Blogs from Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 253

Well, here it is Sunday night, I got back from staying over night with a family. I have been so amazed at the kindness and graciousness of the Japanese people. Not only are they polite, but if you need help they go out of their way to help you, and I mean that literally. If you are lost they will walk with you to the place you need to go. It was strange this weekend to be waited on, after spending so much of my life doing for others, now I was supposed to have someone serve me. I couldnt help in the kitchen, clear the table, wash the dishes......I even had a bath filled with water for me to soak in. That was a really different experience. They have a separate room for bathing. It ... read more

Well the last two days have sure been interesting. We went to a Junior High school, yesterday. In some ways it was very different from our school, and then in some ways very much the same. We had a welcome reception first, I am getting very spoiled that when we walk into a place we are greeted by applause. Basically we are treated like royalty, we get special treatment and small gifts. Despite the language barrier we are able to communicate with teachers and students. You would think that they would have lots of technology in the schools, however it is quite surprising to find that they have very limited access to computers. In fact, most of the classrooms dont have computers in them and use of the computer lab is limited. The kids have a ... read more

Well, Here I am back in Tokyo after a whirlwind trip over the weekend and what an experience! We left on Friday night and rode the bullet train to Kyoto. It took about 2 hours or so, don't know how many miles it was, but wow, can those trains fly! And smooth as silk too! But the real fun began as soon as we reached Kyoto. Although I had originally reserved a motel, conversations with some other participants convinced me to go in with them to stay at a hostel while we traveled. Unforntunately the cab drivers, who although are very nice, could not understand much English and did not know where the place was (we had reservations at Kyoto's Best Inn) . Finally after about an hour of waiting we managed to find someone to ... read more

Well, here it is almost 10 at night, but I guess you are all just really starting your school day. We had a pretty cool day! We toured what is their House of Representatives and got to take pictures although it is not normally allowed. But because we are such a special group and since the Diet (that's what they call their congress) was not in session. It was a really neat place, there was beautiful wood carving all around. I got to talk with one of the guards through an interpreter and asked all kinds of questions. Then we drove around looking at all kinds of buildings before we finally arrived at a bazaar where we had lunch and got to do some shopping. Lunch was awesome, although getting down and sitting on the floor ... read more

Well, my day started off well, made it to the airport on time, got onto the plane and that's when all the fun started.........we were supposed to leave at about 5:40 am and about an hour later they had us get off the plane and before long the flight was cancelled. They put us on another flight but needless to say we missed all our connecting flights. I finally got to Dallas, made arrangements for another flight that went from Dallas to Denver and then finally to San Francisco. So lots of time on the airplane. But what a view, we have the most beautiful country and I don't think we appreciate it as often as we should. As I was flying across the country, I had a chance to see so many different parts and ... read more