Last week in Japan- July 25-29

Trip Start Aug 17, 2010

Trip End Jul 29, 2011

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Flag of Japan Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Sunday, August 21, 2011

Monday was my last day of school. It wasn't much of school, just cleaning and then an assembly to signal the start of summer. Only about 3 hours. But it was pretty nerve racking for me, I had to do a good-bye speech infront of everyone. And if that wasn't enough I had the ending of my last good-bye running through my head. I had to sit off to the side of everyone and wait with Honda-san until the principal to call me up. In truth it went way better then my other speech. I studied harder since I didn't want to screw up at all and I was able to not cry, although about at the same part as my other speech I did start to tear up but no big emotional drama. When I was walking off the stage I did shed a few tears and then went I sat back down. The other students near were I was seating saw it too but it was alright. When the rest of the speeches were finished my class was taken off to the side and had our photo taken. I was surprised when Sakura was also crying, Celeste too. After that, back in the classroom for good-bye I received a gift from the students, teachers and a photo album with all the photos taken of me, on the school trip, sports days and such

Leaving :(

. As well photos of everyone in the class and a message for me. After school was done I went home and packed to stay over at Arika's, one of my friends from school, house. Arika, and three other friends from school gym class, got together for a sleepover. First we had yakiniku with the parents and then light off fireworks in her backyard. There was also Arika's niece at the house and she was the cutest little thing. I met her before during christmas break but at first she was really shy around me and wouldn't look at me. But then after a bit she loosened up and we best friends. Then we just hung out in her room for the rest of the night. We tried staying up all night but in the early morning we all fell asleep.
The next day I had to leave early, like 10am, to go meet up with Honda-san and crew to go to the beach. Which meant I had 3 hours of sleep at the most. I had to take a bus by myself from her house, she lives out in the country, to a train station, which took 30minutes. I met Celeste and Honda-san there and we got into her car and headed out to Otaru, near the beach. In Otaru we picked up Honda-san's sister, her 1 year old and Sho (Honda-san's kid). The beach was a little bit away from the place and we got there at lunch time. Went for a little swim and then had a picnic of convenience store sushi and dumplings. The little boy was the cutest, I had a lot of fun playing with him in the water and then in the sand. Me and Sho made a huge whole in the ground were he could stand up in it and have it reach above his waist. When we were going to leave I buried him in it and he tried to get out without using his hands. It was funny watching him try. After that I went home and then went to my last soccer practice. They were all really nice and it was a good practice, while short. Me and one girl, my good friend, played around with the ball after practice was done and then walked home together. I am going to miss playing with them.
The next day I got to go to the beach again. This time with the Judo team. They organized a start of summer/going away party for me at the beach. One of the boy's dad owns a piece of land on the beach so we went there. FIrst we set up an area for yakiniku, and then went and played in the ocean. It was tons of fun, there were so many of us. The boys were gaining up on each other and throwing them into the water, mud fights and seaweed fights. One of coaches brought his kid which had a good time in the shallow part of the water. I also played with him, there was a steep hill that you had to climb to get to the yakiniku part and I would swing him up it by his hands making giant steps. He loved it and made me do it quite a few times, giving me a good work out. After that the dad brought out a boat and wakeboard and me and another girl go to go first and wakeboard. I went first since I knew how to and while the board was a little smaller and rickity then what I was used to it still worked. Then it was her turn and her first time. She had a lot of tries but at the end only just got up for about 5 seconds. It was pretty good though. After that it was time for lunch, everyone stood around the grill and roasted the meat. It was a good time all in all. Then home.
The next day was just a relaxing day of packing all my stuff up. I had to send another box over via shipping cause it wasn't all going to fit. I thought I would of had a problem with the luggage even after that but I was under the weight limit which made me happy. I do have a lot of carry one though, I hope they let me through with it all. Then in the late afternoon I went out to karaoke with a friend and then supper at a ramen shop. Then back to bed and to sleep my last night in Japan.
The next day I had to get up super early, 4 am to leave at 5 for the airport. My flight was at 7:30 am which was ridiculous. I got there a little early with the family, before even they were letting people send their luggage in. Then everything sped up after that. Got my ticket, got my luggage out, all the while people started showing up to see me off. I talked with them for a while, switching from Rotarians to Exchange students to Family to School friends. Also taking a whole bunch of photos and receiving some last minute gifts. Then it was time for me to go in. I said another little good-bye speech, nothing much, and then went around the half circle that had formed and either shook hands with the rotarians or hugged my friends and family. Then I left, through the gates and away back to the life I had before. Unfortunately it wasn't that fast. I had a hour and a half flight to tokyo, which on the flight I was surprised when the attendant spoke english to me and the more surprised when I cold understand completely what the old couple behind me were saying since it was all in Japanese. I figured this was just the start of the reentry. Then it was a 5 hour wait in tokyo airport which as soon as I landed found some nice comfy chairs and laid down to sleep. Then I got up and bought a whole bunch of food and japanese snacks to bring back to Canada to give to people and surprise people with the eccentric taste. Got some dried crabs, squid and sardines, they will definitely be the best to give to people. I don't think I have even eaten dried crabs or sardines before, it will be a surprise for me too. I also had a lunch of sushi for the last time which, while expensive, was so good. Then at 4:30 off of the tokyo airport we go, my last steps on Japan for a very long time. and took a plane all the way back to Calgary.

Sapporo hotels Slideshow

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