Takko, Japan
– It’s an awkward feeling knowing that you’ve woken up in a
whole new environment. Not only do you get the instinctive feeling
of
”
where am I?
”
but you remember that your setting has completely changed in the
past few days.
By William Hoshida Special to the Dispatch
Takko, Japan – It’s an awkward feeling knowing that you’ve woken up in a whole new environment. Not only do you get the instinctive feeling of “where am I?” but you remember that your setting has completely changed in the past few days. No longer in a hotel, a new front is put on to set a good example in the Japanese homes. I have felt almost entirely comfortable around my host family. As well as the hopeful home stay experience, the events of the weekend have been encouraging. From visiting schools to having our first concert, the days have been exciting from start to finish.
This entire experience is a chance to bring the Chamber group to terms with a completely different culture than we are used to.
Tetsuya, my Japanese host, has shown my roommate, Eduardo Ramirez, and me around the house. He introduced us to the rest of the family and thankfully taught us how to use the toilet and shower.
“The experience is amazing,” said Alycia Bostock. “My host family goes out of their way just to make my stay nicer. I love it!”
“But, the culture is totally different,” she added.
Of course we all faced the language barrier. It seems to have posed a problem for Derek Jensen.
“It is very fun, interesting, and hard to try to converse with them. We use our translation books frequently,” he said. Despite this difficulty, he loves every moment of the trip and said that it’s something that the Chamber is lucky to experience.
When it was time to wake up and start getting ready Saturday morning, things went completely smooth inside the house. After the essentials of the morning, taking a shower, brushing teeth, and eating breakfast, my host mother drove us to the Garlic Center in Takko-Machi where we set off for a retirement home. The retirement home provided conversation with part of the older population of Takko. After a short performance, the group was able to hear the voices of the mother of Takko Mayor Matsuhashi and the other men and women in the home. Of course, some laughs were made when Derek Jensen received a kiss from one of the ladies
Once we left the retirement home, the group arrived at Takko Junior High, which is incredibly different than what we experience in Gilroy, including attending school Saturday and a uniform policy. After we performed in the auditorium of the school, we passed out postcards and candy from Gilroy as souvenirs, which the students went crazy for. Lunch was eaten in a nearby classroom where we got to spend time with the kids. The time at the junior high was followed by a rehearsal in the theater of the Tapcopian Center, which was followed by a peaceful napping session.
During this time, the Gilroy students got to play with the young kids outside or nap. The first formal concert of the trip was made after this playing time. It was a success that deserved the good night’s sleep that followed.
Sunday’s experience was amazing. Visiting the high school was the most fun event of the trip by far. It was an opportunity to associate with the high school students. The dance, jump rope competition, and lunch were incredibly fun and brought out the best of everyone’s personality.
The students from Takko are just like Gilroy students. They love to joke and socialize. For me, it was great to talk to the students and see how alike or different they are from us. As far as social life, they are just like us. Shopping is the greatest pastime. Sports are competitive. Spending time with friends and family is imperative.
However, my favorite experience of the trip is when we got to spend time with our hosts. By now everyone in the choir has definitely come out of their shell, but I finally realized that it’s OK to joke and mess around with my host student. I do have to watch everything I say and do, but it is all right to be myself. I finally clicked with my family and the other students that I spent time with today.
It’s great to know that I’ve found that middle ground. I am definitely 100 percent more comfortable with my host family.
The next obstacle is to figure out how to say goodbye Tuesday morning.
