Hello from Vietnam,

Signing on for a quick shout out, one that is FAR past due…    If you weren’t aware, the three of us were fortunate enough to meet up with a local Japanese friend while we were in Japan. We felt it was appropriate to give her a little thank you on nostenostory due to her generosity and kindness while we were there.

If you have never met Manami Nishiyama or do not know of her she was introduced to us by a close friend, Trask Donaldson. Trask met Manami while studying in Japan and over the past three years many of us have had a chance to meet her. Prior to departing for the trip we had been in touch with Manami trying to figure out when and where we could meet up.  Surprisingly enough it worked out great and we couldn’t feel more fortunate to know a Japanese native. 

While there we had the pleasure of spending time with Manami a few different times. The best thing about this opportunity was that we had the chance to embrace true Japanese culture and view their lifestyle form the inside out. Manami’s number one priority for us was to ensure that we had the best time possible; and if we didn’t then she would blame herself. This was her main worry for that entire week. We knew she had nothing to worry about though and can assure you now that she did not let us down!  While spending time with her, she was gracious enough to show us good food, good drink and tour us around the city of Osaka where she currently resides and works. The food she showed us (in which we stuffed our face with) was by FAR the best food we ate while we were in Japan. Everything else was hit and miss and often times we were lucky to even know what we were eating.

SO…with that being said… here’s to you Manami. We couldnt be more thnakful and you truly made our trip to Japan even more enjoyable.

Kanpai,

Jamie, Ryan and Koye

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