Day Two in Kurashiki

Today my group started off by meeting the Educational Superintendent from the Okayama, Prefecture, and the Minister of Finance, from the Central Government of Japan. We were greeted in the Mayor’s Conference Room at the Kurashiki City Hall and presented with gifts from the mayor and city. It was quite an honor and such a great experience. That’s my head floating in the Mayor’s Conference Room.




The next picture is the view from the top of the city hall.

















Later in the day we went to the nearby Okayama University, where we graciously greeted by the vice president of the university. Afterwards we met the faculty and some students enrolled in the teacher-training program. Among the students were two named Rysuke Tasaki and Ayako Miyakawa, who will be teaching English in local high schools next year.















To end the day we visited Tivoli Park, the local amusement park designed and modeled after the original Tivoli Park in Amsterdam. Can you tell the difference between the nutty American tourists, and the gracious Japanese guide?



















Once again, don’t ask me how, but my driving skills and reputation preceded me and I was asked to take the latest model out for a test drive.