The stander on the mountain, looking for the fountain, to drink some to think some about the old days. -Bruce Hornsby "Stander on the Mountain"

Before moving to Japan, I did some research to find out what Kumamoto was famous for. I remember being slightly perplexed that the two things the city was most widely known for were its many varieties of basashi (horse meat) and the active volcano in the mountains just outside the city. However, after moving to Kumamoto, I quickly discovered that the people of Kumamoto (Kumamotoans? Kumamotites?) are VERY proud of both their basashi and their volcano/mountains, and that I would need to develop an appreciation of both.

I spent a few days in the Mt. Aso area (where the volcano is located) last summer during English summer camp, but I didn't get to see very much of the area since I was working the whole time. But two weeks ago, a woman from my congregation (Soga san) drove me out to the mountains after church and showed me all of her favorite places. Soga san is very sweet and is probably the healthiest, most energetic 70 something year old I've ever met. She loves the outdoors and had climbed most of the mountains in the Kyushu area.

 

Our first stop was to see the Asahi wind farm. The wind turbines, while obviously not natural, are a feat in and of themselves. It was really windy while we were there, so they were going crazy!

Our second stop was to a stream that comes straight out of the mountain and is clean enough to drink from! There were many people sitting by the stream and filling up giants jugs to take back to their houses. (Kumamoto is also known for having delicious water, most of which comes from the same spring.)

 Soga san filling a bottle of water for me!

Our next stop was the volcano. There is a normally a fairly steady outpouring of sulfur dioxide and depending on the direction and strength of the wind, the tourist area is sometimes closed, but while we were there, the winds were in our favor. 

 Driving away.  A view from the road of the area we just visited.

The final stop of the day was to one of Soga san's favorite hiking areas. One of her more frequented trails led straight up into the clouds. We hiked up a short trail and came to a landing or plateau of sorts and found an old man playing the harmonica while birds chirped happily around him. It was quite picturesque! I felt like I was in a movie. :-)

 

Being in the mountains with Soga san got me thinking a lot about how much I take my surroundings for granted. After moving to a new place, how long does it take before you stop seeing the beauty around you on a daily basis? When I first moved to Kumamoto, and for many months after, I was very much in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds the city. I'm not sure when I lost touch with that beauty but I am very thankful to Soga san for reawakening me to it!