5/10 Gogoshima

One of the popular getaways for Matsuyama locals is an island that lies just off the coast of the city. My tutor Rin, volunteers there. One day I had the opportunity to go help out alongside her and her friend Airi.  So we weren't going there for fun, we were going there to work. We set to meet at around 9:15 at one of the Matsuyama train stations, and I got there, but I was around half an hour early. I bought my breakfast standard at the 7/11 right there, and sat in the waiting area. Eventually they made it, and we ran to the train so we could make it. It's a really nice ride going from Komachi station to the line's terminal at Takahama station. You get a decent view of everything from the city to the sea.

We talked a little bit on the train, and I had the opportunity to introduce myself to Rin's BFF. Turns out that they go way back, and both volunteer there. We arrived at the quiet and scenic Takahama station, and made another mad dash straight onto the ferry. Because we were volunteering, the nonprofit had already paid for our tickets. 

I took some pictures when we got off, and then we walked a minute down the road. Apparently a while back the school became no longer used, and so instead of it becoming abandoned it became an event center. We were there to help set up a fundraiser, which was apparently a huge concert in the now-drained school swimming pool. We arrived, said hello to the staff, and put our stuff away. We were taken next door to the old, school cafeteria which was now a curry house. Our curry lunch was paid for by the nonprofit. It was good!

When we were done eating we went back into the school gym, which was the main event room. Our job was to inflate balloons and tie them to streamers so that they would hang from the ceiling. It was tedious, but we had fun talking while doing so. I was telling Airi all about the things I learned there, especially new words such as " オヤジ狩り" (street violence against middle-aged men). She started dying of laughter, it was absolutely hilarious. A little while later there was a guy who I met, he said that he was a teacher. Not just any teacher, but one who taught Japanese to Japanese kids who were growing up in LA! It was really cool to hear about his stories. I think his name was Shiniti-sensei.

In the morning my two comrades had brought their luggage, because it turned out that they were staying overnight. They were going to be there for the event, but I couldn't make it, They led me to the ferry where we said something along the lines of "see ya later amigo," and I was off.

Apparently I went out in the evening for dinner. I don't have many pictures to remember off of, but it was probably English club or people from English club.