Today was a day of non-stop activity. First up, City Hall. The mayor gave a short speech, Rachel gave her speech (done very well!) and presented him with a large box of See's Candies. Everyone did very well with their self-introductions. There was a Q&A session at the end of the meeting where we asked some very simple, yet diplomatically very difficult questions of the mayor. The newspapers were undoubtedly very interested in his answers!
We then moved on to Asahi Middle School where we were treated as celebrities. We were led into the gymnasium where, after greetings, introductions, and speeches by an Asahi student and Heidi (great job!), we were treated to a traditional dance performed by the students. After the formalities, we moved to a different gym where we made "take-tombo" (bamboo dragon flies, also known as "puddle-jumpers") and paper airplanes, then flew them around the gym. Lots of fun. After a short break we went back to the main gym where we were treated to a concert performed on koto (traditional 17-string harp) and shamisen (3-string guitar-like instrument). Afterward we all were taught how to play "Sakura" on the koto. We were served the school lunch (quite tasty) then given a tour of the school. When it was finally time for us to leave, the jazz band gave us a rousing send off.
Our next stop was the Noto Aquarium where we watched a penguin parade and a dolphin show. Ella was called up to the front of the stadium to "direct" some of the dolphin stunts. After the show we all were able to pet the dolphins and shake a fin! Pretty cool. At that point my camera battery called it quits even though our day was not yet done. After the aquarium we visited a zen temple where were learned how to do zazen meditation. You would have been quite impressed and proud of your children! They meditated for a full 20 minutes. It was the quietest they have been on the whole trip! Our last stop for the day was a Japanese-style BBQ put on by the Nanao Junior Wings Association.
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