Asakura-imabari, Japan
– It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. It seems
like just yesterday we were getting off the plane in Narita. Now
we’re saying sayonara once more, this time to Asakura-Imabari.
By Kaitlin Joven Special to the Dispatch
Asakura-imabari, Japan – It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday we were getting off the plane in Narita. Now we’re saying sayonara once more, this time to Asakura-Imabari.
The experience here has definitely been different than Takko, but in a good way. My host families have both been welcoming and generous. The major difference is that in Takko there were four kids in my family and there aren’t any in my Asakura home. Both of my host families have taken me to very interesting places. Here in Asakura, we went to an oyamazumi shrine and a mall, which was very interesting because it also included both a samurai and a sea life museum. Myself, Gabriela Welch and Lindsey Valadez, who are rooming with me, got the chance to try on gorgeous kimonos.
Japanese culture has a lot of traditions, and unlike many American traditions aren’t derived from many different cultures. One custom that has kind of thrown people off is the habit of changing shoes or slippers every time we go somewhere. Shoes aren’t worn inside homes and other places so that the outside dirt isn’t brought inside. Another part of the culture that has taken some getting used to is using chopsticks. A lot of us have found that it takes a lot of finger dexterity.
Not only has this trip given us the opportunity to get to know another culture, it has also given us the chance to get to know each other better. Many of us were friends outside of choir, but then many of us weren’t. Living together for the past week has really let us learn more about each other. Friendships that were barely there have blossomed into stronger bonds. We’ve seen each other at our very best and worst. It’s been really nice being able to talk to certain people a lot more than I normally would on a daily basis. It’s also been nice bonding with people I was already friends with.
The Sayonara Party in Asakura differed a bit from the party in Takko. Tonight’s party had a lot more singing and dancing. There was a bluegrass band, an adult choir and the choir from Imabari West High School, who sang with us at the joint concert Thursday night. They started the Friday night concert talking about how music bridged the gap between the cultures, which is so very true. The common ground of music brought us together in a way that broke through language barriers.
Ten days is a lot of time to be away from home, especially when you’re in a foreign country. I wouldn’t trade this time for anything in the world, though. I’ve learned so much, and I’m ready to learn as much as I can before it’s time to leave. It is difficult to believe that we’ll be heading home in two days. Until then, I’m going to take in as much of the culture as I can.
