A little late to the scene, but recently I had the pleasure of listening to a recording of J K Rowlings' speech at Harvard's commencement 2008.
She began with light-hearted, delightful British wit and slowly built it up to more far-reaching, important themes, flawlessly capturing her listeners' attention much like how her books do.
Here's the link: http://harvardmagazine.com/go/jkrowling.html
Hope you like it as much as I did!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
What could be out of place in this picture?
It's a normal garbage truck doing its rounds in Tokyo...
Climbing Mt Fuji 富士山登山旅
Here it all began... tour buses dropped off happy, smiling hikers--young & old, armed to the teeth with the latest gear or dressed to the nines in clothes perhaps more suitable for strutting along Omotesando in.
Still deceptively flat and cooler than expected. The trail was somewhat gravelly but grainy enough to feel slight soft underfoot. Many other hikers were walking in double-file, and almost everyone coming the other way (downhill) wore an expression of such fatigue and utter bleakness that I began to question my decision to ascend this symbol of Japan.
Mostly volcanic rock on the way up; hard, knobby but non-slippery surfaces with plenty of handholds around. Won't be pleasant to come down on, I thought to myself. Everyone was still relatively perky at that point and looking up, we could see the little rest huts and a constant stream of hikers stretching up as far as the eye could see.
Caught up with the lowest vestiges of the ever-ascending clouds, borne upwards by the hot lowland drafts. As the moisture get swept up, they provide shade for us hikers and kept the snow from melting completely. In a long-sleeved, I started to feel a little chilly.
At the 8th station, we supped and napped until about 10:30pm. The rest house, 東洋館(TouYouKan), was very new compared to the others before it and I was happy tp sink into the clean futon and blankets after dinner. Dinner was a set meal consisting of a hamburger steak and miso soup. Sorry L for forgetting that you don't eat red meat!
Time: 22:30. Gathered outside with all gear and two additional layers of clothing. Almost lost L and L in the crowd as the guide did a rollcall. A long string of lights meandered its way up the mountain. Air of anticipation. Temperature: 3C, 0C with windchill
For a while, it was "step where the person in front stepped before and continue upwards" as we climbed a layer of volcanic rock. The guide said it was a good thing that we couldn't see our surroundings otherwise more people would throw in the towel. Several members of our group started vomiting and experiencing altitude sickness, but stoically pressed on. The winds got stronger gradually but my resolve was strengthened by the morning rays peeping over the horizon.
Fellow hikers trudge up patiently, tired but never giving up on reaching the summit in time for the sunrise. Would we make it in time, I wonder?
The sun god opens his eyes, sending golden rays across a sea of clouds. Almost there, not sure how much more to go, but I felt revitalized and a spring returned to my limbs. It was cold and exertion was the only way to keep warm. Tried to stay close to the group perhaps because it's Japan and the need to stick with your herd was emphasized by the guide, even on the mountain.
And let there be LIGHT
The destination is definitely better than the journey
Riding the warm air currents
Can't wait to get down and into the onsen!
Still deceptively flat and cooler than expected. The trail was somewhat gravelly but grainy enough to feel slight soft underfoot. Many other hikers were walking in double-file, and almost everyone coming the other way (downhill) wore an expression of such fatigue and utter bleakness that I began to question my decision to ascend this symbol of Japan.
Mostly volcanic rock on the way up; hard, knobby but non-slippery surfaces with plenty of handholds around. Won't be pleasant to come down on, I thought to myself. Everyone was still relatively perky at that point and looking up, we could see the little rest huts and a constant stream of hikers stretching up as far as the eye could see.
Caught up with the lowest vestiges of the ever-ascending clouds, borne upwards by the hot lowland drafts. As the moisture get swept up, they provide shade for us hikers and kept the snow from melting completely. In a long-sleeved, I started to feel a little chilly.
At the 8th station, we supped and napped until about 10:30pm. The rest house, 東洋館(TouYouKan), was very new compared to the others before it and I was happy tp sink into the clean futon and blankets after dinner. Dinner was a set meal consisting of a hamburger steak and miso soup. Sorry L for forgetting that you don't eat red meat!
Time: 22:30. Gathered outside with all gear and two additional layers of clothing. Almost lost L and L in the crowd as the guide did a rollcall. A long string of lights meandered its way up the mountain. Air of anticipation. Temperature: 3C, 0C with windchill
For a while, it was "step where the person in front stepped before and continue upwards" as we climbed a layer of volcanic rock. The guide said it was a good thing that we couldn't see our surroundings otherwise more people would throw in the towel. Several members of our group started vomiting and experiencing altitude sickness, but stoically pressed on. The winds got stronger gradually but my resolve was strengthened by the morning rays peeping over the horizon.
Fellow hikers trudge up patiently, tired but never giving up on reaching the summit in time for the sunrise. Would we make it in time, I wonder?
The sun god opens his eyes, sending golden rays across a sea of clouds. Almost there, not sure how much more to go, but I felt revitalized and a spring returned to my limbs. It was cold and exertion was the only way to keep warm. Tried to stay close to the group perhaps because it's Japan and the need to stick with your herd was emphasized by the guide, even on the mountain.
And let there be LIGHT
The destination is definitely better than the journey
Riding the warm air currents
Can't wait to get down and into the onsen!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Preparing for Mt. Fuji
Meeting time and place: 7:10am sharp at the 西改札口 (West Exit turnstile) in 新宿 (Shinjuku) Station
Items to bring:
---------------
- Hat: Something that can protect the head from direct sunlight or cold. One with a brim would be great.
- Outer shell: Separate jacket and pants that are waterproof and offer protection from cold. Goretex ones are great.
- Backpack: 20~30-liter capacity, waterproof backpack.
- Water bottle: At least 1-liter capacity water bottle.
- Lamp/Flashlight/Torch: Whatever you call it, just have something to light your way when we climb at night. Preferably a headlamp or something you can use hands-free. New batteries!
- Gloves: To warm our delicate, Oil-Of-Ulan-smoothened hands.
- Shoes: Comfortable, broken-into, hiking shoes. Very important--no tennis shoes or running shoes because it is hard for others to carry an injured friend down the mountain.
- Pants: Light ones. Jeans become heavy when wet.
- Sweater: It'll be cold near the summit and in the wee hours.
- Long-sleeved comfy tee: For the sun and cold; quick-dry fabric's good
- Moisture-absorbent, quick-dry socks: Hiking socks are good.
- Small towel
- Toilet paper
- Plastic bag to hold the contents of your backpack and keep them from getting wet
- Plastic sheet to lie down on if the rest hut's futon is too dirty
- Camera
- Watch
- Band-aids
- Sunscreen
- Snacks / Breakfast for Saturday
- Health insurance card
- Money
Fitness
-------
Because we are going above 10,000 ft, our bodies will be affected by the attitude, making us easily breathless and susceptible to dizziness due to a decreased ability to absorb oxygen. As much as possible, please exercise starting now before we head up. For example, climb the stairs or go running with a backpack. Sounds silly but will help a lot!
Itinerary:
----------
(July 12 Sat):
- Take a 7:30am bus from 新宿 -> arrive at 富士山河口湖5合目 (Mt Fuji Lake Kawaguchi 5th Station) at 11:30 (2304m)
- Find our own food
- Set off for the 8合目 (8th Station) at 13:30, about a 4-hr hike up to 2910m until 17:30
- Rest at a small mountain rest hut called "東洋館" (Touyoukan) until 23:30 before setting off for the summit (3776m)
Shared room (dudes and dudettes), no private bathroom or toilet.
(July 13 Sun)
- Arrive at summit at 4:30am to watch sunrise amidst a sea of clouds.
- Bento provided--hamburger steak & rice.
- Head down at 5:30am for the 5合目, aim to arrive there at 10am
- Set off at 11:30am by bus to 山中湖温泉 (Yamanakako Onsen) at 12:30am
- Leave for 新宿 at 15:00, get back around 18:30.
Items to bring:
---------------
- Hat: Something that can protect the head from direct sunlight or cold. One with a brim would be great.
- Outer shell: Separate jacket and pants that are waterproof and offer protection from cold. Goretex ones are great.
- Backpack: 20~30-liter capacity, waterproof backpack.
- Water bottle: At least 1-liter capacity water bottle.
- Lamp/Flashlight/Torch: Whatever you call it, just have something to light your way when we climb at night. Preferably a headlamp or something you can use hands-free. New batteries!
- Gloves: To warm our delicate, Oil-Of-Ulan-smoothened hands.
- Shoes: Comfortable, broken-into, hiking shoes. Very important--no tennis shoes or running shoes because it is hard for others to carry an injured friend down the mountain.
- Pants: Light ones. Jeans become heavy when wet.
- Sweater: It'll be cold near the summit and in the wee hours.
- Long-sleeved comfy tee: For the sun and cold; quick-dry fabric's good
- Moisture-absorbent, quick-dry socks: Hiking socks are good.
- Small towel
- Toilet paper
- Plastic bag to hold the contents of your backpack and keep them from getting wet
- Plastic sheet to lie down on if the rest hut's futon is too dirty
- Camera
- Watch
- Band-aids
- Sunscreen
- Snacks / Breakfast for Saturday
- Health insurance card
- Money
Fitness
-------
Because we are going above 10,000 ft, our bodies will be affected by the attitude, making us easily breathless and susceptible to dizziness due to a decreased ability to absorb oxygen. As much as possible, please exercise starting now before we head up. For example, climb the stairs or go running with a backpack. Sounds silly but will help a lot!
Itinerary:
----------
(July 12 Sat):
- Take a 7:30am bus from 新宿 -> arrive at 富士山河口湖5合目 (Mt Fuji Lake Kawaguchi 5th Station) at 11:30 (2304m)
- Find our own food
- Set off for the 8合目 (8th Station) at 13:30, about a 4-hr hike up to 2910m until 17:30
- Rest at a small mountain rest hut called "東洋館" (Touyoukan) until 23:30 before setting off for the summit (3776m)
Shared room (dudes and dudettes), no private bathroom or toilet.
(July 13 Sun)
- Arrive at summit at 4:30am to watch sunrise amidst a sea of clouds.
- Bento provided--hamburger steak & rice.
- Head down at 5:30am for the 5合目, aim to arrive there at 10am
- Set off at 11:30am by bus to 山中湖温泉 (Yamanakako Onsen) at 12:30am
- Leave for 新宿 at 15:00, get back around 18:30.
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