OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO!

"Oh, The Places You Will Go", by Dr. Seuss (published 1990), turned out to be my favorite book by this wonderful children's author.  It was published at the time my own kids were making us empty-nesters, and they were choosing all kinds of places to go with their lives.

I've thought about this book a lot the past two weeks; as, once again, our son was off traveling.  This was his fourth trip traveling internationally with teenagers from the school where he teaches sharing his enthusiasm for life-long learning and travel.  

I cannot deny that I feel a sense of relief when they all return safely.  Even though I know he is a competent, seasoned traveler; it is still a huge responsibility on his part to take other peoples' teenagers to foreign places.

Here are a few more photos from Japan to close out this travelogue.  See my three previous posts for more.

Oh, the sights they have seen ----

Making new friends and sharing the international language of teenagers - Facebook!

And, the memories they have made traveling with their high school classmates.

For now, goodbye to Japan.  Hopefully, it is just the beginning of many traveling experiences for these teenagers.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of the whole trip -- my kid, the fearless leader of this group, reading the map finding his way around the world.  From the time he was three years old, he sat in the front seat of the car with a map navigating the way!  The kids look like they are getting a little impatient with Dr. Saulmon; but trust me, he won't get them lost.

To read a more in depth and much more entertaining description of this trip (including his ongoing search for the perfect Starbucks), check out his blog, "Michael M. Saulmon Travel".  


I'm joining the following:
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

TOURING JAPAN WITH TEENAGERS - PART TWO

You may view previous posts about this trip to Japan here and here.    

 Before the kids and their fearless leader head out to Hiroshima, I wanted to show a couple more pictures from Kyoto at the Manga Museum.  If you have teenagers you know about the art form called Manga.  

For you plaid connoisseurs, here is a picture from the museum showing Japanese plaid.

Now on to Hiroshima.

The report was that the memorial and museum was very well done -- no blame on either side -- just the horrible consequences of war.

Some cultural exchange going on between school kids.  Do you suppose the Japanese girls are thinking that we grow them tall in the U.S.A.?

There's certainly been a learning curve when it comes to the food.  Here they are cooking their own meat and veggies.

There's always junk food.  But, I've only heard of one McDonald's visit!

They were in Fukuoka for a couple of days staying in a ryokan, a more primitive Japanese inn that included tatami-mat floors, no beds - just futon mattresses on floors, and no showers or bath tubs in the rooms.  The onsen (hot springs) are expected to be used for bathing.  All this along with limited Wi-Fi access was quite the adjustment for the teen-agers!

But there were more sights to be seen, and a trip to the beach.  At this point, they were only an hour by boat away from South Korea; but not on this trip!

Their next destination will be Nagasaki, then Tokyo.

To answer some questions that I've received, here is some back story.  Our son, Mike, teaches at a public high school in a small 
farming community on the plains of Colorado.  Every 2-3 years, international trips are planned through the auspices of EF Educational Tours (click here) and the extra-curricular International Club at the school, which Mike is the sponsor.  This is his 4th trip through EF Tours; he has traveled with kids to Japan 7 years ago, then to Greece and Italy, then Germany and France, and now back to Japan.  The kids, their parents, Mike and Jodi (another teacher who has been on three of the trips) spend innumerable hours fund-raising by holding dinners before school plays, running concession stands at school sports activities and other community events.  And, still additional parental financial support is needed.  By the time the trip rolls around, these kids are really invested and committed.   Mike is a no-nonsense type of math and science teacher in the classroom -- he says that the only way to really learn math is by doing math, lots and lots of math!  But he really values travel as an extension of the total learning experience including art, music, philosophy, history,  and culture; and thus, his dedication to this program.  The only compensation he receives outside of his math and science teaching salary are his travel expenses that are paid for by the tour company for being the liaison and group leader.
As soon as they return from Japan, the work and planning begins for Mike and Jodi -- there are already kids signed up for the next trip scheduled for 2016 to the British Isles.  Fund raising begins next month at their community Fourth of July celebration. 
 And, I always thought that teachers had the summer off!

I know I'm stretching it a bit, but I'm joining the following:
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

TOURING JAPAN

To read why my camera is traveling in Japan without me, check out my previous post.

My son and his students have been in Kyoto, Japan now for three super-busy days!  The pictures are starting to roll in!!

They have seen silk worms eating leaves.

Then spun into thread.

Woven into silk fabric.

And, viewed a kimono fashion show!

Seen numerous shrines.

And visited gardens.

Had some fun being tourists.

Been to Kyoto Station to see the light show on the steps and to eat real Ramen.

Shown on the steps are some of the kids and their fearless leader, our son.

Personally, I don't think they pay public school teachers near enough for what they do.  In addition to his normal schedule of teaching math and science, he sponsors the International Club. I can't fathom the number of extra hours spent the past three years on fund raising and get-togethers to learn about international travel, culture, and customs.  THEN, to get on a plane with teenagers to travel to and traipse around Japan for two weeks.  
The next time you see a teacher tell them thank you for going above and beyond.

Next stop for this group is to Hiroshima on the bullet train. 

I'm joining the following:
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

TRAVELING CAMERA

What is a blog post without pictures?  Not much as evidenced by this posting.  

My camera has gone traveling!  It is the perfect size for travel and takes great pictures of shrines, churches, and buildings.  Our son likes to borrow it for his trips; so it is off to Japan for two weeks. It's been to Paris and Germany on previous trips, and may soon require a passport of its own!  

You would think I would have a back supply of drafts that I could pull up, but I don't blog that seriously and use inspiration of the moment only.  So, my posting will be spotty, at best, until after at least Father's Day.  In the meantime, I'll be here on a vacation of my own looking for some new inspiration.

Wishing safe travels to Mike and his students.  I'm sure they will have a great time -- this is Mike's third trip to Japan including a summer spent there living and working on an orchard. He is quite knowledgeable about the country; so I'm sure his high school students are in for a wonderful glimpse into another culture.
(Yes, Mike, I'm concerned about your and the kids' safety and not just that my camera is returned in tact!!)