AM #13 Garance (Belgium)
“Do you know about Japanese summer? … I hate Japanese summer” – Hiro-san
I cannot argue that the humidity and heat almost got the best of me, I will give this to Hiro-san. However, summer also brings around quietness, stillness and chill adventures.
I would also like to highlight the beauty and joy of Wazuka during these past few months. I would not be able to count the number of times I have driven or walked to Lawson and still to this day, every time, I stop and watch the landscape. Every morning when I wake up I tell myself that I will miss this view. The tea fields, the mist, the factory.
Wazuka is not only beautiful she is also so welcoming and warm. The Obon Masturi being one of the many examples proving this statement. I would not have bet one year ago that I would be rehearsing a cheerleading festival dance on the parking lot of a wild boar meat butcher shop in the Japanese country side. You can never know when your dancing skills will become useful again.
When looking at my camera roll in the past three months, only one word comes up to my mind – eclectic. Highs and lows, the only thing that must remain is exciting memories and wonderful anecdotes.
Moments reminding me of my internship also appeared. Everything and nothing really changes at the same time. A special mention for the Awabancha making, second year in a row, with bigger harvest but same energy and smiles. I could also not write a blog without talking about our interns that sequence our year. It would be impossible to mention every good experience and shared cherished memory…
To note a few:
- black tea making with Miwako-san, Jessica and Leah (chillest team black tea has ever seen)
- brewing exams
- Gorilla trimming
- nandewhy t-shirts
- Inary weeding with Monica and Liszt
- CRA movie night (commented by David, hated by Chong-Jun)
- Katrina many shenanigans
- the return of many obubu legends (nicole-san and Zehra:))
- Akky-san in a wig
- Aoimori photoshoot
- nerds unite
- a photo with the 7AM?
- early drives
- concierge chats in Obubu house
So thank you Japanese summer for doing the impossible. Slowing down time so we can realize how happy we are.
