Another crumb...Karuizawa Retreat

Soon after Nikko, it was time for the program's retreat to Karuizawa! After classes on Saturday, we headed on up. After about a 3 hour drive, we got there around 4 pm. 

Here's our tatami room. It slept 16 and was fun to bust out the futons and have a giant sleepover.

Waseda owned this huge area of land that had sports courses, cabins, and dining halls that Waseda teams and clubs can come and use. 

We had a bit of time before dinner, so a bunch of us decided to venture out to explore the campus and surrounding woods. 

Bears! 

I also went into the furo for the first time. The ofuro is basically a really hot bath, but you go in with everyone a lot of times. It was basically a naked group hot tub, and boy did it feel good. =]

I don't have a lot pictures from here on because I forgot a bit, but the next day we had till mid-afternoon to hang out. I played softball and soccer and just ran around like a 4 year old let outside for the first time in a month. It was fun to get away from Tokyo with everyone and just chill and be. 

This is the view from the bus. Japan is 80% mountains, and it is so gorgeous. I'm in love with the landscape. 

After an intense weekend of playing hard, we were all so tired. (The next day at school we were all whining all over the place tired as ever. I was so sore. Going out and playing sports that I hadn't played in months at the full intensity I used to play at is not kind to those non-existent muscles). 

Kiah! (Roomie from Orientation.). Isn't she cute?

She's going to be so mad when she sees this. muahahha.