4 September 2007 -鳥取砂丘

I finally got the chance to go 鳥取砂丘 after so many years!

The weather was fine today. Sunny and abit cloudy. We reached 鳥取砂丘 around 1pm. I got emotional when I first saw 鳥取砂丘 on the bus.. and when I reached there, I could not believe that I was really there!

Perina started to run around as she was excited too. Imagine a sand dune next to the sea, and in a part of the city. It is unbelievable. I started to take photos happily and... started to cry uncontrollably while taking photos. I was really happy and touched to be in the place that changed Masha. Standing in the same place as him, and this place meant alot to him. This is the place where he was touched by Shoji Ueda`s enthusasim for photography and started to learn photography. If not for 鳥取砂丘 and Shoji Ueda, Masha would not have been a pro now. Probably if not for Masha, I would not have the determination to start photography.

The sand is very fine and soft. It was nice walking on the sand dune. Perina and I were happy, excited, and acted like kids. We sat and slept on the sand dune to take photos. It was fun climbing up to the top of the sand dune, and when we looked down from the top, we saw a big ocean. The scenery is breathtaking, so beautiful and peaceful. We sat at the top of the sand dune (just like a small hill), drank coffee, took photos. The sun was strong but I simply do not care and did not bother to put on sunblock. To me, having sunlight is important for taking photos.

I spotted a teenage boy who sat near us. He has a natural and nice smile, though not consider handsome. He was waiting for his friends, who went down to the ocean. I took a few photos of him secretly. When he realised it, he tried to look away. I then asked him if I can take his photos and he said いいよ (ok), and はつかし (felt ashame) when I started to take his photos. I just told him 自然でいいですよ (just be natural) and he felt at ease and I took a good shot of him. When his friends returned, he was so proud and told them he is モテル　(popular). Haha! I asked him to take photo with me and at the same time, I invited his friends to join us. I guess this photo (with me in the photo) is the one that I like so far at the trip. It was fun to take photo with them!

I started to go down the sand dune, it was steep but quite easy to go down as the sand is so soft, you do not have to worry that you will hurt yourself even though you fall. I climbed up again halfway, and wanted to take camera. I suggested to Perina to go down too. She was lazy at first and said ok then. So she walked down, as it was too tiring for her. I told her, just roll yourself down (one guy did that just now). So she did it and she was really enjoying herself. I could not roll down as I wore a bit of low cut shirt, unlike her, wore a t-shirt.

We walked along the coast of the ocean, admiring the scenery. It took us quite long to walk around the sand dune. I took photos when I can, or rather when there is sunlight. Sometimes it got cloudy. We went back to the same spot at the top of the sand dune again. Yes, we climbed up again! We wanted to take a rest there. I spotted a couple and took their photos. Along the way, I spotted another one young couple and took their backview. It was such a natural shot. I like it! And the funny thing was I took the backview of a guy who is having suntan! He is not muscular but I just feel like taking it. I took photos of a small boy too, who came with his parents. He realised that I took his photos and hide at his dad`s backside. I guess I have become a paparazzi photographer today. Haha.

There was a pool of water at the bottom of the sand dune hill. The water came from a certain source along the sand dune. Both Perina and I tasted the water and it was tasteless. The pool of water is very clear, so no worries about getting poisoned.

We went back to the bus terminal around 4pm. Bought some stuff,ice cream, milk. By this time, I realised that I got sunburn! My whole arms were red. But it is ok, I like to get tanned. We reached the station and bought some stuff before we board the train back to 米子。 It took us about an hour journey by rapid train. I am glad we stayed at 米子. Although 米子 is a smaller town than 鳥取 (there is Daimaru, and other shops), 米子 is peaceful and quiet.

We went to Santy again to buy water, shopped around. Then we had a quick delicious dinner (fried rice and ramen) and rushed back to hotel because I wanted to watch Hanakimi e. It showed the 10th episode just now. Arghhh, cannot watch the final episode next week.

Anyway, I was kind of satisfied that I got to go to the sand dune. This is one of the places in Japan which I really wanted to go. I do not know when I will go to sand dune again, maybe I never will. But I will never forget my feelings when I stepped my foot at sand dune and cried while taking photos. I have not thought of whether going to the sand dune will change me. But having been there today, I am more determined to continue photography.. even though I am still poor in it. Thanks Shoji Ueda san and Masha for bringing me to the photography world.

Tomorrow, no, today (0:02 am now), I will be going to Masha`s photo exhibition at Shoji Ueda`s museum. Looking forward to it!