Shimane Educators Visit New Orleans

While in New Orleans on an exchange program, 14 educators from Matsue and the surrounding area, and their local hosts, visited the Yakumo Nihon Teien.  Dr. Strong led a group of about thirty brave souls on a guided tour of the garden.  This writer can vouch for the fact that not even the frigid January winds of New Orleans can hold back our President’s enthusiasm for the garden.  With the aid of landscape architect Robin Tanner, Dr. Strong treated the group to a very thorough, and chilly, viewing of our recent progress.

Board members then welcomed the group into the Botanical Garden’s Education Building for a more traditional taste of New Orleans hospitality.  Festivities included Jambalaya, crawfish pasta, drinks, mounds of hot boiled crawfish, and Dr. Strong’s personal rendition of Oysters Rockefeller.  This was followed up by songs, laughter, and more gift exchanges than can be counted.

The Board would like to thank everyone involved for giving us the  opportunity to build even more friendships with our Matsue partners.