A day of rest

Today is a beautiful thing, a day of rest, well mostly. 


I went for my first run this morning, it is crazy hot here too! 32 degrees today! I lasted 20 minutes, and was a little disoriented on the way back and got a little lost, later discovering that I'd run straight past the place we are staying.


So, any way, a little about life so far....


Summer School:


Summer school was fantastic, it finished yesterday. It was full on! Very tired brains, but took a lot in and enjoyed it thoroughly, especially getting to know our fellow students. It was an experience that both of us will cherish for a long time. We made some good friends and had some good fun!


Here's a smattering of photos from the course.

Abbie's Class 

My group making some interesting Japanese dessert treats

Tim and Toni (from Abs class)

Abs and Toni eating the creation

Level 3 Graduation

Level 1 Graduation

Home stay with Mitirai Sama:


For the first week of of our summer school we stayed with the Mitirai's. They are an older couple from Jesus Family, and treated us so kindly! We now know them as Okaasan and Otoosan, Japanese for Mum and Dad. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them, even having to speak Japanese with them, which was very helpful for our learning.


While with them we went to Nara and checked out one of the temple parks. We were treated to fantastic Japanese cuisine, abbie even received a lesson. We had lots of fun and many laughs, despite rain at time. Here's some photos from that time.

Abs cooking Barazushi

Our visit to Nara

It rained when we went to the look out (Okaasan under the umbrella)

Home stay with Yoshi and Yukari:


For the second week of the summer school we stayed (again) with Yoshi and Yukari. They were much closer to school, still a 50 minute walk each way. The walk was quite tiring in the humidity. We enjoyed our time with them, especially the Takoyaki (octopus balls) party. Here's a few photos from there :-)

Takoyaki

Yukari & Yoshi on the left, with a friend who joined us for the Takoyaki party.

Abs holding Keesa, with Rikido in front

Looking ahead to our next update: tomorrow Abbie will be dressed up for a special Japanese festival service and we're getting stuff organised to move into our apartment next Friday.