Our Journey to Japan: My Gracious Hosts (by Rosie)

Share our Excitement & Join our Journey

Welcome to the travel blog of Rotary District 5580's Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team which will embark on an exciting five week goodwill / vocational exchange to Nagoya, Japan in November, 2009.

Here, our hybrid American-Canadian team of enthusiastic and adventurous young professionals, along with our lovely, talented and fearless team leader, will share cultural experiences and engage in unique vocational learning opportunities.

If you have come to this site, you are likely: a Rotarian, family member, friend or colleague of one of the team members, or... are just plain blog-curious. Either way, we encourage you to check our site often to learn about us, follow our progress as a team and of course, keep in touch as we explore Japan.

We thank Rotary in advance for the adventure of a life time and to all readers, we invite you to share our excitement and join our journey.

Sincerely,

GSE Team Japan 2009

________________________

GSEのホストの皆様へ、

私どものチームブログへようこそ。

チームリーダーのイボンヌ、そしてチームのメンバーの、ローズィー、レベッカ、ベン、ジュリーです。

この度の交換留学という機会に恵まれましたこと、先より御礼を申し上げます。

この留学におきまして私どもは大変な感激、また皆様に会って学ばせて頂くことをまちどおしく思っております。

短文ではございますがご挨拶まで。

GSEチーム　ジャパン　2009

Saturday, November 14, 2009

My Gracious Hosts (by Rosie)

I had an absolutely wonderful time with my host families this week. I spent 3 nights with the Ozeki family. Mr. Takahide Ozeki (a lawer), Naoko and her mother, Ikuko Takahashi all live together in an absolutely BEAUTIFUL home. They provided me with wonderful meals including a traditional Japanese meal at a Tempra restaurant. It was suberashi (superb)! Naoko has been taking English lessons so it was a lot of fun conversing with her and helping her with her homework.

I spent the latter half of the week with my host family the Abe’s – Ryushunn & Hidemi, their son, Ryuchi (Tomo) and niece, Tomoka. They took me out to an Italian restaurant (that had a Japanese twist) and we enjoyed a great feast and some wonderful wine. I was also treated to the traditional meal of Shabu-Shabu and Sukiyaki…oishii (delicious)! Tomoka spoke English very well and helped translate for me. I had a great time and some really good laughs. Mr Abe is the Chief Buddist Priest at the Gokokuin Temple and treated me to a “back-stage pass” tour of the temple grounds. REMARKABLE!