We are arriving on a Qantas domestic flight from Sydney at 2pm. Please dont wait for us at the international arrival gates. We clear customs in Sydney.
Robyn and Brad
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Day 13
Today we took the day off school to visit Osaka castle. We met at school at 8:30am to board the bus. Chelsea Mullens had the day off to so she could come along. The bus trip took around an hour. Some people talked the whole way, while others slept. Almost everyone who chose to sleep was in danger of having their photo taken by Mr. Rankin.
We arrived in Osaka half an hour before our ferry ride, so we had some time to relax, eat or get some money from the ATM if we had run out. After that we boarded the ferry and took a trip up the river and back. There apparantly carp in the river that were over 1m long. But no matter how hard I looked, I did not see any. The ferry was a nice cool way to do some sight-seeing, as it was a really hot day.
After we hopped off the ferry, we walked through a beautiful park to find a shady spot to eat lunch. Even in the shade it was hot. Most people bought cold drinks and ice-cream before heading to the castle.
The five storied castle, with its gold towers was very beautiful and was surrounded by a huge moat. When we entered the castle, we were able to look around on our own. The top story gave a magnificant view of the city and there was also a nice breeze up there.
To get back to the ground floor, we had to use the stairs, and there 200 (I counted).
When we left the castle, primary school students who were on an excursion were waving to us. So a few of us gave them some koala toys. They immediately started jumping around and so we took some photos with them to make them even happier.
At about 2pm we got back on the bus to meet our host brothers or sisters at school. When we arrived back we split up into different things. Some people went to club activities or to their homes.
Myself and a few other people went to a shopping mall to get photos taken in the photo booths. It was so much fun. But of course the boys all got hungry so we left the photo booths to go and eat tea at the food court. We talked, laughed and ate until about 7:30pm when we walked back to the train station to go home. I was extremely tired when I got home so after a bit of time with my host family I climbed into bed in Japan for the second last time!
By: Cate Rushan
We arrived in Osaka half an hour before our ferry ride, so we had some time to relax, eat or get some money from the ATM if we had run out. After that we boarded the ferry and took a trip up the river and back. There apparantly carp in the river that were over 1m long. But no matter how hard I looked, I did not see any. The ferry was a nice cool way to do some sight-seeing, as it was a really hot day.
After we hopped off the ferry, we walked through a beautiful park to find a shady spot to eat lunch. Even in the shade it was hot. Most people bought cold drinks and ice-cream before heading to the castle.
The five storied castle, with its gold towers was very beautiful and was surrounded by a huge moat. When we entered the castle, we were able to look around on our own. The top story gave a magnificant view of the city and there was also a nice breeze up there.
To get back to the ground floor, we had to use the stairs, and there 200 (I counted).
When we left the castle, primary school students who were on an excursion were waving to us. So a few of us gave them some koala toys. They immediately started jumping around and so we took some photos with them to make them even happier.
At about 2pm we got back on the bus to meet our host brothers or sisters at school. When we arrived back we split up into different things. Some people went to club activities or to their homes.
Myself and a few other people went to a shopping mall to get photos taken in the photo booths. It was so much fun. But of course the boys all got hungry so we left the photo booths to go and eat tea at the food court. We talked, laughed and ate until about 7:30pm when we walked back to the train station to go home. I was extremely tired when I got home so after a bit of time with my host family I climbed into bed in Japan for the second last time!
By: Cate Rushan
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
A Plea to parents
Dear parents,
The students are missing your daily messages. If you felt like sending them just one more before they leave to come home, we know they would be thrilled.
Best wishes,
Robyn and Brad
The students are missing your daily messages. If you felt like sending them just one more before they leave to come home, we know they would be thrilled.
Best wishes,
Robyn and Brad
Day 12
After another late night with my host family it was time for our third day at Gojo High School. Today I had classes, such as home economics (which is different because we don`t do it at Girton); English which is always fun helping out with the other students and double Japanese, which is Gojos version of our English class.
The classes that I had were fun today but every subject in my class is fun because our class is meant to be the most `genki` (active) in the year level. After these four classes it was time for lunch. Every day for lunch our host mothers have packed `obentoos` (lunch boxes) with such things as rice, meat and noodles.
After lunch the Girton students went to the music room to practice our item for the farewell assembly. We did this while the Gojo students chose subjects for next year. After perfecting our dance movements and music, we went to the tea ceremony club. We had to kneel on tatami mats and then we were served with sweets and green tea. All in a traditional manner. While some people liked it straight away, for others it may be more of an acquired taste. When the ceremony was over, it was home time yet again.
Tonight my host family and I drove to nearby Osaka and drove up a mountain, recognised for having one of the best night views in Japan. I thought it was a better view than Tokyo Tower. We headed home and I was asked if I was hungry. I knew if I said yes, I would end up with a mountain of food in front of me. But I also knew if I said no, I would also end up with a mountain of food infront of me. So I said yes.
Sure enough, we pulled into the nearest McDonalds and bought tea there. Maccas was a night treat, as it was different to the food of the past twelve days.
Today was one of the more relaxing days of the trip and I really enjoyed it. I am sure everyone else did as well.
By: Josh Reed
Pictures to come
The classes that I had were fun today but every subject in my class is fun because our class is meant to be the most `genki` (active) in the year level. After these four classes it was time for lunch. Every day for lunch our host mothers have packed `obentoos` (lunch boxes) with such things as rice, meat and noodles.
After lunch the Girton students went to the music room to practice our item for the farewell assembly. We did this while the Gojo students chose subjects for next year. After perfecting our dance movements and music, we went to the tea ceremony club. We had to kneel on tatami mats and then we were served with sweets and green tea. All in a traditional manner. While some people liked it straight away, for others it may be more of an acquired taste. When the ceremony was over, it was home time yet again.
Tonight my host family and I drove to nearby Osaka and drove up a mountain, recognised for having one of the best night views in Japan. I thought it was a better view than Tokyo Tower. We headed home and I was asked if I was hungry. I knew if I said yes, I would end up with a mountain of food in front of me. But I also knew if I said no, I would also end up with a mountain of food infront of me. So I said yes.
Sure enough, we pulled into the nearest McDonalds and bought tea there. Maccas was a night treat, as it was different to the food of the past twelve days.
Today was one of the more relaxing days of the trip and I really enjoyed it. I am sure everyone else did as well.
By: Josh Reed
Pictures to come
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Day 11
Today was the day that we visited the Mayor. We had told our host families that we had to be at school by 8:20 instead of 8:30, yet they brought us in at 8:00. We all piled into the bus and headed to the Mayor`s office. When we got there, we took some pictures out the front and then went inside. So of our height gifted people, found out how much it hurts hitting your head on a Japanese doorway, as they aren`t built for people of that stature.
We were ushered into the room and sat down in some comfortable leather arm chairs, which swivelled. These seem quite a rarety in Japan. Full marks to the Mayor for reading his speech in English.
We then ate Gojo`s famous fruit, the persimon. Some enjoyed it, others didn`t. After visiting the Mayor, we went by bus and met Mr. Hyono`s mother, who owns an old traditional Japanese home with a beautiful garden. We then went for a walk along the river and were shown their 3,000 year old method of catching fish (much easier than using a fishing rod). We also walked along the oldest street in Gojo.
Then we headed back to school for the rest of the days classes.
After school, some of us decided to participate in club activities. Matt A., Reedy and I decided to do basketball club, which seemed to gather a crowd. All the Gojo girls think that Matt is cute. Basketball was lots of fun, and a great experience because it is not everyday you get to play with people on the other side of the world. Occassionally at basketball they have drink breaks. Matt, Reedy and I had not brought drink bottles, so they gave us a cup. At first we thought it was muddy water, but as we tasted it, we found out it was cold tea.
By: Caleb Higgs
The Gojo High School website is being constantly updated with more news and pictures about us. Here is an updated picture on which links to click on to see the many photos of your children. The website for the Gojo High School homepage is:
Photos to come
We were ushered into the room and sat down in some comfortable leather arm chairs, which swivelled. These seem quite a rarety in Japan. Full marks to the Mayor for reading his speech in English.
We then ate Gojo`s famous fruit, the persimon. Some enjoyed it, others didn`t. After visiting the Mayor, we went by bus and met Mr. Hyono`s mother, who owns an old traditional Japanese home with a beautiful garden. We then went for a walk along the river and were shown their 3,000 year old method of catching fish (much easier than using a fishing rod). We also walked along the oldest street in Gojo.
Then we headed back to school for the rest of the days classes.
After school, some of us decided to participate in club activities. Matt A., Reedy and I decided to do basketball club, which seemed to gather a crowd. All the Gojo girls think that Matt is cute. Basketball was lots of fun, and a great experience because it is not everyday you get to play with people on the other side of the world. Occassionally at basketball they have drink breaks. Matt, Reedy and I had not brought drink bottles, so they gave us a cup. At first we thought it was muddy water, but as we tasted it, we found out it was cold tea.
By: Caleb Higgs
The Gojo High School website is being constantly updated with more news and pictures about us. Here is an updated picture on which links to click on to see the many photos of your children. The website for the Gojo High School homepage is:
Photos to come
Monday, October 1, 2007
Day 10
We arrived at Gojo High School at 8:30 with our host students, feeling nervous and excited. We are tired because most students go to bed much later than Australian students because they are very hard workers. Students travel to school by car, bus, bike, scooter and walking is very popular. We made our way to the shoe lockers / boxes and changed our outside shoes for inside shoes. The school is very neat and clean. Our host students took us to our special Girton Staff Room. The host students then left for assembly. The Girton students then attended a brief meeting for the protocols and speeches which would be made at the welcome assembly.
The assembly was held in the gym. We sat on stage with Mrs. MacCulloch and Mr. Rankin. The Gojo students were in class order with girls at the back and the boys at the front. Speeches were made by the Principal, Mr. Horiuchi, and Mr. Morikawa and Mr. Matsuda. Mrs. MacCulloch`s speech was translated by Mitchell Barker, and he did an excellent job. You can see him on the Gojo Homepage. Caleb`s speech was translated by Courtney Stewart, and both of them did Girton proud.
Gifts were presented to Gojo High School by Mrs. MacCulloch and Gojo High School presented bouquets in return. A welcome face in the assembly was Chelsea Mullens, a Girton student on a year exchange to Gojo High School. She remains as high spirited and as cheerful as always.
After assembly we went to classes, some with our host students, some not. Most classes were difficult to understand, but some were not. There are six periods of teaching every day, but some students in special advanced classes have seven. Periods run for 45 mintutes each and at 12:45 we have 45 minutes for lunch. Our host mothers all appear to have spent many hours preparing the most beautiful lunches for us to enjoy. Most of us are having to learn the `I am full` sentence in Japanese, as they take great delight on feeding us, especially after a third helping of curry (Matt Campbell`s family).
Gojo High School finishes at 3:30. After the final class for the day, the students have home room, then they clean and tidy their rooms or an assigned area of the school. Every student has an assigned job.
Club activities can then take place, before or after school and even on weekends, depending on the activity. Many students do not finish their school day until 6:00pm. The Japanese school day is a long one, but enjoyable to experience.
By: Madeline Hellsten
Official Group Photograph
More Photos to come
Day 9
After waking up in several different environments throughout the trip, rising out of bed to another one was nothing new. I was fortunate enough to have a tatami room to myself which was probably the same size as the one I shared with four others in Tokyo.
After coming to the realisation that I was lying on the bottom floor of my host families house, I began to feel slightly nervous at the prospect of the day ahead, thinking `Should I already be up? Do I have a bath in the morning, or is it evenings only?` Desperately trying to recall information from various meetings and our booklet, I decided to get up.
Finding that only my host parents were up, I was instantly bombarded with questions concerning my well-being quote "Did you sleep well? Would you like some breakfast? What would you like to do today?"
After we had eaten and my host brothers and sisters were up, we began to `discuss` the days planned events. More accurately, tried to translate and work out what anyone wanted to do. As I had no idea what there was to do in Nara, and the family insisted that I choose an activity. We eventually decided to visit Nara Park to see the Daibutsu (Giant Statue of Buddha). Hopefully, Mr. Rankin will be able to put up some photos of the day, because it was an epic sight, and the deer chasing Naho (my host) was hilarious.
After dinner, I tried to explain to the family some of Australia`s differences from Japan. I was able to successfully explain how kangaroos can cause car crashes and why barbeques are so highly renowned. By the end of the day, I was exhaused. This is only one account of an experience with a host family, and upon reuniting with other Girton students, their days were varied to mine.
By: Tom Faulkner.
After coming to the realisation that I was lying on the bottom floor of my host families house, I began to feel slightly nervous at the prospect of the day ahead, thinking `Should I already be up? Do I have a bath in the morning, or is it evenings only?` Desperately trying to recall information from various meetings and our booklet, I decided to get up.
Finding that only my host parents were up, I was instantly bombarded with questions concerning my well-being quote "Did you sleep well? Would you like some breakfast? What would you like to do today?"
After we had eaten and my host brothers and sisters were up, we began to `discuss` the days planned events. More accurately, tried to translate and work out what anyone wanted to do. As I had no idea what there was to do in Nara, and the family insisted that I choose an activity. We eventually decided to visit Nara Park to see the Daibutsu (Giant Statue of Buddha). Hopefully, Mr. Rankin will be able to put up some photos of the day, because it was an epic sight, and the deer chasing Naho (my host) was hilarious.
After dinner, I tried to explain to the family some of Australia`s differences from Japan. I was able to successfully explain how kangaroos can cause car crashes and why barbeques are so highly renowned. By the end of the day, I was exhaused. This is only one account of an experience with a host family, and upon reuniting with other Girton students, their days were varied to mine.
By: Tom Faulkner.
Vice Principal Uemura, Vice Principal Hyono, Mrs. MacCulloch, Mr. Morikawa (English Teacher) and Mr. Matsuda (English Teacher)
Mr. Matsuda and Mr. Rankin in front of the Giant Buddha Shrine. This is the largest wooden structure in the world.
The main entrance into the Giant Buddha Shrine.
Amy and her host family (Fukuda family) with Mrs. MacCulloch. We bumped into them at the temple
The Giant Buddha
The statue of Kokubosatsuzo. A guard for the Giant Buddha
Another guard statue.
Amy squeezing through a hole cut into one of the pylons. It is only just big enough to squeeze through. If you can pass through, it is supposed to bring you good luck.
Mr. Rankin only just managed to squeeze through. It was very scary
The beautiful lawn and gardens of the Giant Buddha Shrine.
One of the hundreds of deer in Nara Park.
One of the stone monuments lining the paths at Nara Park.
Mr. Matsuda and Mr. Morikawa.
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