Day 26 | Goodbye Osaka. Farewell party. Back to Gobo.

Ladies and gentlemen, the time had come to say goodbye to Osaka and the Lions Youth Camp in Japan 2015. We spent 10 days together (9 in my case) and had lots of fun visiting amazing sightseeing in southern Japan and at the same time learned more about Japanese culture and people. Those 9 days passed quickly but were full of activities and no one could complain. The same problem again was getting to know each other better or the best just at the time when we have to leave everyone. There is no medicine for that except for travelling and we can thank the good time and memories that stayed with us. While writing this I also revived our journeys from almost a year ago and got plenty of nice messages of people thanking me for the posts. I hope you all enjoyed reading the text so far and now we have to put the last piece of puzzle together.

The long and fun journey with the Youth Camp

With the Lions Youth Camp we had been travelling to a new place almost every day changing the hotels and our rooms every night. So far we had spend a few days in Osaka where we had the opportunity to learn Bon-odori and participate at the festival, experience Zazen meditation (and how hard can the priest hit you in the shoulder with the wooden stick), jumping tournament at one high school, to spend an unforgettable day at the Universal Studios Japan (and visited Hogwarts, hooray) and lastly participating in the final evening of the famous Tenjin Matsuri Festival which is the most important festival of Osaka Kansai region wearing kimono and wooden footwear on a ferry ride after green tea ceremony. All of that only in Osaka! I am really thankful and happy for everything I have experienced there.

But our journeys took us as well to the symbolic city of the destruction and consequences of using the nuclear weapons in the Second World War – Hiroshima. After visiting the Peace Memorial Centre and sights the path led us Miyajima Shrine – one of the Three most scenic sites of Japan for the last couple of centuries. The rest of the days we spent waddling around the southern area of Kansai region, in the mountains and on the coast of Wakayama Prefecture. We had the opportunity to visit other famous sightseeing such as Koyosan-Okunoin temple, the big Kongobuji temple with an extra fun time in the traditional hotel with the local "Aragogs" (Harry Potters fans will know) from the garden who wanted to read the stories with us before going to sleep. We enjoyed the day swimming in the warm ocean at the Shirahama White Beach, one of the most famous beaches of Japan, having the same night fireworks and karaoke evening back at the hotel.

Travelling further more through the area of Wakayama we paid a visit to the temple of Dojo-ji, one of the oldest and most famous in that part of Japan. And my favourite place from the neighbourhood where I felt almost like at home. After listening to the stories of Kiyohime & Anchin and eating the cakes of Mr Ishikura's restaurant we spent the rest of the day at Inunakiyama Onsen (hot springs) having an unique and unforgettable experience of the ascetic practice under the waterfall and later on dinner in the traditional hotel plus the chance to go for a shower in the room with other guys jumping around naked. So much diverse experience that not many had a chance to have. However, let's go now for the last activities and learning again how to cope with the "Breaking of the Fellowship".

The last day and the farewell party were a bit of a surprise to me as I expected something else but when thinking now of everything I would say it was a good decision as otherwise things would have been even harder then they should be.

The day before and waking up

The day before we returned from the Tenjin Matsuri and tried to hang out a little bit more before going to sleep. That was our last night spending together at the hotel and some of the Japanese Camp members had to leave us already. Before sleep we received some more presents from our Japanese Lions Club and camp organisers – a book about Hiorshima called "The Spirit of Hiroshima" published by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Centre. This also included a map of Hiroshima with photographs and the info-graphics of the consequences of the bombing. The book is in both English and Japanese and I highly recommend it for you buy or get one. I was reading it back in Croatia in summer and can say it's really of good quality. If you love things about Hiroshima and everything that had happened in the WW2 then this is a book for you.

Before sleep I pack all of my stuff and took some more photos from the window both from my room and of my friends on the other side. Ah, Osaka, soon is going to be only "something that once happened in July 2015" but I did not stop there. I was reading a bit everything I took that day in the city regarding pamphlets and what we were given during the festival. I could not believe I had kimono and geta lying on my bed and were going to bring them back to Croatia. And do not forget all the other things I gathered and got as presents from numerous friends in Japan and from the campers. I was coming back home with 30 kilograms in my luggage and hoped it was not going to open or collapse in the plane. I felt like Bilbo Baggins at the end of the Hobbit when the dragon was slayed, Erebor was retaken and he returned back to his modest home with a real treasure from "the other side of the Middle-Earth". His armour and mithril vest were my kimono and plenty of other things.

I woke up around 7 a. m. and was soon prepared with all my stuff. I had a bit problems now with bringing so many things I received during the camp period and worried if they could all fit into my bag. I also took the night covers and other free stuff from the hotel room back to Croatia as a souvenir. The most important thing is that it has something Japanese written on it and represents a symbolic value.

We gathered for the breakfast half an hour later and enjoyed the diverse menu. We had to use the coupons at the entrance and I used the chance to talk to some people I had had not much chance before which proved to be great and could feel only sorry about not doing anything before. But that always happens at the end of the trips. The breakfast room was looking pretty comfortable and nice with several round tables enabling guests to sit towards each other in groups and several of the long squared once where I went to. We had had almost in every hotel so far a buffet with diverse options to choose which I found to be great. The already prepared meal was awaiting us only in the two traditional hotels where it was the goal to try something special and local.

But now... I guess you do not care much about how much rice I put into my place and which sauce I also used so let's go to the main thing.

Leaving for Taikoken. The breaking of the fellowship continues.

The bags were downstairs at the lobby and the bus was waiting for us outside. However, not all of us were continuing our journey to the next activity and the farewell party. Four of the campers had to stay at the hotel before they got picked up by their host families. And all four of them joined the camp later. There was even one more girl from the US before who spent 2-3 days with us and then left. She did not choose to go to the camp back when filling the applications but it was allowed to her to spend some time with us and see what it is like. Personally, an exchange without going to the youth camp feels a bit empty, especially knowing there was a group of people who met and were having fun around while you just stayed at the same place, a bit boring, would not you say?

We took the last selfies through the bus window. Time to more forward! Our next destination was one field where we were supposed to work on. No one had quiet any idea what it was going to be about but here is what happened.

On the local highway through Osaka. Enjoying the urban landscape

It took us about 15-20 minutes till we reached our spot which appeared to be somewhere in the satellite towns close to the centre of Osaka but still seemed to be much more peaceful and with less noise. And definitely with less skyscrapers, if any were there. As always I had my camera prepared I doubted we were going to have another chance and the luxury of going through Osaka and seeing its neighbourhoods, streets, skyscrapers and parks once again. Waiting no more than a second I grabbed my smartphone and digital camera and spent the whole ride taking pictures of the city. There is also a video of the ride when we were going through the district with numerous huge buildings and skyscrapers towards the bridge into this smaller area. That was something I had seen only in the films before. And now was acting in one!

I will let you enjoy the photographs. There is only only a few things I would comment here. You will notice how those highways are pretty broad and also above the floor for 2 or even 3 floors difference for almost the whole time. Another thing is (might be visible better from the video) that the highway go over and under each other many times. I was just amazed with the size of all of that how the Japanese constructed and built all of that, how this huge system worked. We do not have such buildings and kinds of transport in Croatia in our cities. I guess when just looking at the video and everything you could see there (the skyscrapers and the area) it probably had a bigger population than the whole Croatia. Just in 2 minutes of a video ride. Crazy.

Though we had sun now for the last day without clouds covering the sky I still felt the whole area with the gigantic architecture (for my standards) a bit cold. Luckily was sunny as with the clouds and during the grey days it also seems a bit like a grave and spooky. Maybe just my opinion, what do you think?

Another thing you are going to notice and I a few pictures of it are the sudden change and pretty clear difference between the poor and the rich. I was shocked when I saw one neighbourhood with numerous shops and "ordinary small people" with some buildings destroyed or in a pretty bad shape where one could guess not many people with much money lived. Though there were also a few times places as a construction site but it looks ugly from above. I know, there is no help until it is done and looks nice but still... The construction sites close to the highway were surrounded with numerous smaller buildings and apartments that suggest lower living standards. And yet, just right behind them was the tower of some corporation or any other building that looked like it had owners with money. The rich and the poor in one scene. Besides that those parts that were destroyed just felt like a damage or a hole in the painting of the urban landscape.

When checking the photos again I would say the problem with the architecture here, the skyscrapers in particular, is that most of them do not look like that much creative or diverse when it comes to the windows and the facade. If I was to draw them quickly it would be a typical, a bit boring and cold, raster of the density drawn horizontal and vertical lines. Because it all looked pretty much the same with thousands of the same-looking windows it gave it a feel of monumental but also the coldness of the megalopolis.

However, I enjoyed the views where the highway was really several floors above the road down there and right next to the residential buildings. I could have almost seen in details the interior through the opened windows. And the best was behind in the streets where again it all looked pretty modest with hundreds of cables above the road, here and there a McDonald's sign.

Another case was passing above the avenues which gave the openness to the city and the greenery united with the greyish and bluish colours of the architecture. Here the scenery did not seem to be cold at all. What you will also see is there are many bridges for pedestrians going over the road which I find to be excellent with both avoiding the danger of crossing the road and slowing down the traffic.

Definitely some of the the most interesting views were also over the river bridges where you would enjoy the scenery of the river in the centre, parks with trees on the both side of the river bank and the skyscrapers around. That was another „typical Japanese“ view for me.

Alright, soon we approached some old-looking iron bridge where one could see clearly how the erosion was affected by the presence of the sea and the rust as its effect. We were leaving the area of the Skyscrapers and I stopped documenting saving the battery for later.

Agricultural experience and fun with food and water pistols

I am not sure where this place was exactly but it does not mater much anyway. We stopped by some parking lot and found ourselves in the area with smaller buildings, looking half residential with some houses nearby and lots of plantations and fields of importance for the local agriculture.

I forgot to mention we were asked to bring a towel, flip flops, shorts or/and the bathing clothes. I actually missed that part. Still had my yellow straw hat and this time did not forget to put on some sunscreen. As what followed would probably turn me once again into a potato.

We reached some open field or a relatively small plantation which had some vegetables and our task was in the following two hours to help get rid of the weed that was usurping the terrain. This proved to be a pretty tough job as there were at least 15-20 rows about 40-50 meters long to be proceeded. And it was getting really damn hot. Even while standing there and listening to the explanation of our task I was sweating like in hell. Everyone was smart enough to wear at least white t-shirts.

The field was closed from two-three sides with some other white buildings (maybe facilities) and to our side, the eastern one, were the shadows. And here the camp organisers prepared several tables serving us with the fresh cold water and juices, were baking the corn and other meat for the hungry workers and also brought some water pistols. Now you understand why they noted to bring some bathing cloths, flip flops or anything that could go wet without regretting it.

As you can expect there was the part of the squad (and it was not difficult to bet which people were that going to be) who barely touched the vegetation and worked but rather took the water pistols, the towels and started shooting at every close by. I really did not plan to get wet that day and could easily get annoyed when I do not want to have this kind of fun so I came up with a quick strategy to protect myself (as did the others as well) – quickly pull out the camera and the smartphone and that was enough. No one was of course going to damage the electronics and thus the group of us, party-breakers, remained safe.

I tried to help with the weed and did several meters of a few rows but the progress was so slow and it took time to clean the vegetables from the annoying weed. Plus, as we came there about 9 a. m. and were stay until about 11 the earth was a bit wet at some parts which was another extra thing to pay attention to. Not to mention the guys who were sipping the water all around from the bottles or the water pistols. After about 25 minutes of working practically everyone gave up and said „Okay, that was enough for today“. Several cups of cold water were a true refreshment and the baked corn made me jump somewhere on the meadow and sleep.

We might have even left earlier than planned. Most of the food disappeared and a few bottles of drink left after the whole camp with the organisers (about 35-40 of us) attacked the tables with our mouths. What one could also notice here were the airplanes flying relative low above our heads to the point one could see them clearly and what they looked like. I guess there was an airport close by.

Besides jumping around and trying not got get hit we spend our time chatting and joking about everything and also were a bit evil by using the ice cubes and putting someone in the shirt from behind. It is always fun to watch the others scream and jumping around swearing (and especially the Japanese) in their mother tongues... but at the same time you hate it when they do it to you.

Alright, we were really a true "hard workers" and were now told to go back to the bus. We picked up all the trash we had left into the plastic bags and boxes and carried them to the bus. I found at least to be good in teaching how to be responsible and everyone did their part.

Sitting back in the bus that was pretty hot and waited to move on.

Back to the hotel and preparations for the farewell party. Time to put the kimono back on!

We went a bit different way to our hotel whereas I still used the chance to take some pictures of the area but being now satisfied with everything I had on my memory card. Our next destination was the same hotel we had the tea ceremony at and went out for the Tenjin Matsuri. We took our bags and went it. The same lobby now not that foreign anymore and went upstairs by using the long escalators and found ourselves in the hallway leading the large hall where we were supposed to have the lunch and the farewell party.

The boys and the girls split again and went into two different bigger rooms. We left our bags there in the corner and then were told we had about half an hour and more before getting ready for the farewell party.

We used now the chance to write on each other's t-shirts and in the books, diaries etc. messages to each other. At first I did not bring out my white Lions Japan T-shirt as I was in doubt whether I wanted to bother with that but then remembered the last summer camp in Switzerland and how I felt bad after forgetting to give the others my shirt to sign. I quickly took it out and threw into everyone's face asking politely to sign it. The whole scene looked like from the movie about some production on a track where lots of us were sitting next to each other and just switching or giving to the material to the next person. And I think this is a cool memory and a souvenir of the others, regardless of opinions. My t-shirt with the messages of other friends is hanging on my wall in Zagreb reminding me of the great time in Japan. I also loved this because people will share their opinion of you and it is always interesting to read about it. Except for a few douche bags who write stupid things for fun but I also love that.

When the signing was done we started changing our clothes. I got out my kimono and geta but decided again to stay this time only in sandals being scared to damage geta before coming back home in Croatia. While putting the kimono on we again had the help of the ladies as was difficult and time consuming for the beginners to quickly and properly put it on ourselves. Then you get this awesome feeling when walking around in the kimono like a boss.

The farewell party

Alright guys! Everyone was ready and time to move to the big hall. I knew what the ending was going to be like as I had experienced it two more times earlier and was now fully prepared and knew how to handle it. The same did not go for my friends to whom was this the first experience of the youth exchange abroad and were somewhat younger than me (I was the 2nd oldest among 25 of us) and they did not know what to expect and how to control the emotions.

We were also told that some of the host families were going to join us at the tables and I was wondering who was going to come to me, if anyone was obliged to. Honestly, I also had no idea how I was going to get back to Gobo as I did not hear who was going to pick me up. While entering the great hall I could not see any of the familiar faces from Gobo and worried just a bit. But then believed everything was planned. I mean, come on! It is Japan!

Anyway, in the centre of the hall was the long big table with a buffet difficult to resist. Even better, two huge tables with the main dish and the dessert – plenty of cakes and cookies. Oh my! I noticed again some sort of a little stage at the left corner of the hall and the last part to the right (and on the right corner, opposite side of the hall) was reserved for the Lions Camp members. To make it simple, the tables with the international campers were around the whole room and many of the host families arrived to join their guests and go home with them afterwards.

So what was going on during the farewell party? We had lots of speeches from the Lions Club members and other guests. Then came the part when they were going to announce the winners who got the most nominations in the categories such as: the funniest camper, the coolest camper, the most stylish camper, the most blah blah and so on. I forgot to mention that we were given the paper the night before at the hotel and I totally forgot on it and at first thought it was referring to the camp counsellors only, not to everyone, which was so obvious. I hate my brain sometimes. I am not going to tell the names as I forgot half of the nominations so that my readers from the camp do not get mad.

We were also told there was a movie made from the video material and a collage of hundreds of photographs we gathered throughout these 10 days that we were going to watch later. And now let the lunch begin!

(Photo credits for the group photos to the Lions Club Osaka)

I took plenty of food on my plate of all kinds enjoying mostly the fried crabs (ebi tempura) with salad, sauce and rice... and taking two more smaller plates of the sweets. The cakes disappeared pretty soon and I did a good deal in it from my side. Among the friends around me I was sitting with Rainbow from Hong Kong who also became one of my best friends there. As we were now chatting with the host families (except for me standing there and talking to myself) and other campers going around the tables and having fun some people could not hide their emotions. I was just laughing and joking as there was no need to be sad and cry. As Gandalf would say "Not all the tears are an evil" and of course we are going to see each other again. Some day. When I win on a lottery to buy the plane ticket for the trip around the world.

We then got some more little presents from the Lions Club including the small Lions badges for the exchange in Japan. I almost forgot that and one more important thing on the table in the hall while leaving the hotel with the bags remembering it on the escalator and running back to pick it up. I got a paper and draw my signature for Rainbow and she wrote me back in Hong Kong Cantonese and did a sketch. Luckily, the paper was not forgotten on the table but is now on my wall in Zagreb too.

We went now forth and sat on the floor and watched the movie of our camp on the projector. It was fun and interesting to see again all the places we had visited. You could hear some people crying but that was all okay. Each of us was then given a CD with the movie and photographs.

The time came for the last official photo of all the campers and Lions Camp crew in front of the flag on this small stage. Say cheese!

Afterwards the really breaking of the fellowship started as some people had to leave pretty soon. I rushed back to put the kimono in my bag and had my normal clothes on. Time for the last selfies and hugs. I did not want to think of this as something bad and the end of the world.

I also found out now what was going to happen with my transport back to Gobo. While still seeing no familiar face one man from Gobo apparently approached me and said Mr Yamashita was waiting in his car for me in front of the hotel and that we do not have much time left. I quickly hurried to say goodbye to the others, took a few bad quality selfies with my smartphone, picked up my bag and shouted "Sayounara! ". Before leaving I gave away all the souvenirs I potentially had with me to the other guys. And as mentioned had to run again upstairs as I forgot two little things. And thus destroying the moments.

Back in front of the hotel seeing the other campers leaving too. Mr Yamashita was there in the good mood and I was happy to see him as well. The plan was at first that I go together with another family I already met from Gobo and my Mongolian friend and Mr Yamashita would take then our luggage. But in the end stayed two of us.

Goodbye Osaka. Back to Gobo

I tried to take some last photos of Osaka but felt tired now and already had enough. All until we left the city I was talking with Mr Yamashita about the camp and the news from Gobo and then had the last look over the bridges at the ports and industrial zone. And then I fell asleep.

I woke up when we were close to Gobo and then stopped at Mr Yanase's house. Both grandparents Yanase were very happy once we met again and I told them during the second lunch all the news from the camp. By using the picture dictionaries of course. I was not feeling that tired anymore and went on a bike tour around excited to share the news with the guys from Anchin too, my fellow architects and my second family with Akari and her mum.

Being back in the good old Gobo and going around made me feel like I just dreamed a bit longer than usually after having an afternoon nap after lunch... and all the things from the camp now seemed like a blurry imagine. Still when I showed to the others the pictures and the material I brought back it felt very much alive. I spent the evening lying on my bed and thinking of everything that I had experienced and was also feeling much better as I met lots of new friends and hoped to stay in touch later. Another problem with so many exchanges and travelling is that you meet so many people it become very difficult to keep in touch with everyone all the time... but we always manage somehow to find both time and way for some people, right?

Well, guys, that is more or less it. We have just completed this journey around Japan together and you know more or less everything that happened on the last two days. I got back to Zagreb two days later after having the grand tours around the bike visiting my host families and friends around Gobo and Hidaka and also enjoyed the last local farewell party organised by my beloved Lions Club Gobo. I barely had a break on the day of my flight back to Zagreb and spent it outside.

Thanks everyone for following the stories and I hope you learned something new about this amazing country. I can only say I cannot wait to go to Japan again but this time I got prepared with plenty of material to learn and by the time I visit Japan again I will have become hopefully somewhat proficient in Japanese as there is no bigger pleasure than talking to them in Japanese. Japan, Japan, so many things things and never boring.

ありがとうございました）

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