Before I move on to a subject beyond the hotel room, I should tell you that each room has a doorbell; there's a phone in the bathroom; and when you step out of the shower when the mirror is usually all steamed over, this one is not.  There's a heating element right where you want to see your face.  Remember, I told you they think of everything.
     Today, our group was welcomed by the mayor of the city and the superintendent of schools.  I delivered my speech, pausing occasionally so the interpreter could translate.  I was nervous, but everyone said it was good.  Whew!  The mayor presented each of us with a bag of gifts.    Among them was a paperweight; I will add it to my collection on my desk.
      We spent the afternoon at Shizuoka University.  That is the university for the prefecture, which is the same as state in the United States.  After being greeted by the president of the university, a professor, Dr. Kumano, who has been a Fulbright Scholar in Iowa was our host.  He speaks English very well.  He has worked closely with a professor at the University of Georgia, Dr. Mike Padilla, and he has visited Athens and knows our area of the state.  As the saying goes, "It's a small world."
      The gingko trees still have their golden leaves, and the campus was ablaze in autumn colors.  What the campus doesn't have is trashcans - outside or inside.  Neither are there trashcans outside in the city.  It seems you are expected to carry your trash with you.   There is no litter in the streets either.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I'll think of you eating turkey dinner while I'm visiting temples in Kyoto, capital city of old Japan.