A Non-Fiction story enhanced by the integration of technology.
Mishap in Japan
We awoke early Saturday, June 23 ready for adventure. We groggily got ready and left the school in Inzai-shi Japan around 7:45 so we could make the 8:40 bus departure. We rode the train three hours through small towns, rice patties, and mountains on our way to Tateyama to visit the Tateyama Castle that was built during the Edo period.
We managed to navigate the change in bus stations and arrived in Tateyama without any problems. After eating a lunch of rice and steamed chicken, we were ready to start our adventure. The first thing on our list was finding the bus that would take us from the station to the castle. Since we had no difficulties with the train, we assumed that figuring out the bus system would be no problem, but we soon found that it was more difficult than originally thought and we wandered around for a while before finding a place that seemed to us like a bus station. We wearily entered the station, quickly learning that this was not a bus station and were directed to another place. This new place was a bus station, the place we were supposed to be. However, knowing that we were in the right place and understanding what we were supposed to be doing were two different things. Between frustration and lack of Japanese skills, we were unable to make sense of the signs. After a few moments of contemplation and debate, we gave in to defeat and called Keiko-Sensei in hopes that she would be able to help us figure out how to get to the place we had traveled so long to see. After explaining the situation, Keiko-Sensei ended up asking us to give the phone to a police officer. Scott eventually took the phone into the police station and tried to convince the officer to pick it up. With the inability to communicate effectively, this task took longer than it should have, but Scott eventually persuaded him to take the phone and talk to Keiko-Sensei. After a few moments of hasty Japanese, the officer handed the phone back and lead us to the bus station. He made sure we got on the right bus and told the bus driver where we wanted to get off at. Despite the embarrassment, we made it to the castle. The castle and surrounded area are two of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. There was a peacock sanctuary, flourishing garden, and trails that lead you through groups of trees. We had to climb up part of a mountain; yama means mountain in Japanese, so we expected to come in contact with a mountain. Upon reaching the top of the mountain, we were able to tour the castle. The castle itself was beautiful, but the real treat was getting to climb to the top and see the view of Tateyama and the ocean. After visiting all that we could, we had to head back to the train station to catch a train back to the school. We managed to find the exit, but got on a bus going the wrong direction. We rode the bus for a while, taking in the unfamiliar sights; realizing that we were not going the way we needed to, we got off the bus, and sat frustrated, angry, and confused at a bus station for forty minutes before catching a bus back to the station. We were once again able to navigate the train system and made it back to the correct station. Despite the frustration and confusion that occurred throughout the day, it was an experience that I will never forget! AFTER reading the story, click here to hear it read aloud! |
What did you think of the story?
- I liked it.
Why did you like it?
- There was detail. I liked that there were pictures there for me to look at.
What else would you want to know?
- What else was at the castle?
- Why did you want to go to the castle?
What would you change about it?
- I would label the pictures so I know what they are of.
- I liked it.
Why did you like it?
- There was detail. I liked that there were pictures there for me to look at.
What else would you want to know?
- What else was at the castle?
- Why did you want to go to the castle?
What would you change about it?
- I would label the pictures so I know what they are of.