Day 6 (April 16th) 4 PM

We had quite the eventful day today! It started off with getting up early and leaving for Matsumoto city hall to meet the mayor of Matsumoto. We arrived a little early, so we walked across the street and took pictures of the cherry blossoms.

As we waited to see the mayor, we were reminded to sit straight, don't slouch, and speak clearly. We were also told to rise as he came into the room, as you would for the President.

The mayor was a very kind, funny gentleman. My teacher, Mr. Boiney introduced each of the 20-something students and teachers. The mayor asked us how we liked Matsumoto, and if we liked the food in Japan. Then we were invited to ask him questions, if we were so inclined.

Now, shortly before the mayor entered the room, a woman came over and spoke to Mr. Boiney in Japanese. He then told me that I was going to be interviewed by a reporter for TV! *gulp* There was also a photographer for the paper in the room, and there should be a picture in the paper tomorrow as well.


So, I think I did all right! The reporter asked me to say something about the 10-piano concert, and I said how this was my first time coming to Japan, and also my first 10-piano concert, but that I am practicing hard and looking forward to the concert very much. (I had to say this in several sentences, as someone had to translate it into Japanese.) But thankfully I didn't stutter or anything, and and it went just fine. :)

After we left city hall, Hanna and I and our homestay mother, along with two other students and their homestay mother walked across the street again towards Matsumoto Castle. It is simply amazing! We learned a lot about it, because Kyoko is in training to be a guide there, and she has to memorize it all in English! So she had many things to tell us about the castle. One thing to mention if you ever happen to visit it:

(If you can't read it, it says that the stairways rise at a steep 55 to 61 degree incline. "The stairs between the 4th and 5th floors are the steepest, with each step rising approximately 40 centimeters."

Yeah, yikes! Especially when you're wearing a dress. ;) You also have to remove your shoes before walking through the castle, but I guess that was a good thing for me, because I would have definitely killed myself climbing up those stars in heels.


There is much to say about the history of Matsumoto Castle, as it's been around for over 400 years. But I won't go into detail at the moment. ;)

One of the entrances.

Matsumoto Castle.

View of Matsumoto city from the 6th floor.

From the left, Kyoko; Our homestay mother, me, Hanna, Kristina, Kristen.

After our tour of the castle, we said "goodbye" to the two other students, and Hanna and our homestay mother and I went to a Soba restaurant for lunch. Soba is buckwheat noodles. It was quite good! At the restaurant, you have to take off your shoes and place them on a shelf before stepping onto the tetami (straw) mats.

We made one more stop before returning home...the 100 yen store! They sell pretty much everything there. So we bought a few things to bring back to the states with us. ;)

Back to practicing.....