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We -- Carmel, Yoko, Hiromu, Yoshi and I --
went to the mountainside in Hiroshi's car
to see the trees' Autumnal leaves changing
red and yellow.
First of all, we went to the Lerch Ski Museum.
Carmel hadn't experienced skiing, so Hiromu
explained to her about the history of skiing
as well as how to ski. The remaining four
of us discussed the English language education.
Yoko's unique method of how she came to understand
and speak English, after long struggle, was
really interesting. When we went upstairs
at the Lerch Ski Museum, the desk which Mr.
Lerch used in Austria was displayed. The
wooden desk was designed in European style.
On the right-hand side of the top of the
desk, the face of the king was carved and
on the reverse side was the face of the queen.
On the both sides of the desk, imaginary
animals, similar to an eagle, were also carved.
They were a real eye opener.
In the next room, there are a couple
of ski
game machines. Hiroshi and I put 100
yen
into one of the machines and began
the game.
I couldn't follow the high speed of
the game.
I grasped the ski stock firmly and
moved
my weight right and left, but it was
only
in vain. I crashed through the fence,
bounced
off many poles and rolled down into
the valley.
I almost died 5 or 6 times, but strangely
enough, I found I was alive. When I
finished
the game and looked at Hiroshi, I found
he
was a quite expert skier, because he
finished
the game quietly and without the fuss
which
I did.
When we left the museum, it was raining.
We got on the car and had some tea
. Yoko
prepared hot tea and some cookies.
After
warming up our body with hot tea, we
set
off for Ikenotaira.
We were very relaxed in the car because
Hiroshi
is such a professional driver. On our
way
there, we were joking a lot, with Yoshi
commenting
both in fluent English and Japanese
as if
it was like we were in Rod's car in
Australia.
Hiromu was 30 years old when he went to the
U.S.A to study English. According to his
analysis, 30 years old is a little bit late
to master a foreign language. In the case
of Yoshi, he was in his twenties, which was
just about perfect. In my case it was in
my thirties (during a home stay). When I
said I didn't think it was too late, Hiromu
answered,
"When it comes to a talkative lady,
it's out of the question."
Since then, whenever they talked to me about
"the talkative lady", it was used
like a prefix. I was teased so much that
Hiromu gave me a sweet candy to shut me up.
Carmel was listening to this noisy banter,
smiling throughout.
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At Ikenotaira
from left to right: Yoko, Carmel,
and Hiroshi
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In spite of the rainy day, when we reached
the foot of the mountain, we could still
see the top of some small mountains. The
rain stopped and the sun shined through from
time to time. When Carmel looked at this
scenery, she asked us how to express this
situation in Japanese. At first Yoko answered
with a simple Japanese expression . Later
Hiromu took out an electronic dictionary
and explained about not only the scenery
but about also Japanese autumn. His explanation
became more and more difficult until he referred
to "Kinshu." Anyway Carmel understood
the simple version rather than the difficult
explanation because she actually saw the
beautiful mountain scenery .
Suddenly someone asked me to make "Haiku."
I am a member of Haiku class for beginners.
When we arrived at Ikenotaira, the mountain
gave me the inspiration for Haiku.
My mother's Obi belt
Woven as beautiful as
autumn
mountain
Miyoko
When we walked around the pond, I saw Carmel's
finger was moving like she was playing the
piano. I asked her what she was doing. She
answered just, "Haiku."
I am enjoying beautiful autumn
of Japan
With Japanese friends
Carmel
We clapped our hands with joy. This
must
be the essence of international exchange.
Yoko also composed a Haiku, too.
Seeing leaves of trees
Changing red and yellow
With Australian friends
Yoko
We also clapped our hands. Carmel looked
so glad to hear Yoko's Haiku.
Then we were bound for "Arai Mountain
and Snow Park." When we went into an
Italian restaurant, coincidently we met Priest
Canducci and said hello to him. Just after
we were seated, Hiroshi asked whether this
restaurant was a high class one or not. Hiromu
was kidding as it is located 55m above sea
level, so it is called a high class restaurant.
I really understood how important a sense
of humor was for good communication.
As Yoshi likes this Italian restaurant
and
is familiar with the way of ordering,
he
ordered a hors d' oeubre, pizza and
pasta.
These dishes spiced with a sense of
humor
were quite delicious.
In autumn evening
We left the mountain
With lovely memories
Miyoko
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