Seinan continued... June 22, 2010 16:28

I wanted to share a few more of these pictures with everyone - I can't say enough about this school; the kids, the teachers and the building just radiated energy and inspiration.

Seinan Gakuin Elementary School June 21, 2010 23:18

I'll post more from today a little later, but I wanted to get this in right away.  We were invited to the most amazing and beautiful school this morning, where we visited with some very talented young artists.

Drawing session at Seinan Gakuin

Sapporo June 20, 2010 17:44

We flew from Tokyo to Sapporo last night.  It was immediately cooler, and foggy.  They picked us up at the airport in a medium-sized bus.  I immediately staked out the backmost seat and curled up in the corner.  We drove through what looked like woods for a long time, and I finally couldn't stay awake anymore.

So we're here in the hotel for the day.  All I know about Sapporo is that its North, we're on a different island, and there are bears on this island.  Since we got here last night and I was basically asleep the entire walk to my room, I woke up and remembered only that someone had said something about bears being in the vicinity.  I didn't even know there were bears anywhere in Japan.  So I opened my window hoping to see trees and anime-style bears with giant heads hanging around with girls dressed like sailors and maybe a few robots.  But I only saw a a city.  So I went out this morning to take a look around, and sure enough there were a whole lot of backpackers in the lobby.  Going looking for the bears and robots, no doubt.

This city is really pretty, and there is a big park/campus near the hotel.  These bicycles were parked on the street next to that park, and I thought they looked rather peaceful in the cool morning air.

I should also mention that the instant I took this picture a twenty-pound crow smacked me in the back of my head with his wing.  On purpose.  Then he sat on a branch above me, yelling something.

Morning in Sapporo

Tiny Dinner Creatures June 19, 2010 16:52

I couldn't get on with my day till I posted just one more picture from dinner the night before.  I'm not sure what the official name of these little fellows is, but I call them "Tiny delicious crab friends that I eat as many of as I can."   They are very, very small, as you can see by the size of the chopsticks.  I have mixed feelings about this, as I find them cute, and even a little frightened-looking.  But they are so good.  And there is something nice about eating all of them in one bite.  Like when I ate a bunch of ants on a dare.  And maybe a spider once.

Tiny Crab Dinner

Sake should be..... June 19, 2010 12:59

....square. I've searched and searched for these in the states, and haven't found them yet. Crisp and thick cedar boxes for sake. They immediately infuse the drink with their wooden tone. The other thing I've noticed is that drinking square drinks make you feel less yucky in the morning.  Clearly the edges and corners have some dramatic effect inside you, though I'm not sure what it is.  More study is necessary.