Wonderful Day!!

The day, 8, August, was like a dreamy day! In the morning, we took the bus to Baltimore and drop in American Visionary Art Museum. The art drawn by OCD person was really interesting. Then we ate lunch at INNER HARBOR where many Otaku gathered to attend Otacon. We took pictures with some of them. Then we rode on Water Taxi and enjoyed pedal boating. The pedal boating was really hard but enjoyable! After that, we played card games and headed for baseball stadium. It was one of my dreams to watch major league baseball game. I was really excited to watch real major baseball game!!! So, I took so many pictures. This game is never forgettable. I wanted to stay there forever!! We were really tired, so most of us fell asleep in the bus. This is the most memorable day!!

IDB

We went to the Inter-American Development Bank. The lunch in the building was very cheap and good! After the lunch, Japanese employees of the bank gave us a fascinating lecture about their work. Then we were allowed to enter the conference room where the governors of the bank gather and held conference. I want to be there someday!

New News Museum

Yesterday, we went to the Newseum, where many historical objects are exhibited and some movies about news history are shown. There were many spot we can learn about media and news history. Especially, I was riveted to the spot where the objects of 9.11 were exhibited. Even now, I can’t believe such disaster occurred. I saw lots of newspapers concerning impacts of 9.11. These newspapers taught me the real impacts of the terrorism on America. And I also watched one short movie. This movie was composed of some interviews on eyewitness of the attack. This movie was really moving. The message from a girl who is looking for her father was told me the real sadness of the tragedy. I can’t imagine how they were bowed by grief. I wish such disasters could never happen forever. Then I walked around China town and enjoyed dinner. After dinner, we went back to the College Park and played billiards with Mike. We all enjoyed a lot. But I have to say sorry to Mike for kept him so late. Thank you Mike!!

Shopping at Pentagon City

Yesterday, I went shopping again. This time, some members were tired of shopping, so they stayed at College Park, others went Pentagon City (including me). Despite the members went shopping were only 9, there were 5 English speakers, because Joe brought his tow friends, Junior and Koran.

Lunch with Japanese learners

We met with some students of the University of Maryland who are studying Japanese. We were split into groups, and each group enjoyed lunch with them. My group included high school students. We talked about our hobbies and school life. Since they talked at a very quick pace, it was hard to understand the whole contents they talked. But I think, actually I hope, the communication succeeded! We could know each other very well. Then we played billiards and bowling together with another group. The games were very exciting! It was really precious experience that I can communicate with people who have the same purpose as we have.

Tour from Alexandria to Georgetown

Yesterday, we went to Alexandria and Georgetown. Sky was so clear! At Alexandria, first, we went into chapel where the Sunday mass was held. We saw the mass and took a lot of pictures. This experience was really precious for me. After the mass, we went shopping and lunch. The restaurant where we ate lunch seemed rich! So the dishes were very delicious. Then we had boat cruising to Georgetown. The boat cruising was really comfortable and fine!!! In Georgetown, we went shopping again. There were many famous shops we’ve seen in Japan. I bought a short-sleeved shirt. We enjoyed a lot. Finally we went dinner. I ate Singaporean noodle at Chinese restaurant. The dish was too spicy to eat, but I managed to eat the whole of dish! Then we went back to QI and went to bed so quickly. Since we covered very long distance, we were really tired.

First Post from Maryland

Hi, my name is Masatoshi. I live in Yokohama in Japan. I’m a freshman of the Aoyama Gakuin University. My major is international communication. I’m studying very hard at the University. I’m participating in this program because I want to improve my English skills and know the American culture. This trip is my first trip abroad, so I was a little bit nervous at first. But now I’m very excited to come to such a comfortable place! My first impression of America is everything is bigger than Japan. For example, the road is broad and the University is very large like a small town, and foods are really big size! Although the taste is good, it is always hard to eat all of them. Anyway, I’ll enjoy this program!