Sayonara, Phila-Nipponica 2015

Traditionally, our last night in Japan is one last big group dinner together. We went to a nearby restaurant specializing in all sorts of chicken dishes. This was great for me, since I don't eat fish, there were plenty of things I could eat, instead of passing most of the dishes by. The staff was great, the drinks were flowing, and a good time was had by all.

They were very welcoming....

A few of the dishes we got (didn't take pictures of them all)

Soup and dumplings

This was my favorite, salad with shredded chicken  

They gave us rice in the shape of a 5 yen coin 

I also got heart shaped rice

Speeches were given, thank yous were said. Gifts were exchanged. In addition to cute little magnets, Frank gave us each a 5 yen coin, which he did before and I returned to Japan, so hopefully I will return again in the future.

We gave Paula a pretty scarf.

And Frank a hakui (pilgrimage jacket)

Which resulted in him getting up and dancing around.

We celebrated the closest birthday of the group.

Ate a lot, and drank way too much.

The staff even gave us jello treats special for us.

We took a group photo outside the restaurant, though I need to get a copy.

While some people called it a night, many of the group went down the street for karaoke. We got a room and we danced, we sang songs, both on our own and with random Japanese people we met in the hallway.

They had tambourines and maracas 

Frank and Joyce duet

And more drinks. I had a lot to drink.

Despite my lack of ability to take clear photos, I somehow made it back to the hotel where I proceeded to continue the evening with a bottle of whisky and a wonderful conversation partner.

I experienced my first hangover in many years the next day,  but thankfully all I had to do was wave goodbye to the group when they headed to the airport in the morning  and drag myself down one block to change hotels to begin the next phase of my summer.