Sunday, August 23, 2009

kyoto

Last Sunday was the end of Obon, we went early to visit with my MIL before going to an evening service.

Before lunch though, my MIL wanted help carrying some items to a nearby church, so we walked to a church near Satoshi's elementary to drop the items off. (photo of the classrooms)

Afterwards, we checked out his elementary (or what we could from the locked gates).

First off, part of the school had been turned into a day care for seniors. Since the population of children in the area has dropped drastically, the school wanted to make use of their facilities and rents (I think) it out to this senior care. (photo of the gym)

I was shocked to see how drab the buildings looked. Satoshi pointed out each building, of course, I was shocked to see their playground was just hardened sand/dirt, no grass.

I was also shocked to find out that they don't have a cafeteria to eat in, they have lunch served in their classrooms. Satoshi said that some days their lunch consisted of two slices of white bread and some curry. (He was very envious of my school lunch stories.) (photo of the administration/office)

Around the corner from his school is a tiny park, he said that afterschool until 16:30, they were allowed to play on campus, but after 16:30, they ran over to this park and played until dark.

I still cannot get over having these bars around the swing set, I mean, how could you jump off the swings to see who could jump off the farthest without hurting yourself on these bars??

Or this stone slide...that must do some damage on your clothes.

Satoshi was amazed that this "tunnel" was still around, he had lots of good memories here, his eyes lit up as he talked about them.

Though his school and park were different from what I grew up with, it was nice to be able to see them and hear all his stories.

Hope you had a great weekend!

12 comments:

jalna said...

Once long ago when my son was young we were visiting L.A. and came across a playground area that looked similar. We headed towards it, but I noticed some wasps flying around the sand. We made a "bee-line" outta there.

K and S said...

ooh yeah those wasps are scary, good thing you got out of there Jalna :)

Take care.
Kat

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how different things are elsewhere. And Satoshi's school lunch sounds so sad! His description just burst my fantasy from watching Japanese tv shows. Hawaii school lunches were/are legendary amongst military brats like myself. Unfortunately, I wasn't old enough to experience having a manapua truck on campus. Were you lucky enough to have one?

K and S said...

Wow, there was a school with a manapua truck on campus, that must have been cool, Anon! Our highschool got a soft serve toward the end of my sophomore year but that was the most excitement :) I am not sure what the Japanese kids are eating in school these days, but Satoshi's lunches did seem sad.

Take care.
Kat

Abigail (aka Mamatouille) said...

I worked as an English teacher for 3 years in 3 chuugakko in Aichi and I can vouch for the drab classrooms! They didn't use heat in winter or air con in summer and it was VERY uncomfortable as you can imagine. The kyuushoku was much better than Satoshi's, though, thank goodness. I ate it every day.

K and S said...

glad to hear that the school lunch improved Abigail :)

Take care.
Kat

Deb in Hawaii said...

That slide looks painful! ;-)

K and S said...

somehow I can visualize my clothes getting all worn out, Debinhawaii.

Take care.
Kat

Deb said...

i was going to comment about the slide also - is it really what that is??? WOW! very interesting to read, kat - thank you for sharing. one day i will need to do a post about BD's school...which his mom still works at!

K and S said...

that would be a cool post, can't wait, Deb :)

take care.
kat

Rowena said...

What a huge difference between our Hawaii schools and the one that Satoshi went to. I'm just shocked that there is no grass!

K and S said...

I just can't see myself running barefoot at his school, Rowena :0

Take care.
Kat