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Joseph "Joe" Hirabayashi
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2008-09 Outbound to Czech
Republic
Hometown:
Orange Park, Florida
School: Fleming
Island
High School, Orange Park, Florida
Sponsor:
Orange Park Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida
Host: Pisek
Rotary Club, District
2240, Czech Republic
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Bio
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| August 28 Journal - "The
buildings are so old it is hard to imagine the time when they were built.
Less than two hundred meters from our flat is a bridge that was constructed
in the 13th century." |
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Joe's Bio
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Hello,
my name is Joe Hirabayashi. I am a 16-year-old sophomore attending Fleming
Island High School. I live with my mom and two younger brothers, Jack and
Michael. I was born in Santa Rosa, California and moved to Orange Park,
Florida about 12 years ago.
A few of my hobbies are soccer, lacrosse, and cars. I play
varsity soccer and lacrosse for my school. I've been playing soccer for 10
years and its my favorite sport. Lacrosse is a fairly new sport to me and my
area. Last year my high school became the first in our area to get a team. I
have only been playing lacrosse for 3 years.
I am very excited and fortunate to have the opportunity to
go overseas. I cannot wait to experience a new culture and way of life. I
would like to thank Rotary for making this experience possible. |
August 28 Journal
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The days leading up to my departure were rather ordinary. I did
not feel waves of emotion or fear. I was, for lack of a better term, cocky. I never
thought leaving everyone I know and love would be so difficult. It was not until
the morning of my departure that the emotions began to hit me. I drove my friend
Kristen to school so that I could say goodbye to her and all my friends. As I
said goodbye to all my friends I was silently fighting tears. Never in a million
years did I think I would cry. As I said my final goodbye to Kristen, that is
when it really hit me. The tears poured out of my eyes like an invisible
floodgate had opened. Was I really leaving Orange Park? The next thing I know I
was rushing to the airport. It was the last time I would be driving for a year
so naturally I was driving incredibly fast.
When we finally arrived at the airport it was a sad
moment. My parents and I had a final meal together and then it was time for
me to board my plane. The goodbye was swift but painful. As painful as it
was to say goodbye, I was overwhelmed with joy! Finally the adventure I had
prepared for was beginning. The flight to Detroit was quick and easy. Next
came the long flight to Amsterdam. Although the flight was long it was
rather painless. There were many movies to choose from, so I was occupied.
As I arrived in Amsterdam, my first challenge arose. I did not have a ticket
for my next flight. As I frantically looked for a place to get my ticket I
learned something terrible. The flight I was booked on did not exist. Thus I
had to get a new flight and wait six hours in the airport. After six very
tedious hours I boarded the plane and flew to Prague. I cannot describe how
I felt when I was greeted by my host family. It was a mixture of fear and
excitement. As we simultaneously said ahoj it occurred to me that
English would not be spoken.
My first night in Písek was rather funny. I went to bed
almost immediately and did not wake up until the next day. I think I slept
fifteen hours. When I did awaken it was time to go exploring. My host
brother Andřej took me around the town of Písek. Písek is so completely
different from Orange Park. Everything is within walking distance. The
buildings are so old it is hard to imagine the time when they were built.
Less than two hundred meters from our flat is a bridge that was constructed
in the 13th century. The history of this town is amazing.
I will soon start school and surprisingly I am looking
forward to it. I am ready for yet another adventure. |
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