October 16-22 '96 Lawrence Visit

The fall tour to Lawrence was a great success. The delegation of 50 private citizens from Hiratsuka had a wonderful time. Occasionally one can see in Hiratsuka an occasional KU or Kansas T-shirt, Jayhawk, or other item with a happy memory attached. Included in this group was 15 members of a local Hiratsuka Taiko (Japanese Drums) group who provided several public performances of this colorful event.

Schedule Oct 16-22, 1996

• Wednesday, Oct 16, day 1: Leave Japan 12:30pm, meet a welcoming delegation in Chicago, then arrive at KCI 1:10pm for another welcome delegation (13 hours after leaving Japan, gain a day in travel). Bus into Lawrence, perhaps take a quick swing around town to get oriented. At 7:30pm, another welcoming party. 51 people can stay at the Eldredge Hotel, 9 at Christopher House.
• Thursday, Oct. 17,day 2: AM: Breakfast reception with the Mayor. PM: Optional tour to visit Topeka, the Capitol, and the history museum, or poke around Lawrence on your own, perhaps go golfing, explore downtown, etc. (Any other ideas for good things to do?)
• Friday, Oct 18, day 3: AM: Taiko performance at the Lied Center for KU students. PM: Optional visit to the Riverfront Mall; Dinner party to meet Home Stay families, leave for 2-day homestay.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, day 4: 11:30AM: Meet at the stadium for a "Tail Gate" party before the KU-Columbia MO football game, watch the game.
• Sunday, Oct. 20, day 5: AM: Optional tour to the Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin, KS, 20 minutes S. of Lawrence. PM: Farewell party (Eldredge Hotel, I think), then off to the Hampton hotel next I-70 for the night.
• Monday, Oct. 21, day 6: 8:05 AM flight from KCI to Chicago and catch a noon flight to Narita Airport, Japan. Twelve and a half hours later, land in Japan where it is 2:50pmTuesday, Oct. 22, travel approximately 2 hours more by train or bus to reach Hiratsuka, home sweet home, take a relaxing hot bath in the O-furo..