Hakuyo High School students with Alex |
Rachael with her host sister at Hakuyo High School |
By Zurn sensei
Last night after getting back from Shibuya we went back to the Hostel to pick up our big packs and take the trains to Yokohama. It was a long train ride but finally we got to Hakuyo High School. Then we met the host brothers and sisters for some of us. But some people had to take another train ride to meet their host families at Chigasaki station. The boys who went to Chigasaki also had to come back to the high school all by themselves. The English teacher gave them a map so that they could find out how to get back.
The next morning everyone got there on time except Meghan's bus was late. And Fred lost his map and had to ask for directions from station employees. But everyone made it OK so Nagai sensei was very happy!
Now we went to high school again. We went to the teacher's room before school started. In Japanese high schools the students stay in one room and the teachers move. So the teachers have their desks in one big room where they get the morning announcements. That is where we met the teachers and Ben volunteered to give a speech all in Japanese for everyone else. He wrote it all out and gave it well. Nagai sensei was proud that he did such a good job on the speech.
Then the principal of the school welcomed us in English and Nagai sensei gave some omiyage (gifts) to him for the school.
The first class was a Home Economic class about baby foods. They needed someone to try the foods so Brian (sho) was the first. His was good. Then Colin and Alex tried some next. Unfortunately Alex's was some kind of mashed sardines and since he doesn't like fish much it was pretty bad for him!
The next class was English conversation. Everyone told their name and a little about themselves. Then everyone talked to two students in English so they could practice.
The next classes were Japanese language, math, and social studies. In the social studies class the students looked in their atlases to find Wisconsin.
We also visited a PE class where they were playing basketball one side of the gym and badminton on the other. We also went to a physics class where they were graphing some data and Alex helped collect more to graph.
At lunchtime the host brothers and sisters ate with us, and also brought some of their friends. Everyone wanted to practice English and learn about American culture, asking about singers, sports and movies.
We went to visit Kendo club after lunch. (Kendo is a Japanese martial art of the sword, but they practice with full protection and bamboo sticks.) It was extremely loud when they practice. It was very interesting to see it practiced.
Then we went back to the school foyer where we watched two groups of students, boys and girls, practicing break dancing in the hallway. One of the girls was Rachael’s host sister. They have been practicing very hard. It is a new club for the school but these students are very enthusiastic and had a nice routine. It was unusual to see students in school uniforms dancing like that!
Afterwards we went to the Tea ceremony club, who provided a tea ceremony lesson for us. The six students who wear kimono prepared the tea in the traditional manner. One of six students was the hostess and explained the Tea ceremony manners and principles step by step. Her explanations were very helpful. We were amazed with all the tiny details of the ceremony. We used to think that tea ceremony is just having Japanese sweets and tea on tatami mat in teahouse. However it is not that simple. There are reasons for each action based on Japanese history. We are very pleased to gain a great deal of knowledge about tea ceremony. Zurn sensei taped all the ceremony well. Arigatoo!
After tea ceremony some of our host sisters/brothers waited for us. Some went to do "Print-club" which is very popular among teenage girls. Basically they take pictures together in a photo booth, and have a screen to write on the pictures. Then the photos are printed out right away on labels to stick in the huge sticker books that all girls carry.
Since Clayton, Fred, Brian Hon, Colin and Alex did not have host brothers at this high school, they decided to take a train to Fujisawa-city. Then they explored the town by themselves. Nagai-sensei was very worried that they might get lost or get in some kind of trouble, but they were fine and had a good time navigating by themselves, which made them proud.