Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

More than kimonos, cherry blossoms, or sushi, I remember the hospitality of people in Japan. I was adopted by many people in my town during the one year I taught English there. Over New Year?s, many people invited me to various festivities as I was far from home during the holidays. Here I am shaping mochi balls with some ladies. Later that evening, another family took me to the temple to ring the gong to usher the New Year in. The next morning, yet another family invited me to the shrine to see people praying for a good New Year. Living in a place gave me an entirely different experience than just touring around for a few weeks.