Alyssa and Cindy on another whirlwind adventure. Here we are on the first day of our trip. Let me tell you Hokkaido is Cold. Like Northern NH cold. My roomate is from Taiwan a place of no snow so I had to coach her on proper cold weather precautions, like wearing a had and gloves... 

A little history of Hokkaido...
Hokkaido is the second largest and most northern of the four main islands that make up Japan. Historically, Hokkaido was not really considered a part of Japan, it was the home of the Ainu, the aboriginal people of Japan. The Ainu were pushed into Hokkido long ago by the immigrants from mainland Asia who are now considered the Japanese. Until the Meiji Period (1868) the Ainu were the main population of Hokkaido, while the few Japanese who lived there clung to the southern coast. This changed after the Meiji Period as Japan wanted to expand it's northern border. Now Hokkaido is the main producer of milk and cheese in Japan, as well Japan's wood and coal. Hokkaido is also a key fishing and agricultural center. It is a very rugged land with many mountains and volcanos, and is prone to large earthquakes.

Ahh...End of Semester, Christmas Parties, and time to travel!!!!!!!!!!!! From 12/26-12/29 my roommate and I were lucky enough to get to go to Hokkaido on a tour for four days and three nights...bliss! This is the map of our trip; each different colored line represents a different day of travel. Needless to say we had lots of fun! 

My Most Humble and Deep Apologies...

To my many readers who have all given up on this blog...I'm Sorry! Between school and travel and the end of the semester my life has been a bit hectic. Alright, a lot hectic. But since I have about a week till I begin classes again I will try to put up the blogs that have been sitting in the back of my head. I will finish the Fushimi Inari blogs as well as put up the Hokkaido blogs and the blogs about my life here in Japan. Please bear with me through the coming year!
Alyssa