99 Islands

I understand that I'm no great photographer, and that Sasebo's 99 Islands (くじゅうくしま - in kanji i think its 九十九島) are heavily photoraphed, but I'll share a few any way.

Tim and I stopped in a Navy bar after being kicked out of a "Japanese Only" bar. We chatted with the bartender, who told us to check out the 99 Islands. It was a hot tip!

Tim's getting quite good at japanese and asked how to get to dock via bus. After hopping on the bus, he asked these old ladies if they were going to the same place, turns out they were, so we followed them around. They showed us where to buy tickets and held a place in the line for us, but weren't too chatty.
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Here is our boat, the Pearl Queen.


The Pearl Queen herself.


Tim looks like a model.


I made some random japanese kids take a photo with me in the crows nest.


Across from the dock, part of the park path peaked out near the water.


Rock outcropping looks cool, but I somehow messed up the coloring.


We have enjoy time!


This is the other ship tourists can take around the 99 islands.


There were people scattered throughout the little islands, kayaking and fishing, but this beach was clear.


Some scenery.


There is diving in the area as well, I'll be diving in here, I hope.


Me and an island.


Yes sir, I can't wait to dive here.


The water was a beautiful color.


On the boat.


The kid behind me was dancing crazy, so cute.


Tim's still single, no idea why!


Sail boatin.


Cool shrine's we saw on the way out.


The red ship!

妹 ー いもうと (Little Sister)

I have been without a computer for two weeks. This weekend I finally got it back. It needed a new CD/DVD drive and apple replaced it for free. They also cleaned it so it looks like new! I should be able to keep it that way too, Leah gave me some cleaning stuff.

I've been pretty sedentary lately, but I went to Fukuoka a couple times and one of the nearby waterfalls despite my lazy mood. Our supervisor also exposed us to some traditional japanese culture. Without further ado ...
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Behind Chris's house is an infrequently visited beach. On a beautiful sunday, we strolled on he rocky out cropping of volcanic rock to watch Chris drop his line in the water to hunt for fish.


Eric explores the landscape.


I believe this place is something close to paradise.


We sat kneeling in seiza watching a group of ladies perform some traditional japanese music. This woman prepared the Shamisen (japanese banjo). It started in pieces and she assembled it for us, putting the three strings in just the right places.


This lady seemed to be the ring leader and demanded I take a photograph of her costume.


The shamisen is difficult to play, the number of people who can play it well dwindles every year. Rather than finger picking the strings, the player uses a paint scraper sort of tool to pluck the strings.


The ring leader entertains.


After the shamisen performance, we were treated to taiko drumming. This is was a scaled down version of the kind of thing you can see at Lafayette's Festival International. Taiko is a mix of drumming and stationary dance. Its quite fun to watch.


They took one shoulder of the happi off, not sure why, but it looked cool.


When they finished they got us to give it a go.


The finishing move, it gets em every time.


Chris and I also got hair cuts from our favorite local barber, Araki-san. A hair cut and a shave will set you back 3500 yen. Its no cheap affair, but the hair cut is good and the shave is amazing. He also seals the deal with a massage.


At the waterfall a couple of young japanese guys summoned the courage to talk to the weird foreigners eating bento lunches on a rock at the top of a waterfall. It was rewarding though as this guy was really interesting.


Tim took this photo and it shows off the shrine in the background. There are a few shrines around the waterfall's top. Most places in Japan with a natural beauty have a shrine or two tucked near them.


From under an overhanging rock, the waterfall is quite impressive. This picture is rubbish though.


Rowan is one of my favorite characters in this whole Japan saga. He's as tenacious as they come and taught himself japanese with a kind of dedication I rarely see.


This WILL be swum in this summer.


So that's been my past couple of weeks. Looking back on the pictures reminds me that it was really fun and not so sedentary.

Tonight I was driving home from Tim's house, cruising along the 251, the main road that tightly hugs the coast and circles the entire peninsula. The night was much to dark to see out into the ocean but its salty scent is ever-present. I looked up at the hangnail moon, it was an orange peel, dimly lighting the hills in an orange glow. I was thinking of my little sister and how much I miss her. She recently emailed me and confessed she's having sort of a rough time. Our friends and peers offer us a mirror of who we are. Right now she doesn't like the image she's getting back from that mirror. I wished that I could show her what she is in my mind. I wanted to tell her that the universe is better with her in it, that she improves where ever she is, just because she's there. I wanted her to see that she is a beautiful, intelligent young woman. I wanted to reveal to her that its rare to meet people who are truly interesting, who after meeting, leave you feeling like you connected to the core goodness of humanity. Its so easy to forget that people can blossom into someone engaging and pure. There is pure joy in the world and she reminds me it springs from within you, it need only be cultivated. I want to tell her people more often than not reflect a distorted picture of who you are.

I wanted to tell her that friends who are honest with themselves, with you and that keep you honest with yourself are worth more than the money you'll make in 10 lifetimes. I wanted to say "I love you" and somehow make her know that I understand her feelings without saying it. I wanted to say that my life is immeasurably fuller for having watched a baby girl grow up into someone I'm proud to call my sister.