September 24, 2002
Wes Ehrlichman

When my plane landed on the 23rd I took a bus to the K.A.P.I.C. center, where I studied Japanese with ALTs from all over Kagoshima prefecture.

The KAPIC grounds were unbelievably beautiful. I guess that people come here from Korea, the USA, and all over the world for intensive Japanese study for anywhere from a day to three months. Each jet paid maybe $100 for our three days there, including meals, so I don't have any idea how they make any money.

Every day we had breakfast from 8 to 9, class from 9 to 12, lunch from noon to 1:30, a culture activity from 1:30 to 4:00, and dinner from 6:00 to 7:00. The rest of the time was free time, so I really got to know a lot of the other ALTs, and every single one of them is really cool.

I was in the class for people who know the most Japanese. The first day we learned how to sing "Ue no Muite" at karaoke. The song Sukiaki's background music comes from this song.

There were constantly people fishing in this lake.

This is in front of the Asian Culture Center that's part of KAPIC.

There was a row boat rental place next to this lake, but they were closed the day we went.

This is the teacher for the group below mine. If I would have known that ahead of time I would have played dumb... :-)