This blog will be stuffed with four different events: My first time driving a tractor, the last Hawaii Food Night at Akita International University, Balancing a 100 pound bamboo pole on my head, and playing in a play place for adults!
Not too long ago I went to a farm to work and earn myself some bamboo poles. Why Bamboo? So that I can build me my own set of Takeuma, or Japanese stilts. Ever since my very first experience riding them, I have wanted to make them. Surprisingly, however, Japan or at least Akita doesn’t have much Bamboo. I live next to a bunch of forest, and I can tell you that there is hardly any bamboo. Being that there is no bamboo, a friend of mine took me to a man who had some and was willing to give them away for a few hours of working with him.
Luckily for me, I got to drive a tractor! Although it was only like a few feet of driving, I still got to drive it! It was lots of fun! I can say that doing farm work is very satisfying. You don’t really have to think about what you do. Once you get the main jist of what you need to do, it all becomes very easy. However, this is only coming from a few hours of experience, so I guess it doesn’t count.
The Last Hawaii Food Night was a success! Of course, instead of just cooking rice this time, I was also given the responsibility of cooking Meat Jun, Mochiko Chicken, Macaroni Salad, Pineapple Li Hing Mui, and Somen Salad. I have to tell you, cooking those many things for over 30 people is tough.
Although it was our last time having the Hawaii Night, we had a lot to eat! Everybody had seconds and there were still leftovers in the end. Just the way I like it! After all, people should eat until they’re full. It was a sad thing that it was our last Hawaii Food Night, but I’m glad and thankful that we planned it. Thank you to Keane, it was a great success!
Every week since the beginning of my study abroad, I have been training and practicing Akita’s traditional Kanto with Akita International University’s Kanto Team. Like I explained in my previous post, it is a traditional performance where people balance a bamboo pole using different parts of their body. These bamboo poles are decorated with so many lanterns that at its full weight it will weigh 100 pounds.
 Lately, I have been balancing the pole with not only my hands, but my shoulder, head, and hip. So far, I’ve got everything down except the hip. I still can’t stay still when I balance it there |  |
This team is known for being one of the most strict club activities in the school. They not only enforce a hierarchal system in their team, but also proper and improper speaking. The younger generation must speak with respect, while the older generation must teach the younger generation the tradition of the team.
Again, I’ve visited Round One’s Spocha, a place where you can play as many various sports-like activities for a small price of $15 at the entrance. The first thing we did when we got there was roller skating! It was quite fun, but my favorite game there would have to be billiards. Although it takes a long time before it becomes your turn, something about trying to hit the balls into the different holes keeps you playing.
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