Here is Mt. Fuji. I visited her on my only free day. What a beautiful mountain!

We went to a wonderful museum that showed folk arts and traditional work methods. The lower picture shows how the Japanese used to collect seaweed for the wraps they use in much of their food.

The upper picture of the pagoda is a wood block print. This is a very traditional kind of Japanese art and is still continued today by specialized artists. The prints are made with approximately twenty-five wooden carved blocks of wood that are coated with one layer of colored ink. Of course, now that I understand the process and talent involved in making a print, I want one.



Japan is hoping to increase efficiency and the unobtrusiveness of industrial areas by encouraging small, specialized factories to collect into apartment buildings. This way the factories can work cooperatively to produce specialized, machined parts at a reduced cost. This camera plate (did you guess that that is what it was?) is an example of one type of metal they might fashion in these small factories.

The school had an earthquake drill during our visit. Notice the headgear the students are wearing. The students were very fast and quiet!

I was very fortunate to get a class picture with my first grade lunch buddies. (Due to internet concerns that are also prevalent in Japan, I have blurred student faces.) They were precious.

This school's PTA showed us a traditional dance and some games that originated in this particular part of Tokyo.





After serving the lunch (each "han" of students had their own jobs), we sat down to eat. We had rice, an egg-drop type of soup, some salad, rice, milk and steamed swordfish.

I visited a high school in Tokyo today. The students asked me all kinds of questions during lunch, taught me how to make an origami parrot (humm...could I make one on my own?) and allowed me to photograph their designs from Fashion class.

I went to the fish market. This was a wonderful experience. There were so many different kinds of seafood. Some of them I have no idea what they are called or how you would eat them. Oh, and could the fish-monders use knives. One knife was three feet long!

A sewer cover. Beautiful!

One thing that caught my eye immediately has been the streets themselves. They are almost totally devoid of trash, trashcans, or anything ugly. Even the water hydrant covers are fun. The cartoon characters are common on street sign, warnings, and advertisements. It seems very cheerful.

This whole trip is paid for by the Japanese government. This is an awesome way for one country to show its friendship with another.

They are very prepared for our arrival with books, schedules, and maps galore!

I have arrived in San Francisco and am preparing for my flight to Japan. Today is about becoming oriented with the program, all the amazing things we'll be doing in Japan, and how they would like us to act. Yes, they want us to represent our country with pride. Hummmm...that sounds an awful lot like what we talk about at school. With that in mind, I am going to try to act smart and be respectful. I am representing the USA, Begich, Alaskans, and my family. Whew! What a wonderful responsibility.

Preparing for the Trip

There are many things to think about before flying out on an adventure, but I am realizing that this trip is going to be very different simply based on the preparation needed. For example, I have never purchased slippers for a trip before. I am hoping my Mary Jane-style Crocs will suffice. Business cards. And I must remember to pass them out with sincerity. They are an extension of myself. Also, I must prepare for a monsoon. How does one do that? Yes, this trip shall definitely be different!