Making Our Way to Arao

WE MADE IT!!

It was a great trip to Japan - everything going very smoothly for the three separate groups, no problems out of the ordinary, and everyone connecting for a squeal-filled reunion at Tokyo's Narita airport. After the (relatively) short flight to Fukuoka, we received a rousing greeting from Coach Yamada, Mrs. Kuwamoto, Mr. Sakamoto and the Sakamoto boys. There they were at the exit from baggage claim, waving American flags and welcome signs. Even the charter bus had a great welcome sign in the window.

Once we arrive in Arao, Club Sanvino gave us a terrific welcome at City Hall, complete with handmade paper bags (directions to come for all the crafters out there), personalized t-shirts for all, and bigs hugs and smiles!
THANKS SANVINO. It was great finally meeting the families of the kids we hosted in Colorado.

Some random notes & observations:
Many people asked us in the airports and on planes about our team...the universal response was, "That's cool!"
The grapes at the welcome gathering were the juiciest, most flavorful I've ever eaten.
The girls are going to have no troubles given their personalities and the host families
At Narita, they get off the plane and they just sit down, right there.
On the bus from Arao, everyone crashed. Pat commented you could have put grapes on their mouths and kit them like golf balls.
The food on ANA was super (eat your heart out United)
The Sanvino boys are all drooling over our girls.
Our kids were spectacularly behaved, great buddies to each other on the trip.
Our kids were very open and gracious when meeting their hosts - everyone was good at shaking hands and hugging; no teenage reticence last night!!!
Immigration and customs at Narita airport was top-notch. Oscar joked that if we were in Latin America, we'd still be waiting in line.
Total agreement that the breakfast buffet at the hotel was "different, but terrific!"