How to entertain Japanese exchange students!

This year, Karina is going to participate in a Japanese exchange program, through her school. So you know  what that means-We had some visitors! Here are the Parkside kids waiting for the Japanese visitors to arrive at the airport. 

Here is the entire group on day one.  We are off to the City!

As we waited for the bus, the girls got to know each other.  Here is Koyuki and Miki, both Karina's age.  They were the two girls who stayed with us.  Luckily, they spoke English pretty well. 

We walked the entire Golden Gate Bridge. 

Poor Amber had quite a cold that day, and we were worried that she would get our visitors sick.  Guess what they gave her?  Amber actually liked wearing it, since these are not uncommon in Japan.

We walked around Fisherman's Wharf...

Visited the Museum Mecanique. 

Lunch at In and Out. 

                                 We went to China town...

Pizza for dinner.  Everyone was very tired!

This is what Miki and Koyuki wear to school in Japan. 

We went to city hall, and the girls performed a fun dance for us. 

They spent the day at school with Karina and Amber, to see what it is like. The school had a dance party for them at the end of the day, so they felt very welcome. 

After all that running around, we decided to have a mellow afternoon.  We took them to the Humane Society to look at the animals.  They loved the bunnies here! 

We visited Burlingame Avenue for some window shopping and cupcake eating.

I asked the girls where they wanted to have dinner and they said SUSHI!!! 

One evening, our entire group took over a restaurant - what a loud bunch we were!   

Frozen yogurt for dessert.

Meeting the next day at Parkside for some more fun!  The Parkside kids were happy they didn't have to go to school today.  Instead, we had a busy day planned. 

All the gals from Japan. (there were 2 boys, too, but sadly I mostly got pictures of the girls!)

Our lovely bus!

First stop - bowling!

Passing time, waiting for the bus.

Visiting the California Academy of Science...

The last dinner - we ordered Chinese food.  (why, we wouldn't want our guests to think we ever cook here in America!)

We went for to BJ's for Pazookies with the entire group, for one last get-together.  Our reservation was at 10:30 PM...what a late night!

How special that after a few days, girls from very different parts of the world became the best of friends.

Saying good bye...

Lots of tears...

We had such a great time with these kids.  It is great to know that Karina will be seeing her new friends in a few months, when she (and her Parkside friends) visit Japan for another adventure!