Arriving back in Tokyo Thursday evening, we were greeted by family members and two 4.1 earthquakes.

On Friday, our first day back in Tokyo, Keiko and I slept late and relaxed at her parent’s home. We then headed off for a day of shopping in Akihabara–I in the search of a hobby shop to feed my remote control model habit. Found both the shop and the model, an F1 Ferarri! Now, will Keiko buy me an early Christmas gift??

We had fun looking at all the latest various home and personal electric and digital gadgets in the largest store in the district.

We then went to Akasaka for a dinner with old friends from Avaya and our FIFA World Cup team. It was a wonderful time and I am humbled by their friendship and kindness.

We had quite a conversation on the future of Japan and I was impressed with the views and opinions of these capable young professionals. Interestingly, three are now working for different technology companies including one at CISCO and another who is CEO of a start-up enterprise. All great contacts for a future MBA visit.

On the way home, I stopped, on the recommendation of colleague Jason Harkins, to have my ears cleaned and “picked”–a most interesting process. The de-waxing was??––the massage of the ears, nose, eyes and face was quite refreshing.

Our students departed for Bangor on Thursday, May 26. Keiko and I are back in Tokyo and looking forward to some days of R&R.

The trip was great from our perspective but demanding in terms of time and energy. Perhaps for myself, getting old makes keeping up with a group of twenty-somethings both a challenge and opportunity! It was a great trip.

If you have had the time to follow some of the student’s blogs, you will know that they were deeply engaged in the trip. They were well received in Japan on a professional and personal level. Keiko and I were quite proud to be with them.

Keiko and I will remain in Japan through June 4 visiting with family and friends and making some business appointments. My business appointments relate to helping some of the Maine companies I work with to potentially seek opportunities in the Japan market.

Wherever I travel I seem to find a bar, grill or other eating or refreshment establishment using my “brand”.

Here is a photo of a very fine restaurant in Kyoto’s famed Gion district. Unfortunately the prices were so high, we could not sample the fare!

Perhaps I am in the wrong line of work?

While my photography suffers in comparison to the fabulous images created by Tony, I offer a few photos that will be part of my personal memories of the trip.

I expect that Tony and others will be making a selection of photographs available on their return to Orono. Enjoy.