Rusutsu 留寿都

 six ski days this 2022-2023 season already.

And the two ski days in Rusutsu were one of favorites! Especially the first Rusutsu day, it was a love at the first sight. The ski runs are so wide, not that steep, and very few people as well. I ended up exploring myself and tried more red runs. And the steamboat run at mountain Isola is the best! Even though the second day 12/28, it was snowing which made the experience less enjoyable. But I still managed to have 10+ runs even though I could hardly see at the top part of steamboat run. It was a struggle to decide if I should continue to take more runs or go back hotel with the changing weather. Due to the heavy snow we had to stay in on the third day in Rusutsu, else I would have another favorite ski day under my belt.

And, six ski days later, I think I found my heels! I can feel my heels can turn now, one more step towards parallel ski...

Hokaido 北海道

 I have read and heard a lot of stories before visiting Hokaido. The delicious milk, the cheese cake, the white chocolates, and snow, the cold, the power wonderland with Niseko ski resort. 

Well, I have drunk Hokaido milk, and tasted many cheese cakes which I should not have taken so many, I am not sure if this is the Hokaido level I have expected.

Also, it is not that cold. My suitcases are full of winter clothes and their backup (for some reason I felt the great need to purchase backup snow pants before the trip) which it turned out they are not all necessary. 

I had to admit the hotel choice KI Niseko is a great choice. There are four ski resorts in Niseko area: Annupuri, Niseko village, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono. Among them, Niseko village probably is the old center. The Hirafu area is new and modern. KI turns out to be a very comfortable stay. It’s room is designed to be airy, efficient, and well designed. Our window frames Youtei mountain and gives us the updates of the weather by allowing us to see the Youtei peak or not. Last two days weather is pretty moody. The mountain is totally hidden behind the haze and falling snow flakes. But, still it is super soothing to enjoy the indoor hours.

Ski itself is not fun for me though, since I haven’t exercised for long long time. And I am totally out of shape. The resort takes time to get familiar with. The first two days weather is nice. And the third day it was wet and windy. Also I picked probably wrong size skis initially and found I had no muscles or skill left to do parallel turns. With a shorter skis on the third day I felt a little better. But the weather was horrible yesterday.  Today I am taking a day off resting inside the room. 

I was recommended the show ‘First Love’ in Netflix. Wow, it is such a great made TV series. The plot is old, but it is executed so beautifully and artfully, I am moved to tears and kept on wanting to watch it and get to the end of it. And the story was taking place in this area. I am liking Sapporo already even though I haven’t visited it yet. The summer in Hokaido looked so green and romantic. This story seems to help correcting my impression of Hokaido to be the place of white milk and rich deserts. :)  Now it is a place of different shades of blue, and solid red. I loved how consistent the color theme this TV series did. 

Snow is falling even heavier now. It’s time for my message appointment.

I promised to start to write again here, my saved draft places. 

Last two weeks of 2022

 Will be spent in Japan, Niseko, Rusutu and Sapporo. 

Snow seems never stops in Niseko. 

almost two months later

The transition turns out to be hard.

I haven't found my spot yet. But I did learn and am learning a lot.

Back from trip

 And, the last week in current group starts

Spain trip starts tomorrow

 Yeah, I am so looking forward to it.

it's time to move on

 Yes, the other team accepted me. I got chance to say, 'I want to become an apprentice again'. 

And, the other unsaid line: 'yes, this is not my responsibility any more, I can finally move on'.