

We did not have to be back on schedule until 10:10, therefore, I continue my exploration of the area around the hotel.

There was a

combination of modern and ancient building side by side, but unlike Tokyo, I could see greater number of traditional looking homes, a block away from our hotel.

The day was beautiful,

sunny and warm. I saw the canal workers preparing for their daily chores.

I met Nick, a social studies teacher from New York on my path. We had an interesting philosphical conversation as we took pictures. He had a focus: World Peace, I did not not. He was taking pictures of every religious artifact he found. I was taking pictures of anything that called my attention.

Since I admired his passion and his knowledge of the Japanese culture, I asked him to recommend books to read. Nick recommended three books: Shogan, Memories of a Geisha, and Ethics for the New Millenium. I will make these books my summer reading. I brought the Book of Tea and the Challenge 20/20 book to read, but I have not had a chance to open a page. I am going all the time and in the evenings, I am too tired and I fall sleep inmediatly.

Nick continued his historical exploration and I went in a different direction.
I wanted to make sure I knew how to get to the grocery store. This is something that is always useful to know. On my photo path, I met Sheila, a young science teacher from Washington. She was looking for a place to buy doughnuts.

She had found it the night before.

This city is full of surprises. Sheila like some of the doughnuts.
Since it was time to return to the hotel and begin our field trips and scheduled visit to the Mayor of Yanagawa, we headed back to the hotel. Sheila and I knew that we had to say our two phrases in Japanese to introduce ourselves to the Mayor.
We practiced with a woman who was preparing to sell food in front of the super market at walking distance from our hotel. She was very nice and smiled. We knew she understood us when she introduced herself to us.
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