November 28th, 2012
When leaving the Denver airport after Mr. Than’s arrival, Mr. Than looked toward the sky and watched with great interest the vapor trails behind the number of planes in the Denver sky. “What are those white lines behind the planes?” he asked. Puzzled, we looked at the planes wondering what he found so unusual about them until we realized that the atmosphere temperature is much colder here in Colorado, allowing for the vapor trails to form. In Myanmar there are no vapor trails to see as the atmosphere is much warmer there. Mr. Than’s observant eye was to endear us on many occasions in the visit. This fresh perspective was our welcome from the Myanmar people to Denver!
November 29th, 2012
At Emily Sensei’s studio
buy some long winter underwear for Mr. Than! Denver in winter is beyond cold for a Myanmar native. The afternoon was highlighted by a trip to the Denver Natural History Museum where he studied an exhibition of dinosaurs. He was most interested in a group of students who were looking at the exhibit. This is understandable since Mr. Than is an educator and principal of a high school in Myanmar. He also went to see a movie on the western frontier at the IMAX and stopped by the studio of Emily Busch Sensei who is a jewelry designer and goldsmith.
Family dinner at the home of Nippon Kan President, Doug Kelly
Nippon Kan President, Doug Kelly with his wife Carolyn and their girls Katherine and Rachael.
November 30th, 2012
Morning: Mr. Than visited Coyote Creek Elementary School in Highlands Ranch.
Observing a class at a local elementary school
This visit was organized by Paige, a member of Nippon Kan staff and Coyote Creek Elementary School Teacher. They watched a class and Mr. Than ate lunch with the students in the cafeteria. Mr. Than was very interested in the open educational style of Denver schools.
Evening: A trip downtown to see the Christmas “Parade of Lights” at the
Watching the “Parade of Lights” at the Denver City and County Building
Denver City and County Building that kicks off the holiday season in Denver.
December 1st, 2012
Morning: Sightseeing in the Rocky Mountains with Homma Kancho.
Panoramic view at Red Rocks Outdoor Amphitheater
Afternoon: Mr. Than visited the Myanmar Dharmaparala Temple in
Visiting the Myanmar Dharmaparala Temple in Denver
Denver and spent many hours talking with fellow countrymen now living in the United States.
December 2nd, 2012
Morning: Visit to Myanmar Karen Tribe church in Denver
Visit to Denver Karen Tribe church
Afternoon: Visit to the Denver Art Museum and Denver Public Library. Mr. Than was fascinated by the unlimited access to art and any kind of books that was available to local Denver residents at the museum and library. Mr. Than’s reaction reminded me that this access was something that is taken for granted here in the US.
December 3rd, 2012
Morning, Mr. Than had his first experience visiting a “Doggie Day Care”
Sightseeing with Yuji on the CU Denver Campus
center; he was quite amused to see a day-care center for dogs! Something unheard of in Myanmar.
Noon: Mr. Than gave a lecture on recent history in Myanmar at the CU Denver campus for a course in Social History of Asian Americans.
Afternoon: A drive into the Rocky Mountains to the historical town of Georgetown with Nippon Kan Staff-Yuji.
December 4th, 2012
Noon: Visit to the Denver Post Newspaper. Mr. Than met with Denver
Conversation with Denver Post Reporters over lunch
Poster editors and writers in a question and answer session to discuss current events in Myanmar. He was also able to sit in on the Chief Editor’s production staff meeting and tour the facility guided by Linda Shapley. This visit was organized by Jeff Legwold, a well known sports staff writer for the Denver Post who has also served as Instructor for the Nippon Kan Youth Program.
In the evening a welcome dinner reception was held in Mr. Than’s honor
Denver Post Production office
at Nippon Kan. In addition to Nippon Kan Board members, staff and other guests in attendance, Nippon Kan General Headquarter Honorary Advisor Judge Kerry Hada was in attendance and presented framed letters of welcome from Denver Dignitaries. (listed below).
In the evening a welcome dinner reception was held in Mr. Than’s honor at Nippon Kan. In addition to Nippon Kan Board members, staff and other guests in attendance, Nippon Kan General Headquarter Honorary Advisor Judge Kerry Hada was in attendance and presented framed letters of welcome from Denver Dignitaries. (listed below).
Official Letters of Welcome
Senator Mark Udall
Congresswoman Dianna Degette
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock
Denver County Judge Kerry Hada
Minoru Yasui Inn of Court President Robin Rossenfeld
The welcome dinner was prepared with traditional Myanmar cuisine by
Lakhine staff cooked a traditional Myanmar meal and wore traditional clothing for the reception
Lakhine tribe refugees who have relocated to Denver. They wore traditional Myanmar clothes for the occasion and their pride and patriotism could be felt throughout the event.
December 5th, 2012
Morning: Mr. Than visited Denver City Council Chambers and met with
At the Denver State Capital
Denver City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega.
With Denver City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega at Denver City Council Chambers
Afternoon: Tour of the Denver Courts with Judge Kerry Hada- a fascinating
With Judge Kerry Hada and Judge Larry Bohning at the Denver Courts
firsthand look at American democracy in our judicial system.
Evening: An adventure into the “Wild West” with a visit to a local western
A taste of the west at a local western dance hall
dance hall with Nippon Kan students and staff.
December 6th, 2012
Morning: The last morning in Denver was spent shopping for souvenirs
Bon Voyage Party; Mr. Than and Homma Kancho
and electronics which are much more inexpensively priced here in the US.
Evening: Homma Kancho hosted a farewell party for Mr. Than at a popular sushi restaurant. Mr. Than seemed to have quite a taste for sushi and sake!
December 7th – 9th, 2012
Homma Kancho accompanied Mr. Than to the city of San Francisco. Mr.
At the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Than enjoyed the view of the Golden Gate bridge and harbor, telling Homma Kancho, “This is a dream come true”.
December 10th – 13th, 2012
Homma Kancho served as guide, showing Mr. Than some quick highlights
At the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, Japan
of life in Japan. After attending a welcome party hosted by Japanese staff upon arrival, Homma Kancho escorted Mr. Than to Kyoto for sightseeing and to some of Tokyo’s famous temples and shopping areas.
Asakusa Temple in Tokyo
December 14th, 2012
After a whirl-wind two week tour of the United States and Japan, Mr. U Than returned to Myanmar accompanied by Homma Kancho. A trip of a lifetime for Mr. Than and all of us at Nippon Kan. Thank you Mr. Than for inspiring such a wonderful experience.