On to Yamatokoriyama, Nara

There are some things I forgot to tell yesterday. First, the Shinjuki Station has 1.4 million people to pass through it a day. It is so busy. There are many lines which meet there because it is the major station to all parts of Japan. It is so easy to get lost. Everyone is rushing in their little suits with their little brief cases . It's fascinating just to watch. This is a lifestyle I do not envy. One other thing that I forgot is about Mt. Fuji. When it last erupted, there were 36 families living below and all were killed. Our guide said now there are 1,000 families waiting to get killed when it erupts again (and it has recently began rumbling). I believe I would move!! The last thing is that we did see something interesting at the flea market. There is a temple there and a family was dedicating (I suppose that is what you call it) their 5 year old son to Buddha. Girls are dedicated at 7. The mother and son were dressed in formal Japanese dress. They appeared to be a rich family as was evidenced by their dress and jewels. I have pictures I will share later. In fact, if I had time I could add pictures here. I have such little spare time!

Today was transfer day for the groups of 20 to the various prefectures, or states. Nara is the state I am going to and Yamatokoriyama (population I believe of about 100,000) is the host city. I am staying in Nara City (population 300,000) because there was not a motel meeting the standards of FMF in Yamatokoriyama, but they are still our host city. We took a bus to the train station, then we had a two hour ride on the Bullet Train to Kyoto (a former capital of Japan-beautiful with lots of temples and shrines). With no time to visit Kyoto, we took a bus into Nara City (also a former capital). The ride was pretty. It looks more like Cullman with small farms along the way and a city with not so many big buildings as Tokyo. We stopped at Nara University of Education. There we met with the President and other officials, had a tour of the campus, then we had a question and answer session with the President, students, and college professors. We didn't solve any of the problems both countries face involving teacher education, but it was interesting.

We left there and had just enough time to drop our luggage at our new hotel, Mitsui Garden Hotel, before heading out for a big reception with the mayor, other city officials, and our host families that we will stay with in Yamatokoriyami.. It was scary for two reasons--I was the first to introduce myself in front of everybody (in Japanese) because I am a Bailey, and we were meeting our host family and didn't know if they spoke English. Well, I made it through the introduction but I didn't fare so well with my family. The 17 year old daughter, Manami, and her mother, Atsumi, were there. Manami speaks a little broken English and I know a few Japanese phrases, so it was awkward. We shared pictures and made motions and acted crazy. They also have a one year old daughter. That excited me because I have missed Kyleigh so much. They said she runs and falls all the time--just like Kyleigh. They were very sweet and beautiful. The woman is 44, but looks about 20. They are going to take me to Kyoto when I visit on Saturday and Sunday. Food was the other issue. They asked what I liked. I said chicken and beef. It is so dangerous to like fish here. I like fish--but not raw fish. We had everything raw last night. They kept putting bowls in front of me and I kept moving them further. Finally, when they seemed excited about this little ball of food, I decided to eat it. After putting it in my mouth (it felt like a raw oyster), I found out it was octopus. Now, I have eaten octopus, but it was fried. I finally found a little custard (about 1/2 ounce) and ate two of them. I had some pot roast but it tasted awful I think maybe I just do not like the spices they use. I love Chinese food, but this is really different. After the reception (which was quite fancy!!), we said our goodbyes. I am a little nervous about the visit. It's hard to communicate in different languages. The girl works at Kentucky Fried Chicken. I stressed that I LOVED chicken!! Maybe I will get some at their house. It's an adventure waiting to happen.......

We came back to our motel. I couldn't get lights on, or the water off. It's different and yet another adjustment. I figured it out, though, and hooked to the Internet rather easily, so that excited me. I called Darrell and talked to him, so that was nice. Some of the ladies went up to the public bath here. I told them I am not that oriented to the Japanese way yet. I stayed in my room and tried to get straightened out. This is a much smaller room. There are no drawers, so I guess you live out of your luggage which barely fits.

We're touring the city tomorrow and visiting a castle and a dye factory. It should be a good day. Sayonara, mata aimasho (good-bye, until we meet again).