Nihon no Blog: Yamaha Kid's and English Festival Tsumagoi

On the 21st-22nd I took part in this Yamaha Kid's English Festival, an annual event where Yamaha school students make video skits in English and send them into the contest. The best of the region then come to Tsumagoi for the Grand finals where the winner gets tickets to anywhere they want to go in the world.

We had the ceremony on the Saturday night then afterwards a buffet meal. I was told I needed to mingle and sit anywhere and just talk. Which really is not easy when you're the type who finds it hard to break the ice. But I managed to find somewhere. Apparently I was sat with the Niigata Prefecture table...we ate dinner then played Bingo then everyone went to sleep...or really went to the Onsens then went to sleep. We (the staff) however had to have a meeting about the next day. I got the impression that things were not as well organised as I had thought, but there was a plan at least, and a back up plan for the rainy weather we were expecting.

The next day we had breakfast, another buffet, then went to the hall and got into our teams. I was the Green team and had 10 students: 5 boys and 5 girls. We first did these "dream cards" where the students had to write down what they wanted to be when they grow up. Quite difficult when you're one of the younger ones...we then went outside to attach them to balloons and released them into the air (the majority of them getting caught in the nearby trees and popping!). We were meant to do go-cart racing and pony rides, but the Yamaha people decided not to because it was going to rain. I think it would have been okay but that wasn't my decision...I wanted to see the ponies!

Anyway, more games inside. My horrific picture of me and my two sisters being projected into the board...because it was a question in one of the games.

By 12 we had lunch then they all left! I stayed behind with 2 other teachers who were also helping out and went to the Onsens together (I thought they would be free but no, they were discounted prices at least...). Lasted only about 10 minutes before throwing in the towel...and then had a nice massage on one of the chairs!

Here are some lovely pics to enjoy...I loved the room I was staying in! Too bad it was only for one night...and a pretty short night!