Saying Goodbye

On 7.18 we had our farewell dinner. This was the first step, and most formal, in the saying goodbye process. All of us, with our host families and sister cities members, gathered at a park for a fabulous potluck. The sister cities Chairman addressed the group. All 10 of us were called up one by one to receive a packet of gifts. After lunch we had a scavenger hunt with our host families where we received a few more goodies.

Monday 7.19 was a national holiday so schools and offices were closed; it was designated as a host family day. Since our flight was early on Wednesday 7.21 we had to head to Chitose on Tuesday. We arrived over by city hall at 8:30am like usual. One by one our kids arrived with their luggage in tow and their host families. Mothers, fathers, and siblings were hanging around to see the group off. I noticed a few tears right away. Many sister cities committee members also came out to say goodbye.

When the bus showed up, it was a clear indication that it was time to go. We hauled our luggage to the bus so the bus driver could load it. It was time to say our final goodbyes. I was running around hugging my host families and telling committee members to come to B-N in 2 years for the 50th. Kids were saying goodbye to their host families and for a few the tears really flowed. We boarded the bus and everyone outside was waving. From inside the bus we waved until the bus had pulled away.

We stopped in Sapporo for lunch and to shop for a couple hours and then went on to the hotel in Chitose. We went to dinner at Royal Host, which is basically a Denny's, that night. Knowing we were flying home the next day, I asked what food everyone was missing from home. A few people responded - Monical's pizza , Mexican food, good steak. I of course responded with Starbucks. There is Starbucks in Japan but I couldn't possibly place my crazy order. My follow up question to kids was then - what will you miss about Japan? To that I got a resounding, "EVERYTHING".

Japanese Toilets

We were at a pre-trip meeting when one of the students asked about toilets in Japan. Our coordinator, Robert, indicated this would not be a problem. That there was such a thing called a "squat toilet" but we would only encounter it as a park or something like that. He was not to concerned. I thought about my previous time in Japan and wasn't worried either. I have a vague recollection of hearing of the squat toilet in the subway but I think I just avoided using it and had no problems.

Well, we were wrong. We first encountered a Japanese style toilet on 7.12 at our first school visit. We were taking a break so I was with some of the girls as we went into the girl's restroom. I think we were all a little shocked to see the narrow white porcelain set into the floor. Of course I'm the chaperon so while some of the girls chose not to use the toilet I thought it was my responsibility to model positive behavior so I went for it. But nerves got the best of me and I couldn't go.

On 7.13 we went to use the restroom while at Tokai University and there again was the Japanese toilets. It was clear most of the girls did not see this toilet as an option and simply would not use it. I however was determined to use this toilet. Success!

While I was successful, this was not something I looked to do again. I found the Japanese toilet to be a sort of nemesis on my trip. As I would walk into a restroom somewhere, I found myself hoping and praying "Please let there be Western toilets". Big tourist sites like the zoo and mall had both Japanese and Western which was a great relief. I did on one occasion pass on a Japanese toilet at a restaurant with my host sister knowing we would soon be home. I had to use it only one other time on 7.19 while traveling around Hokkaido with my host family. Even then the toilet was a set in a little platform so it was a little easier.

My fascination with Japanese toilets extends to the Western style toilets as well. These toilets are like a toilet we would find in America but on steroids. The furthest toilet technology I've seen in America is the automatic flush in public toilets. The Japanese have far surpassed us in this area.

At both my host families I noted the square on the wall that controlled the different functions of the toilet. Different buttons for flushing, buttons for the bidet, and a couple other buttons I didn't know what they did. I didn't dare push them. The toilet seats heated up when you sat on it and at my second host family there toilet had an automatic flush.

If toilets in the homes weren't interesting enough, I was even more fascinated with public toilets. They had even more functionality. They had a button labeled "powerful deodorizer" and some would make this fake flushing noise whenever you started using it. My initial reaction to the toilets was "this is so weird". But ultimately I became amused and impressed. Now I'm just wondering when toilet technology in America will advance?

Next Stop Furano 7.16

Today we went to Furano. We, however, started our day at Mister Donut for breakfast before we boarded the "slow train" to Furano. It is probably 1 hour to 1.5 hours to get to Furano on the train we took. It is slow so that passengers can enjoy the view. Hokkaido is very mountainous and this gave us a great view as well a chance to see some lavender fields from afar.

When we arrived at the train station in Furano, we took a bus up into the mountains a bit. Furano is known for its lavender fields so after lunch we walked around to look at some lavender fields and visit some crafty shops.

We met back up and took the bus back down to the train station. Some of us explored the town and others enjoyed the air conditioning in the ice cream shop. Let me just say that it was a really hot day! Around 4:30pm we took the train back to Asahikawa.

Aeon 7.15

After the morning at the elementary school, we went to lunch. Our lunches our usually buffets. I think this is easiest since we don't have to navigate a Japanese menu and we can accommodate the varying likes and dislikes of the kids. Desert is a very popular part of the buffet and we are now at the point where we get ice cream everyday.

After lunch we rented bikes and road the path along the river. It was absolutely beautiful. We rode for about 30 minutes down the path and back, but really we could have ridden for hours. The trail is very long and it is so scenic.

We then took the bus to Aeon. Aeon is the shopping mall and from what I can tell is the chain of shopping malls in Hokkaido. We had a couple hours to shop on our own and it looks like everyone made a purchase.

A Full Day 7.14

This day was very busy. We started out at the science museum where we visited the planetarium, the dinosaur exhibit, and had time to explore other exhibits in the museum. This was a very hands on museum which our kids really enjoyed. There were many classes at the museum for field trip where we observed that all kids in the class must where a matching colored hat. The little kids hats have a strap that goes under the chin so they can't loose the hat.

For lunch we went to Five Star. This is the mother of all buffets featuring Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Western food. The kids seemed to to enjoy this and were particularly pleased at the presence of french fries. Two things amused me at Five Star. First, at the drink station everything was in Japanese so Bob mistakenly filled a big glass cup with hot green tea. Second, the desert bar was very popular with the kids with some filling a plate with 5 or more mini-deserts. The presence of desert or ice cream has become an important part of the trip for the kids.

Next we went to Arashiyama Zoo. This is a very famous zoo and is a point of pride for all of Japan. Tourists from all over Asia come to this zoo. We had about 2 hours and the kids were allowed to see the zoo at their own pace and interest. My host Dad, Mr. Sawanuma, owns the glass company that is in several enclosures and Mr. Sasaki, a sister city committee member, owns the construction company that constructed several cages.

We ended the day with a visit to the Mayor's office. It was actually the Vice Mayor we saw since the current Mayor is running in the October election and was not taking visitors. This was a very formal ceremony which surprised us. We were brought into a big board room where each of us was instructed where to sit. We were all a bit nervous as we sat waiting and were given tea. The tv news and newspaper were both there. As the Vice Mayor entered we were instructed to stand. After we were seated the Vice Mayor asked each of us of our impressions of Asahikawa and we went around the table responding. He asked several other questions and then presented each of us with a gift. Bob and I then presented him with gifts and letters from Mayors Stockton and Koos. The meeting was over and the Vice Mayor promptly left. Some of our students were interviewed by the news which was on that evening. The next day we were featured in the paper.

Last year when the junior high group visited from Asahikawa I was the host on the day we visited the Town of Normal and Mayor Koos. It was very interesting to compare the differences which I think highlight a difference between Japan and the U.S. When we visited Normal, we sat casually in the city council chambers while the Assistant City Manager told us about the city. Mayor Koos came and addressed the group for a few minutes then we received a tour of the city hall by the Asst. City Manager. It is a relaxed visit versus the formal ceremony we experienced. Similarly though, gifts were given in both incidences.

While the kids went home to their host families, Bob and I attended the committee dinner at the Asahikawa Grand Hotel. As with most of my meals thus far, it was beautiful with at least 5 parts to it. We exchanged gifts and discussed the business of the 50th anniversary. I ended the evening in the cafe on the first floor of the hotel having tea with the women on the committee.

Needless to say, the day was jam packed!

A Dye-ing Art 7.13

This morning we went to the Kondo Dye Factory. This is another example of things the average visitor does not get to do. Mr. Kondo and his son spoke to our group. Kondo makes flags, banners, tapestries, kimonos, towels, etc. You see banners everywhere in Japan - for restaurants, political candidates. Flags are especially important when a new ship is created and you may see up to 60 being flown on the ship. The design is created and hand dyed which is significant because not many business are doing hand dyeing anymore. Many businesses are using laser printers these days.

We were shown many beautiful pieces and watched a video on how a flag is made. A special glue is made from rice which is then used to layout the outline on the flag. This protects the fabric from being dyed and in the end is washed away to reveal the white fabrics. After the glue is applied it is dried and then the dyeing can begin. There are about 30 colors to pick from and the dye is applied with a small or large brush. You must work for Kondo for 3 years before you are allowed to dye. Once the color has been applied the flag is hung in the drying room. Finally, the glue is washed off. It takes about 1 week total to make a large ship flag and they would not reveal how much an average ship flag costs.

We were able to make a place mat at the factory. The day before they prepared the place mats with the glue. Each one of us had a place mat that featured the Asahikawa Bridge (an important symbol in the city) and our name written in Kanji. We picked the color we wanted and then (with staff assistance) dyed our place mat.

The risk manager in me was a little nervous. To get to the dyeing room we had to go through the room where they wash the flags. There was a stream of water so the kids were jumping across it and I was imagining someone slipping and falling. In the dyeing room I was concerned that the kids would slop dye all over. Some of this was personal; I was wearing my Coach sneakers and did not want to get dye on them. I was assured, though, that the dye washes out of close with soap and water. In the end I was unscathed although some of the kids got a bit on shoes, clothes or hands. After the activity I stayed to watch every single student wash there hands because it was in a slippery area.

Following the Kondo Dye Factory, we went to Tokai University for lunch. Mrs. Yanbe, a sister city committee member, works there. We later learned that Tokai U. has only 2 areas of study related to furniture and practical designing. A professor offered an impromptu tour of the wood working area and their chair museum. We had plenty of time that afternoon and so we accepted. I was, however, skeptical that the kids would be so bored. I was quite wrong.

The boys were intrigued by some of the projects in progress in the would shop and stayed behind for a minute to chat with a professor. As we walked into the chair museum, a couple kids went straight to sit down. Bob and I shouted, "No" stopping the kids from sitting. This was of course a museum. We were corrected by the professor who said all of the chairs could be sat in. We spent 20 or 30 minutes in the museum and I'd say nearly all of the 100 chairs did get sat in. The kids were having a blast sitting chairs that had quite interesting designs. I'll be honest, I was shocked by how much fun they had. We ended our time at Tokai U. by going up to the observation deck where we had a full view of the mountains and all of Asahikawa.

The rest of the afternoon we:

• Visited the B-N forest
• Went to the city museum
• Got ice cream at a road stop

Road stops are very popular in Hokkaido and each city has one. It is like a big souvenir shop featuring items unique to that city. I bought a few things but the kids were most excited about the 100 yen coin machines where they could buy Pokemon figures. I had no idea how popular Pokemon was.

Round 1 7.12

After the school visit today we were scheduled to go to Arashiyama park golf. Park golf is kind of miniature golfing but more like a golf course than U.S. mini golf. Nonetheless, we couldn't go because of rain so we went to Round 1. Round 1 is an arcade. But this is not your Chuck E. Cheese. This is like an arcade on steroids. When we walked in we were immediately grabbed by all the flashing lights. It felt like Las Vegas with games as far as the eye could see. Our kids would have been fine with staying in that one area. Little did we know so much more existed.

We went upstairs to pay and were admitted to 3 floors of activities. The kids were given a couple hours and could do whatever they wanted which included: basketball, tennis, badminton, volleyball, and the list goes on. Two of my favorites were fishing and the relaxation corner. You could literally put a fishing pole in the water and try and catch a fish. Bob was concerned about what would happen if we actually did catch a fish; we weren't really in a position to take it home. In the relaxation corner you could set a a full body massage chair and...relax.

At the end, everyone received a free try at a claw machine that had ice cream in it. A couple kids were successful but the bulk were not. Seeing the great interest in ice cream, our hosts then got us all ice cream at the snack bar.