From Felisa

The last three days of the group trip were a blur. I can say that, on the main, our girls remained in good spirits despite the long days. Everyone took off for their separate destinations after heartfelt and somewhat tearful goodbyes. Joe and Tara boarded the plane from Fukuoka with the bulk of the girls. In a change of plans, Coach Oscar and the entire traveling team (less Formans, Ciaglos and Andersons) went by bus to see them off at Fukuoka. At curbside, he reminded them that while they have had a wonderful, activity filled week, yet the critical part of the journey was still ahead of them. . . staying together and arriving home safely to Denver. As I see no emails saying "where are our kids?", I am hopeful that everyone got home who was supposed to get home. It was a great trip for us all.

From Fukuoka train station, the Pattersons met with their Japanese family. The Marcias, Veros and Matinos were trepidatious with our next jaunt, but we managed to get reservations for the Hikari to Kyoto. Once on the train, we started with an Asahi toast to the success to the international exchange. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this experience possible; it will be remembered by all. As Coach Yamada said, we are now family. And, FYI, he expects an invitation to the wedding of the first girl to marry!

The Forman travelling group left directly from Arao City for a stop at Nara prior to Kyoto. As it turns out, though, we ran into both groups at different times in the area near our ryokan (Higashiyama). Dahlia has been terribly amused with Peter's (aka Family Guy's) antics. I found on this trip that Joseph, too, is now ready for college . . he was able to point out where to go for beer!

We had dinner with Vero/Matino group our first night in Kyoto. It was great to walk up to a restaurant, realize there was a 1200 yen/per person table fee and have another person say "NO WAY". It was on the canal, but come on, we're happy to pay for food, but not just to sit down. As it was, we found a great meal in a private room and, again, found reason to toast our good luck and good friends.

Kyoto was an interesting juxtaposition of new and old. We stayed in a ryokan that was established over 100 years ago. The family run inn was the ultimate in understated and subdued comfort. We were greeted with cold tea and exquisite cakes. The ritual was repeated every afternoon. We ate traditional japanese breakfasts. It is true that we did not always know what we were eating, but Oscar and I found it an epicurian delight;I particularly enjoyed the first morning because the kids slept in an skipped breakfast. The tranquility of the ryokan permitted us a leisurely pace and many naps. The evening shower and traditional bath afforded me a relaxed sleep.

Just outside the doors of the ryokan we could find geisha, a french coffee house and so many shrines that it was impossible to stop at them all. The highlights of our visit, though, were the 2/3 scale imperial palace (the original was destroyed) with its immaculate gardens and the Gion Days fesival parade late one night. Tens of men carried golden shrines (we saw the largest in Japan, weighing as much as a car) through the streets. (Think Semana Santa in Sevilla or Latin America) Each shrine held a soul wanting to escape and get home. Amazingly, the men would lift and shake the shrine throughout the walk.

Today, we left Kyoto for Tokyo. We were unable to see Mt. Fuji from the train as it was quite overcast. We plan to visit the Gibli Museum (dedicated to Hiyo Miyazaki's studio films) and take in a Tokyo Giants game. If time permits, we'll make a side trip to Mt. Fuji. But no climbing it this time.

Regards to all,
Felisa