Busy thinking of winter

The last few weeks have been really busy for me. We have had one sports day after another... First high school and junior high, then preschool, and then Ojika town sports day. Our staff softball team has begun playing in the softball league, but for some reason they decide to cram the season in to a span of 2 1/2 weeks. That means we have 3 games a week. I don't understand it at all.

Ojika also had some visitors from other pacific island nations who were here to exchange ideas on building economies and maintaining populations on the islands. There was one visitor from Fiji, one from Samoa, and one from Tonga. I had tea with the Fijian and a Japanese woman from my English conversation class. It was interesting to hear his ideas for helping bring tourism to these Japanese islands. The next night I went to hear the three of them give their final presentation to the Ojika community. They presented both on ideas that they had for Ojika, as well as things that they had learned from being here that they wanted to bring back to their islands.

Two common threads were community involvement in government and initiatives, and ecological sustainability. They also were very impressed with the incredible kindness of the residents on these islands.

It is true that the people of Ojika seem to be the key to their own prosperity in the future. Their initiative and ability to work together will determine whether they will be able to adapt to the changes they have recently seen. The fishing and agriculture based economy here is no longer able to sustain its population level, hence the decline from 10,000 to just 3,000 in 10 short years.

Tourism seems to be the direction the island needs to go if it wants to create more jobs and retain its population. They have begun to transition that way, but they still have a long way to go.

I hope to be able to help with some projects to encourage tourism while I am here. I have offered to make them a basic english language website, and update their visitor brochure. I'd also like to help them add English to places where tourists might like to visit... restaurants, shops, parks, beaches, etc.
The important thing, I think, is for the local community to spearhead the revitalization of their town. They should start with focusing on the rich history that exists here, as well as the natural beauty. Encouraging tourism in a place like this is not about creating artificial attrations for mass-amounts of your stereotypical tourists, it is about allowing people to experience traditional Japanese life, building on the history and beauty that is already here. There is a great deal of opportunity for that, it will just take some restoration work on the part of the island's residents.

Anyways, as you can see, I haven't had a great deal of free time lately. It has been enjoyable and tiring at the same time.

The weather is finally starting to change, fall seems to be making its way to the island. The temperature has been lower, and it is getting less humid as well. I am so glad to feel the cool breezes blowing out of the north, they make the days and nights so much more comfortable.
The main downside to this is that I find myself wanting to go for a walk through the woods, see the leaves changing color, and smell winter approaching on the air.

It is becoming clear to me that it will not be easy for me to not have winter. I love winter. I love the snow. There may be nothing better in the world than standing outside in the woods as huge white flakes fall silently all around. It ignites a spark in my soul, and always makes me happy.
It will be hard for me, but I will make it through. I'll need to visit northern Japan at least once, of course. Nagano, or Hokkaido when the snow is nice and deep.
This is one reason I've come to Japan, to discover and learn about myself. And one thing that I am realizing already is how important the seasons are to me, and how lucky I am to have lived in the places I have.

My voice sounds weird on video

Here's a quick video tour of my apartment...

Video of the Ferry

Sinlaku

Ok, I'm back to it.  The internet was hooked up in my apartment on Monday night, but I have been very busy the last week or two.  My community English conversation classes started last week and today was the first advanced class.  I am really enjoying teaching these, it gives me a chance to talk with people from the island about many different things.  It helps me to feel more like a part of the community.

The big news as far as I am concerned is Typhoon Sinlaku...  it seems as though it might head over this way sometime early next week.  I have never been in a typhoon before so it should be quite the experience.  When I was on Ooshima this week to teach at the elementary school, the farmers on the island were lashing down the coverings on the greenhouses in preparation of the storm.

The people here seem to be relatively used to this sort of thing happening.  They are not panicking or worried about it as far as I can tell.  In fact, people only talk about it if I ask them questions.  It definitely explains the elaborate drainage systems and reinforcements that are constructed all over the island.  I'm preparing for it, but not overly concerned.  I'll be updating and documenting what I can if this thing does head this way.

Thats all for now... more again soon.