Japan Trip GSNS: Last day at Gifu

Last day in Gifu.

After our final leisurely breakfast with the grand view we then quickly packed our bags and used the remainder of the time to go play on the rivers edge and appreciate nature. We saw some fish in the river, golf balls on the shore and lots of stones to throw. We could’ve almost been in NZ with the beautiful scenery, warm pleasant temperature, clear green flowing river and good company. It was a nice feeling of something familiar that made us all happy.

Upon arriving to school we were whisked away to participate in a tea ceremony. There were many routines and traditions to follow and our hosts were very good leading us through it. We were very pleased it was the much shorten version of the ceremony as it can go on for over an hour. We tried a sweet and some tea which were unusual.

Then it was our turn to give back to share some of our NZ culture. Over the next two hours we taught groups how to play Octopus which was a challenge when you can’t explain in Japanese. We must’ve been successful because everyone wanted to play it at lunch time and while most of the GSNS kids wanted to play dodge ball they were asked to organise Octopus.

We also did some titi torea and a waiata with actions. The titi torea sticks were enjoyed by the children and we taught them some great moves. The last group was a nice easy quiet group colouring in kowhaiwhai patterns. The GSNS children were the tutors and got better and better at teaching with each new group. Some of the children swapped groups to teach another as it got very hot outside. It was great to see the sharing, tutoring and fun had by both sides.

Somewhat apprehensive the GSNS children then joined a class for lunch, wondering if they would be eating or not depending on what was served. But first let's tell you a little about lunch times. During class time desks are all facing the front in their own space, so no group desks. At lunch time desks are slid across the wooden floor to be joined together or put in a giant circle for eating.

All children get a meal provided, and they just have to bring their own chopsticks. The children take turns at being food monitors and put on aprons and masks to serve the food as well as leading the class in what is like grace. After eating we saw the junior children brush their teeth. They then put dishes away in a trolley and the trolley is taken down to the kitchen area.

So how well did our GSNS children eat at lunch time we hear you ask? Well let's just say they were very surprised and pleased to see that a piece of KFC had been slipped onto their plates amongst the traditional Japanese foods.

Play and duties, then into the afternoon where we were farewelled in the same fashion as we were welcomed in, with the school waving us goodbye.

Our bus trip went quickly. About 3 hours later after everyone's electronics were drained, we arrived in a sprawling Osaka. We had a slight panic as they had no record of our booking at the hotel but soon sorted out (heart stopping moment for Miss Hill and Ms Spencer). We dumped our bags, grabbed our wallets and cameras and headed into the giant cube next door which was simply the most amazing aquarium ever! You started at the top and made like a slow spiral down to the bottom.
On your way you see the most fantastic sea creatures like, a huge whale shark, a hammerhead sharks, sting rays, dolphins, seals, penguins, sea otters, spider crabs, the grooviest looking jellyfish, a chilled giant turtle and the craziest looking fish you'll ever see and so much much more.

The children made the comment that they liked this aquarium much better because there seems to be so much more space for the sea life. AND do you know what else we saw in the aquarium? A sloth. I know crazy right? What would a sloth be doing in an aquarium? Well not much from what we could see - hence we are guessing where the word sloth comes from.

Darkness was upon us so it was time to grab a bite to eat before attempting the giant ferris wheel which would show how big Osaka really is (19 million people live here).

Just when we thought eating in Japan couldn't get any more exciting, especially after sushi bars with moving plates and make your own sushi restaurants, we found something else that was fun to eat - Okonomiyaki.

Okonomiyaki is what they call a type of Japanese pancake but that is misleading as it is made out of mainly cabbage and egg with some potato plus a meat of your choice. So tonight children had cooked cabbage and they loved it! The fun part was not the cabbage, thought Ms Spencer and Miss Hill were secretly pleased to see a good dollop of veges going into kids mouths, but the fact that it was cooked in front of you on the grill that was in the middle of the table. The servings were huge and no-one managed to eat their whole serving.

To finish off another wonderful day we all sat back and relaxed in a carriage on the ferris wheel as it took us up very high to show us the wonderful lights of Osaka city.