スミス英会話相模原校　生徒様との関係性

スミス英会話相模原校の生徒様はよくこの辺りのおすすめの場所やレストランを教えてくれます。相模原に長く住む私も同じことをします。相模原は安いお店や公園も多く、自然がたくさんある郊外の大きな街です。この街には、フェンスに隠れている、狭い路地の先にある、普通の景色の中にあるなどの理由で注目されていない場所がまだたくさんあります。相模原市橋本にある香福寺(こうふくじ)はそのひとつです。

橋本駅はスミス英会話相模原校のある相模原駅の1つ先の駅です。数年前、橋本駅を歩いていて何かに続く竹並木のとても細い歩道を見つけました。気になった私は歩道を進みました。驚いたことに種類豊富な木々や鯉のいる池がとてもきれいな境内のお寺を見つけたのです。私以外に人はおらず、水が流れる音以外の音はしませんでした。私は池の前に座り鯉が泳ぐのを30分程眺めていました。お寺を去る時、相模原校の生徒様でどれくらいの人がこの場所を知っているだろうと思いました。それから、私は何度もお寺を訪れて相模原の四季を境内で見ました。秋がいつも一番です。

 Sagamihara English Students Sometimes Become My Friend

Sagamihara English students here at Smith’s School of English often recommend places to go, restaurants to try, and things to do in the area. As a longtime resident of Sagamihara, I do the same. Sagamihara is a vast suburban city that includes a great deal of businesses, many parks, and a lot of countryside. It is amazing to me that so many things in the city go unnoticed because they are carefully hidden behind fences, in small alleys, or just out of plain sight. Kofukuji Temple in Hashimoto Sagamihara is one of them.

Hashimoto Station is only one stop away from my English school near Sagamihara Station. Several years ago, as I was walking around Hashimoto I noticed a very narrow walkway lined with bamboo trees, leading to something. I was curious, so I went in. To my surprise I discovered a temple with very beautiful grounds that included a variety of trees and a pond full of koi. I was alone. Other than the sound of flowing water, it was quiet. I sat down in front of the pond and watched the koi swim for about 30 minutes. When I left, I wondered how many of my English students knew about this place. Since then, I have returned many times and have seen these temple grounds in Sagamihara during all seasons. Autumn is always best.

I have mentioned and recommended this temple to many of my English students. None of them knew that it existed. Five or six of them have been there since we talked about it in class. All of them were surprised that such a beautiful and quiet place exists here in Sagamihara. One Smith’s Sagamihara English School student and friend in particular really enjoys the solitude of this temple and goes there from time to time. Yesterday I was delighted to receive this email from her.

Hi Jim,

How was your week? Thank you for giving me a very special joy the other day. Before visiting my dad, I saw your friends today. I spent a quiet and relaxing time there. My dad has been fine this week. Thank you for your prayers. Have a nice weekend my friend…

“I saw your friends today.” She is referring to the koi in the pond. Her email included the photos that you see on this page. I am touched that she enjoys going to this temple in Sagamihara on my recommendation. Sometimes my Sagamihara English students become friends with me, and she is one of them. Living and teaching English in Sagamihara with Smith’s School of English has so many benefits, and friendship is one.

I am always happy to welcome new English students and look forward to their trial lessons here at Smith’s School of English Sagamihara. Thank you for reading.

Jim