Nanao to SFO

Our parting at Nanao Station was of mixed emotions: sadness that our time in Nanao was ending, but excitement that we were headed home to tell our families and friends all about our adventures.  The train to Kanazawa was uneventful and we made our transfer to the Thunderbird easily; however, our train to Kyoto was somehow delayed, causing us to miss our next connection.  We took the next Haruka express train from Kyoto to the Kansai Airport, but we lost 45 minutes of our time-cushion to the delay.  More time was lost when the luggage shipping company sent us hiking across the terminal to a different pick-up point.  To make things worse, one bag was missing, only to be found at the counter we went to initially!  While we were packing our backpack souvenirs into our large suitcases we heard the final check-in call for our flight - the counter would be closing in a couple of minutes - HURRY!  We got everyone checked in, through security and immigration, and out to the gate with about 10 minutes to spare before the posted boarding time.  Whew!  No stress...!

The flight home was a quick 9:30 hours and we were met with a rousing welcome by the parents.  Hugs, thank yous, and good byes until our final party on Saturday night!

Last Post from Nanao

Although Typhoon #19 is making a big splash all over the morning news, the sky is clear and bright in Nanao for us as we make our way to the train station.  We may encounter some rain as we head west and south to the airport, but we still expect to get out before the storm.  If all goes as planned, our next report will be in person!  We are on our way after a wonderful time in Nanao. Our hosts have been truly gracious and I am sure there will be no dry eyes on the train as it pulls away from the station.

Saturday/Farewell Party

Today is (was) Saturday and it was yet another beautiful day.  Quite literally it has been the quiet before the storm as Typhoon #19 is expected to start making its way along the entire length of Japan.  We still expect to be able to sneak away on the plane just ahead of the storm.  The students spent the entire morning and afternoon with their host families doing various fun activities.  We chaperones had a delightfully late morning and s-l-o-w and unscheduled mid-day of shopping followed by lunch on Noto Island at a very peaceful, out-of-the-way noodle shop/pottery studio overlooking Nanao Bay through a grove of ornamental cherry trees.  Our guide/driver was Mr. Yoshimura who gave up his Saturday to take us around to various home centers to find tools to make soba noodles from scratch at home (yes, you will hear more about this later!) and other last-minute souvenirs.  It was a very pleasant autumn afternoon!  Then it was off to the Farewell Party.  The photos tell you the story.  Tomorrow, bright and early, we will start on the long journey home!