it's not life that matters but the journey...

Had a really fun day today - Masahiko was asked to play a volunteer gig at an elementary school out by Shiraito-no-Taki (a famous waterfall past Fujinomiya - about an hour from here).  I guess it was some kind of cultural festival at the school - all schools have them, usually in the fall.  The area is really pretty, and we ended up having a great time. The kids were cute (though they are a tough audience - they don't really sit still for too long) and we got free food (yakisoba - which is fried noodles - is actually a specialty in Fujinomiya and it was delicious) and drinks.  Also we got a gift of a nice bottle of wine!  The people he played with (a harmonica player and bass player) are so nice, and their wives were there and I had fun talking to them too.  The musicians that Masahiko plays with are so nice and he is having fun meeting so many of them.  Last night he met some really good musicians who he might jam with at their studio. Its good for him!

anyway, I took some photos of today's festivities.  Some are of the band playing for the kids (again, I apologize that my camera is crappy and the photos are somewhat blurry):  http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/shogakko2.jpg; http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/shogakko.jpg  In one photo, Masahiko is explaining to the kids about the slide used for blues guitar:  http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/shogakko3.jpg He did a pretty good job explaining his guitar and the effects and sounds.

I also took photos of yakisoba being prepared on the big outdoor grill (well, its not really a grill, is it?): http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/yakisoba2.jpg ; http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/yakisoba.jpg

 Also, on the way home we visited the falls, and I took some photos of the waterfall with the colorful autumn leaves:  http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/shiraito1.jpg ; http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/shiraito3.jpg

I'm so glad to have a chance to rest tomorrow - and go shopping for food!  Its been a busy last few days, and I need to make some lesson plans and get my room cleaned.