firey: Hokkaido

After touring the main island of Honshu, Nick and I and Mom flew up to Hokkaido. For about a week Mom stayed at our place, attended classes with me, and saw a little of our region. It was fun to show her things that have become everyday to us, yet are bewildering and strange to her. (And I wonder about reverse culture shock, this coming fall?)

Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are a really big deal in Japan. For months the national weather report includes a segment on the "Sakura Front" as the flowers bloom first in southern japan, and as spring moves northward so go the flowers. Unfortunately I missed most of the blooms in Hokkaido as I happened to be in Kyoto... but hoorah! Some sakura were blooming in Sapporo, at the *very famous* historic red brick building.

It was cold in Hokkaido and these girls insisted on being stylish. Truth be told, some Sapporo girls wear little shorts in the dead of winter. Fashionistas till the end.

After ten days of intensive travel we weren't very interested in exploring Sapporo. We got some Indian food (yummmm) and got on a train home to Furano.

Although chilly, tulips and daffodils and lilacs are blooming right now.

One day a teacher-friend took Mom and I on a big trip into the mountains for some hiking and onsen.

Watch out for bears on the trail! The bears are just waking up right now and tend to be grumpy and hungry...

Tenninkyo Falls is in Daisetsuzan National Park. I guess the meaning of the fall name has something to do with "a see-through ladies' evening dress". So, um, Lingerie Falls.