Blogs

Roxi comments - The sadness of leaving Shingu is always eased by the wonderful memories treasured from time spent there. Each time there are new experiences and always an opportunity to learn much more about our Santa Cruz sister city. Visiting the organic farmer in Irogawa, tasting the delicious raw brown rice and having a cup of tea grown and processed

Dave Vincent, 10-18-2008

This was my first trip to Japan and I did not know what to expect. So when we arrived I just tried to absorb as much as I could. My first impression from the air was that this was indeed a very large island with mostly coastal development. Upon landing it appeared quite industrial with some associated air pollution. As we began

David L. entry, 10-18-2008

This is my one and only contribution to our blog. Thanks to Peggy for setting it up. If you knew my computer skills you would be proud of me for trying.

I first want to thank Lisa McGinnis and the folks at parks and rec for considering me for such an honor. I own(ed) well Within spa so I have always been attracted to the Japanese

Bonnie's Blog - 10/19/08

 One week in Shingu. Not nearly long enough. I feel we just scratched the surface of what might be possible as a business exchange between our two cities. I didn't have any specific expectations before arriving, partly due to my frenzied activity preparing to leave Santa Cruz, partly due to my lack of preparation -which was also

DAN'S BLOG - SUN/SAT 900 MILES EAST OF NAGOYA, JAPAN & WEST OF INT'L DATE LINE

Heading back home to brutal realities:  a non-profit to run and raise money for, a clean water ballot measure campaign to chair and raise money for - did I mention the raise money part? - a Commission meeting, plus details that pile up over just a week.  All waiting.

Our friends

I'm in the middle of my anatomy class for the radiology program.  It's going well, I am amazed that I'm learning all that material...

Antomy 4 at

touch me
touch me with respect
as you have respect for my mind, as if
my body had become
an extension of it
and if you cannot
then touch me not

touch me
touch all of me
except perhaps this place
that is untouchable
for all souls have one such
untouchable space
and so will it be
with this my body

touch me
and fear not my scars
for they are evidence of healing
and learning,

 

 

This song was unexpected at the airport in

From Scott Roseman - 10/18/08

This is the end of the last day here in Shingu. It has been an amazing week.

We have met with city leaders, including the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, the City Manager, the Mayor, the Visitors Council, and others. Now, as most people who know me know, I am not particularly fond of meetings, and sometimes

 

 Road trip.

On Tuesday our hosts took us up into the mountains near Shingu. After a driving up steep but well-tended roads we arrived at a small farming community. The farmers we met had moved from big cities — Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya. They went back to the land to experience rural life.

Once they told us they were converted city folk, I tried to picture the

 

Dateline: October 18th 2008 Writer: Peggy 

Every time we meet with an official delegation, from a farming cooperative to the Shingu Junior Chamber of Commerce, our City representatives Cynthia and Bonnie are off and running. How does the City of Santa Cruz provide an infrastructure. How did we recover from the earthquake (Bonnie's 1989 earthquake pictures

It was a Saturday, Inauguration day 2001, and my five year old and I were out for pizza downtown. “Look, Mom!” Amber cried excitedly, “Puppets!” Indeed, huge puppets of George Bush, along with papier-maché missiles, were being carried by protesters as they walked down Pacific. We quickly followed the parade to the town clock, where I tried to explain

Dateline: October 17, 2008. Writer: Peggy

On the first day here we walk through grey, old neighborhoods. Shingu is a small city. The inner streets are narrow, with haphazard architecture and, as our guides point out, many closed and shuttered stores. We visit seven or eight shrines, some of which seemed closed or empty.

The walk through these places lets

Dan's Blog -10/17/08 1 PM Japan Time

I did not expect to hear our hosts here in Shingu, surrounded by ocean, mountains and river, to express concern that their youth do not connect enough with nature. I had a lengthy and contemplative discussion with a revered buddist monk late last night.

Scratching his head he spoke of the need to bring society back to

And not just for the obvious reasons that it's an attempt to restrict rights to certain people on account of prejudice, or that it's bigotry trying to wear the disguise of morality.  Unfortunately, these things happen all the time, and if I got angry at every act of intolerance that's perpetrated in this world, I'd be driven to one spectacular nervous

I'm very happy to report that the Cafe Campesino kiosk on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz has been allowed to stay! There had been some doubt, but the cafe's customers signed a petition in droves. I suspect that helped the city decide in favor of Dina Torres, the owner.

Hooray! ¡Ándale! Go and get your nourishing, affordable and absolutely scrumptious

People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change you life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and

 

Today is Blog Action Day , and this year's subject is POVERTY. So go ahead...discuss.

Dateline: Shingu Japan Writing: Peggy

From yesterday, a cat, a monk and the buddha. All from Shingu, yesterday afternoon.

Cat.

Monk.

Buddha.

A little girl asked her mother, "Can I go outside and play with the boys?"

Her mother replied, "No, you can't play with the boys, they're too rough."

The little girl thought about it for a few moments and asked,
"If I can find a smooth one, can I play with him?"