Ichi Go, Ichi E

Dave and I looked at each other last Wednesday, and said how are we supposed to talk about this at the District Conference next June for 30 minutes??? We've been here 3 days, and could already talk for a week about the experience.

Our royal treatment continues unabated. Today we will be treated to a boat trip down the Aganogawa River. Last night we ate dinner at a local restaurant. At our orientation here the Gosen Rotary Club asked us what our favorite Japanese foods were. I mentioned Okonomiyakis in particular. They are mostly an Osaka-area favorite. Sure enough the restaurant had made everything that was on our list.

I have been attempting to politely warn the Japanese Rotarians here that we are much more casual in America. Their GSE team will be treated to a Western style barbeque not a 12 to 15 course feast. We laughed Friday night when we began counting just the drinks in front of us. I had 6 glasses of different drinks in front of me. Our counterparts will be lucky to have a glass of water to go along with their Coke. But observing each others culture is a large part of what we're doing, so even though the feasts won't be so grand, I know the Rotarians of 5510 will show just as much friendliness and hospitality as we're receiving here.

We've learned some amazing words and phrases since coming here. One phrase is Ichi Go, Ichi E. It's something of a proverb that we have no English equivalent for, but it's so appropriate for what we're doing. It fits a situation where you meet someone, and you know you have only a short time together. Ichi Go, Ichi E, is what lets you have a wonderful, amazing time together even though you know you may never see each other again. It completely takes the futility out of brief encounters and allows you to have tons of fun.

Another great word that Americans should have is: Nijikai. Ni is Two (2). And you can count as high as you want: 2-jikai, 3-jikai, 4-jikai, etc. Jikai is the counting word for party. It works like this. The other night we had a wonderful Japanese feast dinner party. That was party number 1. Then we went to a Karaoke bar and had nijikai--party number 2. Then we were taken out to KokoJun bar by two of the Rotarians--sanjikai--party number 3.

Thanks $525,310.23 (That's thanks a million after taxes) to District 5510 for sending us, and District 2560 for hosting us,
Dan