Before we left Tokyo for our host cities we bid each other "ja, mata," see you later.  As we would temporarily leave our host family home for short trips we would say "ittemairimasu," I will go and come back.  But, on November 29, the time had come to say sayonara, goodbye.  Our final night in Tokyo included farewell speeches, a demonstration of Aikido, and a banquet.  On November 30, we departed Tokyo for home.  Through the magic of  the international date line, I landed in San Francisco on the morning of November 30 - I had arrived before I left Tokyo.  My ears perked up for immigration and customs instructions in a language not heard for 3 weeks, Spanish.  Yes, we were indeed back in the United States.

A Final Reflection

sunset over Mount Fuji

a final picture of the Matsuyama group

a final goodbye

a final look at Tokyo by night