The previous evening Maria had been showing signs of the cold/flu that had held Grant a bit sick for a couple of days. So it was no real surprise when she awoke with a headache and sore throat.
We were expecting some special guests that afternoon and the next morning, so the morning was dedicated to cleaning and general preparation.
Around 3:30 Keiko arrived with her mother Aibara-san. A strong, clever, well educated woman from a good family, she had been Maria's host mother for about 8 months of her stay when she
was 17, and we saw her several times during our 2-year stay. In the interim she had suffered a stroke, from which she had majorly recovered, but now was quite frail and living in a nursing home.
Aibara-san had come to join us for the "Cowra Kai" (the annual party concerning the Cowra-Seiki exchange program) as Maria's host mother, stay the night with us, and then return home to Ome in our company the next day.
It was a great pleasure seeing Aibara-san again, and she was also clearly happy to see Maria and us. Around 5pm we set-off for Seiki (the party's location), with Aibara-san's frailty dictating a slow pace. We were very proud of Zoe on this night - she supported, guided and helped Aibara-san all the way and throughout the night - showing her warm and generous heart. We arrived perfectly for the 5:30 start and were warmly ushered in as guests (an especial thanks to Keiko for the arrangements she had made in this regard).
The Cowra Kai was an enjoyable and interesting experience. We were well looked after, once again met many of the OBs (Old Boys - those who have gone before ... Or sempai ... Of course Maria is one of the OBs, but the first Keiji (a great guy) did his exchange in 1970 - so its all relative) that we knew from previous ocassions, and generally had a good time. Of course there were quite a few speeches. All previous exchange students had to make a speech in their 2nd language, including the new girl from Cowra. Of course Maria had to make a special one as guest of honour and did very well (she was very nervous). However Keiko's speech that followed was exceptional - not only for its demonstration of complete off-the-cuff control of English (she lived in Australia just 1 year, over 25 years ago) but for its great warmth and frankness. Without going into details it brought a tear to both our eyes.
We were expecting some special guests that afternoon and the next morning, so the morning was dedicated to cleaning and general preparation.
Around 3:30 Keiko arrived with her mother Aibara-san. A strong, clever, well educated woman from a good family, she had been Maria's host mother for about 8 months of her stay when she
was 17, and we saw her several times during our 2-year stay. In the interim she had suffered a stroke, from which she had majorly recovered, but now was quite frail and living in a nursing home.Aibara-san had come to join us for the "Cowra Kai" (the annual party concerning the Cowra-Seiki exchange program) as Maria's host mother, stay the night with us, and then return home to Ome in our company the next day.
It was a great pleasure seeing Aibara-san again, and she was also clearly happy to see Maria and us. Around 5pm we set-off for Seiki (the party's location), with Aibara-san's frailty dictating a slow pace. We were very proud of Zoe on this night - she supported, guided and helped Aibara-san all the way and throughout the night - showing her warm and generous heart. We arrived perfectly for the 5:30 start and were warmly ushered in as guests (an especial thanks to Keiko for the arrangements she had made in this regard).
The Cowra Kai was an enjoyable and interesting experience. We were well looked after, once again met many of the OBs (Old Boys - those who have gone before ... Or sempai ... Of course Maria is one of the OBs, but the first Keiji (a great guy) did his exchange in 1970 - so its all relative) that we knew from previous ocassions, and generally had a good time. Of course there were quite a few speeches. All previous exchange students had to make a speech in their 2nd language, including the new girl from Cowra. Of course Maria had to make a special one as guest of honour and did very well (she was very nervous). However Keiko's speech that followed was exceptional - not only for its demonstration of complete off-the-cuff control of English (she lived in Australia just 1 year, over 25 years ago) but for its great warmth and frankness. Without going into details it brought a tear to both our eyes.
Finishing at a fixed time, as these things so often do, we taxied home with Keiko and her mum as well as Akiko (an exchange student from the year after Maria and Keiko) and her husband. Even after the guests left and I flagged and begged off to sleep at 11:30 or so, Aibara-san kept talking to Maria, so happy was she to see her again and spend time with her.
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