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Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Scenes from Suzaka City

Suzaka City is where my friend Reno lives and teaches. This is where I stayed while I was in Japan--more accurately, this was our base camp for all the traveling we did, because we were hardly ever home while I was there.

Most of the time I was there, it was very cold in Suzaka City. It was basically still winter, although they were expecting spring to come very shortly. As it turns out, it was the coldest it had been in Suzaka City in twenty years.

One morning, on day four of my adventures in Japan, I woke up very early. It was so cold in Reno's house that I could see my breath. I got up, opened the door and looked outside. It was snowing. There was a few inches of snow covering everything. I picked up my camera and shot a photo of Reno's bike:



I went back inside and quicky jumped under the nice, warm Kotatsu. (A small heated coffee table with a quilt that you sit cross-legged under. Every Japanese household has one.)



Reno got up a little later and we had some riceballs and coffee for breakfast.



A little while after that, we ventured outside. I thought it would be a good day for photos with the fresh new snow on the ground.



It was sunny for a little while, but still very cold, and a new storm system was also blowing in, with more snow coming.



Garyuu Park

14 comments:

Nick Ballesteros said...

Hello Mark! Snow is something I haven't experienced yet, be it natural or artificial. It must be nice ... until it blocks the front door! :-)

I heard they also sell wacky things in vendo machines other than soda. Nice photos!

Milan said...

Looks like Japan must be heaven for photographers :)

Wendi said...

Ok, I wasnt going to comment on these photos due to the fact that this past winter got me sick of snow, but they were just to gorgeous to let slip by. Beautiful!! Oh I must say, Reno is another cutie patootie :))

Hey whose wallet is on the coffee table?? :))

Mark Klotz said...

Thank you Watson! Yes, you really must experience snow! It's always nice for photos too. If you decide to travel out to Canada some day, look me up and I'll take you up to the snow. Whistler mountain is great!

Mark Klotz said...

Hi Milan,

Yes, Japan was such a great place for photos. Everything is so different there. I shot a lot of photos and I could have shot a lot more. Next time I will try to stay longer.

Mark Klotz said...

Thanks Wendi! :) I always like it when you comment and visit my blog.

I know, you had some really bad luck with snow this year. I felt bad for you! That's why you must come here and go skiing with me and Watson on Whistle Mountain. It will rekindle your love for snow. ;)

Oh, about the wallet, yes, that's mine. You are very perceptive! I didn't even realize it was there on the table when that shot was take. It was full of yen at that time. Hehehe!

Nick Ballesteros said...

Oh wow thanks for the invitation Mark! Fat chance of me ever visiting Canada but thanks again!

Nick Ballesteros said...

By the way, you might find a visit to www.engrish.com interesting. It usually connotes Japanese English (the way they use it), but engrish can be found anywhere else, including here in the Philippines!

KMJ said...

Wow, Mark, you pretty much saw and did it all (well, a lot -- because I bet you'd love to go back and capture more!) These shots are transporting. :)

zbjernak said...

the shots with the red bridge is simply wonderful

i had to declare it as my favourites

heheheheh

ismekells said...

Hi Mark,
You're a great photographer. I like the bridge photo the best also. Love the contrast of the red and white. Also, like the little geese in the prior post. You really take great clear shots.

I didn't know Asahi made soda. At first I thought it was a beer vending machine behind you. That'd be interesting. :)

Mark Klotz said...

Thanks Kelli!

I didn't know Asahi made soda either, until I saw that vending machine.

There are vending machines all over Japan. You can get absolutely anything from a vending machine there. Anything.

I started to really like the cans of hot coffee. Those were really good, and they come out really hot too!

Unknown said...

These are incredibly beautiful shots. How lucky you are to have walked through those pathways, and taken the time to absorb the beauty. Thank you for sharing it for everyone else to admire.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Other foreigners lived in Suzaka, too? Cool pictures, brings back some good memories of that little town. Hmmm, all of the sudden I want an apple!