News
Sakaide Student Visit
Day
One July 25, 2008: upon arrival we had a welcome ceremony at City
Hall with most of the Sausalito
City Council, our City Manager, Adam Politizer and other
city officials and staff. . We
had roughly 35 residents including host families who came
to watch the students get a an official welcome from
Mayor
Belser. We then had them take their first English
class and we talked about money.
We
then went out on Five Stars Yacht for 3 hours with lunch. We
showcased the Golden Gate Bridge and our open
waterfront. it was windy so they bundled up
and we have some photos to show how windy it was. Nobody
got sea sick and we had a nice evening with our
home/host families...
Day
Two Saturday: Students watched an International Regatta of rowing
boats from a restaurant called Horizons on our Sausalito
waterfront. We were hosted that day by the owner, Bob
Freeman, of Horizons and he provided a hearty breakfast
for everyone. Then the group went to Berkeley for the
kite festival or sky ballet as they call it, the wind
was not too gusty but the students had fun while eating
corn on the cob and ice cream. The day was particularly
warm so some got a bit sunburned.
Saturday
night we all went out to Darios for pizza and we took
over the top of the restaurant. We had 49 people that
night and the students starting to have fun with each
other.
Day
Three: Sunday a group of the male host families took the
students to the
Giant's game in San
Francisco by ferry boat. They had fun at the game
and they came to the host family of The Sister City
Program President, SUSAN Roe and husband, THOMAS Clarks'
Home for a block party with hula hoop contest with
prizes, and AYAKA Mino was declared a title of #1..
Day
Four: Monday
the students had their first class at Sausalito POTTERY and their
first dance class at Stage Dor Dacne Stuido abd
Doree Clark got them showing off their usic takents. We had a
warm dinner at Feng Nain and we had 47 people
in attendance. We had D'George come and sing Happy
Birthday to Naoya and Fumi, we had them wear blinking
necklaces and they wore funny hats...we laughed.
Day
Five: Tueday they went rock building on the Sausalito waterfront,
host family EV Gilbreath's idea and a popular one.
They had lunch at Caffe Picclo overlooking Yee
Tock Chee Park. Then more pottery and
dancing. Tonight we have a special dinner in San
Francisco at www.Sozai.com
Japanese restaurant. They are closed on Tuesday nights
but opened especially for the Sakaide-Sausalito student
exchange program. The master chef, owner Mari and
her husband Gil Payne were fantastic hosts We
feasted on a very nice menu. Mari also teaches Japanese cooking. Her husband, Gil
Payne, is a strong Rotarian and supporter of the
program..
Day
Six: Wednesday a group of 27 went to Marine World
organized by Jeanne Freiedel and Anita Wong.
The evening was a Lion's Club
International dinner meeting.
Day
Seven: Thursday was a day of pottery and dance lessons plus English.
The Sakaide chaperones hosted a small dinner at Sushi Ran
and
the other host families made a variety of plans with
the students.
Day
Eight: Friday
we had a full day
in San Francisco with lunch and then our special
visit to the Japanese Consulate, Mr. Nagamine gave
a speech and Mr. Takuda welcomed the students and
explained the main functions of the Consulate. We did
some San Francisco sight seeing then back to Sausalito
so the students can get ready for the jazz concert.
We have the students who came to Sakaide last year
working this night as this is a fundraising event for
our Sister City Program. Yoshi Tome is provided sushi..
Last
Day: Saturday was an open day with the students, some host families
made plans for San
Francisco shopping, others did a variety of
other activities. Some of the
gals got their fingernails done and toes
painted....then we ended to the farewell dinner at the Bay
model. Mr. Nagamine and his wife came out to bid
the students farewell. Mayor Belser spoke and we
acknowledged those who worked so hard. At the top of the
list is Elizabeth Todd-Gallardo who shopped, diced,
sliced and cooked. We had some karaoke and many tears.
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