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Washington, St Charles, and food

	My trip to Japan began in December when I received notification that I had been accepted into the Fulbright Master Teacher Program. In March we travelled to Washington D.C. to meet our Japanese partners. I think that there is always some apprehension when you are meeting people for the first time from another country. Here we are at our first meeting. My partners are: Mr. Okochi, Mr. Kaga, and Mr. Miwa.
	Our first day was spent showing our partners the sights of Washington D, C. Here we are standing in front of the White House. I shared with them that my favorite monument was that of Thomas Jefferson since he is the earliest President that I admire the most. I recited the Preamble of the Constitution and told them that I had to memorize it when I was in grade school. After visiting the many memorials, we ate lunch and went to the Museum of Natural History to see the insects.
	This is a view from our hotel and the area where we went to eat most of our meals. One evening our Japanese partners were ready to have some food from their countries cuisene. We were able to find an authentic Japanese restaurant for them.
	And here is some of the delicious food that we had that evening. The restaurant was so authentic that mainly Japanese was spoken, and we were pleased for them. It was the beginning of finding that I really liked Japanese food. I liked it so well that I took Japanese cooking lessons before leaving for Japan.

	While our partners were in St. Charles visiting, we had a steak dinner for them at Cindy Morrissey's house. Other activities were visiting our three schools, Null Elementary, Hardin Middle School and St. Charles High School. We also visited a school that was in session because our schools were on spring break. We visited the Fort Zumwalt School District,
	/One of the afternoons, we took our nine partners to the Galleria Shopping Center for some afternoon shopping. March 25th we were guest of the St. Louis Federal Bank for lunch which also included a tour of the bank. That afternoon we visited the St. Louis Arch. Mr. Kaga is showing the sign that indicates that he is at the top of the Arch.
	/Here is the famous view from the Arch where you can see Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team. After visiting the Arch, we went to Union Station, so that our partners could purchase American flags. We decided to have dinner there, and then headed back to St. Charles.
	Our last day together we went to the Science Center and the Missouri Botanical Gardens to visit the Japanese Garden. In the evening we had our farewell dinner in St. Charles. It was my husband's birthday, so the restaurant brought out a cake and a sombrero for him. Then suddenly the waiter brought out one for all of our Japanese partners. Here they are shown with my husband on the floor with them, The next day was our farwell to them, and we knew that our next time together would be in Japan. It was a sad departure, but with the hope of a time of renewed friendship!!

My continued Study in Japan