Farewell Party

(In case you didn’t know, if you click on a picture, it will make it bigger in another window.)

Kitakata sure knows how to throw a party! There was plenty to eat and drink and many of the towns VIPs were there. The party and dinner was hosted by the Aizu Kitakata International Association. The President, Vice President and General Secretary and Board Members of the International Association and Chamber of Commerce were there as was the President of the Rotary Club - Kenichi Sato, the Mayor - Shinya Yamaguchi, the Superintendent of Education – Kazuyoshi Sugai, the Principal of Kitakata 1st Junior High – Takanashi Kouichi as well as all the host familes, many of the guides, the delegation from Kitakata that will come this fall to Wilsonville and other people in the community.

All of the Wilsonville girls were dressed in Yukata, compliments of their host families.

The VIPs gave a few speeches and then the host families talked about their experiences with the students using their Japanese to give a few details about their stay. Cameron’s speech brought tears to his host mother’s eyes and Miki’s host mother could barely get through her speech. Strong bonds have been made. It is amazing all that everyone in Kitakata has done to welcome and accommodate the group from Wilsonville.

The International Association gave a gift to the High School and to each students as did the Mayor.

This is the group that will come to Wilsonville in the Fall, 10 students, including 9 girls and 1 boy, plus Jiro Sato and Noriko Koondo.

As a group we were taught a certain clap and cheer and then the party was over. We have a full day tomorrow and then we leave on Wednesday morning.

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An interesting tidbit - It is hot and humid here. Four years ago, two of the boys from Wilsonville stayed together at one home. The family had the boys sleep in a room with tatami matts. That family had to replace the matts after the boys left because the sweat so much and it left an awful stench.