ello
Everyone-
Today was great! We started out traveling to Lake Ahsi.
We went on a cruise (30 min). We saw Mt. Fuji which was really cool. We
went to see the buddah temple which was the 2nd largest buddah temple in
Japan. We also went to see a shine which was near a bunch of cherry
blossom trees. It is cherry blossom season so the flowers were out in
full bloom.
Bus rides were long but tons of fun for us. We played
games, played music and told jokes. Our tour guides were fantastic.
Dinner was real Japanese style. Not bad food at all.
Watching the kids eat with chop sticks was interesting.
Tomorrow is a BIG day. 200 kids are signed up to meet
Team USA. We will be playing 3 games per age group tomorrow and running
a 2 hour clinic for the city. It is a big event with a big media
following. Our kids are ready and excited. The events tomorrow are sure
to be memorable.
Check out
www.youtube.com for today's highlights. Its hard to put more video
on but I hope you enjoy the minute or so we have. Gary Heldenmuth put
this together for your enjoyment. Once in You Tube, type in Mo Steel
Japan Day 1. You might have to sign up for You Tube but it is easy. I
have to do it this way because I can not assess my web site from here.
Regards,
David
Hello
Everyone-
If we left Japan tomorrow, this trip would be an
overwhelming success! Today was amazing, and amazing isnt even a good
enough word to describe it. 8 years of hard work brought Mo Steel to a
new level today. We played 9 total games, won them all but that was not
what made today so special. We taught over 150 kids but in a way that
was so inspiring even to me. Our kids were great! The spirit and passion
they showed to all the kids we played with and taught was terrific. To
the Japanese athletes, we were rock stars. Tons of fun! We handed out mo
steel t shirts, pins and the flag football handbooks we worked on. Our
kids made friends, got email addresses and most importantly gave
something back today. We made a difference in the lives of many kids
today and even an entire culture.
Unfortunately, you could not be here to witness what
actually took place. I kid you not... each player on Mo Steel was
special today. We are dead tired so tonight we will not put a video
together but I will get it out tomorrow.
Tomorrow is the same. Games and clinics in Kawasaki. We
will meet the Mayor and enjoy a Japanese festival that is taking place.
The kids and I are having the time of our lives.
Tokyo is awesome. I am sitting by my window of my 12th
story room thinking how amazing this program is that we are Team USA, in
Japan, making a difference.
Goodnight. Steve will be sending pictures. Please
forward this to anyone who might be interested.
David
Hello
Everyone-
Another great day. The kids played 5 total games and
went 5-0 and also ran a clinic that NFL players would be proud of.
If you were here to watch, you would be so proud of your
kids. They are growing up during this experience. It has truly been
incredible and special. We are rock stars to these Japanese kids and our
kids are playing with them, signing autographs and having fun. Tonight
we had dinner with 100 Japanese athletes at a cool Japanese style
restaurant. The kids sang songs, played games and socialized all night.
Our kids even exchanged email addresses with some friends they met.
We played at a park where a town festival was taking
place. We had tons of spectators including the mayor of Kawasaki.
Tomorrow is going to be sweet. We have a full day packed
with fun activities concluding with Passover Seder at the Chabad of
Tokyo. Wow!
I hope all is well at home. Enjoy your seder.
Another video should be ready soon. I just wish I could
send you each minute of the day.
David
Hello
Everyone-
Well today was nothing short of a long eventful
terrific day!
We started at 4am.. yup 4am.. We went to the fish market
which is the largest fish market in the world. It was insane. Millions
of assorted sea food everywhere and tons of people buying it. It was
cool to see how it works. The kids were amazed as was I.
From there we grabbed a quick bite to eat then we went
off to watch a Sumo Wrestling exhibition which was at a local sumo
school. After watching the wrestlers practice the kids got to actually
wrestle them. It was hilarious. They tossed our kids around. It was an
amazing experience.
From there, we went to the famous Tokyo Dome and saw
some of a baseball game. The stadium is very modern. Some of the kids
stayed in the Tokyo dome area and went to a theme park which was there.
We rode some rides including a huge roller coaster (I chickened out).
The rest of the group went the Sony store where they saw the
newest technology on display.
From there we showered up after a short nap and went for
Passover Seder at the Chabad of Tokyo. That was unreal. We were packed
in like sardines. We did a service, ate, sang and laughed a lot. This
was truly a Passover to remember forever!
Tomorrow we leave Tokyo and head to Kiasotto (definitely
wrong spelling). We are staying at a place called K.E.E.P. This is a JCC
type place with dorm rooms. I am sure we will have a blast. We will be
staying with Japanese kids there who are enrolled in flag football with
the Japan Flag Football Federation. We have tons of cool activities
planned for the players including campfires.
I am not sure if I will have Internet access there as it
is up in the mountains. Chances are you will not get an email from me
tomorrow.
The kids send their love as do I. We are truly enjoying
the moment and having the time of our lives. I am going to try to get a
video up before we leave in the morning.
Have a very happy Passover.
Regards,
David
Hello
Everyone
What a memorable day yesterday! We boarded a train
around 10ish for the mountains. Once we arrived at KEEP we were greeted
by a large group pf Japanese kids holding signs welcoming us. That was
the start of something special.
WE went to visit the Football Hall of Fame which is one
of 3 in the world. The kids got to see the history of the game in Japan,
which is surprisingly rich. From there we went to milk cows at the KEEP
farm. Needless to say, this was hysterical and tons of fun for all of
us.
The day continued with a 2 hour rest time which turned
into a 2 hour play time with our kids and the Japanese kids. Our kids
taught them our hip hop dances. It was cool to watch them interact. The
kids played board games together... it was truly a moment where it
didn't matter what country you are from or how you look. It was kids
playing with kids.
Dinner was amazing. The KEEP organization had a banquet
in our honor. The Mayor and other important people were there. They
pampered us and honored us as Team USA. We received gift after gift. The
kids exchanged t-shirts, not to mention other items. The night was a
tribute to Mo Steel and football. The message of the night was DO YOUR
BEST!
The night concluded with a great campfire. Our kids
danced the Hora with the Japanese kids and even lifted the chair with
them sitting in it. They taught us some songs. Needless to say, this was
a moment that wont be forgotten, especially since snow flurries were
falling on us.
Once the Japanese kids went to bed, my and I stayed at
the camp fire for about 2 hours, relaxing, listening to music and
telling jokes. Mo Steel football is more than football. Its the bonding
like this. The campfire was a great way to end the night.
Now we are about to go to KEEP field to play. Each team
has 1 or 2 games this morning. Following the game, we will run a clinic.
Then we are off to Osaka, where more football and more life changing
moments await.
Video Tomorrow.. maybe tonight (my time)
Regards and Best wishes,
David
Hello
Everyone-
I have 10 minutes to write as I am late to get
downstairs but I know you are awaiting this message.
Yesterday was another memorable day. I ordered snow for
our games and clinic so we got it. All kidding aside, there was a snow
storm while we played yesterday. I was cool. Mo Steel has never played
in the snow before.
The kids shined again. I could not be more proud of
their professionalism and gamesmanship. The Japanese athletes once again
marveled at our play. My kids ran a smooth and informative session after
the games.
Upon our departure from KEEP their was a large group
waving us goodbye. It was right our of a movie. It actually brought
tears to many eyes.
Our kids made friends at KEEP but more importantly once
again, we made a big difference.. and that's why we came.
Long travel day after we left keep but in typical Mo
Steel fashion, we made the best of it and had a great time on the 5
hours of trains we had to take. Dinner was nice and went right to bed as
we were tired.
Today is a full day of sightseeing in Osaka and Kioto.
We are staying in Osaka now for two nights.. it is a cool hip town.
We are trying to find the time to upload more video.. I
hope the pics are helping. We have tons of great video we will put
together once we get home. This is documentary material.
Best Regards,
David
Hello
Everyone-
Warm regards from a cold Osaka. Today was a sightseeing
day.. full day as we got up at 7:30am.
In Kioto, we went to Nijo Castle, Heian Shrine, Golden
Pavilion and one other temple before shopping in a very cool and crowded
market. The kids and I once again had a blast.
Dinner was at a nice American Style restaurant and we
feasted.
The kids are in very high spirits and each day seems to
get better and better. Its hard to believe that there are only 4 more
days.
Tomorrow is a full football day. We plan to make a
difference again. That's what we do best. Football!
Regards,
David
Hello
Everyone-
What can I say. Another incredible full football day. We
started with a 7:30am wake up call and didn't stop until now (9pm).
After a 2 hour hike (3 trains and a bus ride) we made it to a University
outside of Osaka. We were surprised to see a very nice stadium with nice
grass. Tons of teams and kids lined up to see us today. We were once
again greeted with open arms.
After a brief opening ceremony, we began play. The
juniors and seniors both played 3 games today and won them all and the
very had a game which they won as well. One team the Seniors played
today gave us a scare. They were very good. As a matter of fact they
were the number 2 rated team in Japan. We got by them 40-32.
The kids were spectacular once again for the 2 hour
clinic. Unless you are here with me you can not get the full feeling of
what we are accomplishing. Ill try to explain.... the Japanese kids look
at our kids like real life professional athletes. They are in awe. Our
kids shake their hands, play around with them during free time, eat with
them but most importantly, we are teaching them the game of flag
football so they can play better. We are giving mo steel t shirts, key
chains, pins and so much more as gifts.
Today was the first day of school for the Japanese
students. We had over 70 kids skip their first day of school today to
see us, some traveling over 2 hours. It is a tremendous honor to hear
that. We met the chief football dog in Japan today. He came to watch us
perform.
The exchange dinner was great once again. Short words by
me and Judge Ito followed by dinner and some songs and fun games with
both teams.
After our long hike home, we are very tired.
Off to Hiroshima tomorrow then to Fukowka for 2 days.
I hope all is well in Miami. Shabbat Shalom. More videos
will be up in the morning (my morning).
Regards,
David
Hello
Everyone-
Yesterday was a different kind of day. We traveled to
Hiroshima which I felt was important for the kids to learn about while
in Japan. The kids learned a lot and I was proud of them for how much
attention they paid. The site is somber and the museum was done really
well. We ate at a local mall. From there we the traveling machine took a
train and bus two hours to Fukouka where we have out last football
event.
This morning, we will train 70 kids ages 8-16. The
football organization has rolled out the red carpet for us. Wherever we
go, their are `Team USA MO STEEL` signs. They made a program for our
visit, where each kid will get a copy. Later this afternoon we will play
7 more games to wrap up our tour. The Seniors will play the number 3
team in Japan.. 2 days after playing the number 2 team in Japan.
I spoke with the team last night about bringing their
passion for the game with them ｆｏｒ the clinics and game tomorrow. I
mean.. how many people and game tomorrow. Ｉ mean.. how many people get
this experience? I am looking forward to watching them perform later
today.
Tonight their is a big banquet in our honor. I will
write a big banquet in our honor. I will write soon after.
The computers at this hotel are home based so we can not
log onto our own systems. Therefore, Steve and Gary can not email
pictures and videos however once we get back to Tokyo tomorrow, you will
be able to fill your day up watching the stuff we have.
Best regards,
David.... who is having the time of his life
Hey
Everyone-
We are about to leave Fukouka.. Yesterday was amazing. I
know you cant believe that but its true. We ran another successful
clinic in the morning...probably the best one yet. There was tons of
energy and the kids made me proud because I challenged them to show off
their passion for the game for one last clinic. There was tons of
clapping, jumping up and down and gift exchange.
Later in the afternoon we played a series of games once
again. The Seniors played the number 1 and 2 team in the country and
defeated them both bringing their overall record in Japan to 13-0. The
Junior lost a tight game against a high ranked team in Japan. They
finished with a record of 12-1. The Vets capped off a great run in Japan
beating 6 teams adult yesterday. They finished with a record of 16-0.
That is a lot of football and I am confident that the Japanese teams who
played us have learned a lot.
The banquet in our honor last night was nothing short of
a tribute to Mo Steel Football. Mo Steel Football was presented with
numerous gifts and high praise. The banquet hall was packed for us. The
Korean Delegation, who came in to watch us in action was highly
impressed by our professionalism. The reception was capped off when the
Japanese people created a human tunnel for us to walk through. We shook
hands and gave high fives. It was a scene from a movie.
I took the kind (in our green Japanese robes) to Karaoke
last night. Needless to say, this might have been the most fun we had
the whole trip. None of us are singers, but we tried anyways. It was a
blast and even better than that it was in our hotel, so we didn't have
to move everyone on and off a bus again.
Today is our last full day here in Japan. We will live
it up..in typical Mo Steel fashion. We are off to the Nissin Factory
then to Tokyo for our final dinner together. I will email tomorrow
before heading to the airport.
Expect pictures and videos later today (my today).
Best wishes to everyone,
David
