Sayonara

Konbanwa students,

Well, this is my last night in Japan. I leave tomorrow to come back to the States enriched by the experiences that I have had in Japan, but eager to return to you with those experiences.

It hardly seems like three weeks since I left home to venture to this land I knew only through my many hours of research, but yet it seems like I have been here for a lifetime because some of my experiences have changed my perspective so much as to be life altering.

There are many things I will miss about Japan: the freshest of seafood, the cleanliness of the cities, the beauty of the land, the long history, but mostly I will miss the people of Japan and their gentleness, humbleness, humor, unassuming ways, and connection and love of Nature.

Sayonara is the Japanese word that is traditionally translated as "goodbye" in English, but the exact translation from Japanese to English is "if it must be so.

And so I say to Japan "Sayonara", and hope that one day I will return.

Host Family Oct. 26, afternoon to Oct. 27 afternoon

Konbanwa students,

I just had to mentioned my host family for part of my stay in Japan. After the tea ceremony we waited, like orphans, to be picked up by the host family with whom we were to spend the rest of Saturday and Sunday. All of us had a little trepidation (apprehension---fear!) anticipating the experience. Most people are afraid of the unknown, and we teachers were no exception. I'm on the shy side of the outgoing spectrum, so I was quite nervous.

But, the JFMF staff has had twelve years of pairing visiting American teachers with Japanese families who are willing to open their homes to foreign visitors. They have developed a sensibility about compatibility. BUT, we were foreign visitors who have been enemies in the past. However, the Japanese people do not live in the past. They may have learned from it, but they do not live there. Just as in the tea ceremony teaches, one must live in the present, and make the most of the opportunities presented in the moment.

My Japanese host family was comprised of 3 generations living in the same home. Otohsan, father Okahsan,mother Rumiko, Obahsan, grandmother (mother of the father), and Ojihsan, grandfather (father of the father), and musuko san. Although musuko san was in Tokyo, at a friend's wedding, the other members of the family were all there to welcome me. Although my Japanese is minimal, Rumiko is excellent at English and she, her husband, and I were able to carry on a deep concerning American politics and the impending election. I found that we had much in common. Rumiko and I were both Hillary Clinton supporters, and wished that she was on the ballot.

Through their interest and our conversation they touched my heart.

After discussions following a ohshi (delicious) dinner, I took a traditional Japanese bath (more on that later), and went to bed.

The next day we visited a Shinto Shrine because Rumiko learned that I was interested in learning more about Shinto, the original and prehistoric religion of Japan, and then the ocean side. Her husband had gone fishing at 3:00 am---I know many of you can relate to that!

We had lunch and then it was time to return to my group. Too short a visit, but one I hope will be reciprocated here in the U.S.

Here are pictures of Otohsan, and his mother Obahsan, and Rumiko. Ojihan was napping at the time, but the garden in the background is one he created, so I feel that he is there.