I had made plans to go to my first handball game today! Tomioka Higashi is very strong in sports, especially handball and we make it to nationals each year. This was the regional championship game to qualify for the national tournament in August in Yamaguchi Prefecture. I first met up with Ichigo-sensei at her house at 10:30 am, before we went to Yoshii high school together. It was really crowded and hard to get a parking spot. The boys team was playing when we arrived. I met some of my students’ parents while we waited for their supporters to clear the gym.

I was really surprised. Everyone changed into their indoor shoes at the door. I forgot mine so I borrowed a pair from Ichigo-sensei. The pile of shoes around the entrance was huge and we had to wade through to make it in the the gym. The spectators had two rows of chairs to sit in along the side of the gym, or they could stand around the court or on the second floor balcony. Each cheering team choose the color they would wear to represent the school. Ours was dark blue and pink. Once the game started, the temperature rose quickly. Poor players. And it was so loud! I don’t know how they can talk to each other or hear the coach with all the drumming, cheering, and smashing plastic bottles, with beads inside, against each other. A whole different kind of environment from the usual Japanese silence.

Another ALT, L, also was there watching the game. It was really exciting. The rules I learned back in 10th grade started coming back to me. Tomihi was so good! I was really surprised. One of the girls kept running so incredibly fast. I’m really happy I got a chance to see them play. I wish I could go see the national competition, but it’s too far away. I was kindly treated to cold tea by one of the moms and got to chat with the students after the game. Utterly impressed. Ichigo-sensei and I returned to her house and she cooked lunch for me and some neighbors that came over for a visit. I finally got to meet her husband too. We had a fun time chatting while the kids played, and for dessert we made blueberry scones in her oven. They turned out super yummy although it was my first time making them.