会津篇

The good thing about my job is that they are really serious about promoting internationalization. One of the programmes that was organised with this in mind is the homestay in Aizu. Although it was only a short stay of about 3 days, I was fortunate to have been able to bond with my family and especially, the kids! I also got to know a really subarashii family from China. And guess what, I've already been back there once already! My homestay family, with whom I stayed both times, is expecting a newborn this month. On my next visit, I'll probably get to see a cute and chubby addition to the family!















My homestay family (the Satos!)















Dad holding the obachan Tonoko and Granny, the sjuper-djuper noisy (but friendly) Yumeko.















The famous Tsurugajo Castle. The famous traditional Japanese song, "Kojo no tsuki" (荒城之月）（荒城の月）, was supposedly written with this castle as its theme.















The magnificent view from the top of the castle. On this day, the Aizu Matsuri, a major festival in Aizu, was held and the participants gather here at the square for the rituals.













































:O Is that a ... gaijin (foreigner) I see in the midst of the procession?!　3人もいるんだ！






























Shiho, my homestay daughter, looking solemn at a separate display. This is the second year she's participating in this.
Below: The kids and me making akabekos (a red cow thing). Can you even tell that I'm not local? lol. It is supposedly easier for people who look like Japanese to forge friendships with them (I'm not talking about the over-the-board wannabes who probably wanna befriend the local bengs and lians, smirkz), since the constant visual reminder of one's status as a gaijin is not present. But then, on the flip side ...

This is Ma Jiali's family, the Chinese family I was talking about at the beginning. 彼らのおかげで、回転すし屋で素晴らしい晩御飯をいただきました。きっと、今度も会いましょうね！