Photograph by Louise Webb
Gail Caratozzo of Saratoga and Kiyoko Oshima of sister city Muko Shi, Japan, say farewell.
Our sister city friends from Muko Shi, Japan, were in town last month. They had eight whirlwind days of activities in Saratoga, New York, Niagara Falls, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
A welcome dinner reception was held at Hakone Gardens for 31 people from the Muko friendship group. Vice Mayor Gillian Moran read greetings to our visitors from Mayor Paul Jacobs, who was unable to attend. Muko's Mayor M. Okazaki sent written greetings.
After dinner, Sister City President Marty Clevenger presented our Muko visitors with bottles of Saratoga Hills wine. The Saratoga Sister City members received a package of special roasted tea that is good for one's health from our Muko friends.
That evening, our local taiko group played. Many in the taiko group wore brand new happi coats one of Muko's members had made and brought with her.
After our local group performance, one of Muko's members led a group of Japanese women dancing. Their group encouraged the American women to join in and copy their steps.
The following day, the Muko contingent enjoyed Great America and shopping. In the evening, they were divided into small groups for Saratoga home dinner visits. Interpreters helped in each home. Helen and Ralph Metcalf served a southern dinner including mint juleps. Allen and Becky Breed and their co-hosts, Donna and Ray Muzzy, served barbecued steak. Their guests were amused when Ray and Allen put on Mickey and Minnie Mouse heads.
Many deep and lasting friendships have been formed with our Muko visitors. The Sister City agree-
ment was officially signed in l984 and both groups have visited each other numerous times since and always find it hard to say goodbye.
There is also a student summer exchange program. One of the students from Muko who was formerly in the exchange program is Azumi Shibata, who later attended West Valley College. Last summer, she traveled in Europe with her Saratoga friend Esin Salter. Shibata first met Esin when she was in the student exchange program many years ago, and they have remained close friends.
We are fortunate to have John and Aiko Tauchi's expertise in the Sister City group. For further information about the Saratoga Sister City Group, call 257-7544. For student exchange program information, call 996-8050.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, July 31, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved