The Story about Awaji Island (Ruobing)

I went to the Awaji Island during the vocation. It is a offshore Island which located at the south of Kobe area and eastern part of Seto inland sea. It is also known as the biggest island of Seto enclosed sea. Awaji Shima covers an area of 593 square kilometres, and have a population of 170000.

Overall view of Awaji.

Fukura is the first stop where I arrived because I would take a ship to view spectacular Naruto Whirlpools from here. 

Nippon Maru

The ship I took is called Nippon Maru. The whirlpools are around Naruto Strait. Our ship went cross under the Naruto Bridge which is one of the connection bridge between Honshu and Shikoku and had a close look at those whirlpools. 

Naruto Whirlpools are really spectacular, yet the reason of forming them still remained unknown for me at that time. However, I found out the answer later at the Memorial Hall of Uzushio.

In the memorial hall, there was a 3D movie about Naruto Uzushio. The Naruto strait is one of the connection straits between the inland sea and the Pacific strait in Japan, fluxes are twice a day. Everyday, a large number of water flow from the Seto inland sea into the Pacific ocean, then the water flow from the Pacific Ocean into the Seto inland sea. The changing of water level produced ocean current, so the channel between the Seto inland sea with rapid water flow and the Pacific Ocean with smooth flow of water, formed Naruto Whirlpools. 

The memorial hall is so small and shallow yet there are still a few interesting things can be taken photos, such as the Naruto whirlpool’s poster on the ground or the view from the observatory on the top of the building.

Naruto bridge and whirlpools are worthy to see yet the memorial hall need more professional restoration.

The Daily Routine of My Life at KGU (Ruobing)

Enjoying a matcha parfait.

The second school cafeteria, ICC, plays an important role in my daily life. This is an exquisite and lovely Italian restaurant that provide lunch, dinner and variety of dessert. At the afternoon without any class, I would like to go to ICC for a afternoon tea and do some readings. After the tea time, my friends mostly finish their class, and we will gather here to have dinner together.

The way that ICC sells lunch is quite interesting, they use a vending machine. The lunch menu is simple, which include Pasta A&B:

Pizza A&B, Hamburger steak:

and lunch special:

The lunch special will change daily but rest of them will not change. After checked the menu, I will need to insert money then push the button which has been labelled by the name of food, and a lunch ticket comes out. I bring this ticket to the service table, and chef will serve me my meal and give me big smile at the same time.

I usually order hamburger steak with rice, because the steak is juicy and it is a perfect “mate” with steamed rice. If I still have time after lunch, I will order a macha and red bean parfait:

It only cost 500 yen but the satisfaction is doubled. If the weather is a little bit cold, the Darjeeling hot tea with a slice of strawberry cheese cake is also a good choice of providing a spoonful of happiness.

ICC is not only a place for eating, but also a place to observe the life of Japanese people. Japanese people in ICC are not as same as the people who you can see on the street. On the street, most of them are rushing forward with a serious face. But in ICC, I can see lots of young ladies laughing, or giggle or smiling. The time is getting slower in ICC and the air inside is even softer than outside. It is really interesting to see Japanese people to be so relax and sluggish. It obviously illustrates that Japanese people, who is known as being strict and hardworking all over the world, actually know how to enjoy the life.

Mind Map of My lovely Neighbourhood (Ruobing)

Opening ceremony at Kansai Gaidai.

To be honest, I become lazy and want to quit school when the day is sunny in Hirakata. Please do not judge me before I explain it. Actually, my laziness is reasonable. Firstly, it takes me around 30 minutes to walk to campus, and secondly, I will sweat too much after this kind of morning exercise to have a good day. Thus, I learned two things from these two weeks that I should never trust the weather broadcast but only look out of my window to visually predict the temperature, moreover, the sunshine is actually reminding me of thinking carefully about which path should I choose for going to campus.

My map.

At the first two days (the pink line in my map), I followed the big road which is passing the central library. Then, I found out that I can rarely find any shadow in the morning along this road because it has lots of flat space. After two days, I almost killed by the big sun so that I explore the other road (the orange line). 

My lovely neighbourhood.

It is a small path across the neighbourhood, and the bushes and short trees along this small road which are using as the fence between each house provide me lots of shadow. This shortcut is end at a corner with a shrine. Also, there are so many old people live in this area and we always greeting with each other in the morning. 

Rainy scene from the bus window.

Moreover, I explore the area around the campus and I found several conbini store and fast Japanese food restaurant. At the first weekend of September, I went to Nagoya to visit my friends, this led me to explore the way to travel further in Japan. I ate a lot (see below) and had a lot of fun.

It is easy for me to consider myself as a part of this environment. For example, every time when I obey the traffic rule, the moment I pay in the conbini store, or the struggle that I have when I try to throw my trash. This neighbourhood is so lovely that I have to behave as well as I can to treat it back.

Kansai Gaidai at sunset.

Walking in Japan (Ruobing)

I think that I’m luckier compared with other school mates, because I have studied abroad in the US for two and half years. This special experience let me brave enough to go to Japan, where is similar with my mother land. I’m from China, and I expect to go to Japan without any doubt. I still remember the first time I arrived in the Chicago, I was excited and worried, because America is the country with plenty of differences with my own country, even it is located at the other side on the Earth with opposite time. I have had get over lots of difficulties and troubles. There are some problems that I can tell, there also some difficulties which I don’t know how to tell. After being through these stories in US, I’m totally confident to welcome the new start in Japan.

I’m expected to study, no doubt, more Japanese and Japanese culture. I’m a fan of Japanese Art, I will learn as much Japanese Art as I can if I have the chance. Also, I’m expected to travel around in Japan, to experience how the view will change across the island. I have a friend in Nagoya,  so that it’s the first place I’m planing to go.

I can’t wait to go to Japan. Wish me luck with everything.