1983 School Magazine

1983 TRTP TO J,{PAN The 1983 trip to Japan was very successful and an experience we will never forget. Nine girls from Grades Nine to Eleven, accompanied by Miss Long, Miss Cahill, and Mrs. Long, went for seventeen days visiting Kobe, Nagoya and Tokyo. In Kobe we were billeted by families from Shoin Girls' School, and visited many shrines, temples and castles, accompanied by Kayako's family, the Sugimotos. They were very kind and generous, and helped make our first day in Japan a most memorable one. We discovered and learnt a lot about the different customs and way of life of the Japanese. What struck us most was their sincere politeness, generosity and eagerness to help make us feel welcome. We discovered many different aspects of their culture from ours, for instance by the end of our trip we had grown accustomed to taking our shoes off on entering a house, and were all proficient at using chopsticks. After a teary goodbye to our host families, we left Kobe and travelled on the "Bullet Train" to Nagoya.

In Tokyo, we lived like typical tourists and stayed in a hotel where for the first time since our trip, could speak English, with everyone around able to understand. We went on a conducted tour around the city and went shopping in the famous Ginza shopping area, where we discovered everything from the latest fashions to tame rhinocerous beetles in the pet department. For a full day we visited Nikko National Park, which is three hours' drive from Tokyo, and saw all of the traditional and elaborate architecture of the Tokugawa period. One of our biggest thrills on the trip was spending an enjoyable afternoop at the new Tokyo Disneyland. Whilst some of us enjoyed riding on the roller coaster "Space Mountain" ride, others preferred going on Peter Fan's Flight or into the Haunted Mansion. Cinderella's castle looked like something out of fairyland, and it was entertaining Iistening to Mickey Mouse speak in Japanese. A fantastic and memorable day! Our trip to Japan proved to be a fulfilling experience, providing us with an excellent insight into the Japanese character and way of life. As the Japanese would say: Tanoshikatta desu - it was most enjoyable! Lyndal Backstrom, Frances Connor, Sarah Stafford

On arrival we were greeted by Mr. Mizutani and some of the girls from Tsushima Girls' High School. From there we were taken for a delicious lunch up to Nagoya Tower and then went shopping in one of the famous underground shopping centres. Whilst we were in Nagoya, we were taken to an old people's home where we entertained them by singing our version of Waitzing Matilda and Jingle Bells. We also visited a Japanese paper factory, and the governor's residence and offices. One of the highlights was appearing on television, live, on an afternoon talkback show where we were asked some intriguing questions. After meeting the girls who would be visiting Gramrnar later in the month, we had yet another teary farewell with our host families in Nagoya. From there we caught the "Bullet Train" on to Tokyo.

Frances and her newly found friend - a sumo wresiler (one of the skinny ones!)