My Memories of Japan

By Michael Murphy

I remember the evening when we all first met at Barrie City Hall. Everyone was so excited and could hardly wait for the day that we would board the plane and depart for a new adventure 12 000 km away. I don't think any of us really had any idea of what was ahead of us.
To me the entire trip was amazing, I met so many people, saw so many sites, and traveled to so many places; to the top of mountains, to historical sites, and even to the streets of Tokyo, it was all amazing. From the time I woke up in the Kurhaus Goten singing "I think I'm turning Japanese" to the time I fell asleep while talking to someone in their hotel room, I really felt like I was turning Japanese. I miss the country very much and hope to go back some day. Of course I can never go back as a youth ambassador, I might just join the JET program and travel as a citizen.
It's very hard for me to choose my favorite part of the trip. There were so many highlights, too many to name. But one of the most fun and interesting parts of the trip would be my home stay. My family, the Satos were very kind people who would treat me well and wouldn't be too shy about it. I miss them very much but I am staying in contact with them through e-mail. Another highlight of my trip was the Tokunai festival. I didn't think it would be that much fun dancing and singing in front of thousands of people, but it was. Even though the first day of the festival was rained out by a typhoon, it was still a lot of fun. The second day was just as good. It was a beautiful day and the best part was that we were outside. I thought it would be an even worse day because of the heat, but in fact I didn't do any dancing. I was absolutely astounded that my team (Nishigo) allowed me to play the Teiko drums, through the entire parade. That night was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. Another great part of my trip was just hanging out around the hotel late at night. I'd be sitting in someone's room talking to them and fall asleep in the middle of a conversation! I had so many good times with all of the group members. There were so many jokes made and every one always laughed, well except Morri. There also were times when I felt like I was stuck in an episode of The Simpson's. But despite everything we had some really good times.
I began to feel like Murayama was my new home and the delegation was my family. I miss them all and I miss Japan, Natalie, Tanaka san, everyone else's host families and especially mine. But we will all meet again, after all there still is another year and a half until the next delegation takes our place. Even then we'll still all stay together. I'll always see Nathan and Devin at Wendy's, Kate at my Cottage, Stef, Chantal, Vikki and everyone else after school and I'll always talk to everyone on the phone. I'll see the city of Murayama again, and I'll dream about it until then.

JA MATA