Sarah trying on a beautiful Komono she received from the Kishis. Notice Mrs Kishi is wearing a Steeler sweatshirt even though it was 85 degrees

WEDNESDAY JULY 24
The group of 35 from Japan arrived on Northwest flight 1111 from a flight from Detroit at a little after 8pm. They were greeted by a large group of enthusastic host families carring welcome signs we smiled and waved when we saw the Kishis Then we made our way down to the baggage claim, we picked up all the Kishis bags and Mr Kishi, Takahumi and my dad went home with Mr Fontes. We took Kotaro his mom and sister and all the luggage and headed for home.

The car ride from the airport was long and a little weird. After we passed through the Ft Pitt tunnels, they got their first few of Pittsburgh We got home pretty quick and unloaded our car and showed them around our house We showed them they would stay in our gameroom. We madeup the room like a hotel room for them to stay in. My mom borrowed two big futons, blankets and pillows for them to sleep on. There is also a couch, 2 recliners, a computer, a stereo and a tv with a playstation and their own bathroom there. They felt funny leaving their shoes on in the house.

The Kishis are very nice people, they love our big backyard. We kicked around a soccerball and ran around alot. We played some basketball in the driveway and took a cruise around the block on bikes and scooters. We ordered takeout from Parkway Tavern--pizza and buffalo wings. I think they liked all the food, because they ate alot. My Grandma Elaine came over and talked in sign language with them real good. Mr. Kishi likes to smoke HOPE cigarettes on our deck. They where amazed at a twist off bottle! They brought lots of gifts with them... a huge box of them. Sarah was especially impressed with the beautiful kimono that Mrs. Kishi dressed her in. I got lots of cool candy and toys, and a really nice sleep jacket set. It must have been at least 85 degrees in our house but the Kishis were cold. We gave them sweatshirts. Mr Kishi looked quite at home in a Steeler sweatshirt.

About 11 o'clock we got a call from another host families mom, Mrs Felton. It seems her boy Haruke couldn't open the combination lock on his suitcase. Mr. Kishi talked on the phone to the boy in Japanese. He kind of told us what we already knew, his suitcase was locked. The Feltons live only down the road from us so she brought the suitcase up and Mr Kishi and the boy tried their best to open it. After trying to call Harukes parents in Japan with no answer. We called the translator the group had and woke him up and he talked to Mr Kishi, Then my dad and Mr Kishi took the suitcase down to the garage and used some tools to break it open, everyone was happy. especcialy Haruke. The Kishi's took baths late that night I don't know what they were doing in there but it was after 1 oclock in the morning and I heard alot of splashing

The Kishis felt right at home in our gameroom, luckily they sleep on the floor in Japan. We still have a curtain hanging down here that they all signed in Japanese. It reminds me of them everytime I go through it

 

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