Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Today was our final day with an agenda. Each group had to give a presentation about their host city. My group had to go first, which was both good and bad. It was good because we got it out of the way and we didn't have to worry about it anymore. It was bad because we didn't have a chance to see what any of the other groups did. Our major flaw...we forgot to profusely thank our group leader. Oops! We had done that at the ryokan, though, so I hope she didn't feel too slighted.

After all the presentations were over, we had a little bit of time before we had to be back for dinner. So, I headed out to the Harley Davidson store to buy shirts for my sister and brother-in-law. Then I hit a store called Kiddyland which was a big toy store. Finally, it was the Oriental Bazaar and then back to the hotel. Phew! A lot of shopping in about 2 1/2 hours time.

It was pretty much right to the banquet after that.This was the farewell banquet, and it was fun to see everyone again, but it was also a little bittersweet. I think everyone is realizing that most of us will never see each other again. That part really is sad. We've all made new friends and we've been together for three weeks straight. Now we're getting ready to go into a reverse culture shock by coming back to the United States. I'm not really sure how I will feel tomorrow as the plane takes off. I know I've made some good friends in the last three weeks. As one person said, "People are what makes the place," and I think that's true. With different people, this trip would not have been the same experience. I am ready to come home, though.

This will probably be my last blog entry. I have some additional pictures to add yet, and hopefully will work on those at the airport tomorrow. To everyone who's been reading this blog, thank-you for following me through my adventures. To my 6th graders, I hope you've learned something by following me through Japan on my blog. To everyone who held down the fort while I was gone, thank-you for holding the reins. To my family, who was brave enough to let me go for three weeks, thank you and I love you. I'll see many of you soon. Sayonara!