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Today was day three of our adventures. As part of our Study Tour topic (chemistry), we visited The Cup Noodle Factory. This was a very interesting and intriguing place to visit. Japan is famous for its oodles of noodles. The Cup Noodle Company is a major supplier of the noodle enterprise in Japan. The inside of the museum began with a large room full of noodle memorbilia. On the walls and ceiling were displays of noodle packages; each kind that has been produced since the business began. I don't know much about how the company began but from what I've heard is that it was the dream of a Japanese man and, of course, his dream became a very lucrative buisness that spans the globe to this day.
The highlight of the day was trekking into the mountains. These were the mountains that I took pictures of from his sister's apartment. We essentially took a bus over to the other side of the valley. Takenaka sensei invited us to a private concert at a remote cafe in the mountains. The owner of the cafe was so impressed by him that he invited him to perform. Professor Takenaka lives part of the
year in Kyoto, Japan, while the other half is spent in the U.S. teaching at BSC as a Japanese professor. He has mastered the jazz piano and is quite well known. I have heard many pianists before but he is the best I have ever heard. His enthusiam raptured people and made for an entertaining night. While he was playing, he would stand up and actually pluck the strings on the inside of the piano which many pianists never attempt. I felt blessed to be able to hear such harmonious music fill our ears.
So far, I have been having an amazing time here. It is a completely different culture from the U.S. which makes it even more enthralling! Another thing I have picked up on is how well dressed everyone is. All you see in the train stations and subways are men in suits heading to or from work. I have been picking up a few phrases now and again but the Japanese language is a very difficult one to master but I hope that when I return home I can study this interesting language.
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Mom
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Where the Mountains
Andrew, You are taking great pics and I have enjoyed reading your thoughts. Have a great time and we miss you!!