Slippery When Wet
Kaz has been mentioning Waterfall Week-ender for quite some time now. We laugh because it sounds like something very official and planned, but in all reality it was just a bunch of ALTs who got together to go to waterfalls for the weekend with a good barbecue in between. It was so much fun. We met up with about 9 people from the Satsuma peninsula at the Tarumizu ferry port. It was about 6 of us from our peninsula (Osumi). On Saturday we went to the this river with waterfalls in Tarumizu. It was really something else. Kaz says that the water level was quite high, probably because of all the rain. There was also a bit of a strong current passing through. It did not necessarily look strong because at points it was shallow and clear like glass, but believe me, it was strong. I've had first hand experience with what I would like to call the Silent Killer.
Although the glass-like water was a bit frigid, we quickly acclamated to the temperature and swam off to this spot where there were these big boulders we could climb and a rope to swing off of. Well, we all ended up on the rock. One guy in our group began to swing on the rope, as I decided to proceed up the waterfall. Not one of my brighter ideas. As I placed one foot into the water, the current took me and slammed me into some rocks. Think of white water rafting without the raft OR a human pinball machine submerged in water. I kept on trying to grab hold of some of the larger rocks, but the current was too strong. At this point, I remember looking up and seeing everyone that was with us looking the other way. Nobody was aware that I was being dragged by the river gods. Then, Laura looked saw me, and suddenly everyone’s eyes turned in my direction. They said that they saw my head hit a rock, but it must have just appeared to because I did not feel any head injuries. Finally, I was able to step onto this more shallow part of the rapids where I was able to get out on the opposite side of where the group was. I remember waving to them and signaling to them I was OK. However, they said that I just had a scared smile on my face. The right side of my body was all scratched up. I ended up having a few bruises on my right leg and a very sore chest and arms. At first I thought the only way to go back to the lagoon to get to the other side would be to get back in the rapids and pray for the best, but I climbed over and behind a large boulder that led me to a place where I could jump into the lagoon and avoid the rapids. After that, everything was fine. I only hoped that I had not ruined anyone’s Waterfall Weekender.
We spent about four hours there before having to head back to the ferry port to pick up the other cars and Kaz’s boyfriend. When we tried to leave, one of the cars would not start. I suggested that we push start it like my aunt told me, but it turns out to be one of the 3 cars in the state that is automatic. We saw a couple of women who we thought may be able to help us. We walked up to them and I began to ask if they had jumper cables by making a fool out myself. One woman looked to me and said in perfect English, “Does your car not start?” She lived in London and was visiting a cousin. I was so embarrassed. Well, she did not have jumper cables, but found someone who did. After that, we all headed to Kaz’s to have a barbecue and a few drinks. It was quite nice hanging out with everyone and getting to know several of the veteran Jets. Everyone seemed quite amicable. We stayed there till about midnight drinking and eating the best burgers and yakisoba ever.
The next morning Cristina and I slept in, and I woke up a bit sore because of all my injuries. Instead of heading to the waterfall between our towns with the rest of the folks, we went to have lunch and rent a movie. We decided to see how the process worked since there was a video rental store so close to Cristina’s house. It had several movies, mostly in VHS format. She got a membership card and we rented the new Peter Pan on DVD. The movie was 4.20 like in the States and needed to be returned by midnight the next day. We are not too sure if the prices are different depending on the release date or format of the movie. We went home to watch it. It was cute, I guess. Later that evening, Cristina made some rice pudding. It was OK. She admitted that it would have been better had she had more milk. She had about half a cup and had to mix it with water.
This morning, I woke up early and packed up to head back to Uchinoura for work. As I was leaving, I could not find my keys anywhere. I went into a frenzy waking Cristina up and making her search everywhere with me. I was honestly scared I had lost them because I had not driven or seen my keys in the past 3 days. I was already thinking that I would have to call my office to get a locksmith for my house and car and I would have to take a day of paid leave. As it turns out, they were in one of my bags but in an odd pocket that I do not remember placing them in. Point is that I found them and was able to go home, change and make it to work on time. And here I am. I have already sat through 3 meetings that I have not understood a word spoken. I have not asked about the Internet yet because the guy I usually ask has stepped out. I hope to be reading and sending some emails soon.
Although the glass-like water was a bit frigid, we quickly acclamated to the temperature and swam off to this spot where there were these big boulders we could climb and a rope to swing off of. Well, we all ended up on the rock. One guy in our group began to swing on the rope, as I decided to proceed up the waterfall. Not one of my brighter ideas. As I placed one foot into the water, the current took me and slammed me into some rocks. Think of white water rafting without the raft OR a human pinball machine submerged in water. I kept on trying to grab hold of some of the larger rocks, but the current was too strong. At this point, I remember looking up and seeing everyone that was with us looking the other way. Nobody was aware that I was being dragged by the river gods. Then, Laura looked saw me, and suddenly everyone’s eyes turned in my direction. They said that they saw my head hit a rock, but it must have just appeared to because I did not feel any head injuries. Finally, I was able to step onto this more shallow part of the rapids where I was able to get out on the opposite side of where the group was. I remember waving to them and signaling to them I was OK. However, they said that I just had a scared smile on my face. The right side of my body was all scratched up. I ended up having a few bruises on my right leg and a very sore chest and arms. At first I thought the only way to go back to the lagoon to get to the other side would be to get back in the rapids and pray for the best, but I climbed over and behind a large boulder that led me to a place where I could jump into the lagoon and avoid the rapids. After that, everything was fine. I only hoped that I had not ruined anyone’s Waterfall Weekender.
We spent about four hours there before having to head back to the ferry port to pick up the other cars and Kaz’s boyfriend. When we tried to leave, one of the cars would not start. I suggested that we push start it like my aunt told me, but it turns out to be one of the 3 cars in the state that is automatic. We saw a couple of women who we thought may be able to help us. We walked up to them and I began to ask if they had jumper cables by making a fool out myself. One woman looked to me and said in perfect English, “Does your car not start?” She lived in London and was visiting a cousin. I was so embarrassed. Well, she did not have jumper cables, but found someone who did. After that, we all headed to Kaz’s to have a barbecue and a few drinks. It was quite nice hanging out with everyone and getting to know several of the veteran Jets. Everyone seemed quite amicable. We stayed there till about midnight drinking and eating the best burgers and yakisoba ever.
The next morning Cristina and I slept in, and I woke up a bit sore because of all my injuries. Instead of heading to the waterfall between our towns with the rest of the folks, we went to have lunch and rent a movie. We decided to see how the process worked since there was a video rental store so close to Cristina’s house. It had several movies, mostly in VHS format. She got a membership card and we rented the new Peter Pan on DVD. The movie was 4.20 like in the States and needed to be returned by midnight the next day. We are not too sure if the prices are different depending on the release date or format of the movie. We went home to watch it. It was cute, I guess. Later that evening, Cristina made some rice pudding. It was OK. She admitted that it would have been better had she had more milk. She had about half a cup and had to mix it with water.
This morning, I woke up early and packed up to head back to Uchinoura for work. As I was leaving, I could not find my keys anywhere. I went into a frenzy waking Cristina up and making her search everywhere with me. I was honestly scared I had lost them because I had not driven or seen my keys in the past 3 days. I was already thinking that I would have to call my office to get a locksmith for my house and car and I would have to take a day of paid leave. As it turns out, they were in one of my bags but in an odd pocket that I do not remember placing them in. Point is that I found them and was able to go home, change and make it to work on time. And here I am. I have already sat through 3 meetings that I have not understood a word spoken. I have not asked about the Internet yet because the guy I usually ask has stepped out. I hope to be reading and sending some emails soon.
posted by Jesse Montano at
10:13 AM
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