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When I learned that I was to obtain the privelege to travel to the majestic land of Japan, I was excited beyond words. I awaited the trip with great anticipation, and when the time finally arrived, I could not wait. I was most excited about visiting the sister city of Port Angeles, Washington, U.S.A., Mutsu City, Aomori, Japan. When the students from Mutsu came here last January, we bonded and created everlasting friendships. I couldn't wait to see them. I was also looking forward to the educational aspects that laid ahead of me in the beautiful country of Japan.
As the plane ride began, some of us were nervous, some of us were dreading the ten hour flight, but all of us were excited. When we arrived in Tokyo, I wasn't a bit tired. After we shipped our bags to Mutsu City, we went to a little shopping center together, and then retired for the night. I still felt wide awake, but little did I know that I would be exhausted by the next day's end.
At 4:30 A.M. we woke up to travel to the biggest fish market in the world, but it was closed. We then just toured Tokyo by foot and by subway. We traveled to Meiji Shrine, Asa Kusa, and went through a lot of downtown Tokyo. I made it sound short, but it was a long, grueling walk. The subways were jam packed, we had to push and shove to stay with our groups, and at one time we were seperated. Also keep in mind the extremely high temperature and humidity. It was a good experience though. After a trip to a shopping center, we went back to the Takanawa Prince Hotel.
The following day, we started on our trip to Mutsu City, on bullet train and bus. We counted the minutes until we could see our friends again, and as we pulled in front of the Shimokita Cultural Hall, we raced to get the bus. When finally the cool, refreshing air hit our faces, we scouted for our host families, and when found, we excitedly greeted them. My host family took me to the local shopping center to buy me a lot of yummy treats. We then went home, where I anxiously wrapped and gave them my gifts, and then retired for the night.
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The next day, I felt refreshed after a good night's sleep, and went to Ominato Junior High School for a fun-filled day. I not only learned about the importance of education in the Japanese culture, but felt the love in it also. We practiced for the sports festival that would commence the next day, and I had a great time. I then went home with my host family to relax until we would have a recreation night.
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At the recreation night, we got a real taste of the Japanese culture when they offered us some cuisine. It was surprisingly tasty, and I gobbled it up so I could play volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, dancing, and many other activities. After it was over, we were all ready to go to bed, and that is just what I did when I got home.
The next day was a day of sight seeing for us. We traveled to the Mutsu Science Museum, Mt. Osorezan, Cape Shiriya Lighthouse, Yagen Hot Springs, and finally we arrived at the Ohata Youth Recreation Center. When there, we participated in many exciting activities, and after a steaming hot bath, we went to bed.
We woke the next morning to leave the camp to go to our seperate schools to participate in their sports festivals. It was a great experience and I was sad to leave. We were treated like celebrities! I then went home with my host family to pack my bag and send it to Narita.
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At the farewell party, I was excited about saying my speech in Japanese:
I have been in Mutsu City for only four days. In those for days I have created friendships and memories that will last a life time.
It was a really hard thing to leave the farewell party after we had been sung to, given flowers and other gifts, and many other acts of kindness. I felt like I wasn't prepared to leave Mutsu the next day, but I slept well anyway.
The day we bid farewell to Mutsu City and all our new and old friends, I was very sad, but happy about my experiences. After many goodbyes, hugs, pictures, and a radio interview, we loaded the bus to go to Narita. I cried, but almost everyone did. The peak of our trip was over, but we had the city of Narita to look forward to.
In Narita, we packed our bags, ate dinner, went shopping,and then went to bed. The next day, we left to the airport in which we shopped at the airport and went home.
What I gave you was just a summary of my trip. On a computer webpage I could never display my emotions, the way I felt, the love I was shown. I just wish you could have the experience I had. I will never forget my trip to Japan.