Basketball games

Trip Start Jul 23, 2005

Trip End Jul 25, 2006

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Flag of Japan Kitanaka, Japan
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

It is interhigh time here in Okinawa. What does that mean? It is a big sports tournament for all the sports teams from all the high schools in Okinawa. It is a huge deal spread out over the course of a week or so. I should explain that sports are run a bit different here than in the states. A student will join a sport in high school, and practice and play that sport all year around. Quite different from my high school experience of three sports, a different one for a different season. Actually any club they belong to, they will usually just belong to one. And my school has a wide variety of clubs to chose from! A senior student must stop playing these sports after this tournament is over so they can begin to study for college exams. So this is a really really big deal for them. If they win all of Okinawa, they then get to compete somewhere in Kyushu- which means a trip to mainland for them. So the school has been a buzz with sports news. Craig and I caught a bit of a baseball game over the weekend. The boys told me on Wednesday they were number four in Okinawa, so I thought I had better watch them play at least once. Unfortunately we only saw a bit of the game and they lost, so I think I might have to see another one.

I had wanted to watch a basketball game as well, but I didn`t get a chance over the weekend. On Monday, the girls and boys team were still in the tournament and they had games on Tuesday. I had classes of course, but I thought this may be my last chance to watch them play. So I took a few hours off on Tuesday morning and went to the games. I watched the boys team first. They played fairly well, but they couldn`t get anything to drop. It was pretty sad because they were trying so hard, but they ended up losing by about 20 points. On the upside they lost that bad to the team that won the whole tournament so I didn`t feel so bad after I found that out. This tournament was played on two courts side by side. Two boys teams would play, then two girls. While it was half time for the boys game the girls came on to the court to warm up. First they bowed, then stepped on the court to shoot around. When their time was up they bowed again and left the court. Just thought I should add the bowing part because it is really cute. Both of the teams have about 40 to 50 members. I am not sure, but I suppose mostly the best players get to play these games. Maybe they rotate the other members at other times. About 15 players were dressed and the remaining members cheered their hearts out! I got to watch the last half of the boys game and the first half of the girls. It was really fun to watch both. I mostly stood on the sideline and took pictures, and clapped. Some students talked to me for a little bit. They were happy to have me there. I had just really wanted to watch them play, I had been asking about games for awhile now, but could never make it. Finally, I did, and it was great! I didn`t really think it was a big deal that I had gone to watch. But when they finished yesterday, and came back a teacher told me how happy they were I went.

It didn`t really sink in that it was a big deal until today during class. A boy student, whose name I know because he does not listen sometimes, Taiki, told me at the beginning of class in Japanese, kino arigato ne (thanks for yesterday). He was one of the key players. I said yes, I enjoyed it. You did well. Then about 10 minutes into class, while I am explaining something Taiki yells out in English. Thank you............

01boys halftime

came............. yesterday............ gym. I`m happy................. I shoot. I watch ..............eyes............... you. (To which the class responds with laughter.- hey at least he tries!) What he was trying to say was that he saw me cheering while he was shoothing free throws and it made him happy. I think. I told him yes, I really enjoyed watching you play. It was fun. Five to ten minutes later, he raises his hand this time, and says "Thank you picture taking" in Japanese! Me---Yes, Taiki it was fun, thank you! And again before class was over. He said thank you. And that made my day. I was really happy that I got the opportunity to watch them play one last time!!! I had no idea it would mean that much.

On another note, I want to mention in case I have not before, that Japanese have a spectacular ability to nap anywhere, anytime, anyhow. As I write this at 3:30 in the afternoon in the teachers room, I can see three teachers sleeping at their desk, perhaps there are more I can not see. As other teachers are running around and chatting might I add. One student who is suppose to be in trouble is sleeping directly in front of the vice principal who is also at the moment, nodding his head. This morning I rocked up to the morning meeting, where all 70 or 80 teachers meet, sitting in one room, next to each other at tables, with someone making announcements on a microphone, people clapping, and the bell ringing and an older man teacher was down for the count, head bobbing and swaying. I must say that I wish this is a trait I could have picked up while here, I am a bit sleepy myself today but can not seem to nap. Instead I am writing this, and craving of all things at the moment......natto onigiri. Weird. Ok.

Have a good day!.