By Takaaki Niikura (Nick)I often go to Daikanzan rest area in my spare time to refresh my spirits. The spot is located in Hakone, a famous sight-seeing spot in Japan that is also well-known to foreign tourists. It takes one hour to get there from my house by motorcycle.
First, especially in summer, I usually get up at 5 a.m. and leave my home for the Daikanzan at 6 a.m. In the early morning, the air is a little cool and invigorating. I start the engine of my motorcycle, and then I smoke a cigarette until the bike has warmed up and is ready to go. I like the smell of cigarettes and exhaust gas mixed up. The sound of my motor cycle is loud and low like road working, so I have to leave as soon as possible after I smoke because my families and neighbors are still sleeping.
Most of the way, the roads run along the coast. I can see the sun rise over the ocean, and the sunlight of the surface looks as if it is a road to heaven. After 30 minutes driving, there is a mountain pass. In autumn, the trees along the side of the road change their colors like scattered beads. At the top of the mountain is the Daikanzan rest area.
Then I buy a canned coffee and smoke a tobacco again. I can see Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan and the national symbol. Under my eyes, there is Lake Ashi. It is also very pretty. The sight is like a picture postcard. The smell there is fresh because the trees are just breathing out. While I smoke and see the sight, I feel my nerves calm down.
After a rest, I ride the motorcycle again and go down the pass where I went up. Then my spirits change, beginning to be aggressive like a forest fire; and I attack the curves with fast speed. Then my motorcycle’s engine is howling, and I also sometimes shout in my helmet when I nearly have an accident. The road is not wide and has many blind corners, so I sometimes come close to dying. I repeat up and down the pass about one to two hours. When the traffic gets heavy on the pass, I take some rest in the rest area and calm down again. Finally, I go back to my house.
After arriving at my house, I start to wash my motorcycle with my heart of thanks to my motorcycle. Then I feel like I also clean my dirty heart. At last, I put gas in the tank at a service station, and the day ends.
To conclude, I like my motorcycle and touring by motorcycle. When I sink into low spirits, it lifts me. When I already feel good, it makes me even happier. It is also the most effective stress relief method for me. After I graduate from the university I will go back to Japan, and soon I will get a new motorcycle.
Editor's Note: Nick wrote this article for Suzanne Van Dam's ESL Writing class.
Finlandia students, from left, Kazuki, Kumiko and Nick emerge from a ride through the Haunted House at the Houghton County Fair Aug. 23, 2008, in Hancock. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos © 2008 Michele and Gustavo Bourdieu)
A highlight of the visit to the Fair was having a photo taken with Amber, the Queen of the Fair.
State Representative Mike Lahti, who purchased a prize lamb during the 4-H livestock auction at the fair, poses with Finlandia students Kazuki, Kumiko and Nick.
... while this pair of prize winners had a great siesta during the Fair!
Work horses strain at the weight in the horse pull event. (Photos © 2008 Kumiko Takahashi)
More horses ...
and Raisin, the photogenic cow.
Tempting pizza!
That Super Slide looks like fun ...
Nick, why don't you try it?
