Time for a quick photo during the evening. General Nagamine and his wife were very gracious and welcomed all 160 of us into their home for the evening. 
Our dinner consisted of authenic Japanese cuisine including beautiful sushi, all displayed very artistically for the teachers. We took lots of pictures....even of the food!
This stained glass wall curved with the curve of the stairway which was at the front entrance of General Nagamine's home. It was quite striking and very large, all with great lighting that really enhanced all of the details of the stained glass. While in San Fransisco, California I had the wonderful opportunity to represent my state and nation at the Japanese Consul, home of General Yasamasa Nagamine. He and his wife hosted a dinner party for the Fulbright Scholarship participants. What a rare treat to see such a beautiful area of San Fransisco. His home overlooked the bay where we could see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz and was filled with beautiful artwork, stained glass and architectural details that were incredible. The evening was great for all of us as we enjoyed Japanese food, meeting all of the other teachers from across the United States and talking about our follow on plans when we return from our trip.
My trip to Japan was an amazing opportunity to immerse myself into another culture. It was so surreal to wake up and look out my window to see Tokyo at sunrise, or overlook the mountains of Mt. Aso at sunset. Guys, it was good to get back to South Carolina but I admit I will miss Japan tremendously.
