My last IUJ recap was for the 2016/2017 academic year. I will now recap the summer break that took place after.
I went back home for Raya celebrations and it was nice to be able to celebrate with my family and friends. It did mean however, that I missed the Class of 2017's graduation ceremony. Being back was nice and I know I ate a lot. I spent around a month at home and then returned to IUJ in August to start my stint as a facilitator for the Intensive English Programme. It was not too bad but I do think that I lack superb people skill that would make it easier for me. One good thing about returning to IUJ early (apart from the money earned from being facilitator) was getting to spend time with my friends who would finish their course in August. These were the people that took 1-year courses such as E-biz and International MBA.
We went to the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, which had the most amazing fireworks display I had ever seen in my entire life. My photos didn't do justice to it though, this is the best I have.
It was so crowded that even the nearby malls had long queues for people wanting to buy food or go to the toilet :P The Koide Fireworks Festival was a more subdued affair but no less enjoyable. We had a picnic by the river and ate as we watched the fireworks display above the river.
Summer is a time of summer dance and my friends and I took part in the Tokamachi Summer Festival. We gathered at IUJ to wear kimono with the assistance of wonderful local people who lent us the kimonos and helped us wear it. We then traveled to Tokamachi where a guide with the Tokamachi tourist association showed us around town, took us to a tea ceremony (my first official tea ceremony) and various places of interest. We also got to sample some local desserts as we walked around town.
We were wearing traditional Japanese slippers but it was surprisingly okay. I had worried about how I would go to the toilet in the kimono but it was manageable. At night, we took part in the traditional summer dance which involved walking and dancing along the main street in Tokamachi. It was fun and interesting, although a little tiring towards the end (after all, we had been walking the whole day).Back on campus, we had BBQ party and pancake party. I went cycling a lot too (now that I had a bicycle from my senpai).
I started by cycling to Toda Store/7-11 but then gradually went further to Lawson, near the hospital and Yummy Ice Cream. The Lawson route is my favourite route as it is further and more scenic. I would often cycle to Lawson or 7-11 to buy bento or groceries.
One thing I noticed about summer is the visibility of insects around town. There were cicadas, dragonflies, moths and grasshoppers. I managed to take some photos of them. There were many frogs too; the frogs here are cute and small.
Apart from insects, certain flowers make an appearance in summer too. My friend and I took a day trip to Tambara Lavendar Park in Gunma.
Before the new term started, we went to Tokyo for a short trip and also to see a graduating friend off. We visited a cat shrine and the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.
The museum was smaller than I expected but it still felt magical. We also managed to catch a short Ghibli movie. It was in Japanese with no subtitles and I understood a little but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the movie.While in Tokyo we stayed at one of our friend's apartment; she had graduated and was working in Tokyo. At one time, there were five of us staying there! It might seem a little crowded but it was all right :)
The summer in IUJ may have been hot and humid but I loved it because the sky was blue and clear on most days. The rainy season was over by the time I returned to IUJ and almost every day was picture perfect, including the lovely sunsets.
No comments:
Post a Comment