Field Field Trips, Callsigns, and Japanese Cuisine

by Mike Murrell – Senior Broadcasting Major

I want to start by stating that it is an absolute honor and privilege to represent Goshen College in Japan this May Term.  We are halfway through our adventure and time is moving far too quickly.  

After a long week of filming at the Asian Rural Institute, we were all looking forward to a trip into the Japanese countryside.  The sixteen of us piled into a bus and drove to the farm of an ARI graduate to witness the after effects of an ARI education.

After a 45 minute ride, we landed at the farm of Yohei, a Japanese farmer who graduated from ARI several years ago.  It was a field trip to his fields; a field field trip as I call it.  It was a fascinating look at organic farming being used in a practical setting.  Yohei gave us a tour of his fields and showed us how the knowledge he gained at ARI impacted him.

Somehow evading a forecast for rain, we left the farm with a great interview, and more great footage of organic farming; all with our socks still dry.  Next on our agenda was a traditional Japanese lunch, and then the purchase of Bullet Train tickets for our trip to Tokyo next week.  As the expedition headed back to Nasushiobara, a certain topic could not be avoided.  For some reason, everyone on the bus was discussing “callsigns.”  As the only member of this team with military experience, I’ve decided to give everyone a callsign.  Whether or not they decide to use them, is entirely up to them.

Alyssa McDonald – “Slayer” – Her favorite saying is “Slay!!”

Kate Bodiker – “Piper” – She has some pipes.  A great singer and speaker.

Adrian Delgadillo – “Apollo” – Apollo was the god of art.

Cormac Koop Liechty – “Red Devil” – Manchester United is in his blood.

Peri Mast-Hochstedler – “Shepherd” – Her love of animals and eagerness to be with them.

Kendyl Silveus – “Hitchcock” – The master of suspense, horror, and overseer.

Ryan Carrillo – “Gorilla” – A true Russel Hobbs, he’s silent but the foundation of the group.

Brenton Pham – “Ghost” – A writing major, this started as ghost writer and was shortened

Josh Garcia – “Shades” – He is a connoisseur of sunglasses.

Court Templeton – “Bandito” – Lover of Twenty One Pilots, and she’s always stretching the rules

Sam Acosta – “Selfie” – No one takes more selfies than this man

Silas Immanuel – “Strum” – His love for guitar

Jeremiah Sherrill – “Melvin” – On top of being his middle name, he has 1000 voices

Bev Abma – “Globetrotter” – She is a traveler and has visited over 100 countries

Kyle Hufford – “Flash” – Kyle is the grand master. 

 

I was given the callsign “Maestro” by Slayer because I’m a lover of music and I have a knack for keeping all the pieces together.  I attribute this to my military career and I love it.

After the 45 minute ride back to Nasushiobara we took part in a traditional Japanese lunch at the restaurant, Kaiseki.  The restaurant was incredible and is exactly what you picture when you hear the term Japanese restaurant.  We sat on the floor with our shoes off and ate a combination of Japanese cuisine that included sushi, udon, and green tea.  

When lunch was complete, we finally made our way to the train station where we bought our tickets for our Bullet Train trek to Tokyo at the end of our adventure.  We will be traveling to Tokyo at over 200 miles per hour.  We are all very excited.

It was a great Saturday.  I’m so thrilled to be a part of this amazing group of filmmakers.  It has been so much fun and such an amazing experience.