When they found out that what I liked most about Japan was the old style architecture and the history along with the shrines and temples, they paid for me to visit Kyoto.  I was offered my favorite food every day – yakitori, took me out for my favorite sushi and sashimi on frequent occasions and even to play pachinko! It was amazing how even the simplest word from me such as "yokatta!" when I was asked if the food was too my liking caused his mother's eyes to light up. Indeed I had a wonderful time there and it was further compounded when on the day of my departure I was presented with a Kimono and a pair of geta of my own (which they had custom made at considerable expense as my feet were larger then those of the average Japanese).  

On my final night I wrote a short note to them, that I asked my friend to translate for me, so I could give it to them stating how I felt inside and that I wished that there was some way I could repay them for their kindness. All they asked was for me to look after their son while he was in the UK and to make sure that he worked hard at his studies. He had a tendency to be lazy and had failed his courses numerous times. However at their request I did my best to help Daisuke with his studies and this year he graduated and has returned to Japan for good. I feel sad at the loss of my friend of seven years as he was like a brother to me regardless of the fact that we were not blood related, but at the same time I am gratified to know that I have repaid back his parents, even in the smallest possible way.  It brings tears to my eyes even now as I remember back those days, probably the happiest of my life so far. (Related article:  An exchange student recounts the scenes of Japan)

When I had first told my Western friends of my intentions to go to Japan the remarks I heard were not positive. "Japanese people don't like foreigners". "They're all racist over there". I did not let these deter me from my goal and I'm glad I did not. It is true that I was stared at quite a lot but as I stayed in a small town away from the city (Gifu) I soon realized it was not hostility but simply curiosity at seeing someone who was different. I also visited Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka and everyone was more then friendly towards me. I think it is sad that so many of us (people from the West) have these pre-conceptions of life in Japan. I clearly remember a family friend saying to me that she did not like Japanese people because she viewed them as "mean and disgusting people". Of course I took great exception to this remark as I have a very large network of friends who are Japanese and I find them to be a very kind, polite and gentle people (once again, looking at what you yourself are doing with your web page shows this to me). She then went on to say she felt this way because of Japan's actions during the war. I then asked did she hold what happened all those years ago against the younger generation of today who had no control over events and indeed who she had no right to blame for an event that clearly had fault on both sides. And she couldn't answer that.