I successfully completed my junior year and enjoying spring break at my parents’ home to rave reviews.
I realize that there are just a few months left in my JCFN internship.
The other day, I went to Akabane and participated in a JCFN-GiFT event titled “Gather round! Springtime Railroad Photo Contest!”
The event began with prayer, followed by an ice-break game known as “rock-paper-scissors train” and like we enjoyed in the past, and then the main activity of the day, the photo contest, was explained.
This time, our goal was to take pictures of things that fit the five themes of “Lively, the Cross, Fluffy, Rabbit, and Fake-looking things,” after taking a group photo, and we were free to explore the city with our special train pass.
My team of four, left the Akabane Church and immediately took a picture in front of the cross. While strolling around the area of Akabane, we spotted a sign for a yakiniku restaurant, “Genki Karubi!” and also found a rabbit, and we took a picture of it, although we were embarrassed about attracting attention. Then we headed to Harajuku, where fluffy cotton candy would be found. It was a Saturday and there were quite a lot of people, so I was a bit hesitant, but I went down Takeshita-dori to try to get a photo of the cotton candy, which was the main attraction of the day. The atmosphere of the stores and the clientele had changed considerably, and we enjoyed chatting about how nostalgic it was to visit Harajuku for the first time in several years. As soon as we began to leave, we young adults were suddenly drawn to “purikura photo booth” with the comment, “Purikura makes things look fake, doesn’t it?” The Purikura photo booths, which have transcended generations and continue to evolve, were no longer chaotic and fun to use. After processing the bunnies, the only mission left was to take picture of fluffy cotton candy. But we were doesn’t have a firm grasp of reality.
While standing in line for cotton candy amidst the intense crowds, I checked the return train and happened to exceed the game time limit. So, we made a quick change to the fluffy baby sponge cake store across the street and hurried back to Akabane Church. We returned two minutes late, and everyone was already there.
I really enjoyed all the new ideas and photos I saw throughout everyone’s combined presentation.
However, we didn’t win, and the reason for the loss was probably because didn’t get back in time. Still, I’d like to think that my team had more fun than anyone else’s, as if my team was the big winner, lol.
After the event, I went to a “Taiwanese sweets” store with my Christian sisters who joined the event. I was impressed by the nostalgic taste and the fact that the store there was from my Taiwanese hometown.
I’m truly grateful that I enjoyed this event thoroughly and look forward to the next one.
