Wednesday was our last full day in Tokyo before the mass group departure. All of the groups did a presentation about their time in their 10 respective cities. Some groups were really creative and some even brought a tear to my eye as I couldn't believe what an incredible experience this has been. Our time here has been really amazing and the hospitality shown by the Japan government would make any Southern woman proud (I do declare, Troi!). My group, Kamisu, did a presentation put together at the last minute on the bus ride back to Tokyo on Monday. Some groups really put alot of time and practice into their presentations, but the Kamisu group favored sake in Club Troi's room more than choreographing show tunes, so we just gave the nuts and bolts of our trip, courtesy of a Dave Letterman style "Top 10 Things we learned in Kamisu City". I think we did a great job and even Dr. Satterwhite (the director) commented on our presentation several times that day. It was interesting to see the similarties and differences in everyone's experiences. Two groups visited cities that had just been hit by earthquakes the day before they arrived which further showed the hospitality shown by these people, even during disasters. Wednesday night was the Sayonara Buffet. It was very similar to the Welcome reception dinner that we had at the beginning of the trip with cocktails and an endless buffet. There were a few speeches, some videos from the groups, a martial arts demonstration called aikido and then group pictures at the end. Our tour guide, Laura (actually her name was Kumiko but she told us to call her Laura), came as did the group coordinator from Kamisu City, so we got to say goodbye to them and show our thanks and appreciation. The Japanese Fulbrighters presented money collected for the victims of Hurricane Katrina which was accepted by Betsy from our group who is from New Orleans. Betsy then asked us to reciprocate such a gracious donation by taking up money for the earthquake victims of Japan which further demonstrated what can be accomplished when 2 countries work together. At the end of the evening, we all sang Auld Lang Syne, which is usually sung at graduations in Japan. The evening was kind of bittersweet though I think that we were all ready to go home. Even so, it's sad leaving new friends and this wonderful country...but not without a "final farewell" karaoke style...
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sayonara makes me want to say "Hasta La Vista" Baby...
Wednesday was our last full day in Tokyo before the mass group departure. All of the groups did a presentation about their time in their 10 respective cities. Some groups were really creative and some even brought a tear to my eye as I couldn't believe what an incredible experience this has been. Our time here has been really amazing and the hospitality shown by the Japan government would make any Southern woman proud (I do declare, Troi!). My group, Kamisu, did a presentation put together at the last minute on the bus ride back to Tokyo on Monday. Some groups really put alot of time and practice into their presentations, but the Kamisu group favored sake in Club Troi's room more than choreographing show tunes, so we just gave the nuts and bolts of our trip, courtesy of a Dave Letterman style "Top 10 Things we learned in Kamisu City". I think we did a great job and even Dr. Satterwhite (the director) commented on our presentation several times that day. It was interesting to see the similarties and differences in everyone's experiences. Two groups visited cities that had just been hit by earthquakes the day before they arrived which further showed the hospitality shown by these people, even during disasters. Wednesday night was the Sayonara Buffet. It was very similar to the Welcome reception dinner that we had at the beginning of the trip with cocktails and an endless buffet. There were a few speeches, some videos from the groups, a martial arts demonstration called aikido and then group pictures at the end. Our tour guide, Laura (actually her name was Kumiko but she told us to call her Laura), came as did the group coordinator from Kamisu City, so we got to say goodbye to them and show our thanks and appreciation. The Japanese Fulbrighters presented money collected for the victims of Hurricane Katrina which was accepted by Betsy from our group who is from New Orleans. Betsy then asked us to reciprocate such a gracious donation by taking up money for the earthquake victims of Japan which further demonstrated what can be accomplished when 2 countries work together. At the end of the evening, we all sang Auld Lang Syne, which is usually sung at graduations in Japan. The evening was kind of bittersweet though I think that we were all ready to go home. Even so, it's sad leaving new friends and this wonderful country...but not without a "final farewell" karaoke style...
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1 comment:
I do declare Mz. Gray! That was a most memorable trip.
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