Wednesday 26th July

Hello all,

I had a day different from the rest of my time here. It started in a bit of a rush (it wasn’t even that early, I was just slow getting out of bed ahaha). Takahashi-san, who is from Onagawa and greatly involved in the reconstruction efforts, offered to take Takashi and I to the renowned 追分温泉　（Oiwake-onsen), a natural hot spring.

St Lucia has hot springs also, but they are near our volcano and less peaceful, so this was an interesting experience. I’m pretty sure here was hotter as I couldn’t completely submerge my body. What I anticipate will be imprinted in my memory, was the experience of visiting the site of a nearly elementary school, whose students’ lives were forever changed by 3.11.

It really gave me a new framing of how fragile life is and how valuable each day and each relationship really is. Without a doubt, I sometimes get caught up in chasing material things, or accolades; but those things pale in significance to the intangibles of relationships.

My prayers are with those whose life were irreversibly changed. Here are some pics from the drive and also the object of worship Shinto shrine. Notice the circular rock that seems like it’s about to fall.

Last night we made our way to the Sugar Shack for some wholesome fun with the other youths in the commmunity. That DJ was the bomb! A night well spent with good company.

Signing off for now,
Joshua Runako Daniel