It is hard to believe that today was our last full day in Japan. It seems like only yesterday we were all getting to know each other in our respective delegations, waiting for the day to leave...and now it is over.
We did have a full day here in Kyoto. We started out with two cultural experiences - calligraphy and Kyogen Comic theater. The kids had a lot of fun trying both activities. Surprisingly, the kids had a lot fun learning about Kyogen. The learned proper stance, walking, and emoting over the top. We also learned a song. He tried to teach us how to eat a persimmon, but that stumped almost everyone, so we switched to eating an apple. Lots of laughing and learning took place. Our calligraphy teacher was a well-known calligrapher in Japan. She taught the kids a few characters in different styles of writing and if there was something specific they wanted, she showed them how to draw it.
After lunch we headed to Nijo Castle and walked the grounds there and learned that it was the residency of the first Shogun. It was built during the Edo period (circ 1603). It is a World Heritage Site. This was also the site of where the last Shogun resigned giving power back to the Emperor.
It was then off to the Golden Pavilion which is no longer a national treasure, but is a World Cultural Heritage Site as well. The reason it is no longer a national treasure is because it actually burned to the ground and was rebuilt to the exact specifications of the original, but no longer the original. By the time we hit this place, the temperature was quite hot and we found the shade of the garden inviting.
We stopped at a quaint restaurant for dinner where the kids feasted on all sorts of foods from pot stickers to salad to some type of sausage, fried chicken, french fries (with a magic powder) and then a honey bread dessert. Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal.
Back at the hotel, the kids are packing up to return tomorrow after our tea ceremony. YEAH!!!
Please don't forget to pick us up: Here are the schedules:
Denton/Plano : UA #6389 arriving at DFW at 9:50 p.m. I will activate the phone tree once we clear customs in San Fran.
Florida: UA #727 arriving TPA at 12:30 a.m. Saturday.
Denver: UA #318 arriving DEN at 7:53 p.m.
California: UA #886 arriving 10:30 a.m., but it will take a bit to clear customs. See you at the airport.
Minnesota: UA #3714 arriving MSP 11:19 p.m.
Looking forward to be home, but will miss Japan. See everyone tomorrow.
It was then off to the Golden Pavilion which is no longer a national treasure, but is a World Cultural Heritage Site as well. The reason it is no longer a national treasure is because it actually burned to the ground and was rebuilt to the exact specifications of the original, but no longer the original. By the time we hit this place, the temperature was quite hot and we found the shade of the garden inviting. 
Please don't forget to pick us up: Here are the schedules:
No comments:
Post a Comment