Yokohama

Commodore Perry bust. He helped to “encourage” Japan into opening up for trade with the West.

Every year a group of older Japanese people, most of who are a part of the international group here, get together and go on a trip. They invite ALTs in order to study English and travel together. While I’ve run into some issues with a few of them, I went last year and again this year. I always have fun and learn a lot. For me, it’s a great chance to see places I’ve never been or would never have thought to go on my own.

This year the group traveled to Yokohama prefecture. We went to the Izu Peninsula. Visited a harbor town. Drove onto Mermaid Island which is mostly just a shopping mall and stopped off in China town. So many panda themed things!! I had a great time this year too. Angela, myself, Hayley, Talitha, and Jenny all went this year. It was great to have people I know with me. Another American went as well. He’s with the JET program like Angela and Jenny Tam. It was nice to get to know him.

Angela looking fashionable on the coast.

We’ve decided that in pictures Hayley tends to either make a very Japanese like pose or be gangsta. Hahahaha

Jenny looking very dramatic with the wind in her hair.

Tribute to Commodore Perry

Can you see me?!

Japan always has a different design for each town, city, prefecture. For being such a country dedicated to a group mentality, they enjoy being individualistic too.

I nabbed a picture of this, but the funny thing is that the bathroom is literally four steps to the left.

I loved this tree because it grew so ridiculously horizontal. I found it lovely.

Beneath it is a pond of fish and two turtles.

This specific shrine seemed to have a ton of anime/manga themed prayer tablets. I’ve no idea why.

Palm trees!!

I liked that this was the shape of the moon. I would have liked to see it all lit up.

He’s sooo cute!!! >_<

Dramatic Jenny in black and white looks dramatic.

Jimmy Carter was here!! Hahahaha

Sorry, I enjoyed playing with the colors a lot here.

Do you think it morbid to take photos in a graveyard?

DJ again!

This graveyard was the first place where Americans were ever buried in Japan. One of them died at 27. That was a little creepy for me.

I really liked the uphill inclination of this graveyard.

Two of my favorite ALT’s hanging out.

The Izu Peninsula was really beautiful. The water was unimaginably blue. I have never seen such dark blue water before.

Now for a lot of boring rock pictures. Sorry bout that.

Can you find anyone in this picture?

Angela made the shirt she has on here with bleach!! It’s it amazing?

She’s one lovely gal.

Clouds in Japan get so HUGE!! I know that doesn’t make sense but I mean they pile up in tall formations in the sky. (This isn’t a good example.) Texas has more flat rolling clouds.

The artist.

Look what the water did. Carved this part right out man.

There was this section of the peninsula where you could get right down near the water as it sprawled across the shoreline and smashed against the rocks nearby. The girls were more adventuresome than myself.

Before she notices.

Caught!! “Don’t take pictures of me!” Is what that face is saying. lol

It was treacherously slippery here too. Talitha is helping Jenny make it across a moderate tide pool to dry ground.

That island in the distance I believe is the one that recently underwent horrible destruction from a typhoon.

We were able to see Mt. Fuji for quite awhile but the bus never stopped at a place where I could clamber out for a great photo NOT through the bus window.