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Once again we have made our way from Toyokawa to Cupertino to help out at the Cherry Blossom Festival. |
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For the second year in a row we have set up a tent to promote Toyokawa and the Sister City relationship and were kindly assisted in this effort not only by former student dele... er... ambassadors, but by some of their families, too! |
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At times, such as you see here mid-day on Sunday, nary a soul stopping by to see our tent. |
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And at other times, a surprising array of dignitaries paid a visit to our
humble space. Cupertino Mayor Kris Wang. |
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California Congressman Michael Honda. Stopping by for a chat and a cup of green tea. |
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Looking at a map of Japan. Pointing out where Toyokawa is and pointing out where his wife's home region of Kyushu is. |
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And never far away, a crowd of reporters there to interview the congressman, teacup still in hand. |
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And how is said tea served? First it was made in a large jug and cooled. Many thanks to Alan and Marge Taniguchi not only for the use of their jugs and cooler, but their posters, maps and tent as well! |
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Then the tea was placed in a pitcher with ice cubes before being served in plastic cups. Also available, peanuts and a type of Japanese rice cracker known in Japanese as "kaki-no-tane." |
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Explaining to passersby about the sister city program can be "ruff" work. |
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Members of this year's student delegation to Toyokawa asked to come over near our tent following their appearance onstage at the amphitheater. |
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Starting this year each member is given a proclamation of appointment from the city council and signed by the mayor. |
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Other notable friends and acquaintances stopped by our booth: The chaperones of last year's student delegation stop by to say hi, |
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and Tani's best friend from high school, now living in San Francisco stops by for the afternoon on Sunday. |
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And some pleasant surprise visits. A former student delegate from way back
in 1986 stops by with his son (a future student ambassador someday, perhaps?)
and introduces himself. And unfortunately not pictured, but deserving of mention, the parents and sister of a former Monta Vista choir member who visited Toyokawa in 2003. |
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And last, but certainly not least, yours truly pictured here with a former student delegate assisting us at our booth, together with his father & sister (Hmm, another possible future student ambassador? Time will tell.) |
