When in Japan I was able to experience many different things, one of the most shocking experiences for me would be their transport. In HoHo I was greeted by their sophisticated, elegant, air conditioned tubes. From getting the rusty, sweaty, packed underground everyday for years, it was the best experience of my life; speechless during my travels. The high-tech train station was the first thing that made me fall in love with Japan.
After HoHo came the Jamboree which felt like another separate trip in itself. Being round so many different languages and cultures, you didn’t know where to start. One step out of your pitch you couldn’t help but bump into someone new. The Jamboree felt like a little village, where everyone was the new comer making friends, smiling, laughing and a lot of chatting! The activities were insightful, and a great way to learn about different things, but for me what made the jamboree so magical was the variety of people around you, any of which could potentially become a friend for life.
Our final section of the trip was Tokyo, which for me was the best part of the trip. You were able to go to temples, markets and famous sightseeing places within Tokyo, walking down the Japanese streets, moving in and out of the crowd, following and waiting for an adventure ahead. In our hotel we were on a floor with other English scouts, again making new friends and hearing about their life stories. I have to admit I appreciated the toilet and the bed so much, running up to your room and fighting over who got the first shower! After twelve days camping on a mat and having to use portaloos, you appreciate the smallest change.
Japan Jamboree was an amazing experience and if anyone else has a chance in the future to go to a World Scout Jamboree, be it the next in Virginia or another one, TAKE IT, it was one of the best experiences of my life, I've made friends I will have forever and memories I will never forget!