Link to photos at Waseda

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=a51235e01e4e512d&id=A51235E01E4E512D%217912&authkey=!AJPx_tIBq1njANU Please use the above link to look at some photos from the Waseda stay. I am pleased to report that the home stay has ended well, although more than one mother had tears in their eyes as the Xavier students said goodbye. More to come shortly.

Studying the form guide. Sumo

First report.

Monday: After a long flight and a bumpy landing (due to a typhoon that struck Kyoto), we had finally reached our first destination and our home for the next few days, Tokyo. We made our way from Haneda Airport to our Ryokan Daimachi Bekkan via monorail and a series of trains. Once we had reached the local train station, Zac, our leader for the day, called for our bags to be collected and we then walked the streets of Tokyo to our residence.

Once we had settled in to our traditional accommodation, we decided to make our way to the Ginza district for a long awaited meal. We dined at a Japanese buffet with almost anything you could imagine, as well as BBQ's in the middle of the tables to cook our various meats. After filling our bellies with as much food as possible we wondered the Streets of the Ginza, admiring the many tall and bright buildings that surrounded us. We then made our way back home and got what we had all been longing for, sleep.


Tuesday: we woke up in traditional Ryokan and walked down to the tatami room with our kimonos on. Here, we ate a traditional Japanese breakfast with an assortment of different food. After breakfast we went to Asakusa to the Sensouji temple, where there was a long street of tourist shops that lead to a huge temple. After visiting Asakusa we caught the train to Akihabara. This is the major entertainment shop precinct in Tokyo, where there were jbhifi like stores that were at least 8 stories tall. We all had the lunch of our choice and then caught the train to Harajuku.

At Harajuku we visited the Meiji shrine which was at the end of the most tranquil tree lined path. Here, we were so close to the city and yet it was so peaceful and quiet. From here we walked to Takashita st. This was a lane way buzzing with youth and had so much energy. We then walked to Shibuya which had one of those intersections where people walk every direction at the same time. Seeing the chaos of the 'scramble' at peak hour was amazing. We walked around this area in small groups before going to a pork restaurant for dinner.

On way to ghibli

Lap tuatara

All in good spirits

Just to let you know we arrived in Japan well and in good spirits. We went out for yakiniku on the first night. Zac will write up in more detail shortly.

Gwyn McClelland

Sursum Corda for performing at Waseda

Rules for liquids, aerosols and gels...

To protect you from the threat of liquid explosives, there are rules for taking liquids, aerosols and gels on flights in and out of Australia. These rules also apply to passengers arriving on international flights who are transiting in Australia, and passengers travelling on the domestic leg of an international flight within Australia.


Snapshot

•The restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels apply to international flights to and from Australia, and to passengers on the domestic leg of an international flight within Australia.

•The restrictions limit the quantity of liquids, aerosols and gels passengers may take onboard the aircraft with them, including duty free liquids, aerosols and gels.

•The restrictions apply to products carried in the cabin of the aircraft by passengers. They do not apply to checked baggage carried in the hold of the aircraft. However, restrictions on dangerous goods still apply.

•Certain exemptions apply for medicines, medical products, medical devices, and baby products that you may need during the flight. Details of these exemptions are covered in the exemptions part of this site.

Passengers travelling on international flights from Australia need to be aware of the quantity limits for liquids, aerosols and gels that can be taken through a security screening point at the airport.



•Liquid, aerosol or gel products must be in containers of 100 millilitres/grams or less.

•The containers must be carried in one transparent, resealable plastic bag, like the one in the image below.

•The four sides of the bag's sealed area must add up to no more than 80 centimetres (e.g. 20x20 cm or 15x25 cm).

•The plastic bag must be the type that can be sealed and resealed with a sealing mechanism, like a sandwich bag or freezer bag.

•Only one bag is allowed for each passenger, with exceptions for carers who may carry the bag/s of the people in their care, including children.

•All containers must fit comfortably into the plastic bag and the bag must be sealed.

What to do in an earthquake

If you are indoors during an earthquake

Ensure you do the following if you are indoors during an earthquake:

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection.
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• DO NOT use the elevators.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

If you are outdoors during an earthquake

Ensure you do the following if you are outdoors during an earthquake:

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls.

If you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake

Ensure you do the following if you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake:

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If you are trapped under debris

Ensure you do the following if you are trapped under debris during or after an earthquake:

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move around or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

2013 Japan Study Tour

Late on the 15th September, 11 students and 2 teachers will head for Tullamarine to make the overnight trip to Japan via Hong Kong.  In 2010 the first Waseda homestay was a great success for a similar group from X College.  In 2013, the second group to visit Waseda will start their Tokyo stay in the Daimachi Bekkan, a ryokan in the middle of Tokyo.  After a few days of sightseeing and settling in, the group will finally arrive at this prestigious school.  おたのしみにしています！