Japanese delegation concludes Palmer visit

MAT-SU — The Valley is ripe with opportunities to join an organization, explore the outdoors in various ways and contribute to the local economy. But, growing up here, I assumed the opposite, and missed out on unique aspects of my home, such as the Palmer-Saroma sister city relationship.

Now that I’m finished (for now) with my formal education and back in the Palmer-Wasilla area, I’m able to see and participate in local happenings more frequently (even if it’s usually in a detached, journalistic capacity). So this year, when I heard the delegation from Palmer’s sister city was going to be in town for their 35th anniversary, I was all in — name the time and place, I told Palmer Saroma Kai members, and I’ll be there.

In fact, I wasn’t able to attend all the events, but as I watched the constant flow of photos on the group’s Facebook feed, I saw how very special a sister city relationship can be.

Despite that fact that many of the Palmer host families and sister city program supporters don’t speak Japanese, and many of the Japanese delegation do not speak but a few words of English, the bonds between individuals in the two groups are not superficial. In the chaos of scheduling a grand celebration and determination to stick to “the plan,” it may seem to some that going through the motions is all it takes to maintain a sister city relationship, but that just isn’t true. The excitement of meeting old and new friends is evident in the blurry cell phone photos of the delegation’s first steps out of the airport terminals — everyone is so happy to see each other, they can’t hold their cameras still.

This year, after the early morning hellos and “konnichiwas” or “hisashiburidesnes” (roughly the equivalent of “long time no see”), the friends piled in cars and made their way to Gwennie’s, an old Anchorage restaurant my parents and I often visit when I’ve returned from a trip Outside. Later that morning, everyone came to Palmer for taiko drumming performances at Friday Flings, and the delegation was introduced between sets. After that, the Saroma guests and their host families had lunch at the Hushowers’ home, where a few people apparently rocked some bocce ball.

Saturday, I saw Saromans enjoy trips to Knik Glacier, the Musk Ox Farm, the Reindeer Farm and Arkose Brewery for their “Beer Meets Canvas” event, where I’m sure Alaskans and Japanese sampled the new “Sister City Saison,” brewed especially for the anniversary. That evening our Japanese brothers and sisters got a taste for the backyard campfire/cookout Alaskans knows so well, thanks to Palmer hosts Dane and Elizabeth Crowley. I don’t know how many of the delegation had visited Alaska or experienced this staple activity, but judging from the photographs, it looks like beer, bonfires and s’mores are pretty easily enjoyed by anyone.

Sunday I was fortunate to attend both the bilingual worship service at United Protestant Presbyterian Church, better known as “the church of 1,000 trees,” and the grand celebration at the Alaska State Fairgrounds that evening. Although I couldn’t discern much of the sermon in Japanese — pastor Tim Carrick, who lived in Tokyo for several years, did a good job of translating his own words, though — I was delighted to see and sing hymns I knew in Japanese. During my semester-stay in Japan in 2013, I attended a church where we had sung two of the three songs in the Palmer church program, and singing along brought back fond memories.

At the evening ceremony, which was grand indeed, I was struck by the sheer number of people in attendance, many of whom I had never seen before, and hadn’t known supported the program. The governor’s presence also surprised me, as I hadn’t known he would be in attendance. The lavishness of the gifts bestowed on Palmer’s representatives by the Saromans — beautiful pieces of artwork — also awed me.

However, I was most inspired by, even jealous of, I’ll admit, the high school student who translated for some of the speakers: Emily Maxwell. While she may have prepared and begun practicing speaking the Japanese translation weeks in advance, she put herself out there, got involved in this historic program in a way that I never did, or even really thought about. I entered a Japanese speech contest my senior year of high school, but it took me four years of college to realize how much more I could have done as a young student.

I have to pause here to give credit to my and Miss Maxwell’s teacher, Shunji Ninoyu, who is a great encourager of language study and cultural exchange. Without him, neither of us would be where we are with our Japanese today, I’m sure.

I experienced some more of that cultural exchange more actively on Tuesday, July 14, on a trip to the Sutton museum and Matanuska Glacier with about half of the delegates. On the ride up, I was pleased to discover I had not lost my Japanese speaking skills entirely, though I have always had much more trouble understanding others than expressing thoughts myself. Thanks to Ryoko Abe and Hitomi Ozaki especially for entertaining me during the drive.

I unfortunately missed the community potluck the following evening, and was not able to see the delegates off in person, but I am more hopeful than ever to be a part of the local sister city relationships, and someday hold more in-depth conversations with our Japanese brothers and sisters about the connection between our cities. It is a powerful thing — not entirely explained, I’m sure, in this story — that I encourage Mat-Su residents to be a part of. Whether that means joining Palmer Saroma Kai or helping start up the Wasilla-Uchiko sister city program (stay tuned for that story), I can say for sure that it will change you for the better.

Contact Caitlin Skvorc at 352-2266 or caitlin.skvorc@frontiersman.com.