MOM!! DAD!! I’M COMING HOME!!! SEE YOU SOON!!!!
Reporters Malgosia Sikorki, Amy
Huang, Amy Luong, and Kelly Zhen reporting on the last day in Japan!! In the
morning we had a choice of either eating traditional style Japanese food, or a
buffet style breakfast. For the Japanese food, we could either have rice or
rice porridge, seaweed, miso soup, soba, salmon, and etc. The buffet had a varity
of food but served more Western style food rather than traditional Japanese.
After breakfast, we took our suitcases to the second floor where we met at
8:45. We loaded the luggage onto out bus and headed for the Osaka Castle. On
our way to the entrance, we got the privilege to see and meet an actual samurai
walking around the castle. Inside the castle, there were multiple levels to
explore-each with different artifacts and such. The top floor had the view of
the entire Osaka city!
After the castle, we went to a
restaurant near the castle for lunch. We had takoyaki, udon, and bento. We made
the takoyaki (octopus balls) ourselves and it was quite delicious. Although
certain students had a difficult time and ate chunky takoyakis, the experience
was worth it all. We had a short period of time after lunch to go souvenir
shopping next to the restaurant, if you look for NHK News Channel, you might
just see us! Next, we visited the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation
Institution to learn about the 1995 earthquake in Kobe. We were lead into a
room with polygon-shaped screens. There, we were shown the horrific and
disastrous scenes of the 1995 earthquake in Kobe. It was something we would
have never imagined if we never came to Japan. After witnessing the disastrous
shake and damages, we were led into another room to watch another video. But
the route to the second room was an actual replica of how the city looked like
after the enormous shake, it felt too real to believe. The next video, narrated
by a female victim, had everyone in tears (Especially Amy Huang). She led us
through her experience and how she overcame the disaster. To have the
opportunity to listen to such a touching story was a great experience. After
the video, everyone went out to look around the floor and reading about other
peoples stories regarding the earthquake. Every story was sad and unique which
brought more tears into everyone’s eyes.
After walking around a bit more in
the institute, we started heading to the hotel for the final Kizuna Project
debriefing! We had a bit of free time before the debrief starts so everyone
split up doing their own things. Some stayed in their rooms to sleep while
others went exploring. After a while, everyone started heading down together,
which caused a lot of crowding in the elevators. At the meeting, we listened to
other schools experience in the Tohoku. Since we went to different areas, it
was quite interesting learning about their experience. After finishing up, GWHS
students gathered around to talk about tomorrows schedule for going home. We
have to WAKE UP AT 5:30 ! NOOOO!!!! In the midst of all the complaining, Tim
came up to say a special speech for Kaori san, our guide for the entire trip,
since today was her last day with us. Kaori has made every part of this trip so
much better. Without her, we’re sure that things wouldn’t have gone as smoothly
as it did. As the speech was given, some of us were tearing up cause we just
love her with all of our heart. When she received the gifts we got for her, she
started tearing up as well. That was such a touching moment we shared. Another
example of the great bonds we formed. After a big group hug and group picture,
everyone wanted to take an individual picture with her as well. Without
noticing that dinner had already started. We were just having too much fun with
Kaori san. WE LOVE YOU KAORI SAN!!!! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU’VE DONE FOR
US<3. You are the best tour guide we could ever possibly ask for! We are so
grateful for the time and effort you’ve put into making sure we had an amazing
trip. You made this trip more enjoyable than it would’ve been without you.
We’ll miss you, but keep in touch!!