Gasshuku Camp

Gasshuku Camp

Every day is something new, but this weekend had a bunch of “firsts” for me.

This weekend, starting Saturday night, I went to my first-ever gasshuku (boarding house/lodge AKA camping indoors) in Chiba, Japan. I actually expected to crash early on in the night, but I ended up staying up until 1AM with my group of crazies! I had so much fun introducing myself to my new friends, having dinner/breakfast with my favorite bunch, doing agility courses outdoors with the kids, taking pictures of the pretty outdoor gardens, and playing cards late into the night like a crazy person.

My friends have discovered I have no poker face, often showing them my hand to ensure their trust that I don’t have the babanuki (old maid), and when I do have it, I be sure to let them know. :)

Hmm, firsts... let’s see...
Setting up and putting away my own futon. First, futon, then sheets, then two comforters, then blanket on top. Oh, and the pillow case needs a cover. I love futons and sincerely do not mind setting them up or putting them away because it makes me feel so legit with my Japanese immersion.

Shared baths. In all honesty, it wasn’t as awkward as I thought it would be, actually, and was actually a lot of fun with my partner who walked me through everything. Also, I think taking my glasses off did wonders, too, because I felt no embarrassment when facing my partner to speak to her, haha.

First, take off your slippers before entering the dressing room. Then, take your clothes off in the little dressing room and put your clothes and things in your own little cubby. Then, take a shower and wash your hair and everything. THEN you can enter the bath. The water wasn’t all that warm by the time I got in, so I filled it with new hot water and swished it around the bath a bit. It was sooo nice. Then, before getting your clothes back on, rinse yourself off again in the shower.

And then, voila! Squeaky-clean, refreshed Danielle! Nothing like a hot bath! I’d like to go to an onsen (hot spring) sometime soon. I also learned recently that there is a Japanese saying that goes something like, “In an onsen, everyone is naked.” They have no social status and no money to show; they’re all naked and can all laugh and talk in the hot spring as a sort of get-together place. And I think that’s pretty cool.

And that’s all I have to report for this week! Until next time!