Sculptures around the Castle

When Jim mentioned the Ice Sculpture festival around Matsumoto Castle I was very eager to go, until he mentioned that the best time to go was at night, when no one else was around. Whenever I’m asked about what Matsumoto is like in the winter there’s always one very clear thing that comes to mind: it’s exceptionally cold. Coming from somewhere that you’d be pushed to find a day with a temperature below 10 degrees, I don’t think this is something I’ll ever get used to. I headed out at about 9PM, equipped with enough layers to make me look like a marshmallow, camera in one hand and a hot chocolate in the other. But boy was it worth it, as the crowds started to slim out (and the temperature started to drop), we got to see the full process that went into the incredibly intricate sculptures. Despite having to take several breaks in the nearest FamilyMart, we made it until 3AM before the cold (and tiredness) got the better of us and we found our way home. If you’re willing to brave the cold, or are just better at handling it than I am, this is definitely the place to be!

Monkey see, monkey do!

 Just want to share some cool pictures from my cheerful Friday class, who don't need much encouragement to mess about - mostly constructively! These days I've been giving the camera to the children, as I'm interested in their perspective - interesting to see what the classroom looks like from where they're sitting.

 Last week we were putting together a song about "What can you do?" and found that the more silly we made it, the more they got into it. They particularly liked calling each other out at the beginning of a verse or pointing at me "Jim-chan, Jim-chan, what can you do?" The nominated person then has to tell three things they can do with a mime/gesture before the music goes to the chorus. They kept picking on me!

Last week I also asked them to come up to the front to read their original bits of homework. With the camera being traded they were all keen to have a go and get a Hi-5 shot for good work. Very motivating & competitive!

The motivation for this idea of giving the camera away came from two   stories I read recently. One was about children in the slums of a west African city being given cameras to chronicle their day. No training in how to use, just point & shoot. Another article that caught my eye was of an anthropologist letting his monkeys under study take his camera & do what they could with it. Funnily enough, they took pictures of him and their mates...naturally!