Day Three: Monday, June 29, 2009: First Full Day

Day Three: Monday, June 29, 2009
Our First Full Day!

The strange thing is that we are experiencing Monday here and it's still Sunday back in California. As usual I am up early and I found the USA Brazil soccer in the FIFA Confederations Cup Final on the television. USA had had the lead and I just saw Brazil score to go ahead 3-2 with just six minutes to go. I hadn't realized that it was that close to the end. The US were ahead 2-0 at half time and then Brazil came back to score three to win in the second half. What a shame, but still the greatest US soccer match in years.

For some perspective, it's 5:30 a.m. Monday morning here in Japan and it's 1:25 p.m. on Sunday afternoon in California.

Morning Exploration
When I realized it was so early, I decided to go out for a quick run/walk/exploration. I have gotten so much out of running in a foreign country over the years. You are able to see it in a totally different light and enjoy the sights in an entirely new way. Now if I can just manage not to get lost.
Here are a few miscellaneous photos I took before 6 a.m. here.

Leaving the hotel. This is the tower we are in-the south tower.




What!? An AM/PM mini mart in Tokyo?



McDonald's. Even more ubiquitous than Starbucks.


Postbox.


Soft drink machine


Outside the hotel




Where we will meet today for breakfast.


My room. 1157


Gary, it's Green Tea Time. This set up is in my room. Green tea on demand

Looks like it's time to start getting ready. We meet at 7:30 and it's coming up on 6:30.

Monday Morning Breakfast
Met for breakfast at 7:30. They has had a side for both American and Japanese breakfast. I had an omelette and my usual granola and yogurt concoction. Jose started right off with the Japanese fish.

My breakfast. The American version.


Alastair and Mitzi. Alastair and his huge stash of trinkets.


Jose and the breakfast bar.

Breakfast of choice of Mark, our vegetarian.

Alastair's Angel's backpacks


After breakfast we met in Alastairs's room and divided up all the booty we plan to give out to the four schools. We have tons of trinkets and stuff.


Four schools, four piles.

Monday Morning:

Heading out to the the Ministry of Education





Tokyo wants to host the summer Olympics in 2016.

Visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education.


The California delegation.


Jim and Alastair




Deb exchanging gifts with a Mr. Kageyama, Deputy Superintendent.



Business card exchange.

Welcome by Mr. Kageyama



" Introduction to overview of education system in Tokyo"







The California Delegation




Many of the floors have this directional system built in.

Monday Lunch
We had lunch at a place near the Board of Education and our hotel.

Pick what you want from the models in the display case.


Drink bar. All you can drink for 150 yen.





This was the meal I had, a tuna bowl.

Afternoon
Observation Deck of the Tokyo Municipal Government building
After lunch we headed back to the observation deck in the Board of Education Building to get a full view of Tokyo at the observation deck on the 45th floor.




Afternoon Visit to Jissen Gakuen Junior and Senior High School
Jissen is on of Tokyo's "private" schools which still is subsidized by the government. These are schools for students who do not test into the public schools.

We had our own private van.


Waiting in the conference room.


Deb Sigmun exchanges business cards with the principal, Mr. Mabashi.


We were asked to wear masks when we went into the classrooms.


Our first stop was their rooftop garden.


This is why we were told by Tamiko that it might be a good idea to bring our own slippers.


Getting ready to enter our first classroom.


In a middle school English classroom


Every student had a pencil box and a towel. We had noticed in the bathroom there were no towels available to dry you hands. Apparently each student brings his or her own.


The slipper brigade.


Gift exchange with Mr. Ukai, principal, and Mr. Matsumoto, English teacher. We gave them or bag of goodies and I presented a 2009 Decamhian yearbook.

Afternoon
Meiji Shinto Shrine
From Jissen School we drove to the Meiji Shinto Shrine, Japan's most famous Shinto shrine, dedicated tot he Emperor Meiji and his consort.









Evening
Dinner at a Tsukino Shizuku
From the hotel we walked to dinner. What a great meal it was and what a great time we had together.





Tofu




Deep fried stuff





End of a Great Day
Observation Deck of the Tokyo Municipal Government building
After dinner we went back for a view of the lights.


Sorry for some of the lack of detail. So much to see. So much to share.