So, I recently tried out snowboarding (and loved it), and today I had a chance to give skiing a shot. Because it is winter and the waters between here and Rebun Island are icey (yes, the ocean can freeze, we get a freshwater stream down from Russia, and yes we get ice drifts), turbulent, and generally temperamental, the ferry only goes out and back once in the day. That means that instead of leaving Rebun Island when my school visit is over, I have to stay until 5:30 (I’m off work at 5) and then take the 2 hour ferry back at that time. Sooo… I have a lot of time to waste! Usually, the schools stick me in a room with a book to waste 2 hours (unless I manage to convince them to let me visit other classes or club activities). Today, however, the vice principal, who has a ski instructor’s license, offered to teach me to ski. So, I brought my gear along with me and headed out to the town ski-jo. It was supposed to be just me and the teacher, but I managed to convince him to take some of my elementary school students along too. They all have the necessary gear because they all take skiing in gym class anyway, and I thought it’d give me a chance to interact with them outside the classroom.

We got out to the slope, which isn’t very big, and I saw the un-sophisticated rope-lift they use. I was a little worried about figuring out how to use it, only to find out that I wouldn’t be anyway! It turns out, because it was my first time, I had to start at the bottom of the hill and walk up. I didn’t have to go all the way up, he just wanted me to learn down at the bottom, not to far up. I can say this much – side-stepping up that hill was painstaking and not especially rewarding. Skiing is a lot harder than snowboarding and there’s a lot more there to deal with! Also, it didn’t help matters that my 7 year old students went flying past me. Also, it didn’t help that they felt they REALLY needed to encourage me as I wobbled down the hill. “Oh! You’re doing so great!” It should have been the other way around, right? Me telling them that? Haha, oh well!

So, I guess now that I have experienced both, I have to say that I definitely prefer snowboarding to skiing. Also, my students are too cute for words in their little pink snowsuits and bunny-ear hats. Ok, that’s all for now… I’ll let you know if I take up any new extreme sports while I’m here.

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