Around a month ago I ran into some friends on the street who invited me to go with them somewhere in the mountains for the weekend. They told me who to talk to to get the rest of the info so I gave him an email. He told me something about entering a boat race, and the total for the two day trip would be 8,000 yen, but I wasn't given any more info. Since 8,000 yen is less than 3 hours of teaching English conversation I paid, and committed to going.
The day came to go and I still had no idea what we were doing except for it involving a boat race. I met up with everyone going, three Japanese guys and a group of Californians, and we made our way to Yamanashi by way of electric trains, and a taxi to get to our cabin.
We were pleasantly surprised that we were in a cabin that overlooked Lake Kawaguchi, which sits near the base of Mt. Fuji. We had a fish dinner that came with our room and then finished the night with drinks and watching the 2008 European soccer championships. We watched World Champions Italy get held to a draw against Romania 1-1 in one of the best games I have ever watched. I even won some money on that but I chose not to collect it in the end. The game started around 12:45AM Japan time and ended around 3AM. The intensity of the game had us screaming at the top of our lungs at all the close calls!
Sucking up a GIANT spider in our kitchen
Jun turns red when he drinks
The chill-spot / soccer party
Ren, Jun, Noburo, Chelsea, Bora, Usagi, Davida, Justin, Kelsey
Looking at the lobby from a parking spot by our cabin
After turning 90 degrees to the right
Breakfast
I went to bed at 4AM, as the sky began turning from black to blue, and the stars started to fade. We woke up at 8 and ate our fish breakfast. I took a 15 minute nap, packed my stuff, and we all walked across the street to the lake for the apparent "rowing competition" we were about to partake in.
We were divided into two groups and went out on the lake with someone who had the skills to lead us. I am not sure who the people who owned the boats we used, or the people who led us out on the water, but they were very kind and also served us lunch.
Rowing was difficult and I didn't fit well in the special, sliding seats in the boats. After around 20 minutes of training, we entered a race with others who weren't that great at rowing, but also weren't beginners like us so we were the total underdogs. However, my group came in third our of four boats so I was very satisfied! Overall, it was an awesome experience and I had a blast!
Ready for some rowing!
There was some priceless "Engrish" spotted on the way home
(Caption needed)
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