Fall has come. In America, as well as in Japan, fall is one of my favorite seasons. When I tell Japanese that the U.S. also has four seasons, they are very surprised, and their astonishment surprises me. For example, I am sometimes asked, do the trees change color in America? With the exception of places Like Southern California, Hawaii, Florida, there are 4 distinct seasons throughout many places in America, Because Hawaii and Southern California are the most visited spots by Japanese, they probably believe most of America is warm all year.@

g Fall passes quicklyh

I love Japanfs autumn; the coloring of trees in the mountains is very beautiful. Outdoor stalls line the streets selling fall season foods. But I think the season is too short. Just when the afternoons become cooler and bearable, suddenly the next day it becomes cold. Just when I decide its OK to put the summer clothes away, it seems like I have to pull out the wool sweaters.

gSeasonsf role in Japanese daily lifeh

In Japan, the seasons play a big role in lifestyle. But in America I donft think they have affect. Because America is so large, at almost any time throughout the year, one can buy almost any food he likes. For example in big cities it is probably possible to buy watermelon or strawberries any time (it is probably not as delicious and more expensive however out of season) Also, because we keep the temperatures of our houses and buildings about the same throughout the year, the change of temperatures doesnft have a strong affect on our daily activities.@

In Sasayama there are many delicious, fall foods. I want to try matsutake mushrooms, but because even just one can be so expensive I have yet to eat one. Also, because they are always wrapped in plastic in the stores, I havenft smelled one either (mastutake has a strong scent that is one of its popular qualities) Actually, I have bought an inexpensive lunch box with mastutake rice, but I didnft see or taste any mushrooms. Thatfs probably why it was so cheap!I have also been shown and tried myself to make chestnut rice. It was very delicious. In America I donft eat chestnuts. It was also my first time to eat persimmons. If I begin to eat gedah beans I canft stop. As for sweet potatoes, in America I had only eaten canned yams, which I didnft find very delicious. But, when I went to Nara I ate delicious grilled sweet potatoes.

Japanese festivals are very interesting. They are completely different from American ones. At first I didnft fully understand Japanese festivals. But after seeing many festivals and hearing explanations while watching, I gradually came to be able to understand. Tradition is extremely important. To Japanese people to carry on traditions is very important, I think.

For example every year, the same village people carry the gmikosih (festival cart). Inside the cart are the villagersf small children. But this warries me, the people carrying the cart have drunk too much sake beforehand. But mysteriously, there never are any injuries. Because the small children ride high in the mikosi, I really worry. Especially when they gwasshoih[Bounce the eart up and down on their shoulders].

gAmerican Fall festivalsh

American festivals are completely different. In autumn there are two important festivals. The first is Halloween. This festival is on October 31^st. The origin of this festival comes from Ireland. It resembles gObonh. Because bad spirits return, living people wear scary costumes to frighten thew. But we also do fun things. We have costume parties, and play fun games. For example, we play a game called gBobbing for apples". Lots of apples float in a big bucket of water. With our hands behind our back, we try to catch an apple in our mouth. For small children this game is really difficult. Children go trick oftreating. They go to houses around the neighborhood, knock on the door, and when the person comes out, the children say trick or treat and the resident gives thew candy. The children are delighted. Also, we make jack oflanterns from pumpkins and on Halloween we place a candle inside the door.

The next festival, Thanksgiving is the last Thursday of November. The first people to come to America were shown how to make things and were helped by Indians. At the time of harvest they gathered together to give thanks to God. Nowadays, this meal is enormous and delicious. Usually the family eats together. Because it's a 4-day holiday, family members who live far away can return to their hometown. For Americans this is an important festival[holiday]. Because this festival (holiday) is celebrated all over America, its tradition continues. In fall, there is much energy in the air. Most everyone is in high spirits.

In fall because family and friends can get together one holiday after another, I'm happy our festivals and traditional.