So you think living in the countryside is boring?

I live in the countryside.  Over the years many students have asked me if it is boring to live in the country.  Well read this, and then you tell me.

Now, that spring has finally sprung the weather is warmer, and it is easy to see all of the changes around us. It is also an excellent opportunity to learn English language vocabulary because vocabulary is used to describe the world around us.  Here is a summary of a few of the changes that are going on around my little part of the world this spring:

First, the plum blossoms started to bloom in late January or early February.  Sorry if you are living in northern Japan where it is still cold and snowy at that time of year. Here in Wakayama, spring starts to come early.

Next, the tulips start to push up and just as they begin to enter full bloom the cherry blossoms open in full bloom as well.  We were very unlucky this year as there was much rain just as the cherry blossoms were at peak bloom, but my wife and I  took a walk and were lucky to catch them in all their glory.

While the flowers are blooming the animals are also waking up and starting to move. The cute little Japanese green tree frog is ubiquitous in this area. I have them all over my house, and as I write, I can hear them croaking on my windowsill.  Sometimes they manage to get inside the house (they are like Houdini) and we have to catch them and throw them out again.

Also this year I found a Japanese fire belly newt on my doorstep. He just came by to introduce himself as new to the area and gave me a box of washing powder. (I’m kidding).

Also, while the flowers are blooming and the little animals are waking up from their hibernation, the farmers and gardeners work on getting their gardens going. This year I have potatoes, red radishes, cucumbers, mini tomatoes, zucchinis, green peppers, eggplants, blueberries, basil, rosemary, shiso (which is usually called shiso in English or sometimes perilla), sweetcorn, pumpkin, soybean (edamame),  snap peas

(snapendou),  burdock root (gobou), baby leaf lettuce, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce plus I have a persimmon (kaki) tree and a small mandarin (mikan) tree. I think that is all.

So I ask you: Do you think living in the countryside is boring?

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