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!

Day 7

Mayor of Tahara, Patton Sensei, and Myself

The sun finally came out!! Today both Patton Sensei and myself had a meeting @ City Hall with Mayor Suzuki of Tahara to present him with a "Key to the City of Georgetown" sent with us by Mayor Varney. Along with meeting the Mayor we also had a great visit with the lead member of the Tahara City Council. After visiting at city hall I began my trip to Izumi JHS(if you look at it on the map you will see why I call it a trip...it is at the END of the peninsula). Upon arrival at Izumi I was introduced to to my last host family and was also able to visit with both John and Morgan who are attending Iragomisaki JHS Sunday-Wednesday of this week. I was able to see John taking part in the Kendo Club and Morgan participating in the Ping Pong Club. As you will see in the picture below Morgan is wearing the school uniform and is hard to pick out in the crowd! Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be are last full day in Tahara as we will be being our World wind Tour of Japan on Thursday Morning with a trip to Tokyo (my first time in Tokyo). Everyone is doing well here and we hope that everyone is enjoying summer back home! We (two weekers) will be home in less than a week so we have to take advantage of the time we have left! Take Care



This sign reads conserve energy...with the recent tsunami this has become a huge iniative in Japan. Of the two elevators in City Hall only one was turned on, the other was left off to conserve energy!



John Getting Ready for his Kendo Match



Morgan Giving the thumbs up!



Morgan and her host!



Atsumi Hanto our view for dinner tonight with my new host family!



In a completely unrelated picture...check out the top of the toilet...it looks like a faucet..but dont be fooled its only for decoration...

Day 6 Akabane JHS

Apparently this is common place...the students serve each other and the left overs are left for whomever rushes to get them first...

Today I spent the day with Agnes and Jordan @ Akabane JHS. As you will see in the pictures it was a very interesting day! Both Jordan and Agnes are in great spirits and had a fun filled day of school. We were able to visit with the special needs class @ Akabane as well as eat lunch, clean, and participate in clubs with the students. Please enjoy the pictures from today! Tomorrow I will meet with the Mayor to present him with a "Key to the City of Georgetown" and will being my stay with my final host family. Our actual tour of Japan is only TWO days away!! Stay tuned!!



Jordan speaking to the entire student body of Akabane JHS...



Agnes' turn...



They had these all over the school..I was bored so I decided to check my teeth..



Jordan in English Class



Agnes..a very popular girl in Japan in English Class



Jordan doing some cleaning...



Agnes sent out to do her cleaning outside/cleaning out the drainage ditch....



As you can see the students clean EVERYTHING..most of the time on their hands and knees..here are some students cleaning the bathrooms...this would not fly in the US..



Jordan preparing for his Kendo Club...

The 7 Samuari and 2 Ninja Tour 2011 Remaining Schedule

Monday Day @ School
Tuesday Day @ School
Wednesday Day @ School (Last Night with Host Family)
Thursday Tokyo (Last Day for all two weekers and six weekers together)

Thursday Night Begins Our Four Night Stay @ Kyoto Tower Hotel!!

Friday Kyoto
Saturday Hiroshima (possible baseball game :)
Sunday Nara
Monday Depart for Detriot, Detriot to Lexington (arrive around 3PM)