Pumpkin Kit Kats and Mt. Fuji

Finally!  They are on the shelf…along with the other crazy Japanese Halloween candy.  More on this later in the post, or another day.  Let's see how long it takes to read this one.

So, Scott and I have wanted to climb Mt. Fuji for some time now.  There is a short window of opportunity, July through the middle of September and since we aren't here in July..well.  Before we left, I had to ask some advice from an expert.

Dear Fuji San,

I have heard most people climb Mt. Fuji in two days, what is your opinion?
Sincerely, Hoping to Make It

Dear Hoping,

Start early, waaay early and buy a walking stick.  The shop will be open at 6:00 a.m.  You can finish your climb in one day if you do accordingly.

On the drive up, there is a musical cleft painted in the road, followed by a painted note followed by (here is where it gets very Japanesey) grooves in the road that play a song when you drive over them.  WHO thinks of that except the Japanese?!  Have fun! Sincerely, Fuji

Dear Fuji San,

I have heard there are 10 stations, or way points, two particular ones that are treasures.  What are they?
Sincerely, So Excited To Go!

Dear Excited,

They are little huts where you can sleep (most people climb over two days) or buy ramen or soup.  Don't buy anything there--they will gouge you!  Take 100 yen coins to have images burned into your wooden walking stick.  It is worth it! Too late in the season and the huts start to close down, Fuji

Dear Fuji San,

How hard is the hike up the mountain?  It doesn't look THAT bad.  Sincerely, Climber

Dear Climber,

For most people it shouldn't be too bad if you are in shape.  However, you will have to climb hand over hand over lava rock after station seven.  Be prepared!  Your walking stick won't help, sorry, Fuji

P.S.  The view down from there is just magnificent.  You should be above the clouds at that point.

Dear Fuji San,

How much water should I take?  Signed, "A Little Concerned About Carrying a Lot of Stuff"

Dear Concerned,

Take four bottles of water, you will need it.  However, be prepared to carry all of your rubbish out as there are NO garbage cans.  Also, with that much water, be sure you bring lots of 100 yen coins as they charge you to use the bathroom (if you can call it that).  Are you sure you still want to climb?  All the best, Fuji

Isn't he darling?  You should have seen him at 12,000 ft.  Oh wait, maybe I have a photo.  

Someone didn't use their 100 yen coins for amenities. 

Dear Fuji San,

I am told that Fuji is 12,389 ft. high. Since we basically live at sea level in Tokyo, can you get altitude sickness?  Sincerely, Dizzy

Dear Dizzy

Yes, after 10,000 ft. you will experience dizziness, headaches and lack of energy.  Your heart will race and your pace will slow.  Buy canned oxygen for 500 yen at Don Quiote in Tokyo and cart it up.  And remember…what you take up, you must take back out.  Sincerely, Don't Pay the 1500 Yen They Charge on Mt. Fuji.

Dear Fuji San,

I have heard it gets really hard the last few 100 ft. or so. I can imagine my dear husband saying at this point, "Let's just stick a fork in this pig," or something like that.  Sincerely, Having Second Thoughts

Dear Thoughts,

Don't look up! It can seem that no matter how many steps you take, the summit never comes.  Keep your head down.  Why are you still going?  All the Best, Fuji

Dear Climber,

I can assume you are just going to go so I will give a bunch of last minute advice.  It is breathtaking at the top.  You will feel such a grand feeling of accomplishment and excitement.  You have done it!

Once at the top, tape your shoes to your socks.  Don't ask, trust and thank me later.  Just go!  Sincerely, Fuji

 Dear Fuji San,

Since they have a post office up here at the summit of Fuji, I am sending this missive.  We made it!  I don't know why you said it was going to be hot--it was freezing.  Aside from the rain and 20-30 mile an hour gusts on the first 1/3 of the trail, we had snow and ice at the top!  They said the temp dropped 15 degrees Celsius since Saturday.  The crater was just gorgeous.  I don't know what I expected, photos I usually see are snow covered.  Incredible.   You are so pretty from far away and up close.  Sincerely, Summiters

Dear Fuji San,

I am saving this note so I can hand carry it down (no rubbish cans and all) and send later.  I am cursing you as I descend.  I know you said it was going to be much harder coming down that going up, but I scoffed at that particular advice.  You didn't mention that the mountain on the way down looked very much like Mordor.  Nor did you say the the decline would be so steep I might wonder that my toenails would fall off.  You didn't mention that it would have been better to zig zag the zig zags so my back wouldn't freeze up, my thighs burn and ache. Had I remembered to serpentine, I might not have fallen on my rump.  I do accept your advice about taping socks to shoes, though.  I feel certain it saved me from having to empty my shoes on a regular basis.  Wishing I Never Came.

Fuji San,

Your words of how it would have been nice to actually ski down Mt. Fuji are ringing in my ears.  That, or carry up cardboard to "surf" down.  I know it took us several hours to summit, but it has been three hours on the descent and no level ground in sight.  Why didn't I listen?!!!

Fuji San,

Okay, I apologize.  I am glad I went.  I love my walking stick!  It reminds me of a fabulous day spent with my dear husband conquering the roof of Japan.  I can do hard things.  Now for the obligatory Mt. Fuji quote,

 “He who does not climb Mt.Fuji is a fool, but he who climbs Mt.Fuji twice is also a fool.”

 Next time: Why plain flavor just won't do for Kit Kats or any snack.

Whitings in Tokyo, Micronesia/Guam edition

Please enjoy this introductory video about a dear man, his beliefs and his island.

The Asia North Area includes Japan, Korea and Guam/Micronesia which is full of islands you have never heard of--Pohnpei, Yap, Kosrae, and so it was only a matter of time before we got to visit our southern neighbors…and was it ever gorgeous!  The video you have just watched is of Lensper Kalio, the new stake president in Pohnpei, more on him later.

Guam which is the starting point for island hopping, reminded us of Hawaii in so many ways although we were only passing through to a real treasure--the islands of Chuuk (we visited last October).  This is our view from the airplane!  Our meetings were on Weno, but they drew missionaries and members from six nearby islands which looked like THIS!

The view was prettier from above as this is what we saw upon touch down, it truly looked third world.  However, looks can be deceiving and we quickly learned to stop using our eyes to judge.  We discovered much happiness and contentment among the people we visited although their humble circumstances might make one think otherwise.  Everyone waved and had huge smiles.  My Kailua friends might be interested to know we saw a young man wearing a Kailua High Athletics t-shirt walking the dirt paths!  Truly there was maybe only 100 feet of concrete road and nothing as civilized after that.  

Then there were views like this:

 
                                                                      And this!

The church building is the prettiest structure on the island and the members there are so proud of it.  There was a parking lot for the church, but truly, this (below) represents the "parking lot" most used by the members.  Many started out an hour and a half before the conference to get to Weno from other islands in their mode of transportation.  They wore everyday clothes to travel in as it was extremely wet and changed into their Sunday best once they arrived.  Sister Aoyagi, the wife of the first counselor in the Area Presidency gathers white shirts and neckties from the Japanese members in her stake to distribute among the Chuuk members. Every priesthood holder had on a white shirt and tie.

Because it is still a district, Chuuk has no wards but many branches. Some of the branches are small, but one with only 30 members attending has 10 full-time missionaries out serving missions right now.  Any ward other than Utah wards care to match that?!  The missionaries on the other islands come in to Weno on p-day to email their mothers and to shop.  Mostly, there is no or little electricity on those other islands and the water is untreated.  Some even bathe in small streams.

You have to fly into Guam to get to the Micronesian islands.  Sometimes when the weather is bad the airplanes abort their landings and end up flying by to return another day.  The return flight to Guam from Chuuk leaves at 2:30 a.m.  If the plane is able to land, a cheer goes up from those waiting at the airport knowing they won't have to wait for the next one days later.    

Usually when people check in at an airport they wonder from which of the numberless gates they will board.  In the islands of Micronesia, there is never any reason to wonder, see below.

Below is the landing strip for Chuuk.  Short and not so sweet.  When we flew from Pohnpei to Chuuk on our way back to Guam and then to Tokyo, it was windy and once the plane landed, the pilot needed to "right" the plane before applying the brakes.  We were glad for seat belts and we sent a shout out to my brother-in-law,  Jeff Davis who is an airplane brake engineer.  There wasn't much landing strip left once we finally stopped. 

Our second trip was to Saipan which is north of Guam and part of the Micronesia/Guam mission, but is in reality one of the Northern Mariana Islands.  To get there, we had to fly over Tinian island and I snapped a photo of a landing strip.  The Enola Gay took off from this landing strip on its mission to Hiroshima during the second world war.  I have known for some time the part Japan played in WWII, but had no idea that we would visit islands where there is so much WWII history.  

Our stop, Saipan.  There were many Japanese troops stationed here but we discovered their families were here as well.  After our mission tour, we stopped for a brief visit to these beautiful places only to discover the tragic history.  We saw Marpi Point, or Suicide Cliff.  Below is a link to a history channel video which will explain it.  The beautiful scenery belies the grief experienced here.  The reason I could not embed this video is it kept appearing at the top of the page with the President Kalio video. It is still a compelling video, please watch.  Please be warned, some of it might be disturbing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDUy0uzmaU4

And finally, our last stop just this past month was to Pohnpei.  I was struck by the beauty, of course, but the people are even more beautiful.  They are so thoughtful and so dear, it is a blessing to be with them.  A stake was created, the first in Micronesia, last March.  The people were so warm and loving.  They performed and sang and were so grateful.  Below is my husband and Elder Nash, assigned to create the new stake, wearing their salad, apparently.  It gives a whole new meaning to hakulei.  

As you saw in the first video, this is what it looks like in Pohnpei.

I should have taken more photos, but below is a ward building for the Ayrye members (130 strong) who come regularly and yes, they sit on the concrete floor.  They asked us to take off our shoes before stepping on the church floor.  What you didn't see was there were only three walls.  The auxiliaries break up and meet under easy-corners tents and wherever they can, basically.  Four of the seven church buildings were not as rough as this one, but the members are so grateful to have a place to worship.  This handsome young man is Bishop Malarma's son.  

The oldest church building is 30 some years old and the Mand branch meets there, but is immaculately kept by the branch president who lives next to it.  Below that is a photo of the baptismal font and below that one is the branch president and his son, hard working and devoted members.

These are the dear senior missionaries on Pohnpei who showed us the island.  They love the people and do such wonderful things there.  They teach seminary at the high school during lunch, they help with education at many of the other schools and work wonders.  Elder Chandler describes his wife as a "thoroughbred" who shot right out of the chutes when they landed in Pohnpei and hasn't stopped running.  They represent all of our senior couples in the area who are completely indispensable.  

 It is such a stark contrast from everyday life in Tokyo, the largest city in the world, or Seoul, where we visit occasionally, to the beautiful and humble islands of Micronesia.  We are so lucky to get to see that contrast, one is not better than the other, just different.  The members in every city we go to are the sweetest, dearest people we have met.  

However, the scenery is much more easy on the eye in the South Pacific and the cloud formations are such as we have never seen anywhere else.  Anyone jealous yet?

Mt. Nokogiri, a much needed P-day

Scott and I had a p-day today after a long (and yet not long enough) three weeks in Utah for a wedding (photos later), General Conference, mom's surgery, saying 'good-bye' to four daughters and two grandchildren, sisters, and on and on.  Everyone is there now except us and Joe of course.  So, we spoiled ourselves with a little outing to Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba.  I think you will agree, it was fabulous!  This first picture is of a bas relief of the goddess Kannon, carved into the side of the mountain.  She is 100 ft. tall and completely amazing!

The view over into Tokyo Bay was gorgeous.  It felt good to get out into the countryside.

Mt. Nokogiri consists of a temple, the Kannon rock sculpture, 1500 arhats located along a walking path and a daibutsu, or Giant Buddha (pictures below).  I decided to play a game and find the arhats that best fit our children's personalities.  

Camille is any one of the arhats up against the wall.  The pathway was on the edge of the mountain and she is our skittish one when it comes to heights.  Take your pick, Camille, I just want to know what you are holding.

This is Joe's face, but since the arhat's eyes are closed, you can't see the eye roll that Joe is famous for. 

Below are either the newlyweds, Abby and Casey because they are having so much fun together, or Gracie and Sam, our little grand babies because they make each other laugh. 

Or maybe the headless one is Abby, she almost forgot her wedding dress and the marriage license..and her make up and …on her wedding day.  It could be Camille or Emma front and center with the face palm looking at Abby in frustration over her forgetfulness.

The one below is Kate as she is the most serene of our children, we'll call her Goddess Divine.  She has such patience with her little ones.  Notice how she is standing on a dog dragon (Lucy)?  Ammon, her husband really wants a dog, but Kate says she has her hands full.  Maybe the dog would test her patience.  She takes after her father.

This is Emma when you ask her to do something like wake up.

This totally could be my face when I get stressed out.  See the different eye colors?  Yup.

This looks to me a little like Grandpa Ed.

Here are the other grandmas and grandpa--always patiently waiting for us to come.

Standing is my husband--always moving, always reading, studying.  The sitting arhat right front could be Ammon and Casey, our beloved sons-in-law who study so hard to make careers for their darling families.  Thank you both!

This is a stone Daibutsu completed in 1783.  It stands 102 ft. tall.  And although Kamakura bronze statue is still my favorite, this one was incredible.

These are little Jizo for children who died in infancy.  The story goes that they must stack rocks on a riverbed until they can climb out of Hell.  These little Jizo were for sale at a nearby stand and I am assuming parents place them at the foot of a statue to remind them of lost children.  

There was a huge pile of discarded ones whose little red hats and bibs had worn off.

A silly side note, this was a display at Narita airport of the many flavors of Kit Kats here in Japan.  From left to right, top to bottom, Strawberry Cheesecake in a Mt. Fuji box, green tea, cherry blossom, strawberry, dark chocolate, regular, wasabi (I bought a box and they were delicious), rum raisin, cheesecake and I don't know what flavor.  

 Here is a link to find out the weirdest Kit Kat flavors in Japan:

http://www.weirdasianews.com/2010/03/18/japans-strangest-kit-kat-flavors/

I personally have seen pumpkin and corn and I have heard there is soon to be a Kit Kat museum completed in Tokyo, although I cannot verify it.

Lastly, I loved spending time with family.  I got to go to The General Women's meeting with my mother, my mother-in-law, one of my sisters and two of my daughters.  Beauties, all.  These (and Emma and Abby and our son-in-laws and all family) are why the three weeks weren't long enough.