Final Night in Japan!

Group @ dinner....good food and good times!!

We had our last big night here in Japan complete with Yakiniku and finished off with some Japanese Style Karaoke...just be glad that my video updates are not working right now because Patton Sensei was brutal..but provided some outstanding entertainment! Our trip is complete..minus the trip home..This being my second trip to Japan I have to say I am even more impressed with the hospitality here in Japan, the organization in which everything works, as well as the public transportation system. This is truly a unique culture and language and one in which Patton Sensei's Exchange Program does a great job at showing off. Thanks for the memories!!



Let the Karaoke begin...I think Agnes may have finally ate too much food??



We all enjoyed some Parfait's..complete with some corn flakes :)

Day 12...Last Day...Nara

The group taking a picture feeding the deer..this was shortly after Patton was chased down by one of Austyn James' Buddies...

Today, our last full day in Japan, we spent the day touring Nara...which was the 1st capital of Japan. Nara is famous for its sacred deer that freely roam the area as well as its many historical landmarks..we spend the day seeing about all of them including...The temple, many shrines, a bell tower, and a five story pagoda. We were able to enjoy an outstanding lunch complete with our choice of ice cream (choices of ice cream included sesame, sweet potato, pineapple, cherry blossom, grape..and many more). After touring much of the day we have arrived back at our hotel for a bit of a packing break. This afternoon we will all enjoy our last Japanese Dinner together and then we will try our hand at some Karaoke...Japanese Style..one good thing about this style is we are in a room with our group only...Patton could scare off any listener not ready for his cat like singing abilities...We have enjoyed countless laughs and have definitely had a once in a lifetime experience. The students have all learned many new things about Japanese Culture and this experience will without a doubt leave an impression on their years as a high school student. I may have already said this..but I will say it again...Patton Sensei deserves a huge THANK YOU for all of the planning of this trip...his ability to fluently speak Japanese has aloud us to get the best experience possible...including his countless trips to the train station to get tickets..lining up reservations...and at time listening to us whine...He is a top notch educator/ninja! If I have time I may complete one more post tonight after we return..if not...I hope that everyone has been able to enjoy these updates of our trip! See you in Kentucky!!




Patton explaining to the kids that the deer..if provoked..can be dangerous...



I think this deer had had too many crackers!



Morgan Making friends with a deer...



Group in front of the Tōdai-ji Temple..the largest all wooden structure in the world!




This fortune teller was definitely not very excited...



The group after lunch..enjoying some ice cream cones..



Group up on the Bell Tower



Group in front of the Bell Tower...check out the deer in the background!



Group picture in front of a 5 story pagoda that was recently refurbished (in the 1400's)

Day 11 Hiroshima

Group @ the A Dome


Today we woke up very early and boarded a bullet train bound for Hiroshima. The students and Patton Sensei visited Miyajima and the A Dome as well as the Hiroshima Peace Park Museum. While I went to Hiroshima with the group I ended up meeting up with them in the afternoon at the Hiroshima Carp Baseball Game (Japanese Professional Baseball). I made the choice not to go back to the peace park as it was quite emotional for me on my visit last year...I will be posting some pictures taken by the kids on that portion of the trip. The baseball game was quite the experience as the Japanese know how to cheer their team on (even though they were losing throughout the entire game). After the game we enjoyed Okonomyaki with noodles (famous in Hiroshima) and then boarded a bullet train back to Kyoto. Tomorrow we will be touring Nara..possibly doing a bit more Geisha Hunting...and hopefully ending our trip with some Japanese Style Karaoke...lets just hope Patton doesnt try to sing....one more full day left here in Japan...these two weeks have FLOWN by!



Group in front of Miyajima



Group in front of the Memorial for all victims of the A Bomb



The balloon send off at the game during the 7th inning



The game was rather crowded...around 33,000!



Picture of the inside of the ballpark..if you look close you can see a bullet train in the backdrop..



Agnes famous pose



Group picture with stadium in the background..



Our Okonomyaki Dinner



Jordan marking Georgetown on the Map at Dinner..we were the 2nd group from KY!



Our Okonomyaki being made...it was a group effort!



I think John had a full day of touring!



Picture of our hotel @ Night!!

Day 10...Kyoto!

A GREAT group photo from The Golden Temple

Today we were able to sleep in a bit before we headed out to tour around Kyoto... Our first stop was to the Nijo (Shogun) Castle and our next stop was at the famous Golden Temple. We stopped for an outstanding lunch complete with Ramen and then headed out for some shopping in Kyoto. After some shopping we filled our stomachs to capacity by eating at the conveyor sushi restaurant. After a dinner we headed out Geisha "hunting"...while we did see some Geisha having private dinners up on the patio by the river our Geisha "hunt" wasn't successful tonight (but no fear we will go back in search of the mysterious Geisha again. Tomorrow we will be headed to Hiroshima for the more "serious" tour of our trip. In Hiroshima (weather permitting) we will also be going to see a baseball game...the Hiroshima Carp vs Sapporo Nippon Fighters...stay tuned for for some more pictures from this once in a lifetime opportunity.



Group picture @ Nijo Castle



Patton Sensei giving a hisory lesson @ Nijo



Group picture eating our Ramen Lunch



Jordan playing a Taiko "video" game during our shopping time



John, Morgan, and Jordan enjoying some conveyor sushi



Agnes and Kelsey during dinner...



Agnes and Kelsey after Dinner...



Everyone standing guard and watching different directions for the Geisha..



We didn't let the unsuccessful Geisha trip dampen our spirits...this is a group shot in front of the Geisha House...

Day 9 ..Tokyo!

The Samuari's at the Emperors Palace

We definitely did some MAJOR traveling today! After saying goodbye to our host families in Tahara, we boarded the bullet train to Tokyo and spent most of the day touring around Tokyo. Because it is overcast here we were not able to see Mt. Fuji but we didn't let that damper our spirits! We all got a really good idea of the population density of Tokyo and spent a lot of time packed like a herd of livestock on trains! After our busy day in Tokyo we boarded the bullet train back to a station around Tahara and said our goodbyes to Tucker and Mallory as they returned back to their host families today (they toured all the other sites we will be visiting last year)...we then boarded another train with all of our luggage and headed to the Kyoto Tower Hotel (there is a link to the hotel on the right hand side of the blog)...we ended up getting in our rooms around 11:30! We will spend the day tomorrow touring around Kyoto and seeing the many sites! Rain is in the forecast for the next few days but we are hoping that we can avoid it!! Kyoto tomorrow...Hiroshima on Saturday.....Nara on Sunday...and then HOME on Monday....ready...set....go!!!!



Agnes and her host sister say goodbye :(



Last Picture together as a group!



Great picture of where we passed by on the way to Tokyo with Mt. Fuji in the backdrop...but it was too cloudy and we couldn't see Mt. Fuji..so I took this picture of another picture at the station...



7 Samurais and 2 Ninjas at the Emperors Palace in Tokyo



The 2 Ninja's...in action



We spent the day on a few crowded trains...as you can see..



Our last time as a group with Tucker :(



Saying bye to Mallory...



A big group hug...last one as a complete group as Tucker and Mallory are headed back to Tahara!

Birthday Surprise!!

My wonderful host family singing to me...Take 2 :)


So I thought I had my first birthday without a cake but...my host family surprised me with at Happy Burfday Cake!! Great food, and great people...this country and its people always amaze me!!



My cake made by one of my host moms former students!



My host family presenting me and my family with gifts...Mom and Nanny these are handmade for you!!



I left some cake for my sister...just not sure how to get it home :)

Day 8 @ Irago JHS

The Real Taiko



John and Morgan trying out some Taiko!

Today I spent the day (my birthday) with Morgan and John at Irago JHS on the end of the peninsula. Today was our last day in the schools as they will begin their testing period (which is when they kick us out :). Most of the clubs were cancelled today due to testing preparation but both John and Morgan were able to learn a little Taiko. We were all very grateful of the wonderful hosts they have been here @ Irago! Tomorrow....Tokyo!!!



This morning I was able to try the famous Tahara Melon!!



Morgan and her host sister!



John learning some English!



Morgan in English Class!



John and Morgan learning Taiko from the group!