I never expected to have such an amazing, eye opening experience before
boarding the flight in Elmira, NY to our destination Tokyo, Japan. Since
I have been in Japan, not only have I been having the time of my life,
but I have also been learning so much about the Japanese culture, which I
find to be extremely unique and fascinating. The two experiences that
have been my favorite and most memorable would be the helicopter tour of
Tokyo and the Japanese tea ceremony. These are two experiences that
are once in a lifetime and memories that I will cherish for the rest of
my life.
As we entered the building where the tea ceremony
was held, everyone was extremely anxious and excited because the group
had been looking forward to this event. The kimono I was able to wear
was absolutely gorgeous and I felt honored to be able to wear such a
beautiful ensemble. I felt like a geisha or like royalty when the woman
was dressing me in my kimono because it is not a familiar experience
for me. During the tea ceremony, everyone was focused and ready to
learn how to properly engage in the ceremony. Each person was given a
sweet filled with bean paste. Mine was pink and filled with a bean
paste that I did not know. The instructors told us that eating sweets
before the tea will allow us to want bitterness, which the tea could
provide. Afterward, each of us got our own green tea and was instructed
to drink it a certain way, which I found to be fascinating. Bobby,
Jen, and I were able to make the tea ourselves when we were all through
with the actual ceremony. It was such an amazing experience to be able
to learn the proper technique to Japanese tea making. I will most likely
never participate in a tea ceremony again, therefore that is why it was
one of the most memorable experiences of the trip for me.
The helicopter tour was an awing experience and it was
once in a lifetime. Ciara and I went together along with my host
family. Michiko, my Mama-san, Ciara, and I went in the Helicopter while
Okah-san and Michiko's brother, who was the person who made the
arrangements, stayed behind. When we took off I instantly became
excited and nervous. Once we were in the air I honestly don't even
think I blinked because I did not want to miss anything. We saw all of
Tokyo and we recognized some landmarks that we had already been to, such
as the largest crosswalk in Shibuya, shopping centers in Shinjuku, and
the Tokyo Tower that we went to our first week in Japan. Seeing Tokyo
from the air made it seem so small, which left a longing feeling of
relief because seeing how small it is made me feel closer to home. When
we landed, Ciara and I were both grateful, yet sad that it was over.
It is surely one of the many highlights of this trip and I will never
forget it.
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