This morning, I woke up around 5 AM to get ready, eat breakfast, and head to our flight back to Tokyo. For breakfast I had bacon, meatballs, scrambled eggs, omelets, bread, and a croissant. Danny, D'Anthony, and I took some fit pics in our business suits and then off we went on the bus ride to Hiroshima Airport.
Once we arrived at the airport we gave gifts to our tour guides and bus driver for our gratitude for their service. Turns out airport security in Japan is way less frustrating than TSA. Didn't have to get rid of my drink, take off my shoes, or take off my belt. So that was cool. Our plane also had a Demon Slayer design on the side so that was cool too. We landed in Tokyo and our plane is shaking even though its landed. Despite the "stable turbulence", we get our bags and hopped off the plane.
We went to get lunch then headed to Azabudai Hills. There, we took pictures on the thirty-third floor with a beautiful view of the city in the background and I ate banana cake for the first time. Then we just chilled for a minute before going to the US Embassy.
At the embassy, we met four diplomats on a panel as well as other workers in foreign affairs. Lex and I introduced our group to the panelists and we proceeded to ask them questions. I asked them to iterate one word that describes their work experience. They replied with "unexpected," "eye-opening," "dynamic," & "complex." After completing the Q&A portion, we split into separate small groups to have a more intimate learning experience. I went with one of the diplomats & an Education and Exchanges Officer for Public Affairs. They shared more of their wisdom and asked us if we had any questions. I asked about how art and an education in ethnic systems can develop into a career in diplomacy and they shared meaningful insight regarding those inquiries. Turns out the arts are much more intrisic to diplomacy work than I thought. Another diplomat visited our group and I asked about the artwork in the building. He told me about the Black History Month exhibit in the lobby which featured artwork from Jane V. Herman, founder of the only Black animation studio in Japan, D'ART Shtajio. We visited the exhibit and he told me that he'd try to make a connection between me and the studio later so that excited me.
We left the embassy and went to the mall. Wasn't much in there to be honest. We went to dinner then we went to our hotel to do "reflections." We gathered in the lobby, and by Dr Rooks' surprise, we got him a birthday cake! We sang happy birthday, gave him a birthday signed by all of the TISP scholars, and watched him blow out his candles. He seemed very happy and I'm glad we were able to pull of this surprise. We went to his room where we watched him cut his cake and where we all organized gift bags for the students at Sophia University on Wednesday. And that was my day!
With regard,
Exodus
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