewhat touristy location. I can't tell you the name of the town or find it on any english maps of Japan, but it wasn't tooooo small. There was even a town map of the sites and locations worth visiting. It being Wednesday afternoon, I had all the sites to myself. First stop was the Kawarakan museum hosting a display of tiles. This town had been one of the major sites for making the tiles and figures to be used in many castles throughout Japan. No english, but I was able to enjoy most of the images and sculptures. The top floor was dedicated to (local?) artists with their biographies displayed next to their artwork. Or maybe it was just the donators, I can't be sure... Outside I hiked my bike up the mountainside park to the top of the large red slide I had spotted from the coast. Along the path were animal sculptures. I amused myself taking goofy pics with each of the figures, until I noticed some maintenance workers staring at my odd actions. Yes, crazy "gaijin" (white person). Oops. So I got a little (but just a little) embarrassed and worked my way back down to the bottom.

On my ride home I decided to finally check out the Betty Crocker seaside restaraunt near my favorite beach in Hojo. I ordered an iced coffee something and the sampler of little cakes. To my delight the "little cakes" turned out to be 3 mini slices of different kinds of CHEESECAKE! Just one of my most favorite foods that indeed happens to be very rarely found in Japan. And as for that iced coffee thingy, it was much more amazing than anything to be found at caribou coffee or even dunn brothers for that matter. With homeade honey at the bottom and some herbs on top, the flavors were awesome. I also managed a slight discussion with the women at the table next to me. It was a grandmother, 2 daughters, and a young grandson. They were impressed by my bike (and I think the fact that I was a female biking alone). They had seen me on the road earlier that day. Definitely one of those times I am reminded to come home and study Japanese...

Needless to say, after 3 days of vacation I am no further rested than before the long weekend. 3 days of vacation = 3 days of biking = exhausted Marla. Time to prepare for school tomorrow.

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Photos

What the?
Scary entrance to the ridiculously huge red children's slide. I would have jumped it, if I though I could have fit my hips!

The ride
Route 196

Comments

[Dad Nelson]

Comment from Dad
Great job of telling the story! We love hearing about your experiences and seeing your pictures. I am on the way home tonight from San Fran, take out dock weekend at the lake. Love. Dad

[Ethan]

Love Princess-ians Unite
Hey Marla! Good to see someone else from Ehime on here. I remember meeting you briefly at the Matsu orientation. Its a shame we weren't able to talk more, kind of a crazy weekend, so much going on! I dig your pics and entries though, i can't believe the size of that slide! I hope all is well and I was gutted that i couldn't make it to your party in Hoji-shi this weekend. It sounded like an unbeatable time... cheese, wine, cake, ummmmmm! However, the Undokai on Uoshima, aka "fish island", beckons.

[Marbar]

The island people
Yes, you island people. Always hard to reach. And for good reason, I presume. I plan to be out on Oshima (I think that's the name) to visit Stephanie on Saturday night of this coming weekend. We will be doing some fishing, painting, and late night sake at her ocean home. I am sure you are more than welcome if you are able to visit.