Sebastopol World Friends

So much going on. Every day a new adventure, sometimes quite comical. Going with the flow has become our mantra, we usually know the big picture about what is on the schedule, but never seem to know how the dots get connected. We guess "walk", we wind up on a bus, or in someone`s car. We assume we`ll have time to go home and freshen up before the nightime activity...wrong again. Yesterday we went from 8am to 11pm non-stop, same clothes, etc. (Joan gave some specifics on what we did) But it was great, and every day is great -- the poeple here are so warm and attentive to us, it is very flattering. We are being so very well cared for, it is hard to describe.

When I go home to my family in Takeo, we stay up late every night -- talking (trying to is part of the entertainment), playing games with the whole family...usually til 11 or 12. I`m realizing that no one will go to bed until I do.

Had a few people passing around some kind of bug, hopefully no new cases will pop up, and luckily it has been short-lived for those who have been hit. Nothing a little sudafed and ibuprofin can`t keep in check.

The kids are doing well, getting lots of time with their host families, and usually representing all of you very well. They will have countless stories for you. And based on the shopping today in Saga, many will be returning with way more than they came with, even after delivering all the gifts here. The weekend is open for host family activities, no whole group plans.

Gotta go, more fish awaits...I think it`s cuttle fish tonight. And some cold beer..

added the next day..
Oops, wrong again. Last night my hosts took me out to a Japanese bar/restaurant -- great food, lots of it, various raw fish, and beef we cooked ourselves on a small b-b-q at the table (room gets a little smokey). More beer, more shochu. And today a trip to the castle in Karatsu, with a stop at a very the castle in Karatsu, with a stop at a very popular cuttle fish house Karatsu, with a stop at a very popular cuttle fish house (today was the cuttle fish day!) Cuttle fish are like squid -- they served the raw slices to eat on Cuttle fish are like squid -- they served the raw slices to eat on top of live cuttle fish -- which were moving! It was the first thing I have come across that I would not eat (the live part). Some people break not eat (the live part). Some people break off the tentacles and eat them. Luckily for me, after we ate the slices on top, they took the live fish back and made tempura from it. Talk about fresh.

I'll try to attach a couple pics...more later. Pics attached - kids at TV station and proof for Joan...

--"Johnson"