"Inaka no Enge" Homestay Program in Sayo Town (part 1)

(... continued from part 0)

On the bus, I thought I could immediately sleep. But Sayo town officers gave introduction and explanation. Then they asked us to introduce ourselves (jikoshoukai). I started to think this is usual in Japanese bus trip. Last time I also needed to introduce myself in bus trip to Nara, with Osaka University - Graduate School of Science.

All 13 students are from 9 countries: Indonesia (1), Malaysia (1), Thailand (3), China (1), India (1), Russia (2), Finland (2), Germany (1), also Bosnia and Herzegovina (1).
The Sayo Town officers are mostly ojii-san. But there was also one young lady (Ms. Tanimoto)  who is public officer of Sayo town. And there were two foreigners, Mark and Matt, who helped to translate what the ojiisan-tachi said into English.

Ojii-san explained about structure of old Japanese farmer house. There is an "enge", which is terrace (?) at the back of the house. It faces south, and the farmer take rest there while looking at his house garden.  So that's the origin of this home stay program's name. Oh yeah, and "inaka" means countryside.

He also explained about our schedule. Ms. Tanimoto gave us bottled drinks. Wah, they are so nice! They also gave us paper about our dinner menu. We could choose which food that we want. I chose "karaage teshoku". On the bus, I also tried to memorize the name of my host family members, from what Obaa-san told me in her letter.

Aproaching Sayo, I fell asleep. Then I heard ojii-san started to explain something about old Japanese farmer house again. So I woke up. We already arrived at Sayo, and first we visited the old japanese farmer house.

The house is very old, it was built 280 years ago (if I remember correctly). And there are still people live in that house. At the top of the house, there is "water" (mizu) Kanji character to somehow protect the house from burning. A nice obaa-san guided us to explore her house. The family also have a Shiba-inu (whoaaa!! I love Shiba-inu ><). But the Shiba-inu was very frightened of people, he/she barked a lot. I could not take picture together with him/her... *sigh*

Then we headed to restaurant to have dinner. It's a Japanese traditional style restaurant. We sat on tatami and had dinner on a low table. I sat next to Rike, Anna (from Bosnia and Herzegovina), and also Matt. I enjoyed talking with them. Anna loves taking pictures, she keeps her Instagram up to date. She said she joined the 365-days-challenge, so she posted one picture each day. Matt is a very funny person. He asked about my major, and seemed interesting. He also told me about his experience going to Musashi Miyamoto's museum. He read all Musashi Miyamoto's books. Rike said, its sad that even some Japanese don't know so much about Musashi Miyamoto. Well, actually I also don't know very much. I only have heard Musashi's name, and I'm pretty sure he was an important person. Yeah but that's true, some gaijin even show bigger enthusiasm about Japanese culture than the Japanese themselves.

After dinner, we went to Sayo Town Office. We would have our Welcome Ceremony there. After that, our host family would pick us. So we had to carry all our luggage from the bus.
Before the Welcome Ceremony started, I went to the toilet. I saw an old lady with her grand-daughter inside the toilet. I was really suprised when she greeted me, "Gaby?" Then I immediately realized, she is my host family!! So I replied, "Yoshiko-san??" Whoaaa, we were really happy!! Then we went back to the hall, but we sat separately, because international students had to sit at front, according to an order. Another Sayo town officer gave short briefing to us. Then, the Welcome Ceremony started.

An ojii-san (chairman of this homestay program?) and the mayor of Sayo town gave welcome speeches. Then international students had to introduce themselves. After a student did her/his self introduction, her/his host family would come forward to pick her/him. Then the student had to carry her/his chair towards her/his host family's chair at the back (It's weird, isn't it? So incovenient).

I got the 4th turn to introduce myself. Other students can speak Japanese better than me. My Japanese ability is so poor *sob*
But at least I could make simple self-introduction. When I was at front, Yoshiko-san and her grand-daughter waved Indonesian flag at me very excitedly. Ah, it made me smile.
Then Yoshiko-san and her grand daughter came forward to pick me. She immediately hugged me. Wow, it made me surprised. Other students also smiled a little when they saw that. I got a very warm welcome greeting :)

At the back, I said to Yoshiko-san, I am sorry because I cannot speak Japanese very well (in broken Japanese). She said to me it's alright, what really matters is heart (kokoro). Ok, I thought somehow we could communicate each other. Maybe daijoubu~ ^^

Sayo town officer took picture of us together. Then we headed back to my host family's house. I wondered how we would go back home. Then I was surprised, Obaa-san rides her own car! Her house is very far, in another town next to Sayo (Mikazuki town). But she can ride very well. I complimented her driving skill, and she said it's because she lives in "inaka". Sou desu ne~

In Mikazuki town, there is a beautiful moon illumination. I guess it's related to the town's name, Mikazuki (三日月). The third character is "moon", so yeah maybe that's why. Obaa-san kept talkeing to me in Japanese, but I couldn't really understand what she said. So I just made some sound, smiled, and nodded to respond her.

We arrived at my host family's house. The house is kinda traditional. The flooring is from tatami. First, obaa-san guided me to the altar for ancestors inside the house. She put "omiyage" from me (Handai cookie) for the ancestors. Ehh??? I bought those omiyage for human (.__.")
She prayed to the ancestors, telling them that Gaby has arrived (that's what I guessed). And then she asked her grand-daughter, Yua, to also pray. Then, it was my turn to pray. I just followed what Yua had done. Hit the bell twice, and then pray. It reminded me to Chinese culture. In some Indonesian-Chinese houses, you can still see the table for ancestors. People usually put fruits on the table as offerings.

Then I met Ojii-san at the living room. He was watching TV. It was a comedy program, with a young girl relaxing on the beach, and a man tried to rub sun oil on her back. What...kind...of...program...is he watching... I tried not to look at the TV. I pretended I didn't see anything... Ojii-san didn't talk a lot to me. I also met grand-grand-mother, the mother of Ojii-san. She talked to me in Japanese, but I didn't really understand ^^" So yeah, I just smiled and nodded.

Then Obaa-san told me to take bath together with Yua. She already prepared the bath for us. Whoa, it's my first time to take bath (ohuro) in a Japanese house. I don't know how to take a bath! ><  OK, I will just follow what Yua does.

Their bathroom is very modern. There is a large bathtub, and also shower. Yua entered the bathtub, so I followed her. She rubbed her body with a little towel. Ohhh, now I understand a little. Then she played with her towel. She made a bubble under the towel, and I imitated her. I made a large bubble, and Yua pressed it to make it disappear. She laughed and looked happy. She didn't talk anything to me, we just played. Maybe i can make good relation with her, even without words. By the way, she is 5 years old this year.

Yua got out from the bathtub, and then took a shower. I followed her again. She put liquid soap to another towel, and then rubbed her body using that towel. There was no other small towels, so I used my towel (that was supposed to dry my body). It was a little bit awkward, hahaha. Finally we finished, and I asked obaa-san for a new towel. Yua went out from the bathroom first. I still needed some time to dry myself and put on clothes. Obaa-san gave me hairdryer to dry my hair. Actually I don't usually use hair dryer, I just let my hair dry by itself. But to appreciate her, I used it eventually.

Then other family members came back: mama, first son, and second son. First son is junior high school-er 2nd year, while the second son is junior high school-er 1st year. They went back from summer study program. Their mama (Keiko-san) said it's because they are "baka, hahaha". She didn't really mean it, she was just joking. That's typical Asian parents saying of their children (Although my parents never said i'm stupid to other people).

The three of them ate dinner late, at around 10. Their mama said, that's why she is fat, "hahahaha". She really is a funny person. She asked me, whether I have homesick. I just shaked my head to say "no". She was a little bit surprised. She pointed to her first son (Junichiro) and said "hitori, dame". I laughed at her saying XD

I followed obaa-san to another room. There was piano at that room! Wow, "inaka" people are rich!! It made me really want to practice piano again!! ><
Yua prepared to play piano. She changed her clothes to a cute dress. Then they pretended like it was Yua's concert. Yua entered the room once again, and then bowed to obaa-san and me. Obaa-san acted as an excited audience. So I followed what obaa-san did.
Yua played a few Japanese children songs. In the last song, obaa-san played two bells (fa & mi tones) to complete Yua's song. I was so happy to see that small musical performance :)

Jun, the first son, was friendly to me (compared to the second son, Seijiro). He was not shy to use English words that he knows. He also typed in a translator machine on PC, "if there is something you don't understand, you can use this". Nowadays technology is really convenient, isn't it? Jun also has an English-Japanese dictionary, so the family sometimes use it to communicate with me. Maybe the elders are more old-fashioned. 

Their papa hadn't back from work. Jun said their papa is "kowai" (scary). But that was a kind of joke. Finally their papa arrived at home, he looks so young, maybe around 30. But he didn't talk a lot to me. The mama (Keiko) told me the papa (Kazuhiko) is shy. Haha, i guess it's hard for him to live with a stranger like me. "Sumimasen" for disturbing you and your family ><

Before sleep, Obaa-san asked Jun-kun to explain about how to use toilet to me. Maybe she thought I would go to toilet at the midnight. Jun guided me to their toilet. Everything is automatic. The toilet can open, flush, and close by itself. Sugoi! It's even more advanced than airport toilets (or at least comparable). How come they have all these amazing facilities in the countryside?!!

It came to my mind, here in Japan, living in countryside doesn't mean they are poor and un-educated. They are rich, they just choose to live in countryside. And they get proper education. Jun-kun even showed more brave in speaking English than some Japanese living in big city! It's because I'm from Indonesia, and I used to such big economical and educational inequality all over the country. But here in Japan, I witnessed by myself, living in countryside doesn't mean anything less compared to living in big city. Except that you need more time to get to working place or shopping center. They can still enjoy mountain, river, rice fields, without being less civilized than the city people :))
Ahh.. when will my country be like that? What do we need to make Indonesia become like that? *sigh*

I went to bed around 12. It was earlier than usual for me. I got a room for myself. I asked obaa-san, whose room is that. She said it's room for everyone to relax. They already prepared futon for me, it looks so comfy. I went to bed, and said "oyasuminasai" to all. Then I realized, maybe tomorrow I have to wake up early. I got up, and asked Jun-kun in Japanese, as much as I can, "Ashita wa nanji ni okimasu ka?" But then he asked his family in English, "Tomorrow, what time get up?" Acccckkkk!! My effort to speak Japanese was wasted. Why did he ask his family in English? *sob* T__T

Then he told me "7 o'clock". I said, "Shichi ji". And he said yes. I went back to my room and wrote the story of that day. Afterwards, I fell asleep easily, because I was tired. Zzzzzzzzzz...

(photos will be uploaded later.. still enjoying writing.. I will continue tomorrow, tsukareta~)

"Inaka no Enge" Homestay Program in Sayo town (part 0)

Hello! It's been a long time! Finally I decided to write a blog again. But my previous blog stories are too cheesy, so I removed them (.__.)

Now I want to tell some stories from my last home stay program. This is the most emotional experience for me so far in Japan! For the first part, I want to tell about how I knew this program, and several things that happened before I went for homestay.

I knew about this program from the announcement board at IC Hall, Suita Campus (Osaka University). The program is called "Inaka no Enge". The home stay location is in Sayo-cho (Sayo town). That place is countryside, surrounded by mountains, rivers, and rice fields. Sounds nice, right? Although Indonesia has many mountains, rivers, and rice fields, I was sure it will be a nice experience for me. Living together with Japanese family, it will be wonderful!

After considering for several weeks, I decided to apply or this program. The program is only for 4 days, and it's on summer holiday. So I thought it's okay to join this program. I wanted to experience something new and explore more in Japan. (I didn't ask permission from my Professor though, I forgot :P)

I handed in my application form on the very last day of application period (as always). At that time, there were already 10 students applied. This program only accepts 10 students. If there are more than 10 students apply, they said they will do selection. So I was relieved because all students would be accepted.

On that day, there was also International Food Party at IC-Hall. I met Frederike (Rike), my dorm friend from Germany. She said she also applied for the homestay program, and she handed the form after me! So there were 11 people! Ack, someone will be eliminated!

Several weeks passed. Frederike got a letter from Sayo town office. She was accepted for the home stay program. But, I didn't get any letter... I was a little bit sad. I thought that if I were accepted, then I should get a letter too on the same day. Because I and Rike live in the same dorm. It would be reasonable, right? Rike told me to not worry and wait for the letter. Maybe they will send it on another day, but I was pessimistic. I thought maybe they didn't accept me, because my motivation in the application form was not so interesting. In the other hand, Rike practices judo, and she already traveled a lot in Japan. She also can speak Japanese better than me. Hhhhhh~ *sigh* I comforted myself. I said to Rike, although I was not accepted, it's okay for me because I will stay longer in Japan. But Rike will leave in August, so it's better for her.

To my surprise, I got the letter a few days later! Rike was right! Ahhh, I was so happy!!! New experience is already waiting for me! :D

Then, one day before my birthday, I got letter from my host family. The letter is very warm. Obaa-san introduced all her family member. There is an English translation (good English :p), so I could understand. They even sent me birthday card and present!!! The present is a omamori (charm?) phone strap. And on the birthday card, there is Indonesian translation from Japanese birthday greeting.The Indonesian translation doesn't make any sense though, hahaha... It's so funny but also so touching. I really appreciate that. I also posted the picture of those letters on my Facebook, because I was sooo touched :')

Time passed, and I was busy at lab. Night before the departure day, I started packing my things (procrastination, as always). Then I realized I still need several things. I would buy tomorrow, I still have time because the bus will go at 13:40. The next morning, I bought clothes, travel-size toiletries, and traveling bag! Because last night I just realized I didn't have proper-size traveling bag, lol! Somehow I managed everything, then I went to the lab. I still had something to work at (T__T). Luckily, I am working with another person, so that day I only worked for around 2 hours. Then I went for home stay program at around 13:00.

I didn't time for lunch, so I just ate onigiri. Onigiri from 7-Eleven are really delicious, I tell you. I usually eat them for brunch (since I always wake up late). Then I arrived at IC-Hall. There was only 1 student other than me. Phew, I was on time (rare occasion). That day, I asked the staff at IRIS (a division at IC-Hall), about how many students are accepted. She said, the Sayo town officers decided to accept all applicants, 13 students! Wow, I was glad to hear that!

All 13 students finally gathered, and then the Sayo town officers arrived. We took a bus from Osaka to Sayo town. The trip would take around 2 hours. I was so sleepy because I didn't get enough sleep last night. I wanted to sleep on the bus. I sat together with Ju Ann, my dorm friend from Malaysia. I just realized on that day, that she also applied for this program. She said to me, she was also sleepy and wanted to sleep. Good! We could sleep together without feeling we have to make conversation, lol.. The driver started the bus engine... jya, ikimasho!!!

(photos will be uploaded later... I am still enjoying writing)