Last day was a visit to Kansai University, which is the school my home university is affiliated with. Due to not having the classes I needed, I did not go there. But, it's a beautiful campus in a lively area.

But, before that, I have a lovely walk up to Kiyomizudera for the 3rd time to find my phone that was lost there probably. No, I didn't actually find it... but it was nice to sit there in the morning hours when no one was there. I then walked back to my professor's hotel even before everyone was up.

We headed to the university and took a tour around the school. My campus has a student body of 5000, Kansai has 50,000. That's terrifying. The campus is huge and in a beautiful area!

The whole gang, Kansai and BSU!

We watched a Kendo performance as well. Kendo literally means, the way of the sword. The same Do as in Dojo. (Long o sounds in all). Kendo is what samurai practice. In sport, instead of a katana, a bamboo sword is used. It's like a very loud, very terrifying fencing. It's as much a female sport as it is a male sport and there really is no age to start or stop. It takes years to master, literally. You have to wait ten years between each rank.

These two students started at the age of 5. They are 20 now.

It was sad to say good bye to everyone. I want to thank my professor Dr. To for showing my friend and I around! He really went the extra mile to make sure I was safe at my hostel, felt welcome with the group and truly runs an amazing study tour. He is a professor who is for the students! One of us! One of us! So thank you Dr. To! My honorary professor because I've never taken a class with you before.

Selfie with Dr. To!

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!

Everyone that works in an airport should be given a gold medal for being so helpful! I would have missed a flight in Tokyo had someone not helped me! Customs was quick too, not at all like America. 

Before going to school, we are staying with our host families. I am staying with the Sadatomi family and they are so very nice! My Japanese is better than I thought, but still not very good. Luckily I am a master at charades! 

I love Japanese baths. It was a perfect way to relax after the long flight. Very warm and calming. 

Slippers! Bathroom slippers too! Never wear shoes in the house, take them off inside and wear slippers. I like this idea, so the house doesn't get dirty.

Today [3/22/2014] we went to see a katana smith and a demonstration. Each katana he made took two weeks to complete and cost on estimate 55,000 US dollars! The demonstration consisted of teachers slicing straw mats. I tried, but it didn't go through all the way. A katana isn't nearly as heavy as some European swords.