Monday, Julg w1, 2025 - School Nurse International - first full dayday

 I slept well and really e joyed a large breakfast buffet in the hotel: country potstoes, banana pieces, noodles m spring rolls., and coffee latte. The 8 am shuttle brought us back to the Kogen. We had time to greet friends from yesterday and meet new friends, find a table in a large room with wall to ceiling windows with a view of the forested area around the hotel.

The conference chair spoke to the theme of caring for children from diverse cultures and settings. I toom notes, for she had some good points to share. Our next speaker was a pediatrician who has had lengthy experience working in African communities to build up support for health promotion in locals setings. His sights were motivating.  A third presentation described working styles called North, South,  East, and West. With descriptors of each we were asked to assess ourselves and then consider positives and  negatives of each as well as  traits of other groups which would and would not work well with our group. I wish that presentation gone into more depth.

We visited a poster session, a room filled with posters, each of which described some school health related  research conducted in Japan.

It was lunch time and we were given an clear plastic container filled with a variety of Japanese yummies such as sushi, meatball, rice ball covered with seaweed, etc.

The afternoon was filled with a field trip. First, half our number, about 50, received a taiko drumming lesson. It was loud, not simple at all, and fun. Next we were treated to a complete kimono session.  We selected the yukata and waistband. And several women dressed us with those and other pieces. We looked lovely.  In them we walked the resplendent former residence of a prince and princess.  We passed gardens with very large blossoms on the flowers, even in this heat. We next briefly watched and participated in  calligraphy,. After that we participated in some of the rituals of a tea ceremony and drank some hot matcha. It was a memorable afternoon.

Supper was at a buffet restaurant on the hotel grounds. Walking in a square around the kitchen we selected from American, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean offerings.  Conversations were lively, and Lea and I had o ly a short wait for our 9 pm bus. 

It was a full day, and tomorrow's schedule indicates a day even fuller. 


  

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