Yamagata (6/3-6/4)

Bright and early, we waited for a bus to take us to Hirashimizu Pottery. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:09 -0800

Heather Meadows
Bright and early, we waited for a bus to take us to Hirashimizu Pottery. (Yamagata)

James, Todd, and Brandon examine the bus map to make sure we have the right time. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:24 -0800

Heather Meadows
James, Todd, and Brandon examine the bus map to make sure we have the right time. (Yamagata)

Inoue-sensei "borrows" a bicycle to rest on while we wait for the bus. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:09 -0800

Heather Meadows
Inoue-sensei "borrows" a bicycle to rest on while we wait for the bus. (Yamagata)

Finally on the bus, heading to Hirashimizu. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:11 -0800

Heather Meadows
Finally on the bus, heading to Hirashimizu. (Yamagata)

After the bus dropped us off, we had to walk to Hirashimizu. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:27 -0800

Heather Meadows
After the bus dropped us off, we had to walk to Hirashimizu. (Yamagata)

After the bus dropped us off, we had to walk to Hirashimizu. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:29 -0800

Heather Meadows
After the bus dropped us off, we had to walk to Hirashimizu. (Yamagata)

Freshly-dug clay, Hirashimizu Pottery, Yamagata

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:30 -0800

Heather Meadows
Freshly-dug clay, Hirashimizu Pottery, Yamagata

The Hirashimizu courtyard, complete with Hello Kitty's bunny friend. My mom thinks the bunny is horribly tacky. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:32 -0800

Heather Meadows
The Hirashimizu courtyard, complete with Hello Kitty's bunny friend. My mom thinks the bunny is horribly tacky. (Yamagata)

Pottery waiting to be glazed and fired, Hirashimizu, Yamagata

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:11 -0800

Heather Meadows
Pottery waiting to be glazed and fired, Hirashimizu, Yamagata

Pottery workers, Hirashimizu, Yamagata

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:33 -0800

Heather Meadows
Pottery workers, Hirashimizu, Yamagata

This master potter did not want me to take his picture. (Hirashimizu, Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:34 -0800

Heather Meadows
This master potter did not want me to take his picture. (Hirashimizu, Yamagata)

This master potter did not want me to take his picture. (Hirashimizu, Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:12 -0800

Heather Meadows
This master potter did not want me to take his picture. (Hirashimizu, Yamagata)

Todd was explaining something here that I don't remember. This is where the pottery is fired.

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:12 -0800

Heather Meadows
Todd was explaining something here that I don't remember. This is where the pottery is fired.

Some finished products (Hirashimizu, Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:13 -0800

Heather Meadows
Some finished products (Hirashimizu, Yamagata)

While we waited for my credit card to clear so I could purchase the tea set, the salesperson served us tea and engaged us in conversation. I was wandering around gazing rapturously at all th ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:13 -0800

Heather Meadows
While we waited for my credit card to clear so I could purchase the tea set, the salesperson served us tea and engaged us in conversation. I was wandering around gazing rapturously at all th ...

Heather Meadows' photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:15 -0800

Heather Meadows

Finally, my new tea set in tow, we hiked back to the bus stop. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:16 -0800

Heather Meadows
Finally, my new tea set in tow, we hiked back to the bus stop. (Yamagata)

On the way to the bus stop, I saaw this dilapedated building (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:18 -0800

Heather Meadows
On the way to the bus stop, I saaw this dilapedated building (Yamagata)

The bus stop. James took this picture so I could be in it. Inoue-sensei, Brandon, me, Jason, Todd, and Justin. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:20 -0800

Heather Meadows
The bus stop. James took this picture so I could be in it. Inoue-sensei, Brandon, me, Jason, Todd, and Justin. (Yamagata)

Back on the bus (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:21 -0800

Heather Meadows
Back on the bus (Yamagata)

This is a bus ticket, and my fare. You can see the bag with my new tea set in it and my backpack. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:22 -0800

Heather Meadows
This is a bus ticket, and my fare. You can see the bag with my new tea set in it and my backpack. (Yamagata)

I can't get enough of these billboard-buildings...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:23 -0800

Heather Meadows
I can't get enough of these billboard-buildings...

At the bank, exchanging money. Brandon and Justin are in the foreground, and Todd is giving us the V for Victoly! (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:24 -0800

Heather Meadows
At the bank, exchanging money. Brandon and Justin are in the foreground, and Todd is giving us the V for Victoly! (Yamagata)

Justin

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:01:59 -0800

Heather Meadows
Justin

Jason and James

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:00 -0800

Heather Meadows
Jason and James

Rice paddies, with Chokai-san, a volcano, barely visible in the background

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:01 -0800

Heather Meadows
Rice paddies, with Chokai-san, a volcano, barely visible in the background

Chokai-san, a volcano

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:01 -0800

Heather Meadows
Chokai-san, a volcano

Chokai-san, a volcano

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:02 -0800

Heather Meadows
Chokai-san, a volcano

Brandon, Todd, and Inoue-sensei, in a row!

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:03 -0800

Heather Meadows
Brandon, Todd, and Inoue-sensei, in a row!

My room at Yamashiroya Ryokan. Here you see my futon and yukata. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:03 -0800

Heather Meadows
My room at Yamashiroya Ryokan. Here you see my futon and yukata. (Yamagata)

My room at Yamashiroya Ryokan. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:04 -0800

Heather Meadows
My room at Yamashiroya Ryokan. (Yamagata)

My room at Yamashiroya Ryokan. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:05 -0800

Heather Meadows
My room at Yamashiroya Ryokan. (Yamagata)

My room at Yamashiroya Ryokan. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:05 -0800

Heather Meadows
My room at Yamashiroya Ryokan. (Yamagata)

James (not pictured), Justin, Inoue-sensei and I found a soba shop that night. (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:06 -0800

Heather Meadows
James (not pictured), Justin, Inoue-sensei and I found a soba shop that night. (Yamagata)

James at the soba shop (Yamagata)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:06 -0800

Heather Meadows
James at the soba shop (Yamagata)

James poses in the Yamagata night.

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:07 -0800

Heather Meadows
James poses in the Yamagata night.

YOU!

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:02:08 -0800

Heather Meadows
YOU!