Next morning, we all woke up early - 4:00 AM for me - due to jet lag. We made coffee and shared a small breakfast and got ready for the day. Rob Stoddard met us at 8:30 to take us to the train.
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| Mark & Bev in Hope House kitchen |
Joining us on the trip to Takayama was Anne Lynn, a new intern who will be working with Gilberts for the next 6 months.
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| Rob and Ann at Hope House getting ready to take us to the train |
As we loaded our luggage in his van, I realized my suitcase with the costumes for Mika, Celia, and Keith was missing! After double-checking the house, we concluded the only possibility was that I inadvertently left it on the luggage carousel at the airport. Aaargh! Silly me hadn't done a good count of bags like I usually do.
So instead of taking a train directly to Tokyo, we had to take a couple trains back out to Narita, where after a bit of nervous searching (and hopeful prayers) it was found! Whew! Now we were 3 hours behind schedule. Made some phone calls to Mika in Sendai who was expecting us for lunch and she graciously adjusted her plans.
Took the Narita Express - nice train - to Tokyo Station, bought some obento lunches on the platform, then hopped on the bullet train to Sendai. It's always a great experience to travel 150 mph on wheels!
After a 2 hour trip (it takes 7 hours by car on the expressway) we arrived in Sendai at 3:15 and were met by MIka and Keith & Celia. We walked a few minutes with all our luggage (yes, I counted this time) to Mika's condo, and after some refreshments, had our first actual group rehearsal.
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| Rehearsal: (l-r) Mika, Bev, Mark, Keith, Cheri, Celia, Rachel |
It was the first time for all 7 of us to actually sing together - crazy! - but we sounded pretty good. I'm amazed at how this team has come together. I knew ahead of time that the musicianship of the singers was strong, that everyone could sight-read their part in the music, comfortable singing acappella, and that the SATB parts were well covered. But to hear it for the first time was a special joy. Mika's neighbor and daughter heard us singing and came over, so Mika invited them in to listen. She told me later that it was the first time for them to ever come inside and visit, and she was grateful for that connection.
We collected our stuff (yes, I counted bags again) around 4:30 and headed back to Sendai Station. Mika needed to stay for a concert of her own that evening, so we 6 plus Anne took a local express train 15 minutes out to Tagajo. Andy Gilbert met us and took us to the EFCA Guest House in Takayama where we'll be staying these next 10 days. The team met Lorna, had a yummy supper, and settled in.
The first order of business was for Keith and Celia to try on the costumes we brought. The dress didn't fit Celia, but Cheri swapped outfits with her, and presto - everything worked out fine. Amazing! A huge "thank you!" to Marsha Stueckle and Evergreen Family Theatre, to Mark Lewis and The Attic Theatre, and to Scott Lee for their collaboration to loan costumes and help us look like we come out of Victorian England.
It was a long, long day, and it's great to be here!
