Things That Are Near Our Home Part 2

The first thing to know about Japan is it's quite a lot like America, but in less space. Gifu reminds me of Colorado because of the mountains, Florida because of the humidity, and Ohio because of the fields. The majesty of those three giant states can be found within one city in Japan, and that's just the way it goes. My school is located in what could be called a suburb, and just 10 minutes south of that Matt's school is located in miles of rice fields that gorgeous cranes and herons occupy, such as the one to the left.

The second thing to know is Japan makes better soda than America, at least that which I've tried so far. The can to the right is a great Lemon soda that is full of lemons and vitamin C, and not much else. What it says on the can is also a special treat.

Oh, and the desserts are fantastic. This is a maccha (green tea) ice cream, red bean, dango (rice dumpling), and vanilla ice cream dessert from DENNY'S. Yes, that's right, in Japan, Denny's is AWESOME. And not entirely bad for you, either.

This is possibly the funniest vending machine I've seen in Japan to date. It's a condom vending machine. It was right next to a cigarette vending machine. This could only have been better if there had also been a beer vending machine in the same row.

Last but not least, this is for my second sister. I found a building that reminded me of her, and how I love having her in my life, in downtown Gifu!

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To Live in the Moment Without Fear

To Live in the Moment Without Fear is a work by Yuko Shinoda from Gifu, Japan. Danced by six women, the dance investigates what it means to be a part of a community threatened by a disaster that takes a life. Premiered June 5th 2011 in Nagoya, Japan, the dance features a strong movement aesthetic that draws from traditional Japanese dance as well as contemporary styles and contact improvisation. Shinoda's use of space and timing, as her dancers flow in-and-out of solos, duets, trios, and unison, creates a sense that the dancers are unified and alone at the same time. In the end, Shinoda's view of life is clear: we must tend to the fallen, but we must never surrender ourselves to fear while we are still alive.

Yokohama, Day Four: Roppongi Hills and Shibuya

We met Nik's girlfriend, Megumi, for an amazing lunch on the way to Roppongi Hills, where we met up with her friend Misa. Roppongi Hills is an incredibly upscale shopping district in Tokyo, even more upscale than the Ginza. I couldn't afford to look at the stores. We passed by a German-influenced illumination display, honoring 150 years of German-Japanese friendship. It was really beautiful and seemed traditional (I'm going to run it by my German friend to test its authenticity). In the first two pictures you can see Japanese people chowing down on dark lager and brats, as well as a lovely carved statue with figurines and candles that constantly turned on a podium. Misa was hungry so we got her a lunch snack, and when Matt saw a bagel place he succumbed to his Jewishness. Pictured is his bagel with cream cheese and lox, which he ate in the face of Christmas with Nik. Roppongi Hills also has many beautiful sculptures, including a giant spider of which I didn'...

Gamagori Fireworks Festival

Takeshima, at low tide. Every year, on the last day of July, a big fireworks festival is held in Gamagori, Japan. Fireworks are very big in Japan, with each major city priding itself on its particular display, and swearing up and down to anyone who will listen that their fireworks are the best in the nation. Gifu's displays were canceled this year because of the earthquake, so we took the opportunity to travel a little more than an hour by express train to Gamagori. It's a cute little town, not far from Okazaki, with a famous island that is entirely shrine space (seen in the picture to the right). It was a wonderful, if long, day. Four of us set out from Gifu and picked two more friends up on the way to the island. We arrived early, perhaps too early, but we did miss the worst of the afternoon sun as we wandered around the island. Even though I was very diligent about my SPF 50 sunblock, I still managed to get burned on both shoulders before the...

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