Japan and the resiliance of the human spirit

The first country we will travel to is Japan. Last year we almost lost Japan altogether to the program because of the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. In the end we were permitted by the university to travel to western Honshu.

This photo was taken and appeared in the Wallstreet Journal less than a year ago and only one month following the disaster.

I like this photo because it is so typical of what you might see in Japan. The young girl, school uniform, almost always white socks, always a hat, always a backpack which is the same for all students of the same school. The mother in formal kimono style. While the formal attire is becoming less the norm you will always see the Japanese dressed and "pressed" when they go out even for a walk with their daughter.

I especially like this picture because we see the resilience of the human spirit. It is taken in Fukushima, the area hit hardest by the tsunami. One of the highest priorities of the Japanese authorities in Northern Honshu was to get their children back in school. They felt this was so vital for their young people who had lost home, family, friends, schools and classmates.

I love the Japanese culture and am very excited to share with you the wonders of this beautiful land and introduce you to a wonderful and gracious people.

- Troy Carpenter