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10/28/08
Well, the trip is coming to an end. On one hand I can’t believe how fast the three weeks went by,but on the other hand, when I think about things that happened yesterday, it feels like a long time ago. I am already missing the New Otani Hotel and its exquisite garden.


My first seminar today was on environmental education presented by Hari Srinivas from the United Nations. Mr. Srinivas is from India and spoke with a heavy accent. He is an expert on Japan’s environmental education. The Japanese are avid recyclers. It was very interesting to listen to an Indian expert on Japan speak to a group Americans in Japan! Questions on how to get Americans to buy into recycling to the degree the Japanese have was asked. Mr. Srinivas said the easiest way for a man is to marry a Japanese women….They will set you straight! That’s what happened to me. He was pretty funny.

10/29/08
Today was the presentation on Takeo, our host city. We practiced, it covered the necessary information, shed a positive light on Takeo and just as important, it met the time requirements. The Japanese are very punctual time driven people. It was interesting to hear about the other nine group’s adventures. In our final wrap up, we turned in all our official documentation. The Takeo city official and our guide enjoyed our PowerPoint presentation, speeches, stories and items collected on our visit. We were thankful to Takeo and wanted to do a first-class job for them.

A group of us hurried out for one last experience. We took the subway to a section of Tokyo know as the fabric district. We went in hopes of finding used kimonos or kimono jackets. I was able to find a few suitable items and then we made a mad dash for the subway to return for the Sayonara Banquet. The evening was bitter sweet. Many participants were anxious to get home to their families but were sorry to be leaving Japan.

It was a particularly sad evening for the JMF staff. This is to be the last group of participants in the program. The Fulbright Teacher program was originally approved for a 5 year run paid for completely by the Japanese government. The program has been funded for 12 years but must end due to budget cuts. I will be writing numerous thank you notes and the Japanese government is at the top of my list. It is my understanding that the study program costs about $20,000 per participant. Thank you for this amazing opportunity, Japan (the government and its people)!