アメリカ人というと明るく積極的に自分を表現すると、そのように思えるかもしれませんが、アンナはとてもおとなしい19歳の学生であったであった。ビオラを持参して中学生の前で奏でるのであった。正直上手とは言えませんが一生懸命に奏でるのであった。しかし、まじめで懸命になるところが良かった。台湾のクワンティンと共にいたためか、笑いも多くなった。休みは新潟に出かけたが列車に乗り遅れ、その日豊実には帰って来なかった。家内はとっても彼女を心配したが夜になって電話をくれ、漫画喫茶で過ごしたらしい。日本語の文化に関心があって、多くのことを学んだと思う。

３Third day report

 Today (Tuesday July 26) was my third day here at Toyomi. In the morning I did grass cutting. I’ve tried grass cutting before at a different WWOOF host. I think it’s kind of fun. I was a little surprised when I finished clearing an area and then you said, “That was practice!” Today my body is sore but I had a good time working hard. The afternoon was sanding the statue again, because of the rain. I don’t dislike that work, but it gets a little boring after 2 hours! I tried to make it more fun by listening to music.

              Also today I learned some more about Japanese manners and culture. I am trying to remember to have a beautiful heart, for example by opening the door for someone older than me, and saying “thank you”. It’s hard to remember it all, but I am learning it little by little.

４Fourth day: meeting Ting-chan and the middle-school students

              Wow! What a fun day! The morning started off slow, working on sanding the statue again. But around lunch time 5 middle school girls came, as well as the new WWOOFer, Ting-chan. I was very happy to meet Ting-chan. She is very cheerful and funny. I think we will become good friends. The work in the afternoon became very fun because of the middle school students. We made a relay to pass wood to and from the truck. The girls had SO much energy! It was hard to keep up with them. I’m only a few years older than them but they made me feel like an old woman! I was very tired at the end of the day, but it was so much fun. In the evening I played my viola for them, and they all presented reports of the day. It was a busy day filled with energy. I hope we have more days like this.

               Yesterday was my last full day here with Kentaro, Makiko, and Ting. It started with my arrival back on the first train from Niigata city, where I had to spend the night because I missed the last train! Makiko gave me a hug and said she had been so worried. I’m sorry I made you worry! But I’m glad I made it back safe, and I was very happy when everyone said ‘welcome home’.

              The morning work was grass cutting. It was very very hot so I (and everyone else) got so sweaty! It felt good to wash up afterwards. For lunch we had somen, which was delicious and perfect for the hot weather. It was my first time eating somen, although I’ve seen it before. In the afternoon, we went to some nearby hotels and ryokans to give them flyers and postcards. In Tsugawa, we got to see Kentaro’s sculptures. We got to see pictures of fox-bride weddings, and I saw some beautiful uchikake wedding robes. I really do love learning about traditional Japanese culture. I will make sure to come back to the countryside next time I am in Japan, to learn more about it.

              I have had a great experience in Toyomi. You have taught me so much and I am so grateful. I was only here for 9 days but I feel like I have known you all for much longer – you really are like family. Maybe I will get the chance to come back here someday. Until then, I will never forget my time here and what you taught me about the importance of friends and having a beautiful heart. Thank you so much.