He explains that was only partially from the thrill of being in a new culture — he was also delirious after a 12-hour flight. The Half Moon Bay High junior arrived at Narita airport early Monday morning, and, completely drained from jet lag, fell instantly asleep despite zooming at 130 mph on a bullet train toward a rural Japanese farm town.
Barton and fellow Half Moon Bay High student Grace Meador have been chosen to be international ambassadors, traveling more than 5,000 miles to Japan. The three-week trip is part of an annual exchange program operated by Half Moon Bay and its sister city, Kariwa-mura, so that young people in both communities can experience different cultures across the globe.
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“It’s strictly for cultural exchange,” said Gary Von Glahn, director of the exchange program. “They’re going to be staying with two different households and seeing how different homes operate.”
Von Glahn says that Half Moon Bay has hosted about 10 Japanese teenagers from Kariwa-mura over the years. The teens have lived with families, played sports, eaten local cuisine, and abided like any other Coastsider.
Last year, Barton became good friends with Kazuki, one of the Japanese students who visited Half Moon Bay. The two bonded over a mutual passion for baseball and video games. Barton says he looks forward to meeting up with Kazuki again in Kariwa-mura.
The overseas flight for both students is fully funded by the city of Half Moon Bay. The program costs the city $3,500 to send the teens to Japan. However, once the two arrive in Japan, the Kariwa-mura community takes care of them. Von Glahn says that Barton and Meador will get a red-carpet treatment while in Kariwa-mura, touring local temples, festivals, restaurants and even the city council as visiting dignitaries.
“It’s a little intimidating,” said 17-year-old Meador. “I’m happy to have the experience of being by myself in a different environment, but I will be out of my comfort zone.”
Barton says his first sight in Kariwa-mura was a simple ramen house — the door of which was about five inches too short for his head. He said he enjoyed the tasty bowl of beef broth and vegetables.
Barton says the household he’s staying with is essentially the same as a U.S. home, but little differences stand out. Entering the home, he has to take off his shoes and put on a pair of slippers; and then if he goes into the bathroom, he has to take off those slippers and put on a different pair.
For now, Barton says that he couldn’t be more excited.
“I’m totally stoked,” Barton said. “I’m sure by the last week I’ll be completely homesick, but the first couple weeks, they’ll be great.”
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