Japanese home stays

We are currently in Osaka, Japan for the night with our second Japanese host families. Before Osaka, we spent 3 days in Utsonomiya with host families, seeing some sights, eating traditional Japanese food and becoming part of a family. Some people did not speak much English at all, and that was really hard for lots of students, but many of us also went alone into Japanese families to see what life is like. My family had two children and two parents and they lived in a small two-story house near some rice paddies. I learned some Japanese phrases, tried lots of new food like rice cake, squid and miso soup and quickly became very comfortable with the daily routines of family life. My host mother spoke very good English and I got a chance to talk with her and her kids about anything and everything. It was so much fun! When we departed this morning, we sang Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow and the Loyalty Song, and afterward, many people, both students and hosts were crying, because they were sad to leave each other. I hope to some day get back to visit my wonderful family again. They have forever changed me and helped me to understand Japanese culture a lot better.

Tonight for dinner we had a catered buffet style meal with lots of seafood, chicken, sushi, salad and other dishes for us to share with the students of Osaka. We ate and played our concert at the same school that our own Aayako Toyama attended when she was younger. It`s an all girl school, so the boys were a little out of place, but the girls kept taking pictures with them and we all had a great time eating and talking to one another.

Later today we head to Nara, Aayako`s birthplace to tour the city with guides and get more of a taste of what Aayako calls home. I am excited to experience more of what Japan has to offer!

Another thing I got to experience for the first time tonight was a hot spring here in Osaka. They have hot spring places to soak, jets like in a hot tub, saunas and a cool water pool also. It was quite the experience, considering it`s only for women and children on one part and men on the other. Also, you do not wear anything into the springs or sauna, so that was a bit awkward, but it`s quite natural for the Japanese in the springs, so it wasn`t bad at all.

Well it`s late and we have a long day ahead so that`s all for now! Sayonara! ~Jen