Animoto video

Just thought I'd try out Animoto to create a few brief videos of the trip.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Hakata Station Mall

This place had it all.

Shopping Mall in Saga

Twenty years ago, one of the sights to see in Saga City was the Arcade, a collection of small shops inside a covered sidewalk. These days it is a little sad and derelict. It feels a little off the beaten path. According to a few people I spoke with, the new malls on the outside of town are attracting all the business.

After a light lunch I headed to the shopping center, Aeon, to check it out. It was indeed very bright and the goods were vigorously presented. Here are just a few shots:

A loud and chaotic store - like Hot Topic

Kimono shop

Grocery Store

Oooo - Fireworks

Youth clothes in the Aeon Store

Many thanks to Dr. Sumi

I would just like to make a public thank you to Kazuhiro Sumi for helping to connect me with schools in the Saga area and making so many excellent suggestions. He was very generous with his time and his insights will guide my next steps for both Study Abroad and for research.

From the left: Myself, Haruka (10), Kazuhiro, and Hiroko

Na Washi Paper

After visiting the school for the day, we popped into the Na Washi Paper shop a couple of miles up the road.

Matsuume Middle School

Great things come in small packages.

Prefectural Offices

I visited the Saga Prefectural offices today on an important mission to sort out a possible Study Abroad program.

Saga Government Building

The people from the International Affairs Division (IAD), the Saga Coordinator for International Relations (CIR), and the Saga Prefecture International Relations Association (SPIRA) were all very helpful. We worked out housing needs and processed the details for getting 10 to 12 students on Home Stays. We were even able to work out the best dates and times for such an adventure.

Clockwise from upper left: Eguchi Takamachi (SPIRA), me, Tsutumi Shogo (Section Chief), Ms. Ita (IAD), Hana Lee (CIR Canada), and Yukiko Koga (IAD)

There is a great deal to work out to keep the price affordable for such a trip and to make it enjoyable for the students. We also worked on details for renting a mini-bus, going to an onsen (spa), visiting local schools, and other details.