A few weeks back I mentioned Feel the World. This past weekend Feel the World hosted the World Rally via Linimo. Built for Aichi Expo 2005, Nagoya's Linimo service is a Maglev (magnetic-levitated) train and claims to be the first of its kind. Here is a link for further information on the Linimo.
The World Rally via Linimo occupied eight of the nine stations on the Linimo line. Each station represented a different country. The countries represented were Guam, South Africa, Vietnam, America, New Zealand, the United Nations and there were two stations designated to Japan. Each station, except for the UN station, had a native from the country who was put in charge of presenting information about their country in the form of entertainment and activities. The participants each paid 500 ¥ for a passport along with 800 ¥ for a day Linimo pass. They were then allowed to stop at every station, participate in the activities, get a passport stamp and enter into a raffle for some fun prizes.
I, along with two other Americans, was in charge of the American station. We spent about a month planning our booths. We decided to represent America with Rock & Roll, Native Americans, and line dancing. Ones of the American boys owns a record player and dozens of classic Rock & Roll records. He decided he would bring them to share with the participants. I decided to share some of my limited Native American knowledge and bring a sand craft activity to the station. I also decided to take a stab at teaching the Japanese people some line dancing.
We had a few hurdles to jump over including a major one the day before. At the last minute we were told we wouldn't have an outlet! Half of our entire booth relied on the record player which would be playing Rock & Roll as well as the line dance music. Thankfully we found out with enough time to rent a [very expensive] generator. We were told it would only last four hours but it lasted the whole five hours of the Rally.
When we arrived at our station, Nishi Koen, the day of the Rally to set up our booths, I realized I had misplaced all of the Native American symbols for the sand art craft. This was serious as these papers were vital to the other half of our booth. Without this we would have nothing to keep the Japanese people occupied and interested in America. Thankfully I had two of the three originals in my backpack so the wonderful Japanese woman who was in charge of our station rode the Linimo three stops back and made 100 copies. Problem averted.
After our [minor] hick-ups our station ran smoothly and the sand art was a huge hit (thankfully we were able to make copies last minute). The Japanese people who attended the Rally were also able to vote for president on an "unofficial ballots." Only two people voted for Romney. Unfortunately, I believe this was not because of Romney's awful stances but instead because everyone knew who Obama was. The children who visited our station were also given the opportunity to pose with some amazing characterized Romney and Obama stuffed animals and an Uncle Sam hat.
Overall it was an enjoyable day complete with a beautiful view of Morikoro park.
After a successful Rally, Yukari invited a few of us to go to dinner at a traditional Japanese restaurant. It was the perfect way to wind down after an eventful day.
The World Rally via Linimo occupied eight of the nine stations on the Linimo line. Each station represented a different country. The countries represented were Guam, South Africa, Vietnam, America, New Zealand, the United Nations and there were two stations designated to Japan. Each station, except for the UN station, had a native from the country who was put in charge of presenting information about their country in the form of entertainment and activities. The participants each paid 500 ¥ for a passport along with 800 ¥ for a day Linimo pass. They were then allowed to stop at every station, participate in the activities, get a passport stamp and enter into a raffle for some fun prizes.
I, along with two other Americans, was in charge of the American station. We spent about a month planning our booths. We decided to represent America with Rock & Roll, Native Americans, and line dancing. Ones of the American boys owns a record player and dozens of classic Rock & Roll records. He decided he would bring them to share with the participants. I decided to share some of my limited Native American knowledge and bring a sand craft activity to the station. I also decided to take a stab at teaching the Japanese people some line dancing.
We had a few hurdles to jump over including a major one the day before. At the last minute we were told we wouldn't have an outlet! Half of our entire booth relied on the record player which would be playing Rock & Roll as well as the line dance music. Thankfully we found out with enough time to rent a [very expensive] generator. We were told it would only last four hours but it lasted the whole five hours of the Rally.
When we arrived at our station, Nishi Koen, the day of the Rally to set up our booths, I realized I had misplaced all of the Native American symbols for the sand art craft. This was serious as these papers were vital to the other half of our booth. Without this we would have nothing to keep the Japanese people occupied and interested in America. Thankfully I had two of the three originals in my backpack so the wonderful Japanese woman who was in charge of our station rode the Linimo three stops back and made 100 copies. Problem averted.
After our [minor] hick-ups our station ran smoothly and the sand art was a huge hit (thankfully we were able to make copies last minute). The Japanese people who attended the Rally were also able to vote for president on an "unofficial ballots." Only two people voted for Romney. Unfortunately, I believe this was not because of Romney's awful stances but instead because everyone knew who Obama was. The children who visited our station were also given the opportunity to pose with some amazing characterized Romney and Obama stuffed animals and an Uncle Sam hat.
Overall it was an enjoyable day complete with a beautiful view of Morikoro park.
After a successful Rally, Yukari invited a few of us to go to dinner at a traditional Japanese restaurant. It was the perfect way to wind down after an eventful day.
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