This camp, held by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was for adults, which was cool because they people actually really wanted to participate and were willing to make fools of themselves speaking English, which is an effort rarely exerted by jr. high schoolers. Most of the 50 or so participants were young, and a number of them were from the local Self-Defense Force (SDF - Japan's army). I've never met such pleasant, good-humoured, and good-looking army people before!
As we got to know each other more, some of the Japanese participants told me, with laughter, that they didn't know if I was a participant or instructor; one guy, while we were gathered around a bbq for supper, said to me, (in Japanese), "man, you're English is really good, isn't it?".
This cute couple are both SDF veterans... how old do you think she is? She's THIRTY-ONE! And he's thirty-two. I thought she was my age! And their two-year-old son is adorable.
There was a "cultural" thing - a kodo concert, and it was amazing. A kodo is a long wooden 12-stringed instrument that is plucked with one's fingers. The synchronization of these four women playing was incredible.
This was breakfast. Common Japanese breakfasts include a bowl of rice, miso soup, and maybe "natto", a nasty, slimy dish of fermented soybeans that most foreigners balk at (and most Japanese love).
Two of the most unlikely girls in the army - Hiroko and "Yachan" (I forget her real name, but this is her nickname). So cute.
Kana and I drinking tea that was presented to us in the tea ceremony. The tea is like an expresso version of regular green tea - intense.
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