Mendocino Sister Cities Association
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Past Trips 2011
Mendocino to Miasa-Omachi June 27-July 13, 2011
Change is good for a trip to Japan
The preparations for this years trip started out like any other Student Exchange trip to Japan. But then, March 11 struck in three separate ways. Nothing was quite the same after that date until we reached Narita Airport on June 28.
Debra Lennox, Dan Dickson & Yasue Yokokawa
greeting each other at Narita
With an intrepid group of 13, including four artists, we were met by our good friends Tokio Oda, Hiromi Kitahara and Yasue Yokokawa at Narita. We spent one night in Tokyo where our two adventurous, traveling Mendocino Students, Jin Jackson and Maddie Crowningshield were able to have their picture taken at the statue of Hachiko the faithful dog at Shibuya Eki.
Students: Jin Jackson and Maddie Crowningshield
posing with Hachiko the faithful dog
From that point on the entire trip was different from most all previous trips. We traveled to Miasa-Omachi first, instead of ending the trip there. Since there were so few of us, the artists and the students traveled together until we separated after two nights in Takayama a week after arriving in Japan.
2011 Student Group viewing Omachi-shi from Reisho-ji
While we were in Miasa-Omachi the artists and students followed separate agendas except for three special events: the tremendous Artists Welcoming Dinner at the Wachigai Restaurant hosted by owner Watanabe-san, the 4th Annual Art Exchange Artists Reception Party at the Asagura Art and Cultural Center, which our good friend and 2001 student group alumnus, Chelsea Robinson attended from her small town of Tsubata on the Sea of Japan,
Oda-san and Chelsea deliver and translate speeches
at the 2011 Art Exchange Show Reception. The first official Art Show at the newly restored "Asagura" (Hemp Storehouse) in Omachi
Debbie, Hiromi Kondo, Travis, Dan & Marci
having a great time at the 2011 Art Exchange Show Reception
and also the Artists Farewell Dinner at the Traditional Kizaki House.
Chelsea addresses artist hosts and guests
at the 2011 Artist Farewell Dinner at Kizaki House
Yuko Nakajima-san and Jim Jackson converse
at the 2011 Artist Farewell Dinner at Kizaki House
Our group this year was no different than previous years in their congeniality, thoughtfulness, and caring for the other members in the group, except there were far fewer participants than any trip before. I wish it were not that way but everyone must do what they feel is best.
Maddie, Debbie, Carolyn Zeitler & Marci
talking with Travis at the 2011 Art Exchange Show at the Asagura
Dan Dickson enjoying the sites on Miyajima, west of Hiroshima
We also added a couple of different destinations this tour, and altered previous stops. We visited Takayama for the first time. It is a small city on the west side of the Japan Alps. Everyone seemed to enjoy our two night stay and feel it would be a good place to return. We also took a day trip to the still functioning traditional village of Shirakawago. A scenic excursion for tourist and Nihonjin alike.
Main river through Takayama
Idealic scene in Shirakawago
This is the first time we traveled as far south as Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu. No trip before had ever been off the main island of Honshu. It was “mushiatsui,” hot & humid in Nagasaki and I am not sure we will visit the city again if we return to Kyushu but possibly head to the east of the island to the peninsula and the onsens.
Ground Zero Memorial at Nagasaki Peace Park
Infinity Pool of 72,000 lights at Nagasaki Peace Park
I have to say the Nagasaki Peace Park was worth touring. It was very different from the Hiroshima Peace Park. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum has an infinity pool with 72,000 lights shining up through the water to symbolize the lives lost to the atomic bomb. Also the anti-war section was very thought provoking.
A close up view of an array of thousands of Paper Cranes
at Nagasaki Peace Park
We changed our stay in Hiroshima to a different, smaller Youth Hostel since there were only eight of us, and we scheduled an entire day on Miyajima where we climbed to the top of the island to partake of the great view.
Travis doing a handstand at the top of Miyajima
Miyajima Mountain top View of the main island of Honshu
across the strait
Except for a couple of mishaps; temporarily losing my JR Rail Pass in Kyoto and Dan forgetting his Passport at the Hiroshima YH, the trip was smooth sailing. I almost feel spoiled by the ease and comfort of traveling with a small group. I think I may fondly reflect back to this tour during future trips with the usual 40 participants trailing through the Tokyo subway station.
I do want to thank Marci for her invaluable experience, wisdom and ability to adapt to my every flight of fancy. Without her the trip would not be the same. The same holds true for Debbie and Travis, each contributing in their own manner to make the trip the best possible.
Gang of 4 together on yet another excursion of Japan
Our chaperons this trip were superb. Hats off to Jim Jackson and Dan Dickson for their comedic relief in times of uncertainty.
It was great to have retiring Mendocino K8 Principal, Bronwyn Rhoades on the trip to represent the Mendocino end of the Sister School relationship with Miasa School.
The four artists, Debra Lennox, Carolyn Zeitler, Miriam Davis & Bob Rhoades added a spice that was never present on previous trips and I savored their input tremendously.
Bob Rhoades explaining how he does his paper art
Yasue Yokokawa and Artist Group Leader, Debra Lennox
The Beautiful Ladies of the 2011 Mendocino Student and Artist Groups
Student Group Co-Leader - Marci Van Sicklen,
Artists Group Leader - Debra Lennox,
Artist: Miriam Davis,
Mendocino K8 School Representative - Bronwyn Rhoades,
Artist: Carolyn Zeitler and Student Chaperon: Debbie Crowningshield
Thank you all for a great time!
I am currently living in our Sister City of Miasa-Omachi until May of 2012 when I will return to Mendocino with the Miasa-Omachi Artists group, shortly before the Student Group arrives in May.
You can see more photos fo our trip and also follow my activities on my Blog "A Mendonesian's year in Miasa, Japan" at: http://amendonesianinmiasa.wordpress.com/
Ja mata,
Mike L. Evans
MSCA President
More Trip Photos
Student Group at Miyajima Torii gate at low tide
Travis & Debra after being awake all night
tour Shirakawago near Takayama
Travis and Dan ready for lunch and biiru in the Ginza District of Kyoto
Student Group at Kinkaku-ji
Satomi Kondo, Dan and Satomi's daughter, Hiromi in Kyoto
Thousands of Paper Cranes at Nagasaki Peace Park
Last day on the Shinkansen
on the way to Narita Airport from Hiroshima
"Gee, don't look so excited to be going home!"
