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Here are a few of the best lines of your students that I heard while riding the bus this week.  I'm sure some of these are out of context, but these lines were the only part of the conversations that I heard clearly...

-And then Brent burst in the room in tights and a cape.

-Has there ever been a time in your life when you didn't have a crush on someone?

-Have you guys tried peach Fanta?  It will change your life.

-I'm going to sleep until I wake up.

-I love when ugly people get a happy ending.

-You know if a turkey looks up in a rain storm it will drown?

-Scary things scare me.

-Many "your face" jokes.  For example, one student will say "oh, that building looks weird."  And another student will say, "your face looks weird!"  Followed by Ooooo!

In Kyoto

We woke up early to catch our train from Nanao to Kyoto.  Families were there for last goodbyes and gifts of food and other various items.  Many pictures were taken and one of our girl students even gave a kiss or two on the cheek to one of the Japanese students.  Oooooo!  The train arrived and we boarded and rumbled out of Nanao for hopefully not the last time.

When we finally arrived in Kyoto food was in order.  Half of the students went to a burger place in the Kyoto train station and the other half went to Subway.  They even had avocado at Subway!  With full stomachs we boarded the bus to Nijo Castle.

Nijo Castle is one amazing place.  It seems so out of place amidst the metropolitan surrounding area, but it stands on its own.  This was the nightingale floor place. There were no cameras allowed within the castle, so just imagine gold leaf paintings of tigers and eagles and trees to the cacophony of squeaky boards.  We were at the castle for about an hour or so and of course ended in the gift shop.  Isn’t that where all site seeing type places end up?  I think so.

We all then packed like sardines onto a city bus.  We went down to a shopping center that was packed full of people.  Seriously, shoulder room was filled quickly with four people who knew where they were going and you better not get in the way. 

We then made the long bus ride to the hostel.  Everyone was able to get a seat, so the ride did not feel that terrible.  After so many days of go-go-go, the traveling was tiring but not.  I don’t know how to explain it other than that. 

I guess the next post will be you student telling you his or her story in person.  I am sorry again at not posting everyday.  See you all soon!!!!

Already?

Welcome to our last day in Nanao.  Tear.  The students all went into the day with bright smiling faces,  but the sun soon mimicked the tears rolling down the many faces and our time in Nanao drew to a close.

Before the tears though, we started the day with the Soroptomist women.   The students were led by a priest to attempt Sazen meditation for ten minutes.  They were supposed to clear their mind and fall into nothingness.  I’m not sure if this happened for anyone, but they sure were quiet for those minutes.   The room was full of peaceful students sitting cross-legged on tiny black pillows.  It was nice.  The only thing discouraging about this temple area was that the trees were infested with the most horrendous of spiders.  These were thumb-sized(body) spiders that will haunt the dreams of our students until the end of days.  Or maybe just my dreams.

We then went to another location, but we were still with the Soroptomist women.  This location was sort of a playroom type place.  The students played Jenga, made water balloons and also had to move marbles from a tray with chopsticks.  True and Megan were pretty good at this.  We then had lunch provided by the women.  There was sushi, shrimp, rice flour soup, pizza and then some. 

After lunch the kids were able to make cotton candy in all different colors.  Then there was about an hour of just hanging out in the room.   Our Japanese chaperones gathered a few pillows and took a nap, so I did the same.  I was a bit apprehensive about going to sleep in a room full of teenagers hopped-up on cotton candy, but I got a few winks in. 

When I awoke, everyone was still there, so I guess no harm done.  Speeches were then in order from various powerful women and Meer.  We then said our goodbyes to those sweet women and were off to Cedar Street.

Here we split into our groups again and took turns making incense, painting goldleaf or checking out the shops along the street.  My group started with the street, which was kind of a bust because most of the shops were closed.  The bookstore was open so we went in there, but it was full of not-for-underage-eyes books and magazines, so we quickly left.  BOW-CHICKA-WOW-WOW.  No thank you.  We then went into the candle shop and made some incense type pouches.  We were given jars full of smelly-good essences like: sandalwood, cinnamon, cloves and something that smelled like Vasaline.  We took spoonfuls of each smell and placed it into a pouch.  The woman was very helpful and said that our pouches smelled good.  Thanks lady.  Painting gold leaf is not easy.  It’s like catching trying to catch a snowflake on your finger without it melting.  Close to impossible, but just short of it.  In the shop we were surrounded by 3,000,000-5,000,000 yen shrines.  After trying to make our simple coin key chains, I can appreciate how much time and skill must go into making these beautiful shrines.  They were totally worth the amount of money because of the effort put into them.  Also, ancestors are said to live in the shrine, so the sentimental value is through the roof.

We made an unplanned stop at the Coast Guard office because Yuri’s dad (Jackie’s partner) worked there and he wanted to show us around.  It was cool.  We received some free loot and were able to look out on the bay from atop the building.  We were given binoculars to lookout and Katrina couldn’t really figure out how to use them. 

We had some time to spare so we went to the 100 yen(dollar) store and a Best Buy type store.  There was immediately a line for the for the massage chairs.  These massage chairs were legit.  They massaged your back, feet, arms, hands, neck and bottom all at the same time.  It was hard to leave those chairs; however, not as hard as leaving the next destination: the farewell party.  Get your tissues ready.

The bus brought us to the farewell party before anyone else arrived so that we could practice our CHA-CHA a few times.  We looked pretty good too.  The families started to show up and we all talked and waited for the room to fill.  Once it did, there were the speeches to be given.  Brent did an amazing job on his speech.  He hit all those accents very well, or so I am told.  Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Salter and I gave our speeches and then we were told to start eating. 

After the food was consumed and the bellies were satisfied, we started the fun part, the goodbye speeches.  What is there to say about the goodbyes?  There were tears running down many faces and the faces that weren’t leaking were just putting on a brave face.  A few students definitely turned into Patsy Cline and fell to pieces.  Anna, Alek and Kassity were probably crying the hardest.  It was a tearful affair.  Each student was told from their host family how much they were going to miss them and how it was great to have them here in Japan and how they all hope that this isn’t really goodbye.  We all hope so too.

Then we had to dance.  Yeah, we probably should’ve thought that through when we created the schedule of the party.  There’s nothing like crying behind stunna-shades while doing the Cha-Cha Slide.  We went through it all once and then each student went out and found their partner, gave them glasses, got them on stage and taught them the dance.  It worked out well.  The stage was pretty full and it was a sight to see. 

We were then introduced to the Japanese chaperones for next year.  And flowers were given to Mr. Shimizu for being the Jaycee JW chairman this year.  He gave a speech and then many pictures were taken.  The chaperones then left, so I don’t really don’t know what happened after that or how long people stayed.   It was a great ending to an amazing time in Nanao.

Aquarium Day

The excitement of the earthquake drill was almost palpable at the fire station.  Each student and chaperone was able to experience our breakfast being ruined by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.  It was a lot of fun, but some of the students wanted the simulation to be longer and more intense.  Sorry kids but we would rather not have destruction of those proportions.  Each student was then able to experience a smoke filled room and how difficult it can be to maneuver through.  Even though the “smoke” was just a DJ fog machine, Jason coughing was covering his face and saying how smoky it was in the room.  What a drama queen.

We took a tour of the Kagaya hotel and had lunch there as well.  The hotel was pretty amazing!  We were taught how to make the traditional bitter green tea and then we ate a big lunch.  The students were welcomed and addressed by Mr. Oda, the hotel owner before the actual eating took place.  The food was great and the students were then shown around the hotel more and given some time in the gift shop.  Many of the students expressed a desire to stay there when they go back to Japan, and at 500-800 dollars a night per person (not per room) I think that we should let them get a little older and pay for that themselves.

The Notojima Aquarium has a whale shark.  There is almost nothing more to say other than that.  A whale shark!  How cool is that?  We all walked through the exhibits, silently comparing this aquarium to ours.  It’s hard to say who won; I don’t know if I told you that they have a whale shark.  Did I say that already?  We had an appointment to pet dolphins at 1:40, so we made sure not to be late for that.  In groups of four we were all able to pet those lovely aquatic mammals.  We watched a dolphin/seal show and Meer was chosen from the audience to shake hands with the dolphin and lead a squeaky symphony.

The yellow go-cart was immediately coveted as the speedster.  There were four different color cars and close to fists were almost thrown over the yellow car.  Meer and Jason were like Achilles and Hector in battle.  “I’m gonna smoke you,” Meer sneered.  And smoke he did.  Jason’s blue car actually stalled midway through the track.  A technicality, but a loss no less.  There were countless rematches with many undetermined results.  These silly children.  Each race cost 500 yen per car, so many students doubled up and I think that Jack was in a car almost every race.  I’m not sure how she accomplished it, but good job.

We went to the glass blowing museum after race day.  Well, not the actual museum, the shop and the sculptures around the museum.  It was soon discovered that by sitting on a certain bench, echoes would shatter the silence.  Quickly a chant of “LET’S GO GIANTS!” echoed throughout the hills.  Ms. Salter simply hung her head.

Back to city hall and then to our respective homes. 

Let's go shopping...

The Wajima market has the faint smell of fish and hope that by the end of the day your booth will be able to post a SOLD OUT sign.  Unfortunately for its merchants, they were not selling erasers or peach Fanta.  If that were the case, our students would have sold them out quickly.  No dice though.  Fish mixed with trinkets mixed with money being exchanged. 

We were all broken into our groups to peruse around the market so I accompanied Team Urchin on our adventures.  We fluttered from booth to booth like unsure hummingbirds, constantly feeling the burn of the yen in our pockets.  Items were purchased and we looked around for the other groups along the street.  Some of us met up and bought some ice cream in a little shop and then we all waited for the entire group so that we could finally paint some lacquer ware. 

We met a little Japanese dog at the market.

The lacquer ware shop was a quiet little shop off the main street of the market.  We were all seated around tables and then were given a quick run-down on what to do with our brushes and powdered colors.  While watching this man, who has no doubt been doing this for much of his life, flawlessly paint a leaf, a wave of “Oooooo” rolled through the group quickly followed by “there’s no way I’ll be able to do that.”  Well too bad, sit down practice a little bit, and then go right to your own masterpiece.  So that’s what we all did.  There are three steps to painting lacquer ware.  Paint glue onto the area you wish to be colored, drop a bit of powder of whatever color you like around the glue and then carefully brush the powder over the glue.  Simple right?  More or less. 

We ate lunch near the beach and the only eventful part of lunch that I witnessed was Brent eating at least two eyes off of the shrimp on the plates.  Oh and Alek almost projectile vomiting after eating who knows what.  And the thickness of the bread that Jackie ordered.  Texas toast has nothing on Japan toast.

Then we went to Big Sur.  Well not really, but it sure looked like it.  The rocky coast helped with the homesickness if there was any to cure.  Meer and Victoria stood a little too close to a crashing wave and got a bit wet.  No harm done though.  Pictures were taken here by the truckload and vending machines were cleared of their drinks and ice cream.

We got back a little early, so we all were able to go shopping at the mall in downtown Nanao.  Finally we walked to city hall after a long day of play.

Where did we leave off?

So let’s get back to this thing.  After the first school, we had a little bit of time before we had to be to the next school, so the chaperones decided that a park where the students could release some energy would be the best bet.  Turns out it was. Picture a big green field that looks innocent enough.  That same big green field may have been enough for them to have fun, but the field soon revealed its secret.  Frogs.  Many, many, many tiny little frogs jumping hither and thither with young American children chasing their every hop.  I believe that Katrina had about 15-20 frogs in her had at one time.  Cassi had to catch them all for her. 

When we finally got to Rokusei Middle School their hands smelled of hand sanitizer.  We were greeted at the doors by the assistant principal and the kendo club.  Went into a room and were all seated around tables, whereupon Cassi then delivered her speech.  She did forget on the bus, but I came to the rescue and saved the day.  In the gym, we were then shown a kendo practice:  a form of martial arts where a bamboo stick is used and the fighter wears necessary protective armor.   After this controlled practice, each student and chaperone were then directed to grab a stick and hit one of the kendo club members in the face.  There is no other way to say it.  We hit them in the face.  Yes, they had masks on, but that still didn’t change the fact that I felt a little weird about this abuse.  Alek was hitting the little boy in front of him like a child picks at broccoli.  Give it a little umph man!

Let’s all drive on the beach.  The bus took us to Chirihama beach and the students had about an hour or so to roam free on the shore of the Sea of Japan.  Seashells and dreams were collected along with many pictures taken and laughs laughed.  Everyone was ready to abandon the polo shirt and khaki pants, so we ended that day where we began at city hall.

Soon...

A quick note on the Blog.  The days spent with the kids seems to take more energy than I first anticipated.  That is why I haven't been updating as much.  That and the internet.  However, I will be getting you all up to speed on the train ride to Kyoto tomorrow.  So have no fear, the blog is on the return.

One day behind...

Sorry about not posting a blog last night, the internet in my room was in and out and I was quite tired.  I know.  I know.  NO EXCUSES, these are our kids here.  I can assure that they are all still in one piece and they are having a great time.

Now for yesterday... The visit to City Hall to meet the mayor and then to middle school visits with a pinch of the beach right at the end.  We all met at City Hall at 8:00 AM with our Junior Wings polo shirts and smiling faces.  This was going to be our first whole day together in Nanao and we were all looking forward to that.  I was, I assume that the kids were, but I what happens when you assume.  But that doesn't really matter right now.

Anyway,  the chaperones had a little talk about how to behave in the mayor's office and we were off to the chambers.  Our kids were great, once the mayor arrived it was as if they weren't middle school students for the briefest of times.  The mayor of Nanao gave a speech which was interpreted for our English ears and then Kim gave a speech for all the Japanese ears.  Shaden then stood and delivered her speech with no hint of nervousness in her voice.  Everyone was then given pins and the mayor his gift and then he went off to run the world and we were off to see it.

After City Hall we went to the first of our two middle schools:  Toubu Middle School.  We arrived to the school and were amazed at the size of the place.  It was like Colton was hanging out with Barry Bonds a few years ago.  Too soon?  So we went inside and exchanged our shoes for green rubber slippers.  For some this was a perfect fit.  For others, the shoes felt like we were playing reverse dress-up.  Dress down?  No, that doesn't make any sense.

We went into a room and were addressed by one of the English teachers and then were introduced to the principal.  After that brief encounter, we were led throughout the halls of this massive school.  With a little over 600 students, it felt like it would be impossible to find them in the maze of classrooms and hallways.  We did see them though and the classes were all disrupted by those American schoolchildren running amuck in the school.

We went to an art lesson and were taught how to paint Mt. Fuji.  It was awesome and the art teacher spoke English very well.  He told us that he loved art so much that he named his son Art.  Ha.  He gave a lecture on traditional black ink water painting and then modeled how it is done.  Luckily he gave us a practice sheet of paper first because it is not as easy as he made it look.  After rigorous practice, we were ready for the big game.  We painted these awesome paintings on very expensive paper and then were given the stamp of approval from our teacher.


The students were then taught how to play a song on a koto.  Sort of a harp on wood.  I don't know.  The music teacher said that the instrument was supposed to resemble a dragon.  I couldn't see it.  No imagination I guess.  Each student was put into a group with three Japanese students and the plucking of strings began.  They all did a great job.  It was music to my ears.  Ha Ha, get it.  After our students completed their miniature symphonies, everyone was put to shame by the music teacher herself.  She played and sang like the first light of morning.  It was very pretty.

After that, we went back to our holding room, ate some food, laughed about whatever we laughed about and then were off to another middle school.

***Okay, so here's what is happening.  The internet in my room seems to be breathing in an out and on each intake, I disconnect.  I am trying to add pictures and finish writing, but I must save every other sentence in order to not have to start over and over.  So, I am going to end here for the night.  I am sorry, but I have a sudden urge to throw the computer out of the fourth floor window.  Since this is my girlfriend's computer, I think it wise not to do so.  Also it's late.

I will pick up where I left off next time.  Once again, I am sorry.

BBQ Day

Hello there again.  One day off and it's like I don't even know where to start...

Here's a quick word on what the chaperones did on our days(ish) off.  We had some amazing food, met some great people and bought some fantabulous items.  Alex has been having meetings with people, so Kim, Jennifer and I have been doing some shopping and we even had a bike ride around our hotel neighborhood.  There are seven Buddha statues around our hotel, so we had to ride around and find them to take pictures.  It was a lot of fun

After the bike ride, we all went to the Elderly Olympics.  This is basically just like the regular Olympics in that it happens every four years in a different (Japanese) city.  It just happened to be in Nanao this year!  We watched the 60+ soccer tournament.  These old dudes could move!  They were running to and fro like cockroaches in New York.   It was amazing and inspiring.  I better start training now if I want to be in that kind of shape at 60.

Then we finally saw the kids again.  I almost forgot what they looked like it had been so long.  Seriously.  We had an awesome BBQ put on by the JCs.  There were two BBQs going, one with meat and one without thank you very much.  All the host families trickled in bringing our students with them and once we were all together we started to eat.  Noodles, hot dogs, beef, tofu, soda, donuts and not in that order.  It was great.
  

After the last bowl was chopsticked clean, the games started.  The kids played hide-and-seek, but it didn't work so well because I'm not sure that everyone was staying put once they hid, so True and Megan had a tough time finding everyone.  So then they decided to do a variation of hide-and-seek where one person hides and everyone looks for them, whereupon finding them, each person hides with them until everyone is hiding together.  I believe that it was called Sardines or something like that.  Anyway, Jason was way too good at hiding and nobody found him.  At all.  We had almost given up on ever seeing him again, when he rounded a corner smiling like a Sears family portrait.  So we tried again...This time True and Riko went to hide and apparently it all worked out because everyone finally found them.

By this time it was dark, so the students started to pose for pictures for the end of the night.  Here are a few from the party.  I hope that your students took more because it was a really awesome time.  Enjoy...

Kyoto and Nanao!!!

We woke up this morning to rain.  It didn't seem to bum anyone out though.  We did sell out the hostel's supply of umbrellas.  After a nice buffet style breakfast at the hostel, we were off to the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji Temple).

What is there really to say about the awesomeness of being in the presence of such an amazing place.  One just sits back and mumbles to themself, "am I really here?"  "i this really happening?"  I know that's what I did.  We jostled for the perfect picture placement and I think that we did a pretty good job...

After the temple, we went back to the Kyoto train station to board our train to Nanoa.  Three more hours in some form of transportation.  The train was full of laughs, the sharing of Bento Box contents and the hushed whisper of welcome party speeches being recited almost inaudibly below the breath.   The ride didn't feel so long.

When we arrived at the station we were greeted by our Japanese hosts and then whisked away to Fisherman's Wharf for our welcome party.  It was still raining by the way.  We were all introduced and the kids were handed formally handed over to their host families.  Well, all of them except for Jason.  His family was not at the welcome party because Kanta was still pitching for his baseball team.  Don't worry though, they showed up at the end to take Jason home.  All is well.

We then ate and Alek gave his speech.  He did a great job and walked off the stage to the sound of applause.  Always a nice way to exit.  After the food and speeches, our students performed their songs. Anpan Man was a huge success.  They sounded great.  The acoustics were much better in that room versus the gym.  Most of the crowd joined in on the last verse!

We then played a giant game of musical chairs.  Both Junior Wings groups and some younger siblings competed for the crown of best of the best musical-chair-type-winner-thing.  I believe I got an action shot of one round...

But ultimately there can only be one, just like Highlander.  And who was that one you ask...Meer.  And what did he win you ask...fireworks.  Don't worry parents, he will have to detonate the lot before he can even come close to America.

After the game, we all grabbed our bags and were driven off into the raining night to various destinations throughout the Noto Peninsula.  Chaperones were taken to the Aenokaze hotel where we had an amazing 11-course meal.  That's right.

And now this is where I leave you all for a few days.  The students are with their host families for the next two days, and as there parents, I can only assume that you want to hear about them and not me and the other chaperones.

Here is the Golden Gate Bridge.  Catch ya' later USA.

 Some mountain flying over Alaska.

Team Urchin throwing up our urchin sign!  Jason came up with that one.

 Finally in Japan.  Well sort of, had to go through customs.

 Somebody is excited about not being on a plane anymore.

 Waiting in the Kyoto station.

 Waiting again.  Brent looks like he is out.

Kyoto Tower Hotel right outside the Kyoto station.

It's raining today.  BOOO!!!!  But I guess these things happen.  Nothing new to report except that sleeping was amazing.