Man, what a day! Seriously, Wadomari is wild. I woke up thinking it’d be chill, but nah, life had other plans. First off, I’m a typhlopedagogue, right? So, I’m all about helping visually impaired folks. But today? Pffft, it was like a rollercoaster.
So, I hit the streets of Wadomari, which is on Amami Oshima, ya know? Beautiful place, but the roads? They’re like a maze! I’m talking about streets like Kuroshima and Nakanishi. I swear, I got lost like three times. I mean, c’mon! I’m supposed to be guiding people, not wandering around like a lost puppy.
Anyway, I finally made it to the community center. It’s this cute lil’ spot near the beach. The sound of waves crashing? So calming. But then, bam! I walk in, and it’s chaos. Kids everywhere, running around, laughing, and I’m just standing there like, “What did I sign up for?”
I had this one kid, Yuuto, who’s super smart but also a total handful. He’s like, “Hey, can we play tag?” I’m like, “Dude, I’m here to teach, not to run!” But then I thought, why not? So, we played tag, and I ended up tripping over my own feet. Classic me, right? Everyone laughed, and I was like, “Great, now I’m the clown.”
After that, we did some activities. I brought this cool tactile map of Wadomari. It’s got all the streets and landmarks. I was so pumped to show it off. But then, guess what? The kids were more interested in the snacks I brought. Like, really? I spent hours making that map! But hey, who can blame ‘em? Snacks are life.
Then, outta nowhere, this storm rolls in. I mean, it was sunny one minute, and the next? Dark clouds everywhere. I’m thinking, “Great, just what I need.” The wind picked up, and I’m trying to keep the kids calm. I’m like, “It’s just a little rain, no biggie!” But inside, I’m freaking out. I don’t wanna be stuck in a storm with a bunch of hyper kids!
So, we huddled inside, and I started telling stories about Wadomari. Like, did you know there’s a famous festival here? The Amami Oshima Summer Festival? It’s lit! Fireworks, food stalls, and all that jazz. I was getting all hyped up, and the kids were actually listening. I felt like a rockstar for a sec.
But then, the power went out. Yup, just my luck. I’m in a dark room with a bunch of kids. I’m like, “Okay, time for some improv!” So, I started making shadow puppets with my hands. The kids loved it! They were giggling and shouting, “Do the dog! Do the cat!” I was like, “I’m not a circus performer, but okay!”
Finally, the storm passed, and the sun came back out. I was so relieved. We went outside, and the air smelled fresh. I took a deep breath and thought, “Wadomari, you’re something else.” The streets were glistening, and I could see the ocean sparkling in the distance.
But then, I realized I had to get home. I took a wrong turn on Kuroshima Street again. Ugh! I was so done. I just wanted to chill. But then, I stumbled upon this little café. It had the best matcha ever. I mean, I’m not even a matcha fan, but this? Wow. I sat there, sipping my drink, and thought about the day.
It was crazy, emotional, and honestly, a bit exhausting. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Wadomari, with all its quirks and surprises, has a way of making you feel alive. I can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow. Just hopefully without the storm!