Today, Mr. Potato Head is learning about sake!

So today, my resort that I work at had an event about 雪中酒, which is basically where you take wine, bury it in the snow in February, then took months later it is totally fermented!

First, we went to a factory and say people make the rice meal for the sake, then we returned back to the resort. Then, we put a bunch of crates in rows, covered them with snow, then did a blessing to make the wine delicious in spring.

Afterwards was the best part: taste testing! We tried two kinds of sake, made last year with the snow method. It was VERY delicious. Honestly, I don't like straight alcohol...I need mixtures/flavour. However, Japanese sake is a more-delicious vodka, minus the burning sensation.

Then, my friend Alice and I went to the other event at our resort:  snow bar! The other workers made an outdoor bar in the snow, with candles and everything! It was gorgeous. Also, we got to star gaze, since it was a clear NIGHT... I have to say, the prettiest night sky has to be from Nagano prefecture. Tokyo can suck it!

Tomorrow we move back to the cabin. うれしーい！ [Im so happy!]

Until tomorrow,

Mr. PH and his photographer

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Today, Mr. Potato Head is settling into the "special room"

So first, I should probability explain this "special room". Last year, two of my friends did the same internship I'm doing right now. During their time here, they stayed on the second floor of what the staff calls the garage,  and I call "the shack". The room is about the size of my room in my apartment at Tokyo, except it is tatami-matted.

It's "specialness"is more sarcastic than anything,

But it's really not TOOO bad...[knock on wood]

On Saturday nights, when guests use our cabin, we stay in this room. No bath, no sink, no toliet... it's like a step between motel/tent camping.

However, as much as it seems I am complaining, I'm honestly the second happiest I've been in Japan [the first waz a retreat to Karuizawa, also in Nagano Prefecture].

I've learned I don't like Tokyo people. AT. ALL. The people in the country are SO MUCH friendlier, and don't stare at me constantly like Tokoyo people. Sure, I work my butt off for 8 hours a day, and it's super cold, but I could honestly not be happier....

[Knocks on wood]

Until tomorrow,

Mr. PH and his photographer

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Today, Mr. Potato Head is stuck in the snow

As a native Hooiser, I thought it was bad enough when we had a foot of snow. That is NOTHING compared to Iiyama.

The past two days it rained, so that got rid of a lot of snow. For next two days, though it is supposed to KEEP SNOWING.

For reference, we shoveled snow from the 玄関 [entrance] three times today, in a course of five hours, because it kept getting too hard for the guests to enter. Also, on the way to clean a cabin, I fell into a pile of snow which came up to my hips... I'm 5'5.5" aka that's about 2.5 feet of snow in less than a day.

However, I got to eat Au Gratin style food today for the first time, not just potatoes. SUPER YUMMY!!! I'm do thankful for the cooking here. It's nice to have a home cooked meal after a hard morning's work.

Off to make dinner and pack. Tomorrow we move to the "special room"for the next two nights which my friends who did this practicum last year stayed the whole time.

Until Tomorrow,

Mr. PH and his photographer

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Today, Mr. Potato Head is enjoying the simple life!

Hello from Iiyama! Mr. PH and I are currently staying in Iiyama City in Nagano Prefecture. For one month, we are working at a cabin resort called 森の家 or "Forest's home". My friend and I, everyday do things like shovel snow, make tea, clean cabins, and various snow activities. According to the staff here, Nagano is the snowiest part of Japan.. which I find hard to believe but as Ill post another time, it's not impossible!

During this month I can only blog through my smart phone, so dont expect long blogs, but expect more!!

So far, I've been speaking Japanese 87% of the time, went snow shoeing, made a house of snow, and shoved snow off of two-storie roofs. I even went to a 新年会 [New Years Party]!

Needless to say, Ill take mountain life over Tokyo people anyday!

Until tomorrow~

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