Parties and Tours

"Merry Xmas" (missing a few letters)

This week was the last for students here at the school. On monday we had a big christmas party for the Junior High. This was one of the funnest christmas parties I have ever been too. In Japan, christmas is not a largely celebrated holiday, at least it is not as deeply set in tradition as it is in more western cultures. The Party consisted of a few different musical performances put on by the students as well as an impromptu "magic show" performed by one student who used his pockets an excessive amount to create the illusion, he sold the trick well though and everyone loved it. The party included a meal and treats, which many of the students loved. Our meal consisted of a classic american delicacy; spaghetti and a bread roll along with some soda, a drink explained to me as "good bacteria", and slices of cheese cake for desert. The party concluded with a gift exchange where numbers were passed around a circle and when the music stopped, the number you were holding was the gift you received. I got a book cover and post-it notes.

Fukuoka SDA Church

Then there was the choir tour. For the tour we went to Fukuoka prefecture (prefectures are similar to large counties) on the south island of Japan, Kyushu. The students first sang outside in a shopping area of downtown Hakata, and then on sabbath we went to the local SDA church, and then finished with a concert inside a building, again in downtown Hakata (I really don't know what the building was for, but it was  a small studio on the 5th floor).

The SDA church in Fukuoka reminded me of a small country church transplanted into a city with narrow streets all around it. It was also one of the coldest churches I have ever been in, with kerosene heaters lining the middle of the church to keep warm. The choir also had a special guest sing with them for the church service, apparently he sang for a well known SDA group, unfortunately I did not catch the name. After the service one of the older gentlemen asked me if I had a kid performing in the choir(do I really look that old?).

Friday of this trip was also my birthday, a few of the students remembered from when I introduced my self to their classes. By the end of the day they had sang Happy Birthday to me twice and they bought me a small "personal sized" strawberry cheese cake, which I devoured immediately. The trip was filled with lots of laughter and many parents, who came out to see the students perform, brought treats for all of the choir members. This was my first encounter meeting a couple of the parents and they were generally happy to meet the "new english teacher" at HSG (Hiroshima Saniku Gakuin). 

Kerosene heaters inside the church

On the way home our group slowly got smaller and smaller. We dropped some students off at the Airport in Fukuoka, and some got off at Hiroshima station. Winter vacation has now begun.

On a side note, probably one of the best parts about traveling via highway in Japan: heated toilet seats at every rest stop. There is usually a restaurant too, but the heated seats were a pleasant surprise.

Next up on the agenda is seeing more of Hiroshima City and traveling to Osaka/Kyoto over break.

Merry Christmas!

More photos courtesy of Miura-sensei:

Downtown Hakata

Students waiting to perform

Downtown Hakata

Disco Ball Tree Topper

Outdoor Concert