Later in the week we were involved in the Tokunai Festival. The Typhoon came so we all had to dance inside. This was an advantage because we got to see all of the other people dancing while they watched us. Then the next night we were on the floats through the streets. I was with Nathan Leonard. We were both on the top front of the float and were given microphones to sing and we also danced the whole time. That was an interesting and enjoyable experience. I met great people during this who had such great energy and welcomed us with open arms.

During our stay in Japan we also went to the circus, visited many schools, watched the coming of age ceremony, visited the rose gardens and international house etc.. I got to experience something a little different while I was there. I got to visit the hospital because I hurt my hand. This was actually awesome, the doctor and nurses were so nice and everything was so different. The tools that they used were different than here in Canada. The doctor even got me a Japanese health card!

One of the things I also enjoyed was the sayonara party. It was very sad to say good-bye to everyone but it was a great way to do it. The delegation from Barrie even got to show our home stay families our dance that we did in the festival. We each made short speeches on what we liked most about Japan, we then had a beautiful dinner and hung out with friends and family we met.

Leaving Japan was one of the hardest things I will ever have to do. I am determined that I will go back to Japan if not to live there then to visit for quite awhile. My goal was to go to Japan but since I have accomplished that I hope to become part of the JET program and move there. This was the most amazing and life-changing experience I have ever had. It was nothing I could have ever imagined. I made so many new friends and feel like I have a new family all the way across the world. I would just like to give my thanks to Dave Morrison and Sandra Purchase. Without them I would have not been able to go to Japan and accomplish what I did. You helped me achieve my goal and also to learn and experience a new culture. Also, thank you to Mayor Sato for supporting this program and for welcoming us to Murayama.