The short time I had with my host family was an incredibly fun and engaging experience. I know them as Mayumi-san, the mother, Papa, the father, the sons Yasu-kun, and Tomo-kun, Chika-chan, the daughter, and Baba the grandmother.
I was picked up only by Mayumi-san, who helped me with my bags through buses and trains to get to Kanagawa, where they live. Along the way we got talking right away, about what I had done so far, and comparing American and Japanese culture. Then we stopped at a soba shop, where I got Zaru soba, my favorite, and Mayumi-san had the same. At home was Baba, and Chika. A little later, in order came Tomo, Papa, and Yasu.
I gave my gifts, of San Francisco keychains, which they loved, and we talked more about Japanese and American culture similarites and differences.
The next morning, after a yakisoba breakfast, Mayumi-san, Papa, and Yasu-kun took me to Yasu-kuns old highschool from which he graduated to go see a bunkasai, a culture festival, where there was food, music, and many student run plays, including serious dramas, and comedys, all short. Me and my group went to see a Harry Potter parody, which was quite funny, considering I didn't undertand many of the jokes considering they were very full of Japanese TV and pop culture references. I even met two of Yasu-kuns old English teachers who spoke to me in English.
After words, we went to Odawara-shi, Odawara castle, a little while drive away, where there was a hydreanga and Iris flower garden in bloom, and a very gnarley ancient tree, many koi in the castle moat, and adorable stray cats.
Oddly, on a higher tier of castle levels before the keep, there was an exhibit of monkeys, the red faced kind famous for taking hot spring baths. They seemed to always run away from the camera. The castle was very pretty, and a great four floor museum with artifacts from the muromachi era, when the castle was built, all the way to present day, in terms of things made in relation to the castle and the surrounding area. At the top the rain stopped and a big rainbow was in the sky over the ocean.
At home we a had a temakizushi party, and all made our own sushi with sashimi and other garnishes. Chika-chan made tamagoyaki, and baba made a macaroni salad. After eating, me Chika, Tomo, and Yasu played games on their PS3 and Gamecube. After struggling with the first two games I played, we settled on the first generation Super Smash Brothers, where I died a lot, but we had tons of fun.
I slept late the next morning, but packed everything, and we ran down for a quick photo op at the Chikasaki beach, which was really beautiful that day, and there were many surfers. Then after giving my bag to the konbini for delivery, we went back to the NYC where we held a meeting with the host familys, and said our farewells.
I will definitely keep in touch, and Yasu-kun said he wants to visit San Francisco one day, maybe that will happen!
Alec Shigeta
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