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Trip to Japan, 2003
Day 7, 2003/03/25
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Another early start, and another rainy day. What is it about visiting government buildings that seems to attract water, anyway? |
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We meet at the hotel and load into two vans for a 1-1/2 hour drive to Jefferson City, Missouri's state capitol. Our local state senator, Chuck Gross, has asked his office staff to arrange visits to the Capitol building, the Supreme Court building, and the governor's mansion, with other side trips also available. When we arrive, the senator's secretary is waiting to greet us. Our school principal asks to help facilitate a couple of small items. The visitors have brought gifts to be presented to the state Department of Education and the Governor; is there anyone available at either office to accept these gifts? |
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After a tour of the Capitol building, we gather at the senator's office, where we discover the assistant Secretary of Education waiting to greet us. Gifts are presented and opened and an exchange of pleasantries ensues, followed by a group picture. Our guests have brought an information brochure about the schools in Komatsu City, and examples of Japanese fans and small lacquerware pieces for display; in return, our officials present each administrator with an official Missouri state flag for their schools. |
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Our next stop is the state Supreme Court building, where one of the law clerks for the judges is waiting to show us around and provide information about the judicial system in our state. This leads to some interesting moments - the Japanese judicial system is substantially different in layout and style, and our translator, whose English is good but not perfect, has to look up several rather technical terms to aid in the translation process. We manage, though, and learn interesting facts about the judicial process in both countries. |
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A break for lunch takes us to Arris' Pizza Palace, where a lunch buffet provides salad and Greek pizza. Then it's off to the Governor's Mansion, where we tour and are also greeted by the Governor's personal representative, who accepts gifts of Japanese calliography art and a lacquerware clock on the behalf of the governor. |
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The Japanese educators are very interested in the other groups touring the mansion; most are visiting school children from various parts of the state, including groups from a school district next door to our own. We explain that a trip to the state Capitol is a standard teaching trip for nearly all public school children in 5th-7th grades. |
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We walk back to our vehicles and ponder whether we should avail ourselves of one more tour opportunity - a visit to the local conservation area. But...it's rainy and colder and we are all dressed in suits and dresses, and it is decided that we really would prefer to return to St. Charles, where we can be warm and dry. |
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As we drive back, everyone agrees that this is probably a good night to "do your own thing"; almost all of us need to do laundry (there is a washer and dryer available at the hotel for the guests, and those who live here still need to get unpacked), and some would just like an evening of unorganized relaxation. We leave our guests at the hotel and head for our homes. |
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