Yatsushiro 2 - Class Trips (6/17-6/18)

Our first "lesson" was a community class held at Yoko's school, wherein we were all "taught" how to use the Internet. It was very enlightening! (Not.) Here we see Justin, James, Jason, an ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:30 -0700

Heather Meadows
Our first "lesson" was a community class held at Yoko's school, wherein we were all "taught" how to use the Internet. It was very enlightening! (Not.) Here we see Justin, James, Jason, an ...

I think I spent most of my time during this class reading email. (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:31 -0700

Heather Meadows
I think I spent most of my time during this class reading email. (6/17)

Walking around the school to wait for our ride. (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:31 -0700

Heather Meadows
Walking around the school to wait for our ride. (6/17)

Yoko's school. (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:32 -0700

Heather Meadows
Yoko's school. (6/17)

Yoko's school. (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:32 -0700

Heather Meadows
Yoko's school. (6/17)

Waiting outside Yoko's school for our ride. (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:33 -0700

Heather Meadows
Waiting outside Yoko's school for our ride. (6/17)

Brandon and James, plus a guy we met on the bus who was in Yatsushiro as a high school exchange student. He had already picked up quite a bit of Japanese. As usual, I forget his name. (6/ ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:34 -0700

Heather Meadows
Brandon and James, plus a guy we met on the bus who was in Yatsushiro as a high school exchange student. He had already picked up quite a bit of Japanese. As usual, I forget his name. (6/ ...

Justin and Jason on the bus. We were heading off on our second field trip, to an apparently famous farm in the area. (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:34 -0700

Heather Meadows
Justin and Jason on the bus. We were heading off on our second field trip, to an apparently famous farm in the area. (6/17)

Greenhouses (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:35 -0700

Heather Meadows
Greenhouses (6/17)

Greenhouses and the cutest little truck you've ever seen! (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:36 -0700

Heather Meadows
Greenhouses and the cutest little truck you've ever seen! (6/17)

Everyone bought $10 melons for their host families except me, because I'm horribly horribly cheap. Note: cheap is not something to be when you're in Japan. You are supposed to buy presents ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:37 -0700

Heather Meadows
Everyone bought $10 melons for their host families except me, because I'm horribly horribly cheap. Note: cheap is not something to be when you're in Japan. You are supposed to buy presents ...

Inside the greenhouse. (6/17)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:38 -0700

Heather Meadows
Inside the greenhouse. (6/17)

This building (house?) was visible out the window at IEC where we had class with the Japanese students. I'm not really sure what you'd call that class--a "cultural exchange" class, maybe? ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:38 -0700

Heather Meadows
This building (house?) was visible out the window at IEC where we had class with the Japanese students. I'm not really sure what you'd call that class--a "cultural exchange" class, maybe? ...

Here's the IEC building, over a hill. We were walking to a combini to grab some drinks/snacks. (6/18) IEC九州国際カレッジ専門 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:39 -0700

Heather Meadows
Here's the IEC building, over a hill. We were walking to a combini to grab some drinks/snacks. (6/18) IEC九州国際カレッジ専門 ...

Look at all that liquor! This is not at IEC. ;> (6/18)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:40 -0700

Heather Meadows
Look at all that liquor! This is not at IEC. ;> (6/18)

(6/18)" title="Look at all that liquor! This is not at IEC. ;> (6/18)" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" />

Back at IEC, we hung out in the small parking shelter and had our snacks. Smokers also smoked. After awhile we were asked not to hang out here, due to the smoking, and the fact that a kind ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:41 -0700

Heather Meadows
Back at IEC, we hung out in the small parking shelter and had our snacks. Smokers also smoked. After awhile we were asked not to hang out here, due to the smoking, and the fact that a kind ...

Jason and a bunch of IEC students. (6/18) IEC九州国際カレッジ専門学校：〒866-0896　熊Ĉ ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:41 -0700

Heather Meadows
Jason and a bunch of IEC students. (6/18) IEC九州国際カレッジ専門学校：〒866-0896　熊Ĉ ...

Today's field trip brought us to a spa. Apparently the baths are very nice here. I wouldn't know, as we weren't allowed to bathe, for whatever reason. I got the impression that they weren ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:42 -0700

Heather Meadows
Today's field trip brought us to a spa. Apparently the baths are very nice here. I wouldn't know, as we weren't allowed to bathe, for whatever reason. I got the impression that they weren ...

We took advantage of the massage chairs in the spa. I believe it was 100 yen for half an hour, which we considered very worth it. Brandon and Jason are taking their turns in this photo. ( ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:43 -0700

Heather Meadows
We took advantage of the massage chairs in the spa. I believe it was 100 yen for half an hour, which we considered very worth it. Brandon and Jason are taking their turns in this photo. ( ...

The very pretty entranceway to the spa. (6/18) さかもと温泉センター球麗温（クレオ ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:44 -0700

Heather Meadows
The very pretty entranceway to the spa. (6/18) さかもと温泉センター球麗温（クレオ ...

Across the landing in the spa. That tatami room is filled with traditional tables where people could sit and eat. (6/18) さかもと温泉セン ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:44 -0700

Heather Meadows
Across the landing in the spa. That tatami room is filled with traditional tables where people could sit and eat. (6/18) さかもと温泉セン ...

Skylights and a pretty decent view of the mountains. Nice. (6/18) さかもと温泉センター球麗温（ク ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:45 -0700

Heather Meadows
Skylights and a pretty decent view of the mountains. Nice. (6/18) さかもと温泉センター球麗温（ク ...

After being refused service at the spa we headed off again. I don't know what that building is, but it looks neat! (6/18)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:46 -0700

Heather Meadows
After being refused service at the spa we headed off again. I don't know what that building is, but it looks neat! (6/18)

Hills around the spa (6/18)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:46 -0700

Heather Meadows
Hills around the spa (6/18)

Um, now we're in a parking lot...that's Nakatsuru-sensei in the foreground. (6/18)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:47 -0700

Heather Meadows
Um, now we're in a parking lot...that's Nakatsuru-sensei in the foreground. (6/18)

Here's Jason and his host brother, Gan...who, for the record, is totally hot. During this trip he was very nice to me, and I felt stupid for not knowing his language better. And yes, I was ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:48 -0700

Heather Meadows
Here's Jason and his host brother, Gan...who, for the record, is totally hot. During this trip he was very nice to me, and I felt stupid for not knowing his language better. And yes, I was ...

Ah, the purpose of our trip...Sakamoto Hachiryu Astronomical Observatory! (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:49 -0700

Heather Meadows
Ah, the purpose of our trip...Sakamoto Hachiryu Astronomical Observatory! (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八 ...

A view of the city below. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:50 -0700

Heather Meadows
A view of the city below. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

The observatory. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中谷& ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:50 -0700

Heather Meadows
The observatory. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中谷& ...

Another view of the city of Yatsushiro below. Man, I love canals. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:51 -0700

Heather Meadows
Another view of the city of Yatsushiro below. Man, I love canals. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代 ...

Heading up to the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:52 -0700

Heather Meadows
Heading up to the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

You can just make out something in the distance...maybe (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市&# ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:52 -0700

Heather Meadows
You can just make out something in the distance...maybe (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市&# ...

The city again. And some flowers! (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:53 -0700

Heather Meadows
The city again. And some flowers! (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

Hills stretching off into infinity... (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:54 -0700

Heather Meadows
Hills stretching off into infinity... (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

Nakatsuru-sensei, drinking a Coke. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:55 -0700

Heather Meadows
Nakatsuru-sensei, drinking a Coke. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

This is a pretty decent shot of the city. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:55 -0700

Heather Meadows
This is a pretty decent shot of the city. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

Justin. Was he pretending to be a zombie, or threatening to hurl my camera off the side of the mountain? You decide. (6/18) さかもと八竜天 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:56 -0700

Heather Meadows
Justin. Was he pretending to be a zombie, or threatening to hurl my camera off the side of the mountain? You decide. (6/18) さかもと八竜天 ...

Entering the observatory, Justin and Brandon up front. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:56 -0700

Heather Meadows
Entering the observatory, Justin and Brandon up front. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市 ...

This telescope is used to look at the sun. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:57 -0700

Heather Meadows
This telescope is used to look at the sun. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

This gentleman explained how the telescope worked. The monitor shows the sun as seen through the telescope. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文ࡤ ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:57 -0700

Heather Meadows
This gentleman explained how the telescope worked. The monitor shows the sun as seen through the telescope. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文ࡤ ...

Another aerial photo, this time from the top of the observatory. I seem to have a "thing" for going to the highest possible place and then taking pictures of the land below. (6/18) ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:58 -0700

Heather Meadows
Another aerial photo, this time from the top of the observatory. I seem to have a "thing" for going to the highest possible place and then taking pictures of the land below. (6/18) ...

And another. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中谷は ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:59 -0700

Heather Meadows
And another. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中谷は ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:58:59 -0700

Heather Meadows
Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中Ŧ ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:59:00 -0700

Heather Meadows
Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中Ŧ ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:59:01 -0700

Heather Meadows
Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

I saw this weird animal and had to get a photo. Even with digital zoom I couldn't get very close. This picture is cropped. Anyone know what it is? I think it's a wild boar... (6/18)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:59:02 -0700

Heather Meadows
I saw this weird animal and had to get a photo. Even with digital zoom I couldn't get very close. This picture is cropped. Anyone know what it is? I think it's a wild boar... (6/18)

IEC dudes! and Justin. (6/18)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:59:03 -0700

Heather Meadows
IEC dudes! and Justin. (6/18)

I should know the name of this canal/river/whatever, as I spent quite a bit of time crossing it while in Yatsushiro. But I do not. (Anaguma informs me that it is a branch of the Kuma River ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:59:05 -0700

Heather Meadows
I should know the name of this canal/river/whatever, as I spent quite a bit of time crossing it while in Yatsushiro. But I do not. (Anaguma informs me that it is a branch of the Kuma River ...

The side of the water on which the Matsumotos, my host family, live. You cannot, however, see their part of town in this picture...it's more to the right. (6/18)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:59:05 -0700

Heather Meadows
The side of the water on which the Matsumotos, my host family, live. You cannot, however, see their part of town in this picture...it's more to the right. (6/18)

Crossing the river/canal/thingy. (6/18)

nobody@smugmug.com (Heather Meadows) — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 10:59:06 -0700

Heather Meadows
Crossing the river/canal/thingy. (6/18)

Yatsushiro 2 - Class Trips (6/17-6/18)

Our first "lesson" was a community class held at Yoko's school, wherein we were all "taught" how to use the Internet. It was very enlightening! (Not.) Here we see Justin, James, Jason, an ...

I think I spent most of my time during this class reading email. (6/17)

Walking around the school to wait for our ride. (6/17)

Yoko's school. (6/17)

Yoko's school. (6/17)

Waiting outside Yoko's school for our ride. (6/17)

Brandon and James, plus a guy we met on the bus who was in Yatsushiro as a high school exchange student. He had already picked up quite a bit of Japanese. As usual, I forget his name. (6/ ...

Justin and Jason on the bus. We were heading off on our second field trip, to an apparently famous farm in the area. (6/17)

Greenhouses (6/17)

Greenhouses and the cutest little truck you've ever seen! (6/17)

Everyone bought $10 melons for their host families except me, because I'm horribly horribly cheap. Note: cheap is not something to be when you're in Japan. You are supposed to buy presents ...

Inside the greenhouse. (6/17)

This building (house?) was visible out the window at IEC where we had class with the Japanese students. I'm not really sure what you'd call that class--a "cultural exchange" class, maybe? ...

Here's the IEC building, over a hill. We were walking to a combini to grab some drinks/snacks. (6/18) IEC九州国際カレッジ専門 ...

Look at all that liquor! This is not at IEC. ;> (6/18)

Back at IEC, we hung out in the small parking shelter and had our snacks. Smokers also smoked. After awhile we were asked not to hang out here, due to the smoking, and the fact that a kind ...

Jason and a bunch of IEC students. (6/18) IEC九州国際カレッジ専門学校：〒866-0896 熊Ĉ ...

Today's field trip brought us to a spa. Apparently the baths are very nice here. I wouldn't know, as we weren't allowed to bathe, for whatever reason. I got the impression that they weren ...

We took advantage of the massage chairs in the spa. I believe it was 100 yen for half an hour, which we considered very worth it. Brandon and Jason are taking their turns in this photo. ( ...

The very pretty entranceway to the spa. (6/18) さかもと温泉センター球麗温（クレオ ...

Across the landing in the spa. That tatami room is filled with traditional tables where people could sit and eat. (6/18) さかもと温泉セン ...

Skylights and a pretty decent view of the mountains. Nice. (6/18) さかもと温泉センター球麗温（ク ...

After being refused service at the spa we headed off again. I don't know what that building is, but it looks neat! (6/18)

Hills around the spa (6/18)

Um, now we're in a parking lot...that's Nakatsuru-sensei in the foreground. (6/18)

Here's Jason and his host brother, Gan...who, for the record, is totally hot. During this trip he was very nice to me, and I felt stupid for not knowing his language better. And yes, I was ...

Ah, the purpose of our trip...Sakamoto Hachiryu Astronomical Observatory! (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八 ...

A view of the city below. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

The observatory. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町中谷& ...

Another view of the city of Yatsushiro below. Man, I love canals. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代 ...

Heading up to the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

You can just make out something in the distance...maybe (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市&# ...

The city again. And some flowers! (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

Hills stretching off into infinity... (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本 ...

Nakatsuru-sensei, drinking a Coke. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

This is a pretty decent shot of the city. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本 ...

Justin. Was he pretending to be a zombie, or threatening to hurl my camera off the side of the mountain? You decide. (6/18) さかもと八竜天 ...

Entering the observatory, Justin and Brandon up front. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市 ...

This telescope is used to look at the sun. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本 ...

This gentleman explained how the telescope worked. The monitor shows the sun as seen through the telescope. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文ࡤ ...

Another aerial photo, this time from the top of the observatory. I seem to have a "thing" for going to the highest possible place and then taking pictures of the land below. (6/18) ...

And another. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町中谷は ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町中Ŧ ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台 熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

I saw this weird animal and had to get a photo. Even with digital zoom I couldn't get very close. This picture is cropped. Anyone know what it is? I think it's a wild boar... (6/18)

IEC dudes! and Justin. (6/18)

I should know the name of this canal/river/whatever, as I spent quite a bit of time crossing it while in Yatsushiro. But I do not. (Anaguma informs me that it is a branch of the Kuma River ...

The side of the water on which the Matsumotos, my host family, live. You cannot, however, see their part of town in this picture...it's more to the right. (6/18)

Crossing the river/canal/thingy. (6/18)

Jason and a bunch of IEC students. (6/18) IEC九州国際カレッジ専門学校：〒866-0896　熊Ĉ ...

Ah, the purpose of our trip...Sakamoto Hachiryu Astronomical Observatory! (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八 ...

A view of the city below. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

The observatory. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中谷& ...

Another view of the city of Yatsushiro below. Man, I love canals. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代 ...

Heading up to the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

You can just make out something in the distance...maybe (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市&# ...

The city again. And some flowers! (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

Hills stretching off into infinity... (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

Nakatsuru-sensei, drinking a Coke. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町 ...

This is a pretty decent shot of the city. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

Justin. Was he pretending to be a zombie, or threatening to hurl my camera off the side of the mountain? You decide. (6/18) さかもと八竜天 ...

Entering the observatory, Justin and Brandon up front. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市 ...

This telescope is used to look at the sun. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本 ...

And another. (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中谷は ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中Ŧ ...

Inside the observatory (6/18) さかもと八竜天文台熊本県八代市坂本町中 ...