a year of good health

a geisha we found at an onsen in Ureshino
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The first week back at 'work' equated to a week long wedding review.  There were many photos to be shown, questions to answer, and even wedding lessons to be taught!  All the teachers and students loved seeing our photos.  By the end of the week I pretty much knew which pictures would get the 'oohhs', the 'ahhs', and the 'rubu-rubu's' (love-love).  For example, I knew every time I turned the page to a picture of Karen and I having our first kiss that I was in for a big embarrassed reaction on their part.

a proper size beer
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When I wasn't showing pictures of the wedding, I was showing them of the honeymoon or I was doing my bit to boost NZ tourism by showing off pictures of our beautiful country.  Everyone loved the pictures of the Malborough Sounds, Mt Maunganui, and cricket on the beach, and lets be honest, why wouldn't they?!

In terms of actual 'work', well, there wasn't too much to be done, which was quite nice as it gave me a chance to get my bearings again as I hadn't thought about lesson planning for over a month, and I was a bit rusty!

close up of a "baked" wall inside a massive kiln
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One way we broke back into life on Kyushu was by visiting an onsen mid week with Matto.  The onsen was beautiful, as it seems they all are in Ureshino, and definitely relaxed the body and mind.  Although, there were some strange people in it that night who wanted to talk with us, the scariest of who was a guy who spoke amazing English, was clearly drunk, but kept saying, "submarine!", and then submerging himself in the bubbles.  I tell you, seeing a guy 'go under' in an onsen and having no idea where he has gone is a little unnerving!(especially cause I had let go of my 'modesty towel' and had lost it in the bubbles).  Lucky for us he didn't stay in the water too long.

west is the best
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On the Saturday everyone went out for dinner to celebrate the Engagement of Badsha and Eric.  We have all been so lucky to be able to see their relationship blossom from a couple of crushes, to dating, to a serious commitment, to an engagement.  We all had a great night wishing them well and I just know they will be so happy together.  I wish them all the best for the future.

The following morning, with everyone slightly groggy from a late night and too much alcohol (some had way too much alcohol... not naming any names...Miss Small!), we all loaded into some cars and made our way to Shiota.  Rumi had arranged for us to do a bit of pottery making.

not to sure what this stuff gets used for
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We rolled up, had a tour of the venue (very old and super Japanese), before we were shown to a room to begin our masterpieces.  The room just happened to be freezing cold as the main room was full (they had overbooked).  We each grabbed some newspaper, a lump of clay and a few tools and found a seat.  Most of our group seemed to click with an idea from the get-go and quickly set about making all sorts of things.  Tan made a cup, Rumi some figurines, Matt a sculpture of his girl friend.  Meanwhile Karen and I sat there uninspired and just 'playing with play-doh'.  With time running out we decided to jump on Tan's bandwagon an made a cup and then carve some decoration into it.  Karen did well, I though, well ... I ended up 'flipping out' and just cutting chunks out of my cup, carving round the whole thing, and basically just making a mess.  Don't think I'll be trying my hand at pottery any time soon!

look what the pros made
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After everyone was a human ice block and so cold they couldn't take it anymore we said our farewells and drove into the hills in search of a temple and small festival.  The zen master, who lives at the temple, is also a Karate-sensei and used to be one of Rumi's teachers when she was at school.  He was very friendly and welcoming to us all.

After warming ourselves with some yummy... not (said in a Borat voice), lunch, of which I only really ate my rice and beans, we made our way outside to watch the bonfire burning festival.  We arrived to witness the shooting of plastic arrows into the air.  A guy, dressed in amazing costume, moved around the corners and shot arrows up so that the crowd around the corner rushed to catch the arrow, and absorb the good luck it promises.  He went around a couple of times until his arrows were spent.

looking through to a stack of kiln pots
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After the arrow shooting there was a bit of a sward waving demonstration.  I love swords.  A couple of times we actually saw the 'ring leaders' casually pull out their swords and cut a branch here and there, so cool!

Next was some chanting from some different people and then they lit some kindling attached to long bamboo trunks.  Then the bonfire was lit from the bottom.  The fire was a massive amount of wood all stacked together interlocking.  On top of the wood vast amounts of pine branches had been placed which, after being lit, caused a ton of smoke and made lots of noise as the oil from the needles caught fire.

more showing off by the professionals
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Once the fire was in full swing, generating some much needed heat for everyone, and sending ash all over the place, some boxes loaded with 'wishes', written on planks of wood, were brought over for the zen master and his side kicks to deal with.  Then they went about reading out the wish, or wishee's name - I'm not too sure - and throwing the plank into the fire.

This went on for about twenty minutes until the boxes were empty and the fire was dying out, then some guys smashed the embers to small pieces of hot ash.  Next up was the 'highlight of the day'.  Although the cultural side of things had been very interesting and a great spectacle, we were all really there for one reason, and one reason only, the 'fire walking'! (though I'll let you in on a secret - it wasn't actually fire, more like hot ash!).  Walking across is supposed to bring good luck for the year ahead (hence the festival is held in February).

Matto and Tan get down and dirty with their clay
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So, we kicked off our shoes, joined the line, which ranged from young school kids to old grannies, and took turns at walking the four or five steps across the hot ash.  I must say, it is definitely worth going near the back as by the time you walk across most of the heat has been absorbed by everyone else (the people who went first were literally jumping across in pain), but you're still entitled to the same benefits of good health for a year! - bonus!