Hello from Southland of New Zealand
My name is Yuko Yamamoto. I came to New Zealand about 4 months ago from Japan. I had been working as a librarian for 5 years and as an assistant teacher for 1 year in Japan. I would like to learn English and to teach Japanese to foreign people, and so I came here with my husband.
We have settled in Kaikoura, which is about 2 hours' drive to north of Christchurch, as my husband has got a job as a log house builder there. The name Kaikoura means "meal of crayfish", which look like lobsters, and the name was given to the area by a Maori chief called Tamatea. With a population of approximately 3,200, the township is located on a rocky peninsula, protruding from lush farmland beneath the mountains. In the water off the peninsula, a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds. We can see about 15 kinds of whales, dolphins and seals all the year round. Many travelers visit here throughout the year to view and interact with them, even sharks! If there is an abundantly rich environment in Japan like Kaikoura, I think most Japanese people propose to make an aquarium, attractions or sea parks. However, people in Kaikoura preserve nature and wild life as they are.
It is a community center in Kaikoura. Many people come here to ask questions and to get their advice everyday. I also come here to have a chat with local people and to ask them about the New Zealand way of life. As I am a poor English speaker, they kindly teach me English as well. I join the young mothers' meeting every Thursday. We are making a lampshade using recycled glass now.
I had an opportunity to teach Japanese culture at a junior class of Kaikokura Primary School. For the first time, they tried to make Origami cats and dogs. They really enjoyed Origami craft.
In the second lesson, they learned how to use chopsticks and Japanese food. They love popcorn, and tried to pick as much popcorn as possible with chopsticks, but it looked rather difficult for them.
In the third lesson, they learned Japanese games and plays. I was surprised they memorized Japanese children's songs very soon. I introduced many kinds of Japanese games. Among them, they were very interested in ton ton-sumou (thumb wrestling) and fukuwarai, which is similar to "pin the tail on the donkey".
Created and photographed by Yuko Yamamoto