So, today was just a little different from our usual schedule. Rather than having language or cultural classes, we took a field trip to Maymond Park in Richmond to take a look at the Japanese-style garden that they have there. As I'd never seen a Japanese garden in person before, this was really great. The whole place just made you feel relaxed, from the koi swimming around lazily in the pond to the giant stone waterfall that you could watch from one of those "moon bridges." Unfortunately the waterfall wasn't on today, but we got the next best thing - swimming in the pond!

     Okay, so maybe not swimming, but not many people around here can say they've mucked out the pond of a Japanese garden, can they? See, the Japanese Governor's Academy has this thing where every year that they go to Maymont the students spend an hour helping out the staff of the park clean the Japanese garden area. This is because Maymont doesn't charge admission, and it's the Academy's way of giving back to this beautiful place. Not only was there algae-fishing, but also braving vicious spiders and hives of bees to pull weeds and haul fallen branches and logs around.

     As you can see, there was plenty of manual labor, but it wasn't all that bad. Besides, at least we know that our one hour of work helped the park staff out at least a little bit. All in all, the garden was beautiful and serene, but there was also an Italian garden and a zoo, and the whole park was gorgeous. I definitely intend on returning at some point, to take my time and explore all that Maymont has to offer. Check it out if you ever get the opportunity!
     But our day of fun didn't end at Maymont. On the way back to R-MC we stopped in this place somewhere in Richmond called Carytown, just to explore some stores that had Japanese items. The first - Tokyo Market - had so many things that I don't even know where to begin. Bento boxes, lacquer ware, cute rice bowls, not to mention all the food and candy. Some of us bought snacks that we didn't even know what they were, and most turned out to be delicious. After Tokyo Market we hit this toy store called the World of Mirth, where they not only had an abundance of Hello Kitty items but also weird sunglasses and hats, ridiculous books, and toys that none of us had ever even heard of. It was a pretty strange place, but it was fun to wander around and look at everything.
     Well, that's all I have for you today! Oyasumi nasai!
     - Kelsey