A Bobcat Spotting In Tokyo

Coming to Japan at the close of our Asian journey is a treat.  When you land at Norita Airport on the outskirts of Tokyo you are in for a show.  I specifically take the orange Airport Limousine (it's actually a bus) because I enjoy the way the bus's curbside staff instruct you to line up and where they want you to place your luggage.  They have a process or procedure that they take very seriously. You better not deviate from their instructions.  Once your luggage and you are on the bus and you leave the airport, the staff bows to you and the bus.  The level of dedication these employees bring to their job is special.  It is fun to watch them perform (although they don't know it is a performance).

Parents of our Japanese students gather at Grand Central Restaurant & Bar in Shinagawa

We stay in the heart of the Shinagawa section of Tokyo for the convenience of the parents of our Japanese students.  We stay here since the Shinagawa Railway Station is close by.  Grand Central Station has nothing on the Shinagawa Station.  The flow of pedestrians heading to and from their trains is overwhelming.  What is so funny about this is that the restaurant in which we met for dinner with the parents of our students from Japan is called the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant.  It loosely resembles the one in New York City's Grand Central Station.

We had seven families gather for dinner and conversation.  A grateful thank you to Yoshiaki Tomita's parents for gathering all the families together for the evening.  It proved to be an informative evening for the parents of the younger students to hear from those of the parents of our older students.  There was much laughter and good food to go around.

Jess Green '96, Ann & Jim Bastis

Earlier in the day, we had the pleasure of catching up with Jess Green '96.   Jess was kind enough to host us for lunch at the Tokyo American Club.  It was a great opportunity for us to get to know Jess and for him to catch up with Brewster.  Jess and his wife, Rebecca, live in Tokyo.  Jess is Director of Corporate Communications & Marketing for CBRE Japan K.K.   To hear Jess tell it, "Brewster is a special place that means so much to me.  It is a very important part of my life."  Go Bobcats.

This is the end of our 2013 Asian trip.  We have met so many wonderful alumni and parents who all love Brewster in their own way.  Flying from one country to the next for more than two weeks can be hectic, but it was made so much easier by the wonderful reception both Ann and I received along the way.  So with this newest post, I say goodbye, thanks, and take care.