The split

New pictures have been added doing traditional crafts / activities. The group was split for these activities so I apologize if all students are not included. Hopefully, Brad got pictures of the groups he was with and will post them soon. We made sasaras, then soba noodles and paper fans. We finished the long day with an onsen. This was the first onsen for many students. Overall, it was a positive experience for everyone. After spending the night in Gokoyama, Twenty-seven Richmond students and seven chaperones went to Sumaura Elementary school in Kobe, and the rest went on a separate bus to Numazu.

I am now reporting from Kobe. We arrived yesterday afternoon a little late because of a fire that caused congestion along our route. Today we spent the day at Sumaura. We were presented with handmade gifts from the primary grade students at a welcoming ceremony and, Richmond students gave speeches. We all spent time doing various activities in classrooms and played on the playground. The second half of the day we were taken by bus to the earthquake memorial museum and Kawasaki museum. It was interesting to learn that our relationship with Sumaura school began when Richmond students decided to collect relief money for Kobe after the 1995 earthquake that killed 6,434 people. The impact of this natural disaster on the city of Kobe was artfully reconstructed. The exhibit was very informative and fascinating. Tomorrow we have a tea ceremony and rehearsal in the morning at Sumaura school. The weather has been mild and cloudy. I hear we are missing Portland sun. Hopefully it will still be there when we return in FIVE days!