Our first day at Gifu

This morning we awoke to a dry morning but still a little windy.  The water on the roads had gone but the river was very high and fast.  Our first thought was we will probably not be doing the Cormorant fishing tonight.  A little disappointed because we think tonight is the last night of the season.

Ms Spencer's cabin got up around 6.30am so we went for a stroll alongside the river and did what all kiwi's do and throw stones into the river.  We found sticks, made stone temples and dug up holes.  It felt just like home.  Amelia then found a baseball in quite good condition and then another one.  Ms Spencer only managed to find a soggy old tennis ball.  Olivia found a great bamboo stick that was perfect for a taiaha.  After some fancy moves we decided to then try it as a baseball bat.  It proved rather hard so gave up soon after.

8 o'clock was breakfast time and we sat ourselves at the top floor of the hotel overlooking the river while we munched away on things like bacon, mini sausages, pasta, noodles, dumplings, salads, personally made omelettes by the chef in front of a fry pan and numerous other choices, some of which we didn't know what they were. 

Full yet again and ready to face our first day at school we were picked up at 9.15am  by Mr Miyabe.  When we arrived at the school everychild was lined up waiting for us.  They waved NZ flags as we walked like celebrities down the human isle.  We reached a room which was our time out zone while waiting for class or assembly.  We felt very welcomed. 

Assembly was next and we presented a quick i-movie about our school, sang the national anthem and then exchange gifts.  We even introduced ourselves in Japanese.  We hope they understood our Japanese.

Our first class was Japanese calligraphy and we were all taught by the children in the class.  Our tutors were very kind and at the end we got to have our own calligraphy framed to take home.

Aaron having a go with careful guidance from his tutor.

Eli mastering the brush and Richard thinking about his next move.

Lunch was an interesting experience.  The GSNS children were taken into classes to sit at a work desk and wait for the class monitors to serve their lunch.  Ms Spencer, Miss Hill and Rose got to have lunch with the principal in the meeting room.  Today's lunch was a traditional bento box.  Most of the foods the children didn't know and only those willing to take a risk got fed.  As a result there were some hungry children at lunch time.

All this and a bowl of rice.

After lunch our children helped the school clean up.  All the students have jobs and they spend about 20 minutes cleaning the school, even the toilets!  No-one in our group offered to help with the toilets, just sweeping and polishing the floor.  All the students have a strong sense of duty and respect for their school.

Eli and Matt polishing the floor.

Richard following the line of sweepers.

 After duty time we left to go to visit Gifu castle which was up a very big hill.  The children groaned when Ms Spencer told them they were walking up it but then saw the gondola so knew that wouldn't be true.  The gondola ride was short but a great opportunity to see the sights around Gifu.  Matt and Eli counted the steps we had to climb to get to the castle - 380.  We wondered how many it would be from the bottom to the top.  The views from the castle were magnificent but we did not admire them for long as the wind was very strong and cold up there.

With so many steps to conquer on the way down, most of the children flew down with energy knowing that they were about to go to the squirrel park.  This was very cool because you put on a glove and you get to feed the squirrels.  Some of the squirrels also didn't mind been patted.

Olivia and friends.

 Even though it was very blustery at the top of the hill, the gondola ride was very smooth because it was nestled in a gully so sheltered from the wind.

The Gondola ride up and down the hill.

One of the views from Gifu castle.

Our next stop was a quick walk around the corner to see the second biggest Buddha in Japan.  Yes it was huge - over 13m tall and it towered over us.  He looked happy so the children were not afraid.

Finally tea time.  We were delighted to find out that the Cormorant fishing will be on tomorrow night so we haven't missed out.  That meant tea tonight was with some teachers again at another fun restaurant.  It was a smorgasbord with so many choices.  Mainly Japanese food but more variety than our bento boxes at lunch time, so there was something that everyone like.  Every time you went back there were different dishes appearing.  It was like Christmas and the presents kept coming.  As a result many were once again very full, especially after a very small lunch for some.  The highlight for most was the chocolate fondue.

Happily we got back to our hotel at a reasonable hour and in bed lights out by 8.30.