Day 17

I would like to thank the 19 other members of the Ofunato group who made my adventure even more enjoyable. I could not forget to thank Reiko Konishi, our tour guide extraordinaire who taught us everything from how to use the bathroom facilities to how to sing a beautiful Japanese lullaby. Her organizational skills are uncanny, and I greatly appreciate that she went the extra mile to provide individuals with requested newspaper clippings, PTA members' addresses, directions to restaurants, translations, and she even ordered math kits for some of us. (I hope I was not too much of a pain.) Our translator, Yoyoi, was indispensible. With the talent she has she should be making the big bucks. Imagine trying to interpret a Boston accent and translate the message into Japanese. Actually, I wish I had you by my side nowadays, as I am trying to decipher business cards written only in Japanese. These two special individuals with playful personalities and a great deal of tolerance set the mood for our group. The representative from Ofunato who really knew his stuff provided us with great insights, and one could really get a sense of the pride he had in his city.

Ben won the hearts of sixth graders with his baloon creations.

Cameras could not capture Reiko's beauty. What was she teaching us here?

Janna, on the left made a speech at the junior high. Yoyoi translated for the principal and staff. 

Middle school boys were so fascinated with Sylvia that they asked her for her autograph.