Frogger46

This is definitely my last entry. Im sorry I didnt update more recently but we've been jammed packed nonstop for many days now. Several days ago (Friday) we rode the bullet train to Hiroshima and it rocked our socks! I believe the average speed of these trains is 300mph - man do I wish we had these back in the States. We stepped off the train and the leaders waved goodbye to teh delegates as they were whisked away by their host families. Each student was returned to us Monday with a new appreciation and understanidn of the lifestyle in Japan. I heard many a stories about trying new foods, playing kimono dress-up, great moments at a karaoke session, days at the beach, lots of laugther with their host brothers, sisters, and parents and a few ... read more

Hi guys! Sorry I abruptly stopped typing but my computer switched to Japanese characters and I did not know how to get Roman letters back! I am on a new computer now ready to type some more. Back to the bedding in Japan, after you place your tatami mat and cover in the closet the room is now free to be used for other purposes (what they are I have no clue but hopefully will be able to tell you after our homestay). Lastly, we heard the talents of our delegates as the common room furnished both a piano and guitar. Brian Lin and Katlyn Mathy tickled the ivories while Jake Friedenberg and David V. strummed the guitar strings - everyone (including the friendly staff) sat and listened to their melodies. We gave many thanks to ... read more

Continuing from my previous blog, we experienced traditional Japanese way of life at the guest house (a great preparation for our home stay). The highlights included learning how to properly bathe in Japan and how to sleep. The bath is not a place to cleanse the body but the spirit. You start this process by showering (where you do clean your body) and then enter the bath to soak and relax, then exit and shower again. Every student partook and treasured this daily Japanese ritual (especially since we trekked Mt. Fugi earlier that day :). Next, we slept on tatami mats! Most Japanese do not sleep in beds, rather on woven bamboo mats with a thick down or stuffed mattress that folds over to serves as your cover. In the morning when you rise all of ... read more

Before I begin describing our days here in the Land of the Rising Sun (which by the way came out of hiding yesterday) I must share with you our unique and positively pleasant experiences with the porcelain God. To start, traditional-style Japanese baths work like our toilets except there is no lid and the rim of the toilet where you 'go' is actually on the ground. You must hover over this piece of efficient plumbing and then to 'flush' you watch the water rush like a roaring river over any material you left behind. Now this sounds crude but in reality it is quick, neat, and saves water. Here comes the fun part! Most hotels and restaurants provide Western-style toilets along with some tourist sights (although these places have both Japanese and Western models and place ... read more

KONICHIWA!!! GREETINGS FROM JAPAN! FIRST, I APOLOGIZE FOR THE WACKINESS OF THIS EMAIL. I CAN'T TURN OFF THE CAPS AND THE COMPUTER LIKES TO UNDERLINE WHAT I TYPE. AT LEAST I:M NOT TYPING KANJI CHARACTERS ANYMORE, THAT'S WHAT I SPENT THE LAST 5 MINUTES FIXING. SO FOR STARTERS YOU ALL KNOW WE ARRIVED SAFELY TO JAPAN. AFTER MANY FORMS LATER WE MADE IT THROUGH CUSTOMS AND MIKO, OUR DELEGATION MANAGER, GREETED US WITH A WELCOMING SMILE. THEN WE SAW A SMALLER GROUP OF PEOPLE TO PEOPLE DELEGATES WHO ARE OUR NEW FRIENDS FROM UTAH. WE HOPPED ONTO OUR COACH AND MOZIED ON OVER TO TOYKO (ANOTHER HOUR AND A HALF RIDE, BUT BY NOW THIS WAS LIKE 5 MINUTES FOR ＯＵＲ DELEGATES) AND WE ARRIVED AT THE GRAND PRINCE NEW TAKANAWA HOTEL. WE DASHED TO OUR ... read more

Hi gang! I used this web service last year to keep parents and friends up-to-date on our trip and thought I'd use it again. The leaders and I will do our best to write entries as often as possible but please keep in mind two things. One, who knows what kind of internet access we will have over there. And two, students certainly get priority to the internet before the leaders. However, last year I wrote on average every 3 days so I will try to get at least 4 entries in while in JAPAN-WOOO HOOO!!! See you at the airport bright and early on Friday, June 20th :) PS-I hope you all have started packing because so far I have made two extra trips to Target with little last-minute items - he he.... read more