Japan 2.0 : Day 3

On day 3, we went sightseeing to places nearby. We went to the Hikone castle which was considered a ‘national treasure’  of  Japan. It was so cold during that day and it even rained. Good thing, I always have meds and vitamins with me! I’m the girl scout – always ready! Haha 🙂

the road to Hikone

to Hikone castle

Hikone poster

🙂

and the main event is ‘Konyan’

tourists are waiting for Konyan

The highlight in Hikone castle was ‘Konyan’. The mascot was the symbol of the ancient samurais back then. Everywhere you go there’s ‘konyan’ signs from souvenirs, paper towels and even in your door mats! Nice right? It’s just a simple representation but Japanese people adored and loved him — even if inside the mascot he’s just a person. hehe

*All pics are taken at the National Treasure Hikone Castle Japan

Japan 2.0: Day 2

Day 2: Before we went out to see the ever famous cherry blossoms, we reminisced the house we stayed in the first time we went to Japan.

the house we stayed in

cherry blossom in the neighborhood

🙂

then a little stroll at the nearest mall

and may I just add..

parking’s free!

Japan 2.0

Prologue

As a young adult, you want to travel, have fun, go and eat to places you have never been. But of course in order to do that, you need money to spend on it. In my case, I got everything for free! Lucky me!

I think I am privileged enough to have this kind of blessing. I got to sleep and dine at places I can never afford! Haha..

This started out when I was in high school, I was fortunate enough to be chosen to have Japanese foster parents to sponsor my studies. They did not automatically choose me as their foster child, I had to be on top of class to get a scholarship, which technically gives allowances every month. Thanks to my very kind and generous guidance counselors in high school who endorsed me to the organization.

So since high school, every time they come here, we, including my fellow foster sisters (we are many, about 5 as foster children) go with them in a tour. We travel in hotels, resorts and other beautiful places in Cebu with which I can never travel if not for free! I belong to a mediocre family with self-employed parents. I cannot say we are poor because basing on basic needs, our family can provide. We can even eat more than three times a day. I also cannot say that we belong to the middle class because, there are also times when we can’t afford to buy stuffs we really needed—the down times.

Moving forward, in college they still give me allowances (only) every month through the organization—Plumeria.

My foster parents gave me the chance to travel to Japan. The first time was on 2009 (see Primero) for 18 days and now for a week this time on spring.

So here’s our short adventure with my foster sister Haidee.

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2 coming up! 🙂

P.S all events day one until seven took place from April 18 to 24.

Primero

This is the photo of my first glance of snow. I live in the Philippines which is a tropical country– with wet and dry seasons only so we never got to have a chance to experince snow here. 

Japan was the country I have travelled (for now). The morning after we arrived, I was surprised by the very bright white light in the room we stayed. I was wondering why it was so bright, as I stood up I felt like my eyes were as big as my face. I could not even say a word as I saw the very big pile of snow in front of the house we were staying. I felt ecstatic as I woke up my roommate to share the same emotion I was having. We were jumping in the bedroom and throwing pillows at each other. I was wondering if we could get out and touch the snow. It was December when I was there, I was thinking how it feels to make a snow man. Yes, we had the chance to get out but we need to shovel the pile of snow that was blocking the porch of the house we were staying. But then again, my roommate and I had the chance to play while shoveling

 Marites (right) and I playfully shoveled the snow.