Today we had the opportunity to host Japanese students for the American Life Club. The purpose is to show them how Americans live and give them the opportunity to practice their English. Eisley and I had these awesome 15 year-old guys to hang out with. They came all the way down from Osaka, Japan, which is about an 8 1/2 hour trip by bus. They didn't speak a lot of English, but we definitely all learned something new from each other today and the creative communication to get our message across made it fun.
The first thing we did was take a walking tour around base. I took them to the commissary to practice some English identifying items and also just showing them how different it is from a Japanese grocery store (I will have to do a post on that for you all soon!). I had fun showing them different fruits and veggies that they aren't used to seeing and pointing out Kingsford Charcoal and telling them how it is made in my hometown and showing them on a map where I am from. It is always nice going to a store and being able to find a little bit of home! I think the biggest cultural difference I found at the grocery store is the American obsession with breakfast. Even in our tiny little commissary we have an entire aisle full of cereal and oatmeal, a large portion of our cooler section, and a big chunk of our freezer section all dedicated to different breakfast foods. It was crazy trying to explain that Americans like hot breakfast and cold breakfast. How we eat cereal cold covered in milk or hot oatmeal and scrambled eggs with hash browns, or bagels covered in cream cheese and toaster strudels and cinnamon rolls covered in icing. I was showing them how pancakes are different than waffles, but you cover them both in maple syrup. I realized how weird to concept of a big American breakfast would be to someone whose never had a bowl of cereal. I asked them what they eat for breakfast and their enthusiastic answer was RICE!
We gathered a few items and went through the self checkout which they don't have in their grocery stores. They were fascinated with our kids race car carts.
Next I took them on a tour of our house and we settled in for our "English Lesson" which was just a little worksheet with getting to know you questions and a game of Jenga. They were struggling with the worksheet since they didn't really know that much English so we only did part of it. For Jenga I put word labels on sticky notes on each piece so when they took a piece they had to label the item. It worked out really well and they enjoyed the game.
Even Eisley got a label :)
We made lunch together so I made homemade crust and had the boys choose their toppings. They were pretty overwhelmed with the choices but they had fun and did a really good job making delicious pizzas!
Three full size pizzas in one oven? No problem!
Seiya
Daiki
Bunta
Matumoto
Rinntaro
Eisley got some pizza too
Eisley loved having some friends today
After lunch we got together with the other home stay families and had a little "Trunk or Treat". We had the kids decorate the trunks as part of the activity. They didn't really get the concept of going from car to car so most of my kids just stuck around and got candy from me, but it was fine.
Our trunk
Lupita's Trunk
Lupita had them play games for candy
We wanted them to burn some energy before their bus ride so we had them play soccer. Not quite American but it works :)
Eisley loves playing with Finn
Eisley is obsessed with Dogs so she loved seeing Bella today. Bella took her on a walk.
Overall it was a really fun day and I'm glad it went so well. It was my first time so I was a little nervous but I will have a better idea what to expect next time. I feel like I learned just as much from them as they did from me. I'm excited to do it again with new kids!
For our weekend we took a beautiful drive down to Tsuange falls and Oseto beach near Nagasaki. It is only a half hour from where we live, and like usual, it is all mountains and green rice fields.
You have to walk over a dam and through a tunnel to reach the falls. It is a short, well paved walk, so I was surprised because usually when going to waterfalls it is a little more of a hike. This area has been made to be very user friendly and is great for bringing elderly or handicapped friends and family along so that everyone can enjoy it. It is gorgeous out there!
After playing in the falls we made our way to Oseto beach which is one of my favorite spots. The sand is thick and the water is gorgeous. It is great place to relax and enjoy a sunny days. Up on the bluff there are grills, pavilions, showers, and a camping spots.
Eisley loves playing in the water, even when she accidentally face-plants. Poor dear sweet baby :)
While we were playing in the water a large Japanese family came down to surround us and take pictures of Eisley. With limited English they ushered us up onto the bluff where they were having a barbecue. It's hard to say no when then entire group comes down to welcome you! It is a lot different than a traditional American BBQ. Common foods are rice balls, grilled meats, and noodles. David was offered a rice ball covered in green fuzzy stuff and sour ume (plum) in the middle. One of our new "friends" was also trying to feed Eisley noodles out of her mouth Lady and the Tramp style. David was super uncomfortable with that and I was trying to play it cool and be polite. It was definitely and interesting experience. Overall they were very gracious and generous hosts and I am really grateful that they included us in on their family time. They absolutely loved Eisley in her Jinbei.
The Japanese grill thin slices of beef and flower shaped hot dogs when they barbecue.
The girls were trying to take some selfies with Eisley. For some reason she kept giving them this crazy face.
Crazy roads of Japan: I feel like the guard rail shouldn't end right here :/
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