Mt Fuji

Last Friday/Saturday I climbed Mt Fuji. To put it mildly it was awful, it was the mot uncomfortable experience of my life. To be honest I didn't do that much research, but everything I read made made it seam pretty simple. Our schedule was typical:

Friday 8am take a bus to the mountain
Friday 4pm start climbing from stage 5
Friday 8pm reach our lodge at stage 8
Saturday 1am start climbing
Saturday 4am arrive at the peak, stage 10, and see the sunrise. Hike around the peak and return down
Saturday 12pm bus home

The packing list included high nutrition snacks, water, garbage bag, hat, gloves, rain coat and pants, canned oxygen, toilet paper, extra socks, flash light and 100yen coins.

I started to get a bit worried when it started raining on the bus ride to the mountain, it stopped before we arrived so things seamed OK. When we arrived at stage 5 it was quite foggy, but the most comfortable temperature I have felt since I arrived in Japan.

There are several trails you can take to the top, I'm not even sure which one we chose. We took 30mins to adjust to the altitude and started climbing, I trusted our leader Yamauchi-san because, against conventional wisdom, he has climbed not one but four times.
This photo was taken between stages 5 and 6, there was no view, just fog.

Around dusk we reached stage 7, this blurry photo is of M&L under a tori gate around stage 7. The hiking sticks they are holding were not only functional, but also a souvenir - at each hut along the way you can buy a brand mark, 200 yen, for your hiking stick (purchased at stage 5 for 900yen).

From stage 7 I didn't take any photos until after sunrise. After dusk I was more scared than expected, The climbing was on slippery rocks that required large and careful steps IN THE DARK. While holding a flashlight and a hiking stick it was more difficult to maintain good balance, something I hadn't thought about. I'm not sure what time we reached our hut at stage 8, but it was pretty confusing since there were several huts marked 8, without a Japanese speaking leader I don't think I would have been able to find the place to stay. At the hut we were shown to our 'beds' basically long bunk beds with futon mats long enough for approx 10 people, a long shared pillow at the top and a long shared blanket across. The only way to sleep was on your back with your arms on top of you because the people sleeping next to you were that close. We were served dinner before going to bed, I actually liked my dinner some sort of egg sauce with vegetables and rice, the non vegetarian meal was a burger with curry and rice. We also received a boxed breakfast of salmon and rice. We went to bed planning to start again at 1:30am.

At 1:15 we all woke up and started laughing because at that point no one could sleep given the crazy sleeping conditions. I had a headache from the altitude and lack of sleep when we started off again. About 15 mins after beginning it started raining, boo, just before reaching the lodge we had been able to see the stars so I had hoped it would be the same in the morning. It rained the entire way from Stage 8 to stage 10, thus began the most uncomfortable time of my life. Because of the weather the buildings at stage 10 were closed, people who must have arrived very early in the morning were perched under the awnings of the hut, waiting for dawn? and those who arrived later meandered around wet and clueless. After ringing the water out of our soaked gloves and trying to activate some instant heater pads (which didn't work because they got wet) we gave up and attempted to find the descending route.

This is the first photo I was brave enough to take after having reached the peak, it was maybe 6am, I was terrified that my camera would be water soaked and broken. I estimate this was about stage 7, yes, it was still raining and no part of my body was dry or warm.

The colored dots are other people on the way down, the descending tail is a back and forth look on red lava rock. My toes were perpetually jammed into the tip of my shoes and my knees were aching from trying not to slide down. Still raining.

This is a view up the mountain, taken from around stage 6. You cant see the top because of the angle and the fog that had returned. Slightly to the left of center you can see the ascending trail and the huts along the way.

This was near stage 6, the trees grow at a peculiar angle.


Finally we reached stage 5, around 930, our bus wasn't scheduled to arrive until 1030 so we were forced to wait around in soaked clothes and shoes until then.

Things I wish I had packed include:
flip flops for changing into after finishing
waterproof gloves
change of clothes packed in a sealed plastic bag

I took 4 liters of beverages, I wish I had left half at home, they were too heavy and at a cost of 100 yen the smelly bio bathrooms we no treat.

Despite all my complaints and disappointment, I am looking for volunteers to climb with me again next summer. It feels good to have accomplished the task, but it is beyond disappointing to have not had the reward of any beautiful views. Before I leave Japan I want to see the sunrise from the peak and next time I'll have take some experience with me.

48 Days Later

My boat shipment just arrived. I was told it would arrive within 50days, and that it did, but just barley, and not a moment too soon as I needed my Winter coat to climb Mt Fuji this past Friday.

What's for Dinner

Mexican! For the first month that I have been here I haven't had many cooking supplies. My cooking things from home are currently held hostage on the slow boat from Michigan. About the second week in, I broke down and bought a square frying pan and a pairing knife. I could justify both, I'll need the square pan if I learn how to make omelets and I need a Japanese made knife as a souvenir.
Using the cooking tools that I purchased and the Mexican seasoning that my mom sent me I made a mini fiesta. It's pumpkin (squash) with Mexican seasoning and topped with cheese, on the side is salsa and some taco chips that I found on sale at one of the department stores in Sakae.

How the Olympics gave me one more reason to like Japan

I have a rented TV here, it is actually pretty nice, a 37in Sharp Auqos. Due to the language barrier I didn't plan to watch TV, I intended to just hook up my computer and use the thing as an extravagant monitor but nothing else. When I discovered that all of the Olympic content posted to the Internet by NBC was blocked outside of the US, I dragged my TV across the room and hooked it up to take advantage of the local broadcasts of the Olympics. On the days of the Synchronized Swimming competition not only did they show all of the routines and the preliminary competition, they showed it all Live and then again in prime time!

Kiwi update

When I visited the garden center I had hopped to pick up a miniature citrus tree, but was informed that they were not available until next month. As a temporary fill in, I chose a kiwi plant, I'm not sure if the fruit is yellow or green, but I don't want to eat it because it is too cute.
I need to do some more research on how to care for this plant. I'm most perplexed by the pot it has an inner and outer layer, the inner layer is shorter with the roots of the plant reaching down into the outer pot which has a hole in the side.

Garden Center

With the help of H&R consultants, the company that arranged my housing and assists with general non-work related needs during my stay, I was able to visit this Garden center located about 8km from my home. <http://www.sanryo-g.com/index.html> This photo doesn't do the size of the place justice, it is about twice as large.This place was great! The prices were amazing, I picked up rosemary, two large morning glories with trellises, two hibiscus, a kiwi plant and the pots to go with all of them for 3545 yen (just under $35usd). Since it is off season they didn't have some of the herbs that I was hoping to find, I'll definatly be going back.

Sakae Matsuri

My friend from work, Ayumi, took me to a Summer Festival in Sakae in Nagoya this past weekend. To make the event more exciting she found a yukata for me to barrow and had her Mother In Law dress us for the event. It was am an amazing opportunity to attend a festival in authentic attire, but I learned that yukatas are designed strictly for straight figures and are deceptively tight and uncomfortable.

There was plenty of mysterious fried foods for sale, but bound by the Obi I had no appetite.


The highlight of the festival was a parade, it began with several school marching bands...


And continued with groups of dancers

Dead Battery

It has been one week since my car wouldn't start, as I tried to go to work. Fingers crossed that it works this morning. All it took to get it started was a jump, the battery wasn't dead but it was mysteriously low, especially considering that no accessories appeared to have been left on.

Yellow Kiwi Fruit

A few days ago, one of the girls that I eat lunch with brought her lunch to work rather than eating the cafeteria food. I was impressed to see one of the items she was eating was a yellow kiwi fruit, as opposed to the green that I am accustomed to. Intrigued, I visited the local International Supermarket (Hallo International 2) hoping to find a yellow kiwi of my own, I succeeded.
The taste was similar to a green kiwi, just slightly less tart and more fragrant. It would be a tough choice between a green or yellow kiwi fruit, I'd have to say I like both equally.

Start Up Procedure

I'm finally getting the start up flow for my Japanese car down
1. Unlock and open manual garage door
2. Grab passenger door handle to automatically unlock the car
3. Slide from passenger seat to driver seat.
4. Foot on break peddle and push start button
5. Disengage park break
6. Turn on emergency flashers
7. Pull out of garage
8. Open mirrors
9. Shut and lock garage (the car will run without the keys inside)
10. Insert Toll road card
11. Turn off emergency flashers

Combating High Produce Costs

My strategy for dealing with the high price of produce is to try growing some things myself. At home I was able to grow tomatoes and sometimes lettuce in pots on my deck.

On my balcony I am attempting to grow broccoli, lettuce, and sweet peas. In just 4 days two out of the three have sprouted, sticking the pots in the refrigerator for 2 days seams to have accelerated the germination process.
I'm still searching for a plant nursery were I can potentially find s potted citrus tree or grape vine to further enhance my balcony garden.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Greeting Dog

Each time I enter my apartment building I am greeted by this wooden dog and his snail friend. Why are they in the lobby? Don't ask me, neither is heavy enough to serve as a doorstop.

Toyota Commemorative Museum

As part of my ICT training I visited the Toyota Commemorative Museum today. The museum traced the history of Toyota Motor Corporation from its beginning as a spinning and weaving company to it's present condition. The Museum focused on the technological development and production, of the very few cars in the museum most were reproductions.

The museum also had a lens exhibit as it's rotating collection it featured various antique cameras, telescopes, microscopes and slide projectors. My favorite display was a demonstration of a 100 year old projector using re colored slides of photos from the same era.

Another display that I also enjoyed was the Toyota robots, built for the 2005 world expo held in Nagoya. The robots were built to play musical instruments.


*Apologies for the sideways video, if you have a suggestion for how to correct it please let me know!

Drop Cafe

Last Saturday night M, L and I met up with a friend, that we met in Japan, at The Drop Cafe (Just north of Issha station, 1min walking, on the west side of the street). The place has a fun atmosphere, cool droplet shaped light fixtures and light furniture make the place brighter than I had expected. The crowd was mix of young Japanese hipsters and older couples. The cocktail menu was extensive, however the drinks were half the size of what I am accustomed to, I tried the margarita and found it sadly watered down. With three of us being vegetarian or pescetarian we asked a server for recommendations of meals that did not contain meat, we ended up ordering margarita pizza, and cheese risotto, both of which had been recommended as vegetarian. The pizza was delicious, but small and the cheese risotto contained ham. My meal of a margarita and mini pizza cost approximately 1400yen, a bit pricey for my taste, but I'm still adjusting the cost of things here. If I return I'm likely to skip the alcoholic drinks and meals instead I'd try a smoothie or one of the deserts that prominently displayed in the entryway.

Pink Porsche

This pink Porsche is parked just down the street right off the main road next a lingerie shop of the same color.

9:00 am Announcement Truck

This morning at 9:00 this truck rolled down the street announcing something...something in Japanese that I wasn't even going to try and comprehend at that time on a Sunday morning. Please notice the megaphone attached to the top of the truck, slightly to the left, probably to keep from deafening the driver.

Bowling

Last weekend I received some coupons for free games of bowling, what a great way to experience bowling in Japan. Luckily the place, Hoshigaoka Bowling, had a website that directed us out the correct subway exit leaving us only two potential directions in which to walk. It was a little difficult to find, but with the help of an area store clerk we were able to find it. (Exit 6, walk to the left 3 minutes then up the stairs to second floor of the outdoor shopping center and it will be on your left).

I was impressed to find that it was a smoke-free facility with at least 50 lanes, mostly full of serious bowlers. The man, playing alone, in the lane next to us started out slow, but then continued to through strike after strike.

After my first strike the pins were stuck so the attendent had to take care of that for us. Before dashing out into the lane he put out a polite sign, below, reminding us not to bowl while he was in the lane.

Big Bugs Little Ice Cream

The Cicada bugs have been incredibly loud since I arrived. When a dead one ended up on my balcony I understood how the noise they are producing could be so loud.

In contrast to the size of the bugs, the size of ice cream servings is pretty small.

It's not the same spoon, but it is the same size spoon.

Small Car, Smaller Garage

The monthly cost of my garage amazes me, it's roughly 1/8th the price of my whole apartment. When my lease car (The oh so cool Ractis, with a glass roof) was delivered the delivery person insisted on parking the car in the garage himself as opposed to letting my risk scratching the car, with 6km on the odometer, because the garage is just that small.



The mirrors on the car must be folded in, a feature on (all?) cars here, halfway through the process of backing the car into the garage to make it fit. The first time I attempted to put the car in, I decided that I was going to stick with my American training and go in front first, as opposed to backing in. Lesson learned, the next day when I went to back the car out of the garage onto the one way street and found that my neighbor had parked a car on the street making in nearly impossible for me to get the car out. In a process of inching in one direction or another and then getting out of the car to check on my progress I managed to get out, but not without causing several of my elderly neighbors walking by to laugh at me.

Tie-Dye District

With the help of research done by my Mom, today, I ventured to the Tie-Dye district of Nagoya. My motivation of traveling to this area was finding a cloth to cover the ugly couch end table that I purchased from a local recycle (used furniture) shop. The information about this area provided to me was the following:

"Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Kaikan
60-1 Hashihigashiminami Arimatsu-cho, Midori-ku 458-0901 +81
(0)52 621 0111
Description A stop on the old Tokaido highway, Arimatsu over the years became famous for its production of shibori (tie-dyed fabrics). It continues today to produce quality textiles that are used for both traditional and modern fashions. This hall celebrates the town's history of tie-dye with exhibits of designs, processes and actual examples of the craft."

I was surprised by both the intricacy and the high cost of the products available. I certainly wouldn't have been able to afford anything large enough to cover a table.

Grocery Shopping Adjustment

Besides adjusting to to the difference in products available in the grocery stores, I'm also having to adjust to the high produce prices. The photo below is of a yellow tomato, red tomatoes were not available, that I purchased today. This tomato, shown in comparison to a matchbook, cost 150 yen or the equivalent of just under $1.50 usd.I'm about to cut into it, hopefully the taste lives up to the price.

Laundry Day

I've been told that in Japan a balcony is a utilitarian space rather than a place for relaxation. All the balconies are equipped with collapsible brackets to hold poles for drying laundry. My understanding is that most homes don't have clothes dryers and the dryers available are not designed to be vented outside like what I am accustomed to. During my Summer vacation I have enjoyed hanging my clothes to dry, it is a surprisingly quick process with the only downside being that my things end up a little bit stiff. I did rent a dryer, I tried it once, but I wont be using it again until it cools off around here. After a three hour drying time the most noticeable result was an already hot apartment turned into a sauna.