The first lesson of the day...If you climb Mount Fuji higher than the fifth station be sure to bring lots of money with you. It will cost you about $5000.00 for the rescue team to find you when you get lost. I think I'll just do a drive by.
Today we went to the Diet. This is comparable to our Capital Building in Washington D.C. I was surprised to see that it is very similar in the way it's set up and the way it looks inside in the chambers. They also have a House of Representatives. They serve the same purposes ours does. We weren't allowed to use cameras unless we wanted to donate it to the government. Anyone caught taking photographs has their camera permanently taken away. It was incredible to see so many school groups there. More so was how well behaved they all were, quite a few hundred students. They were all so orderly and quiet, but clearly enjoying themselves.
We had a typical Japanese lunch in a lovely restaurant in Asakura, tempura, rice, miso soup, tangerine, salad....mmmmmmm. We sat on mats on the floor after taking off our shoes. I did have my slippers with me. Don't leave home without them! Afterwards we did some shopping, then headed back to the hotel. We travel by five coach buses. Every thing is planned for us, so there's no thinking involved. Later in the day we attended Japanese theatre. Yes, our days are packed with very little down time.
I learned today that the Japanese government cost for hosting us is $20,000, not yen, per person. WOW, that blew me away, but I must say they go all out. We each have our own room, king size bed, a generous meal allowance for meals when we're on our own and paid admission to the various tourist spots. And...get this, I now have the title of "Cultural Ambassador", helping to promote a more peaceful world.
Something else I learned today...Japan is the most seismically active country in the world. So, to make us feel less worried our room is equipped with a hard hat and flashlight. And I thought it was for bathroom runs in the middle of the night. Speaking of the bathroom....Heated seat, bidet, and something else that squirts water all over your bottom. The really neat feature is the noise it makes as soon as you sit down. It's a very private country in the aspect that outward bodily noises are extremely inappropriate. You can make all the inward bodily noises you want though so I guess it evens out. Anyway, to keep from others hearing what you're doing in the bathroom they cover it up with toilet noises. Not a bad deal. I'm getting one for Kyle!!!
I have so much more to tell and pictures to upload, but have to get to dinner. Punctuality is key here in Japan. The time you see on my this blog is not correct as I haven't changed it yet. So, just think 13 hours ahead! Will hopefully write again tomorrow but not sure if time will be there. We won't be visiting schools until Monday so I won't be able to post teaching until then.
Be good people in room 1. I keep thinking about all of you and miss you this last week of school so much. I'll have lots to share when I get back. We'll plan a Japanese Day this summer.
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