Finally.. finally.. I have tried skiing, walking, rolling, stumbling, walking sliding on snow.

Rendezvous Point ( 02.23.2007 )
Everybody met at JR Amagasaki Station at 10:30 PM. The Kakuta couple, Tama-san ( Mr. Kakuta’s college friend), Naoko-san, Vanessa and Amber ( Naoko-san’s friends from Taiwan), all met up in the station. We left the station at around 11 PM. There were about 20++ participants in this Ski tour.

The Trip to Nozawa Onsen
It takes about 8 hours from Osaka to Nozawa Onsen in Nagano. The organizers(Mr. Kakuta’s friend ) prepared lots of food and drinks and some activities in the bus. We also received our scarf, to recognize those who needs help: yellow- beginners, pink - basic level, red - expert. Of course, I had a yellow scarf/bandana.
The weather forecast says that it would snow the next day, so everybody was happy about and I was wondering why but I was very excited cause I am going to see/experience it all.

02.24.2007
Arrival
We arrived earlier from the expected time of arrival. And as predicted, snows are falling. When I saw the snow outside, I was so excited that I could not go back to sleep. I was so anxious to go out already, but I don’t understand why till the organizer
mentioned that the hotel reservation has been complete. Oh eah, check-in time was not till 7 am.

7:00 AM: Everybody retrieve their belongings and proceed to the hotel. I was so tempted to just ran around the area and feel the falling snow. ( Yeah,I know I’m ignorant with snow, but hey its beautiful and romantic so … )

Ski Session
8:30 AM: After changing into our wear and gear, we proceeded to the ski area which is about 5 min walk-climb. The snow was still falling hard, it was dreamy.
I could not run around cause the ski shoes was heavy I could hardly walk, plus the ski itself was heavy.
The Practice:
While waiting for Naoko-san get his short-ski, we had a snow fight. Finally I was able to do a snow fight. Then we had a little lesson session and demonstration from the pros. When I put on the ski gear, I slide and I could not control my feet and force myself to stop. I fel scared but excited. After a couple of tries, I was nowhere near successful. I do not even know how to stand after I fell.
Then the group decided to go the top of the beginners course. I was like, are they sure? But then hell what the heck, that was what I came here for.

The Lift:
We proceeded to the lift. When I saw how to ride it, oh why is it not stopping?? Ah ok it will scope you up, so that’s why its not a good idea to carry your gear. I was carrying my ski instead of wearing it, just like the other. So ok, when the operator called for the next person in line ( me ) , my heart could not calm down and my brain probably just stop function, instead of waiting for the chair to scoop you up from the red line, I was so slow on walking that the chair scoop me up way before I enven reach the red line. My stock ?? ( the ski stick ) got in the way and so I dropped the other one so that I could set properly or else I’ll fall off. The operator stopped the lift and handed my stock. So there I was riding .. the view from top was amazing , but i was already frozen with fear. I am still having nightmare from that ride. The was scariest part of this trip. I hate riding it. I wanted to ski more but knowing that I have to ride that lift again.. I rather walk all the ay up to the top carrying the ski rather than riding that monster lift again.

Meeting Great Teacher Sasayan
Mr and Mrs. K, Naoko and Mr. T. were waiting for us on the top. Me and Vanessa were the total beginner that our “teachers” were having a hard time explaining the basics to us :D. Then came Sasayan-san to the rescue. Mr.K and Mr.T could not speak english very well, so they can’t do any explanation to Amber and Vanessa. Mr.S also can’t speak english, so only Naoko can explain it to them. Although the others were there to assist of course.. Mr.S took over the lesson, while Naoko took care of Amber and Vanessa but of course Mr. S would still help them, specially if Vanessa fall and could not bring herself to stand :D. Mr.S a.k.a.
Great Teacher Sasayan , was very patient in teaching us, he even offered to bringing the stock, cause I don’t like using it. And so the lesson continued, I learned how to control my left and right leg so that I can turn to either left or right and finally stop. I also learned how to stand if ever I fall. I even learned how to fall properly. Finally we reached the bottom of the course, the shoes is killing my feet that I want to take it off and throw it way Mr. S suggested that we take a break for awhile, Amber still wants to go. Vanessa was already in the restaurant, she give up and used the lift to take her down. So Amber , Vanessa and I took our refuge in the nearby restaurant, finally I could loosen my shoes. Vanessa and I had our lunch while Amber went back again. After our lunch, we decided to practice a little more outside while waiting for the others to come back. But first we had a couple of picture taken of course.

After awhile, my feet started hurting again, but I wanted to go back, but seeing the lift again and knowing that I would ride back on it again, made me so scared ( I don’t care that I would be called a coward ) that I or we decide to go back to the hotel and just have
a relaxing afternoon.

Then Mrs. K came back, and the three of us headed out to the nearby Onsen. The Onsen was so hot, that I guess it was not for humans. The locals there were laughing and giving us tips how to get used to the waters. I guess it took about 10 minutes of continous pouring of the water on our body before we finally submerge into that scalding water. Even Mrs.K who loved Onsen found it too hot for humans

The ski resort closes at 1600. So me and Vanessa decided to go back there and take pictures. Amber decided also to come and do some shopping.

Dinner was composed of traditional Japanese meal. Then got to chat with Mr.S , Mr.T Mr and Mrs K . Mr.T and Mr. K wanted to speak/practice English and I gladly assisted them. And I gave them 2 tounge twister phrase to practice on.. goodluck guys.
You can practice your english conversation with me anytime …

The evening was fun, and Vanessa became the instant hit with the guys

02.25.2207
Mrs. K , Vanessa and I decide to go out and look for Onsen and do some sightseeing as well as a little shopping. Naoko and Amber and the rest of the group all went back to do more skiing and snowboarding.

The three of us had a great time exploring the town. We had a very delicious lunch “Hot Miso Ramen” Yummmy…

The Ride Home
The bus ride was fantastic. The view outside the bus was amazing. I enjoyed it as usual. I missed riding busses…

It was an amazing weekend. The organizers deserved a two thumbs up for being able to organize such and event, ( though I don’t know them ) But still Congratulations!!!

I want to try it again maybe after a year or so when my fear of the lift subsides, until now I am still having nightmare about it…
the way to the ski resort

me after the ski session
the bottom of the beginners course

my face only
the onsen where the water is not for human

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 at 12:55 pm and is filed under Outdoor. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.