Saturday, November 10, 2012

Weekly Report 3


ini report agak lebay, saya buatnya nyantai karna kata koor cuma ceritain perasaan kita aja. Jadi yah......

September 22nd, 2012
The next day after we arrived in Tono rural area, we went for hiking. It was autumn already, so I felt so cold in the morning. I even wore 3 clothes, but I still didn’t feel warm. We went hiking to Kasanokayou Mountain about more than 800 meters height. We hiked with some local students and later I just noticed that we already met them in Tono Festival. Is Tono that small or maybe not many populations live in? Anyway, it was very exciting but to be honest, it was tiring as well. I often go in mountainous area for field trip because my major is geography and environmental science. However, I still do not really like hiking, but it was so enjoyable and nice view on the top of mountain. Having onigiri for lunch with so many funny friends and their unique personality I usually laugh at. I will not get this moment back in my home country.

September 25th, 2012
            On this day, we had to wear formal suit. I did not expect that you and the other boys would wear very nice suit. I mean, I thought it would be just like attending lecture at class. At least we have to wear decent and proper clothes. By the way, you guys were looking good J so we went to Iwate prefectural government office to meet the governor. It was an honor to meet him. He briefly explained about Great East Japan Earthquake and I was excited to hear it. I was about to ask a question, but then the moderator said that we were running out of time. Anyway, I was really happy that they welcomed us very nice. We got small badge or pin of Iwate. It was so cool. This day was fun.

September 26th, 2012
            On Wednesday, we went to JOCA office to get information about what we are going to do in Tono. We were asked to present our feeling, challenge and favor during this program. Everyone was feeling happy. Most of challenges were about Japanese language and food. The last, we would like to be a big help for Japanese people and not to be a burden. We want the world to know the actual news and what is going on in Japan, so we will spread these precious experiences and knowledge.
            After having lunch, we went to Disaster Prevention Center in Tono that was just built right after the Great East Japan Earthquake. We also got lecture from Tono mayor. It was very interesting, and I wish I could clearly understand what the translator said L you know what I mean... Since I could not hear it clearly, I did not know when the question or comment session was. Whereas, I had prepared one question that I wanted to ask.
            Tono mayor told us how important Tono is for recovery after natural disaster. Tono is located in the middle of Iwate prefecture. It only takes one hour by land to reach Kamaishi, coastal area, where Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami took place. It takes about one hour and half to reach Morioka, the capital city of Iwate prefecture. Besides, Tono is surrounded by mountains and located in inter-mountain basins area. It got strong granite stone covered all over the place, so Tono can withstand with earthquake and it will be a safer place. Because of this strategic location and its geology, Tono mayor conducted a Backup Aid for helping the victims of natural disaster. This great idea blew me away. He was so impressive! Moreover, Tono’s citizens are really nice people. They help everything they can do. What a beautiful bond Japanese people have! I will see if this method can be also used in my home country. We also got to see the awesomeness of Disaster Prevention Center building. There are some devices that can connect with telephone line without cable for three days, if I am not mistaken. The foundation is made by modern technique so that it will be more resist with earthquake and there will not be many movements of building due to earthquake. I cannot describe more detail because I could not hear clearly what the translator said. Over all this building is so amazing!

September 27th, 2012
            This morning we went to JOCA office to have orientation about farming. JOCA rent an abandoned land from local people here. JOCA cultivated the land to be planted with brown paddy and become rice fields. That was so cool to know how JOCA take every effort to make this works, such as giving pesticide to cure the pest that infected the plants. They really take care of this rice fields. Even the harvest will be sent to Malawi to feed hunger people over there. So touching! This project takes a lot of money and they will not get any profit from it. I am amazed with JOCA! In the afternoon, we helped the farmers to bring the long woods to farm fields. Though I don’t know what it was for, but I am happy to do anything helpful. The farmers said they ever saw us on TV. I wish I could watch it too or record it L

September 28th, 2012
            We went to Kamaishi city, the coastal area of Iwate prefecture. There were so many sad stories about surviving during the Great East Japan Earthquake, like how school students ran desperately to the upper area to save their lives. Thank God they all are alive. The other story was about hundreds people went to a building that used to be a landslide emergency center (I don’t know what to call). However the tsunami was very high and the water level was nearly the ceiling of second floor. In the end, only thirty people left who still survived for three days after the tragedy while being surrounded by dead bodies without food on such a cold weather. It must be a hard situation. This orientation made me cry. I know a sad story of tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia, in December 2004, and it directly crept me out. I could not imagine if it happened to me.
            In the evening, we had welcome and exchange party with Tono local people in Aeria Hotel. It was such a memorable night. I had so much fun there. The local people were very nice, kind and warm. I love Japanese hospitality! We sang Doraemon song, but we were supposed to dance as well. I did not know what was going on and why everybody did not dance. I admitted that we did not practice it very hard, so it turned out to be messy and unprepared. Anyway, I was surprised that you had prepared Doraemon costume. I directly felt that you seemed so excited though you were not going to perform, but we did not have a good preparations. So... on behalf of Course A members, I would like to say truely sorry to you, Koshiro-san L

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