In Which There Was Much Rejoicing *waves flag*

Phew!

It's amazing when you wake up fully refreshed of your own accord at 5am and feel like you can completely take on the day! (maybe there is something to this "waking-up-early-thing" that she's always been told about~)

And oh, how the rain continues~ But rather than seeing it as a dreary burden that soaks her to the skin and creates a sort of constant clamminess about all surfaces, she's reveling in the way it enshrouds the hilltops in mist and creates a vibrancy among the flowers and trees that seem to be conquering any surface they can claim.

And still the rain continued its steady downpour, causing transportation and trips they had planned for the day to be compromised. But even with the sidewalks and parking lots practically flooded, she wouldn't be deterred.

"I simply must explore further! This place has seemed nothing short of wonderful, and I have yet to go very far!" Luckily, her comrade in arms and photographing-friend-extraordinaire was of a like mind. And so they set off, after a morning of class full of dynamic discussions and presentations about the recent history of Japan.

Friendly trees hung over and dripped into the small bicycle avenue they walked down in startled amazement. "Where will this path lead us? what's on the other side?" It seemed they would come to the shore of the practically ancient Lake Biwa. Forward they went, holding her friends umbrella periodically so that she could get just the right shot of the character they were seeing all around them.

(Photo by Katie)

"This isn't Wonderland at all! It's as if we are to happen upon Totoro at any moment, instead!" The delighted pair couldn't contain their enthusiasm as they danced forward, marveling at the world they'd found themselves in. She felt a quiet sense of ownership that she could experience the world in this way, even knowing that she was not alone then and that she was by no means the first to travel down that path ever before. Yet the smell of the water as she heard it connecting with every surface around her created a peace she could feel deep inside.

They reached the lake, and gazed out to see what they could see....

The hotel they had stayed at the first night they had arrived...

The opposite bank nearly impassible (but not "impossible") to see...

And the silent sentinels that marched along the banks....

Returning to their room and feeling triumphant, they later joined others from their class on a trip into town and the market there (where our (anti-)heroine caved and purchased an umbrella...). They are now the proud owners of Pokemon stamped tofu, and Pokemon Ramune~ main ingredients that are practically screaming "Eat Me!" and "Drink Me!"~