Here are lots of pictures of my host family and also a few of their spectacular home. It is best to scroll from the bottom up as that how this thing blogs and I'm too lazy to program it to go top down. They are in Gifu, which is a lovely city, not too big, in the south, between Tokyo and Kyoto. Nagoya's the closest large city. They are Yoshimasa and Tomomi Sasagawa, and the little girls are Kyoka and Yuuka, ages 7 and 4. Yuuka's a little shier than Kyoka. Kyoka takes my hand whenever the family and I go anywhere, but the other day when we were all shopping with the aunt and uncle, uncle usurped me in popularity and both girls took HIS hands instead. Uncle's wife is pregnant and is expecting any day- a boy.

I can't express how much I appreciate their generosity, hospitality, and warmth. I only hope that one day I can reciprocate their kindness. Not even in the smallest way could I ever hope to match it.