After breakfast we brought our luggage down to the lobby so that it can be sent ahead to Tokyo. We all said our goodbyes to Yukiko Sahara (our Sendai Tsunami AREA Coordinator). I was sad because she has been with us for last 5 days.
We took bullet train to Tokyo. It took us about 2 hours. The ride was very nice and relaxing. We ate some snacks that we bought at the Sendai Station. Before we knew we are already back in Tokyo. At Ueno station we transferred to the local line to Tsuchiura. The local line is lot different from the Shinkansen. It is really bumpy and reminds me of the subway in U.S.
At Tsuchiura station in the bus we ate box lunch quickly. The bus took us to the Namiki Middle/High School. In Ibaraki Prefecture this is the first public secondary school and public middle and high schools in the second consistency. It is very unique school since 3 years middle school and 3 years high school education are combined to become one institution. Usually Japanese school system is 6 years in elementary school, 3 years in middle school and 3 years in high school. Also the area (where the school is located) is called “Science and Technology town.” They have a prestigious Tsukuba University. Tsukuba City is surrounded by National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and the Tsukuba Space Center and other research institutions are located.
They had very nice welcome party for us. Students danced “Soran Bushi”, a traditional Japanese dance from the northernmost part of Japan. It is a fisherman's dance, evoking the process of catching herring. This powerful dance uses one's entire body to express hard work.
Recently the competition for this dance took place and paid attention in Japan.
After that we particpated in English class. We participated in the debate. The topics were 1. Do you agree to have a nuclear power plan in your country? 2. Should Japan become to part of the U.S.? We are impressed with their English language ability.
More pictures at https://plus.google.com/photos/105463634903475138815/albums/5854183081410249441
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