About intercity community
I went to Sausalito in 2014 as an exchange student, and last month, I visited Sausalito again. I go to a college in NY and during the winter break the dorm closed, so I contacted one of the people I met two years ago in Sausalito and asked whether I can stay at her house. First I assume it is impossible to be accepted because the winter vacation lasts for one month! However she said yes and made a schedule for me. Finally I received a good mail which said I am able to stay in Sausalito for a month!
Interestingly, I was accepted by 8 different families and I spent time with each of them for about 4-5 days. When I arrived at SFO, I was welcomed very kindly and I really am happy with the weather! In NY it already started snowing in October and they don’t even have snow in Sausalito even in December and January! Every one ask me what is the favorite thing in the trip, but I can’t decide only one. However, the most exciting thing was that I was able to eat sushi and fresh fish which I can’t find in upstate NY. I felt a lot of love from all the families and they embrace me every time we do something. Since I live in a dorm at school in the United States, I study English in both class and daily lives, but what you really learn is totally different when I spend time in actual homes in Sausalito and Marin County. For example, family love which is different from friend love, how to educate and raise the children in American style, how to develop a relationships with people and between families (husband and wife, parents and children).
It is very interesting to observe what family is like and how children have been raised probably because I often talk with my mother about the relationship between us. I am proud of my mother and I am pretty sure our relationship is the hardest and the best in the world because we are sure that we love each other and we are both independent. I found similar relationship in my host families too. They accepted me with a lot of love and they love themselves too. I found this is why they can love others. All the host families are enjoying their lives and that’s why I could enjoy the special time in Sausalito and Marin County. When I woke up there was always hot tea and delicious breakfast which was made by the husband with beautiful music and landscape. In Japan it is still rare to see husband’s cooking. Although I am craving for real Japanese food, every meal my host families made with their love, tasted special and I already miss them all.
This trip allowed me to put myself in American daily lives. What I really appreciated is how everyone treated me as an adult person. We live in society and we all belong to some groups. In Japan we tend to treat people depending on what community you belong and we even change our treatment towards them. However, I was treated as a one person and they didn’t change their attitude just because I am 18, a Japanese girl, not a native English speaker, or alone. Through this trip, I came to love Sausalito and Marin and the American culture more. Thank you so much and I LOVE YOU♡♡♡