Jingu (Shrine) Photos

Hi, friends!  I am going to write about my trip to Ise Jingu (Ise Grand Shrine).
I came to the shrine with Geater's upon my arrival to Ise, but it was too stormy to take any photographs then.

It was really nice and sunny today and Hanna's friend was visiting from Sydney, Australia, so we decided to go to the shrine after having sushi feast!

Majority of Japanese people visit shrines and temples in Oshogatsu (New Year Celebration) to pray for coming year to be prosperous.  It seemed already busy even though there are 2 more days until the new year's day.

I wonder what Mao and Kiyoka were praying for...Sweets and toys maybe?

How are you spending your winter holiday in UK?

Work Experience

Hi, there!
I have come to Hanna's work today.  She works as a translator/ an international product certification representative.  She has two monitors in front of her and is kept busy from 9-6.
Because new year holiday is valued more than Christmas in Japan, I learned that most of Japanese companies are open until the 29th of December and closed until the 5th of January.
Winter break for kids starts from the 22nd of Dec. and they have approximately 2 weeks holiday.
That's it for today.  Keep warm and have a wonderful winter holiday!!!

Drawing of me

Are you having wonderful winter break?
I would like to share a drawing of me, a present from Mao.
Mao has drawn this to send it to Mei and Lily.
Do you all like it?

Cow Festival in Matsusaka

Hi, I went to Ushimatsuri in Matsusaka last weekend!  Ushi means cow and matsuri means festival in Japanese, I learned.  Matsusaka-ushi (cow) is a famous brand beef in Japan.
Kiyoka has showed me around the venue and we have tried some tasty festival food.  Festival food in Japan is awesome.  There were a variety of sweets and savory food - I tried BBQ Beef and Banana Crepe.
Later, I went to see the exhibition where Matsusaka cows are being auctioned and learned a lot about cows.
Average size of a cow of 2 years old; weighs approximately 633kg, approx.226cm in body length, approx.131cm in height and chest measurement is approx. 221cm, can you imagine how big they are compared to me?!  Since I was not allowed to go close to the real cow, I took a photograph near the poster.
It's time for bed now, I will be visiting Mao&Kiyoka's mother, Hanna's work tomorrow!

Cam Bear's Arrival

Hi!  It has been a while!
It's me, Cam Bear!  After 12 hours of flying, a few hours of driving, I arrived Ise-city, Mie-Prefecture, Japan with the Geater's.  On the day I arrived, the first place I visited was Ise Grand Shrine, but it was too stormy to take photographs.  I will indeed be visiting the shrine again whilst my stay in Ise and share photos with you.

I am now with Hanna's family.  I will be hanging around with two girls, Mao is 9 years old, Kiyoka is 7 years old.  I will soon be posting more stories from Japan!

First few days in Japan

Wow! What a few days it’s been!

After saying goodbye to my friends in Cambridge I headed off down the motorway to Heathrow Terminal 3 to catch a flight to Tokyo! It was so exciting to walk into the airport and when I got there I was mistaken for a celebrity bear and whisked off to the lounge! Totally unexpected - what a way to start the journey!

After a long flight I got to Narita and hitched a ride into Tokyo. I had heard the views of the city are amazing at night so I headed up to the top of the Fuji TV building to have a look. I wasn’t disappointed! Such a beautiful view of water, lights, bridges…I couldn't ask for more from my first evening in Japan.

I happen to have come to Tokyo just in time for the Tori-no-ichi festival. This happens every year and people look forward to a new year filled with luck. People buy bamboo rakes covered with symbols of good luck and prosperity to bring them luck in the business next year. The bigger the rake the better! I bought a small one this time but you never know, if it works I might be back for a bigger one!

I had a lovely few days in Tokyo taking in the sights, eating some delicious food and even fitting in a visit to my friend Kotarou at his traditional kimono shop. But my time in Tokyo is at an end: I’m now off to Kyoto for a few days. I’ll write again in a few days to tell you how it goes! There Will Be Monkeys…

You can see photos of these past few days here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110834046363994897406/CamBearTokyoNov2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

My first Halloween

What an adventure I've had recently! Let me tell you all about it. Halloween is on 31st October. Children, bears, and some adults dress up in scary costumes and go trick or treating to get sweets. Free sweets! Is there anything better? Somebody told me that I'd be just as surprised when Christmas comes in December. I'm not sure what could top free sweets.

Here I am in my fancy dress. It was quite difficult to find a fancy dress costume small enough so I wore a flashing pumpkin necklace.



I went trick or treating with a ghost, witch, werewolf, and vampire. They looked quite frightening but they were actually sweet children underneath the masks and make-up. They taught me how to trick or treat. You knock on a door, say trick or treat and hold out your bag for sweets. I got chocolates, lollipops, fizzy sweets, gummy sweets, and even some biscuits. My tummy was so full! I did manage to save some sweets for the next day. In fact, I still have half of my sweets left. I have to remember to brush my teeth very very well so I don't get cavities. Here is a photo of us just before we started trick or treating...



I almost forgot about the pumpkin carving we did. We cut the top of the pumpkin off and scooped out all the gooey insides. It was really squishy and messy but lots of fun. We saved the pumpkin seeds and roasted them in the oven. Yum Yum. Pumpkin seeds are my favourite snack now. We carefully used a pen to draw faces on the pumpkins then the adults helped us carve them. Take a look at our pumpkins. Can you guess which one I carved?



I give Halloween two big bear thumbs up!

On Saturday, I am off on my next adventure to Japan! I'm so excited to be able to ride in an airplane. Stay tuned to hear all about it.

Lots of love

Cam Bear