2017
Kurashiki Student Ambassador Essay: Irene Gatimi
Before
I say anything else, I would like to begin by saying thank you. Thank
you to the Heart of America Japan-America Society and its partners,
who have truly brought wonders into my life. Having the opportunity
to be a student ambassador was phenomenal and a lifelong dream come
true for me. Patty Woods, thank you for preparing us for this trip.
Jan Conrad, thank you for helping us prepare for the presentation.
Hideko Schackmann, thank you for helping me organize my speech for
the mayor. Overall, you three helped us prepare for this trip. I’d
like to thank Koji Shirakawa and James Benson for being our guides
and our mentors while in Japan. We, as student ambassadors, learned
new things pertaining to Japanese culture and everyday life from the
both of you. A special thank-you to the Okamura and Nomura families
for welcoming me into your homes. You made me feel as if I were part
of each of your family. Thank you very much to the Honorable Mayor
Kaori Ito for welcoming us to Kurashiki at City Hall. This trip has
brought forth a greater understanding and appreciation for Japan.
I
remember the days leading up to the trip to Japan. I was both nervous
and excited. I was nervous because this was my first time traveling
abroad, and excited because I was finally being given the opportunity
to travel to Japan. Michaela, Luke, Kaitlin and I, were at the KC
Airport extremely early and were seen off by Patty Woods, Hideko
Schackmann and our respective families. When we finally waved goodbye
and boarded the plane, I knew that our journey had begun. I didn’t
sleep the whole flight.
Getting
off the plane in Osaka was very interesting. I was looking around
everywhere and at everything, making sure to take a mental picture of
it all. The Kansai Osaka airport was beautiful. After getting our
bags and going through customs we met with Koji-san. Koji-san smiled
at us brightly and welcomed us to Japan. My heart surged with joy and
I smiled back at him. All of us were smiling, for we were finally in
Japan. Koji-san helped us convert our currency, as well as ship some
of our bags to our first host families. After this, we began our
journey through trains and a shinkansen (a bullet train) all the way
to Kurashiki. Koji-san helped us every step of the way and we were
truly grateful, for we would have otherwise gotten lost. While
transferring from train to train, Koji-san explained how the train
system works, how to figure out which platform belongs to which train
and answered every question we asked. Koji-san not only guided us,
but also made sure we understood what was going on. For that, I am
very grateful. I began to learn new things right from the onset of
this trip.
We
were greeted by our first host families who were holding a large
welcome banner at Kurashiki station. I saw smile after smile on every
person’s face. I ran up to my host sister Yukino Nomura and she ran
to me as well. We met halfway and gave each other a long embrace. We
had met the previous summer when Yukino and seven other student
delegates had visited Kansas City. My family hosted two of the
students, Miyoko Fujimoto and Sai Funato. After hugging we quickly
made our way to her parents, who greeted me with warm smiles. After
our initial meeting we went to the car and drove home. Yukino and I
talked about many things for we had many memories and experiences to
share. Once we arrived at their home, Yukino took me to my room where
I unpacked my bags and got ready for dinner. The food on the table
looked very delicious! I am very open to trying new things, so I
tried everything on the table and I loved it.
The
next morning, we had school! Yukino attended the school we were
visiting so we rode bikes to school together. In the front of the
school we were greeted by the English Club of Kurashiki Commercial
High School and the English teacher sponsor of the group. They guided
us into the school. We took off our shoes and exchanged them for
slippers. As we walked through the halls leading up to the class,
students would wave at us and greeted us with a “Good morning.”
Everyone was extremely friendly. We went to the same classroom as my
host sister Yukino and Miyoko Fujimoto, the student I had hosted in
Kansas City. During the school day we introduced ourselves, engaged
in multiple English classes, and joined a second-year music class.
They sang a very moving song for us. I remember the song talking
about graduating from high school, going to their own individual
paths of life, and that they may one day meet again, but they will
forever keep the memories they made together. As a choir singer, I
wished my whole choir was there listening with me. The talent here
was evident.
After
school Yukino, her friend Rino, and I rode our bikes to a beef bowl
shop. There, I made it my goal to order my own meal. Rino and Yukino
helped me understand menu items that I was uncertain of. The waiter
complimented me on my Japanese; I was grateful. After eating, we paid
and rode the bikes back home. Upon arriving home, the Nomura family
took me to a bakery and a Japanese supermarket. The supermarket
reminded me of American ones. After dinner I played Jenga with the
Nomura family. It was my first time doing so.
The
Nomura family brought great joy to my life. I had many delicious
peach flavored items such as peach flavored water, ice cream, and
candy. Kurashiki City had the most delicious peaches I had ever
tasted. With the Nomura family, I went to the Bikan Historical Area,
the Ohara Art Museum, a Shabushabu restaurant, weaved baskets, and
learned the folktale “Momotaro.” I always felt welcomed, and
they taught me many things about Japanese family life and Japanese
culture. I met with the student delegates that came to Kansas City
the summer prior and we really had a wonderful time together playing
sports at a sports and games center and shopping. I am very grateful
for the time we had together.
Going
to Entsuji
Temple was enlightening and refreshing. I felt as if I truly found my
“zen” during meditation. I could hear the rain drops and the wind
whispering during meditation; this caused me to feel at peace and one
with the Earth. Going to the Yuga-jinja
was an enjoyable experience. I also enjoyed learning how to make udon
at the shop alongside the delegates. Making Japanese food is an art.
It was not easy, but the support I received made me feel like I was
able to complete the task. Japanese people are very kind.
Meeting
Mayor Kaori Ito was an honor. Giving the speech was nerve-racking,
but I was more than happy to deliver it. Mayor Ito is a friendly,
kind, and intelligent mayor. I am glad I was able to talk to her and
learn from her. Meeting the current student delegates that were on
their way to Kansas City was also an honor. I made lasting
friendships with all of them. The same day I went to City Hall was
the same day I went to my second host family, the Okamura’s.
The
Okamura family were very kind and on the first night with them, we
made sashimi together! Mrs. Okamura showed me how to prepare the rice
and Yu Okamura, my host brother, showed me how to prepare the rest of
the dish. I sliced the fish and it required a lot of concentration.
The
next day my host sister Ryo and I went to the Natsumatsuri
(summer festival) together. Ryo’s grandmother came over to help us
get dressed in yukata before the festival, and I was very thankful. I
watched very keenly and learned how to dress in yukata. I hope to use
this skill for events that occur in America. Attending the festival
in Bikan was a great experience. Everyone was happy and full of
excitement. There were many people present. Watching the parade was
an especially enjoyable experience. I saw many different groups
dance. There were elderly woman wearing yukata and dancing with fans,
and there were people dressed up as uni
(demons) and dancing. It was all very different, yet equally
fascinating. I hope to experience a Japanese festival someday again.
During
my stay with the Okamura’s we shopped at AEON mall, I went to
school with Ryo, met with Ryo’s friends, and attended Yu’s kendo
lesson and learned some kendo. We went to a forest and met with
several people walking their dogs, too. That same day we also went to
the Okayama Castle. Every moment spent with them was joyous. I have
made a strong bond with both families, and I wish we continue to
create bonds as such between American and Japanese people. I am
thankful for the Okamura family and everything they did.
Going
to Hiroshima was impactful. The museum as well as the Atomic Bomb
Dome at the Peace Park is very telling of the effects of a world at
war. Seeing the effects of the bomb emboldened my desire for peace in
the world. We should end all wars. I believe that we as a world need
to achieve peace and unity. For when we achieve this, we will truly
be happy. We will be able to solve many problems that we face as one.
Folding the paper cranes at Hiroshima was something new for me. As we
let our cranes float down to the side of the wall, I wished for
peace.
Later
that day, we sailed to Miyajima, a small island in Hiroshima Bay and
visited the beautiful temples there. We also encountered many cute
deer. The last part of our trip in Kyoto was bittersweet. Kyoto is a
stunning city and I was enchanted by all the Japanese culture the
city had to offer. I didn’t want to leave Japan.
The
opportunity to be a student ambassador for the Heart of America
Japan-America Society has been my greatest pleasure. Traveling to
Japan has given me a chance to learn even more about the culture I
admire. I learned many things involving the Japanese culture and
tradition and in return I believed we, as student ambassadors, shared
what our lives are like as Americans. It was a truly humbling
experience being able to meet the happy and kind people of Japan. I
hope we continue to strengthen this lovely relationship between
America and Japan. I have fallen in love with Japan and I want to be
able to visit again many times. Thank you so much for everything.
This was life-changing.