Notes:
embarrassed 当惑した;

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Over the weekend, I met a university student from Christchurch, New Zealand. He has been in Fukui for the last year studying Japanese. I told him that I had been to his hometown and talked about all the wonderful places I had seen, but he looked a little embarrassed. He said that even though he had grown up in New Zealand, he didn’t really know much about it. It’s true. We often don’t appreciate the great things around us until we hear others talking about them. This is one way that travel broadens the mind. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Note:
souvenir 記念品，みやげ ;
Photograph (名)写真、(動詞)写真をとる;

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When you think of Japanese souvenirs, what comes to mind? I think of folding fans (“sensu”) and kimonos, so I was surprised to hear about a new trend. More and more foreign visitors are buying school bags as souvenirs. In Japan, “randoseru” are for children, but adults from other countries are buying them not only for children but for themselves. One American actress was photographed with a typical red one on her back. Why are they popular? First of all, they are well made. They have to last for six years on a child’s back. They also come in many different colors these days. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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