A couple of weekends ago some of us took a trip to 高萩 (Takahagi) and explored some of the coastal area. We found some pretty cool caves and scenery.

We went hiking along the cliffs. The path went along some pretty steep drops at times.

The fireworks lasted about two hours and were pretty impressive. This show was held in Kairakuen Park in Mito. Its actually the third most beautiful park in Japan. This was part of the Mito Komon Festival. Mito Komon was the founding father of Mito City.

There were vendors set up all around Kairakuen Park for the fireworks. I can't remember what all was on this food stand but I think there was some wicked looking squid in the mix.

We had a really big festival in Mito recently. These girls are decked for the occasion in their traditional clothes called yukatas. These are some really nice elementary school girls we met on the sidewalk right outside our apartment. They weren't camera shy.

Our fearless sempai (older leader type), Lj, tells us how to be super-AETs. This week has been full of training for new AETs that just arrived as well as a refresher course for the rest of us. Its been good to see how new AETs react to the culture to remind us of how much we learned about living in Japan. Its also been good to hear from other AETs who have been here a few years longer than us to realize how much more there is to learn.

Working hard to train the new AET in the group (Can you guess which one is the new 'guy'?).

This picture is actually a little more descriptive of our group persona. This is how we survived the wicked stressful days or the turbulent cultural immersion-a good laugh with an Aussie and an Okie.

As of the close of July 31st, this group of four (Amy, Arianne, Rachel and Rusty) have lived in Japan for a year. We had to say goodbye to Amy but we're sure we'll bump into her along the way again. The other three of us will continue plucking away here in Mito.