The journey so far...

Well, today it is my turn to write in this blog about what we have been doing.
Today we went to Sasayama which is a city in Osaka. We visited the castle that once stood upon the hills. The castle was buit 400 years ago but today you can only see the ruins which are not exactly ruins. You can see the outlines on the ground of where it once stood and a few samurai quarters still stand but that is mainly all that is left. The veiws are amazing though, just below the castle is either an elementry or junior high school. As we stood upon the castle ruins we watched all the little kids play. We had vegemite sandwiches for lunch and everyone was extremly happy to have something from back home. Danni was excited because it tasted like home. We also went and made pottery. Some of us were very good at itand managed to produce bowls, vases ect. and some of us seemed to just fail. Everyone was very creative at what we made though. We don't get our masterpeices back until december though because they send them over to us.

My lifestyle at my host family's house is quite traditional. I am sleeping upon a futon which is actually very comfortable.

On the first day I think we were all tired and just slept when we got to our `homes`. On the second day we had a ceremony with some speeches and this amazing performance by these drummer people. We also went shopping at this place called Jusco which is approx. 30 minutes from miki high school by foot, around 10 minutes by car. On the third day we went to see some temples and did a lot of gift shopping and eating while we were there so by the time dinner came i think most of us were prety full (or in Rebecca's words `bailed`). On the fourh day we all had a day with our hosts. I ended up going shopping with my host, lucy, lucy's host and two of their other friends. On the fifth day we all had classes at the school.

Ｃｒｅｅ　Ｍｉｔｃｈｅｌｌ

Sunday - 26 September - Day with Host Families

So much has happened in the little time we have been here, I`m getting used to the Japanese lifestyle, but the `not wearing seatbelts` part is hard to get used to. On Sunday, I went with Serina (My host student), her cousin and their mothers. First we went to a clothes shop, most things are very cheap here, and easy to buy. It was suprising though to find, that; to go into the dressing room (In the middle of the store), you have to take your shoes off, and it`s hard to buy shoes when the `L` (large) is too small. We went to a ￥100 shop (Alot like a $2 shop), where you can buy, just about anything, I saw an outfit rack for dogs in there. We went to an Italian resturant, although there was alot of rice dishes there, I`m not sure how that`s Italian :S. I went out with Serina to see her mother sing, since she is part of a choir, they are very good.

So, later, we went to the Video store, but it was massive! About, over 4 times the Wanneroo video store. They had, all kinds of movies, and alot of American T.V shows. We watched `Twilight` later, since Serina`s family had not seen it, they seemed interested.

Later, we played Wii sports, nobody could beat me at tennis, I was very happy.  It`s still very warm, and it`s a sticky warm, which makes it worse. But we are having fun in Japan, although it`s hard to fit in, as we are, just about, the only Australians in the neighbourhood.

Kylie Dahl

Welcome to Miki!

Day one in Japan, we are all pretty nervous. Some of us caught the train to school then walked up MASSIVE hills. The lucky ones got dropped off! The school is two stories high and very clean compared to ours. In Japan it is custom to wear slippers inside the school at all times unless you are doing a sports activity. Our visitor slippers were  green and very comfortable. People with big feet have a very hard time fitting into those shoes.

The first thing you notice when you enter the assembly area is that they are all placed in year rows. Second interesting fact is that no one is talks but they like to stare! We were placed upon the front stage looking down over the rest of the students. Being in an unfamilar place can make a person do some pretty embarrassing things. For instance, half way up to the stage I nearly stacked it then lost my slipper right after going up one of the steep stairs( which nearly killed us). Rebecca also lost her slipper. Presents and speeches were given which were very formal compared to Australia.

After all the introductions were made, we left that area and got ready for the longest walk of our lives to a shopping centre. Jusco is located half an hour from Miki Senior High via foot. By car probably about 10 minutes. The store was 3 storys full of  the most amazing, but typical Japanese things. eg, hello kitty store, check skirts...　 Shoes and more shoes...

Vanessa Benitez

Our Draft Schedule

ITINERARY FOR AUSTRALIAN VISIT 2010 July 13, 2010


This schedule is as of June 15 and some changes will be done to this original plan.



Thursday 23 September

8:35 Arrive at Kansai Airport

12:00 Arrive at Miki SHS （Sandwiches are ready）

13:00 Meet host students and we have a welcome meeting.

13:40 Leave school with host families



Friday 24

8:20 Meet in the Teachers’ Room

8:35 Welcome Ceremony at the Gym

9:10 ～9:50 Walk in and around the school

10:00 ～13:00 Walk around the Neighbourhood, shopping at Jusco

13:15 ～14:05 Rest

14:15 ～15:05 Join English class ( ２－３　IC Ⅱ)

15:50 club activity

18:00 Welcome dinner for the Wanneroo staff？



Saturday 25

8:00 Leave Miki SHS for Kyoto with host students

17:30 Arrive back at Miki SHS



Sunday 26

Day with host families



Monday 27

9:00 Leave School for Nara

17:00 Arrive back at School



Tuesday 28

9:00 Leave School for Sasayama

（ Visit Sasayama Castle and making small pottery like teacups）

16:40 Arrive at Miki SHS



Wednesday 29

8:40 ～9:30 Join English Class ( OC１－8 )

10:00 Leave School for Mihara Senior High School

17:40 Arrive at School



Thursday 30 ?

8:40 ～　9:30 Rest

　 9:40 ～ 10:30 Calligraphy Class ( １－６) O.K.

10:40 ～11:30 Join English Class ( １－１　ＩＣⅠ)

11:40 ～12:30 Rest

　 13:15 ～14:05 International Studies O.K.

14:15 ～15:05 Rest

15:50 Club Activity(Tea Ceremony Club) O.K.

　

Friday October 1

7:00 Leave School for Hiroshima

18:00 Arrive at School



Saturday 2- Sunday 3

Day with host families



Monday 4

8:40 ～　9:30 Join English Class ( １－１　English Ⅰ)

9:40 ～ 10:30 Rest

10:40 ～11:30 Join English Class (２－３　MIC English WOC)

11:40 ～12:30 Questionnaire

　13:15 ～14:05 Music Class ( １－３) O.K.

14:15 ～15:05 Art Class (１－５) O.K.

18:00 Farewell Party at the Cafeteria



Tuesday 5

9:00 Leave School for Seishin Shopping Centre

(Students are to buy their own bus tickets.)

16:00 Arrive at School



Wednesday 6

6:00 Gather at School and Leave for Kansai International Airport

Konnichiwa!

Minnasan Konnichiwa!
Welcome to our Wanneroo Miki Exchange blog where you can join us on our journey to the land of the rising sun and back.  We look forward to sharing our amazing experiences with you!