Cay Ecklund

hen Jim asked the ambassadors to write about a memorable experience on this exchange, I wondered which of a hundred fabulous memories I would choose. I knew that it would be difficult to pick only one moment out of the two and one-half wonderful weeks of the exchange.

My first thought was the incredible beauty of the cherry blossoms that framed every vista of lovely Taketa City. After the morning wandering the ruins of Oka Castle (three rolls of film), we explored more of the city, and climbed to the top of Taisho Park (more film). Just as our host Kazumori Tsuzuki had promised, everything was "ten minutes walk" from downtown. 

But as an avid fan of Japanese gardening, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of a private temple garden. Not open to the public, our hosts’ friendship with the priest gave us access to a beautifully serene garden centered on a large pond. The subtle shades of green were punctuated with clouds of pink—more of the exquisite cherry blossoms. The panoramic photo I took does only partial justice to the lovely scene.

At the top of any list of best memories, of course, is the unforgettable kindness and generosity of the people. Kasumori and Reiko went far out of their way to make sure that we saw and did everything that would make a very memorable home stay. From koto lessons to calligraphy and dried flower arranging, we tried everything they had planned. They arranged for us to spend an afternoon with Mihoko Anan, who had been my wonderful hostess during the 1993 exchange to Taketa City.

Second week hosts Hideki and Setsuko Suzumoto lived up to the tradition of gracious hospitality I have learned is universal among the Japanese people. Not only did they provide us with more wonderful memeories, but we became fast friends during the week we spent in their home. 

No matter how lovely the scenery or majestic the ancient shrines, it is the people and culture that create the most memorable moments. Our first weekend in Matsuyama, we took an unforgettable drive out on the Sadamisaki Peninsula. This spit of land is so narrow that in some places we could see the Pacific Ocean on one side of the car and, with a turn of our heads, see the Seto Inland Sea on the other. Hillsides of heavy-laden orange trees and small villages apparently unchanged for centuries lined the highway to the farthest west point in Shikoku.

But "The Moment" was waiting at a charming seafood restaurant near the tip of the peninsula. While enjoying the ocean view, we ordered mixed seafood for lunch. The grill in the middle of the low table was ready, and I was certain I would enjoy more of the wonderful fresh seafood that we just can’t get in Nebraska. That was a colossal understatement. When our lunch arrived, it was a platter of live scallops, abalone, mussels, and other delights that had just been plucked from their live holding tanks. These creatures were popped onto the grill, where they sizzled and sputtered, until--done just right--they made up the freshest seafood I have ever had. (Even the shashimi I had enjoyed earlier was at least motionless on the platter.) I asked Jim what he was thinking as I snapped the photo. "I wish they would hurry up and die so I could eat then," he replied. 

We were treated like the princes that used to live at beautiful Matsuyama Castle for the rest of our stay. We soaked in hot springs, saw the Emperor’s private suite at the historic Dogo Hot Spring, walked through ankle-deep cherry blossoms, and wined and dined like royalty. We learned that the American phrase "casting pearls before swine" has a Japanese counterpart in "giving money to cats." However, I don’t think I will ever forget the freshest seafood lunch I have ever enjoyed in my life. 

Through the modern marvel of the internet, we will stay in touch with all the wonderful new friends we made, proving again that "A world of friends is a world of peace."