We are Kobe - Kawehi Cabuzel '21

Today, in Kobe (Hyogo Prefecture), where the wildest and saddest day of the entire trip was expected to take place. First thing in the morning I gathered my clothes and got ready for the day to begin. We all met in the lobby and had a hearty breakfast and then headed out to see the Kobe Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution. The building of the Institution was a beautiful sight as all the outside walls of the facility were made of glass. We met our tour guide inside and we started the tour with a quick simulation video. The 7.3 magnitude had caused significant damage to the surrounding areas and the death toll was one that will not be forgotten. The tour continued and I learned many things that are very interesting and sad alike. After the sad and knowledgeable morning, we started for the widely known Chinatown to have a lunch like no other. The streets were packed just like Akihabara and the restaurant choices were endless. Most of the group decided to get Kobe beef while the others went on their own to get Chinese food. The wait was short and we ordered our set meals and waited for this magical beef to appear. Before it arrived though we had potato soup and salad that was extremely delicious and I don't even eat salad. Once the beef arrived on the table a hungry and excited expression overtook everyone's faces. We ate and ate and boy was it delightful especially if Reyn doesn't stop talking about it for the next hour. We had a filling lunch and it was time for the main event of the day. A Japanese league 1(J1-League) soccer game was on its way. This was the second professional game I have ever attended and I was very curious to see how the Japanese played compared to MLS teams. The teams were Kobe and Osaka with Osaka with a higher overall rating than Kobe. Kobe did not fright from that because they controlled the game with a 2-0 score by the 89th minute. The game was decided and my day was complete.