[Spots] Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha), and Enoshima Island
[Visitors] 56 JICA
participants from 26 countries, with 8 from Brazil, 6 from Laos, 5 from Pakistan, 4 from the Philippines, 3 each from Liberia, Paraguay, and Ghana, 2 each from Micronesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh, and 1 each from Thailand, China, Mexico, Guatemala, Indonesia, Panama, Bolivia, Sierra Leone, Malaysia, Zambia, Malawi, Syria, Iraq, and India
[Attendants] 22 KSGG members, 6 Odawara・Hakone SGG members including the vice president, and 1 observer
On the train for Kamakura I talked a lot with the participants from Pakistan. They came to Japan as JICA participants to resolve the issues, especially poverty and education, among the several development goals agreed to achieve in the UN Millennium Summit in New York.
We guided them sweating in the terrible heat of late summer in September. After visiting Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, we moved to Hase Station by Enoden train. On the way from Hase Station to Kotokuin Temple we came across the festival of a local shrine. There were a lot of spectators along the sidewalks. Our guests were impressed to see how big the Great Buddha is and also to know the fact that it has stayed here for about 700 years in spite of earthquakes and tsunami. Again we took Enoden train to Enoshima Island, where, after taking pictures of us all, we finished guiding around Kamakura and Enoshima Island in the heat of summer.
When we said good-bye, JICA participants offered their hands to shake hands with us for expressing thanks. Later some of us received e-mails expressing their thanks for our hospitality. This was my first time to guide as many as 56 participants. I believe they had a pleasant day with KSGG members and Odawara Hakone SGG members.