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By ADAM LAPIERRE
Coordinator of International Relations
August 30, 2006
The week’s 90-degree temperatures and
high humidity are curbed this evening by an afternoon downpour that
sent the cicadas, hawks and frogs seeking refuge in the orchards, rice
fields and cypress trees around town. Tsuruta’s mayor, Mr. Kenji
Nakano, says the rain was meant to come today; he says it’s a sign
that the town is sad to see its visitors leave.
It’s 7:30 p.m. on a Sunday, Tsuruta time, and a tour bus bound for the
neighboring town of Goshogowara sits in the background, its engine
running and air conditioning system dripping a puddle of cold water on
the already damp pavement.
In 15 minutes the group of 27 Hood River visitors — 20 students and
seven adults — will board the bus and begin the lengthy trek back to
Oregon.
The trip home requires a half-hour ride to Goshogowara, where they
will cram aboard a night bus that will stop every two hours and arrive
in Tokyo the following morning. From there it’s the chaos of Narita
Airport and strict security procedures for flights entering the United
States due to heightened threat levels. Then it’s another 10-plus
hours to Portland International in economy-class seats.
But that is all in the future. Right now it’s time for goodbyes.
Alex Evans carries a torch across one of
Tsuruta's
claims to fame: Japan's longest wooden bridge.
Tears fall to the Tsuruta Town Office
courtyard’s stonework faster than host moms can wipe their eyes and
pass out tissues.
“The trip was the ultimate experience of Japanese life, culture and
heritage,” said visitor Vickie Young of Mosier. “I enjoyed all of the
tours and all of the activities, but by far the most memorable time
here was with my host family. The graciousness and generosity of the
people of Tsuruta is amazing. I truly had the time of my life and I
hope all the upcoming students take advantage of this opportunity.”
Nakano, who was elected last week to his ninth term as Tsuruta’s
mayor, gives a short speech to the group of Hood River visitors, host
families and town office employees gathered at the goodbye ceremony.
Tonight is the first time I have seen the mayor without his tie and
sports coat. He is wearing all white, including his shiny white shoes.
Dressed in traditional "Ukata" coats,
the Hood River group walks the streets of Tsuruta during the annual
Summer Nebuta Festival.
His speech is translated on the spot
over a microphone and the group discovers the reason for the mayor’s
atypical attire: Tsuruta has just won a prestigious sports festival
that all the towns in the prefecture compete in.
His head and eyes then lower, as does the tone of his voice, and he
begins his farewell. The essence of the 29-year sister city
relationship echoes across the quiet, lantern-lit streets of Tsuruta:
Friendship and good memories last a lifetime.
Friendship and good memories last a lifetime.
Vickie Young greets a Tsuruta local
during Nebuta.
Good memories, for this group, include a
week’s worth of cultural tours and activities in Tsuruta and nearby
cities. The group took part in the annual Nebuta Festival and summer
parade — a celebration to which the United States does not have a
comparison. They carried kerosene-soaked torches across Japan’s
longest wooden bridge, extinguished them, then enjoyed front-row VIP
seats to the town’s summer fireworks show. The group visited local
schools, temples, shrines and parks; they made pottery, learned
calligraphy and kendo and helped build one of the world’s longest
sushi rolls.
They were treated as honored guests throughout their time in Tsuruta,
particularly in their host families’ homes.
“This trip was everything I expected, and more,” HRVHS student Matt
Yasui said. “Everyone who gets the chance to do this should, and I
hope to come back soon. The people here are so very gracious, it’s
incredible.”
As I look around at the faces of my familiar Hood River friends, I see
sincere sadness in their saying goodbye: sadness even in the eyes of
those who were more reluctant and hard to please during the trip.
“This was the best trip I’ve ever been on,” said Joel Viramontes. “It
was so much more than I expected … and my host family rocked.”
A tradition in Tsuruta is to build a
very, very long sushi roll. The Hood River group was right in the
middle during construction. The roll was a couple football fields long
and made a nice lunch for everyone when it was completed.
For some of the more well-traveled
visitors, the trip was easy and enjoyable from day one in Tokyo. For
others — like those who have never been away from home or out of the
United States, or who don’t like seafood, or who have a hard time in
the heat, or who miss their boyfriends, girlfriends and parents — the
trip was a challenge from their first steps off the tarmac.
But tonight, as the visitors hug their host moms and dads, sisters,
brothers and grandmothers goodbye; as they take last-minute pictures
and write down last minute names and numbers; the trip, for everyone,
seems to have passed too fast.
Ten days is suddenly not long enough.
“The sightseeing here was amazing,” said recent Hood River Valley High
School graduate Alex Evans. “I’ll never forget this trip, especially
the kindness and generosity of the people in Tsuruta.”
Hugs break, handshakes separate, eyes glaze over, and the 27 Hood
River visitors board the bus and continue their goodbyes from inside.
The hanging red streetlights sway and wave in the wind as the visitors
are carried slowly away, their faces still pressed against the
windows.
“Mata oai shimasho,” the locals repeat until the bus disappears, “Mata
oai shimasho.”
This is not goodbye.
It means see you again. |
