As quickly as our adventure came up it was over! Monday morning saw billet families drop our students off at KG and then the tears and goodbyes began. KG students began classes at 8:15 so the farewells were shortened.......likely a good thing for all!
We then were accompanied by Principal Sasai and Shingo Takemura by cab to Kyoto station. A two hour bullet train ride to Shigura station, Tokyo, a brief stop and change of train and we were off to Narita Airport. Along the way we saw the Tokyo Sky tree, a beautiful tower with magnificent of Tokyo and its 13.2 million people! As well we had a brief view of the top of Mount Fuji, peeking out of the clouds.
Our plane from Tokyo to Vancouver was packed, so unlike the ride over, we were all in assigned seats and often beside strangers - more learning opportunities! The trade winds make for a two hour shorter flight coming East! Upon arrival we found line-ups quite long and as a result literally were dashing as they held the plane doors open for us for our final leg of the journey home.
An amazing greeting at YYC - red and white balloons, brothers and sisters, Grandmas and Grandpas, cousins, Moms, Dads and Aunts and Uncles so excited to greet us!
Extremely hard to put into words, a trip like this..........life changing, mind opening, hearts touched, citizenship, friendships made and renewed, cultural understanding, personal development, togetherness, character, SPIRIT..........
A travel quote I have used and Mr Dewsbury reminder our group of is Mark Twain who stated, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow- mindedness."
It is our hope that our students will reflect on all that has and will be their Japan 2016 adventure ......soon with us as a group, with their friends and family and for their lifetime.