Frequently Asked Questions

(F.A.Q.)

Last updated AROUND 7/2/02
Left here for hysterical reasons

7/12/03  Note:  The comments that were originally in this FAQ that said yo-hi alumni were not allowed to attend were removed.
They were there only as a joke -- this 'FAQ' actually was updated at least once a day, and many 'funny' comments came and went.
This 'archived' version, had the no yo-hi stuff left in there.  It was not serious, it was only meant to be funny.
Yo-Hi alumni are always welcome at any ZAHS reunion as well as anyone interested in Zama High activities.
As for this reunion, held last year -- there were many ZAHS alumni who also attended Yo-Hi for some of their high school that attended, and they razzed me plenty for the comments then.

 IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FAQ READER

Spydercat keeps adding to this FAQ.  The problem is, he is a CAT and has no organizational skills whatsoever.  What this means to YOU, is that new information is updated here all the time -- trouble is, it is difficult and hard to find the new parts unless you read the whole thing.   I know, that sux.   But, I will work on it whenever the damn cat gets off the computer.   Meanwhile,  look for the [this page was not updated beyond 7/2/03]  at the top of the page to see when this page has been updated.   I try to add the graphic where I can to help, but that is only in the middle.   So far, how it has been handled is, the new stuff keeps getting added to the end of the list.  Go figure.   Well, actually, go READ.

1)  What are the 'reunion' dates?

 July 4,5,6 & 7, 2002.  What exactly does that mean?  Hotel blocks have been reserved for the nites of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and  6th.    Some events are being planned for the 5th and 6th.   Individual classes are 'encouraged' to organize events for themselves on the 5th.

 "It will be July 4th, 5th and 6th (Thurs, Fri and Sat night) for rooms at the hotel. I'm thinking people will arrive Thurs. Register Friday, do there class or decade thing on Friday night, be all together on Sat night a goodbye breakfast on Sunday morning. Just like the "official" reunions.    Barb  [one of our organizers] "

2)  What is a 'mini' reunion?  Why is this called an 'unofficial' reunion?

The Zama American High School Alumni Association organizes and sponsors reunions roughly every 2 years or so.  With the popularity of email and internet, groups of ZAHS alumni have been organizing and gathering at various places 'ad hoc' for small reunions.  These have been growing in size and popularity.   The instigators of a few of these 'mini' reunions felt that a good old fashioned, all hands, all years reunion would be fun.  For various reasons, the ZAHS alumni assoc, cannot sponsor a reunion in 2002, thus this gathering is 'unofficial'.  There is no sponsorship by any group or organization.    

What does that mean?  not a whole lot or a whole lot depending on what you expect.   Unofficial means there is no one to complain to except yourself -- you are responsible for your transportation, comfort, and lodgings.   Some alumni are in the hotel and catering business and have offered, on their own initiative, to 'block' hotel rooms, organize events, plan events, etc.    If you like what is going on, or don't -- feel free to plan your 'own thing' for yourself, a group (the 70s, etc), open to anyone, etc.   If you like, send an email to spydercat and we will post it on this web site.  This could be an announcement of an event or a query if anyone is interested in a certain activity --- whatever, it is up to any one person to make, plan, or do anything for and at this 'mini', 'unofficial' gathering.

3) What is the deal with the hotel (Mariott Rivercenter)?

3A)   1/12/02 ->  There have been a few folks calling the hotel to make reservations (I like that enthusiasm) and the hotel has no record of the ZAHS reunion block.   WTFO?   

1/17/02: Hotel reservations are now available.  Please see the link here.

We have rooms set up under Zama American High School mini reunion. These are the dates and number of rooms available at the discounted rate are:

Wed. 7/3 - 20 rooms
Thu. 7/4 - 50 rooms
Fri. 7/5 - 100 rooms
Sat. 7/6 - 100 rooms

 

When you make your reservations, use ZAMZAMA as the group code.

If you know you are coming to the reunion, please make your reservation early as the rooms will go fast. If you are not sure about coming, please wait until you know you are coming to make your reservations.

Taxi service from the San Antonio airport is around $17.00 per person. There is a van service, San Antonio Tran that offers $15.00 round trip per person.

Parking at the hotel is $15.00 per day for Valet and $12.00 per day for self park.

PLEASE NOTE:  Someone  (and I aint naming names because I already whooped that damn cat once for this sort of thing) accidentally listed the Marriott River Walk -- THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT HOTEL --- The correct hotel is the Mariott RiverCenter.

 

4)  Why is everything on this web site so verbose and unorganized?

It is my site and my keyboard.

5)  Why San Antonio?

Why not?  San Antonio was chosen by the self-appointed organizers after (almost a yearlong) debate on the web bbs.  It offers a lot to do for a large crowd.  The riverwalk area provides an area where bored and restless can wander off and amuse themselves without escort, etc.   We had to pick some place and it was a, if not majority, very popular choice.

6)  Will there be a reunion fee?

7)  Why not in Atlanta, Des Moines, Chicago, etc.

Because.  

8)  Why not April xxx, August yyyy, or the weekend after July 4th?

Because.

9)  I didn't graduate ZAHS but did go to school there (elementary, middle, and/or high school).  Can I still attend?

Yes, of course.   More than that, please do.  This is about a group of people with a common shared experience of living in Japan as Americans -- not about a piece of paper or diploma.

10)  I didn't even go to zama/ZAHS -- but went to ASIJ, Tachikawa, Yo-Hi,  etc, can I come anyway?

Yes, of course.

11)  How can I add to, or modify this FAQ?

send email to rick

12)  I only want to attend so I can buy the T-Shirt/coffee mug/squeezee toy with the unofficial reunion logo on it.  Can I do (buy) that?

This is America .  How can we say 'been there, done that' without a t-shirt?  We are working on an unofficial logo at this time and hope to have t-shirts available, at least. 

We are offering crew neck and V neck styles. Sm, Med, Lg and XLg are $17.00, XXLg are $19.00.

13)  I think your unofficial logo stinks.  Can I create/design a better one?

Yes, of course.  Please send it (in just about any form -- .jpg .gif, photoshop, etc) to rick@spydercat.com  before we print up a bunch of t-shirts, coffee mugs, squeezee toys, etc.   (in case you are wondering -- I haven't shown the logo to anyone yet,  so if you think it stinks now -- just wait till you see it)

14)  What about the menu?  the events?  When will we find out what kind of FUN we will have?

Schedule:

Thursday 4 July, open for class functions. I understand there will be Fireworks on the Riverwalk.

Friday 5 July, open during the day. We meet at 5:00PM to ride the bus to the Marriott Ranch and will return at 11:00PM.
Ranch Party will include Dinner, Hayride, Horseshoes, Darts, Crouquet,Bonfire, Line dancing instruction, dancing to a DJ. I understand there are some other activities also, however we have to attend to see what they are. Dress casual/jeans/shorts. No swim suits please.

Menu for the Ranch Dinner Buffet:
A tour of Garden Greens w/choices of dressing
Potato Salad, Country style coleslaw
Grilled Chicken and Sausage, BBQ sauce, rolls
Fire roasted corn on the cob w/butter
Ranch style BBQ baked beans
Fredricksburg Peach Cobbler w/cinnamon whipped cream
Dark chocolate fudge brownies
Coffee, tea and iced tea
Cash Bar

Saturday 6 July, open during the day. Class/Group photo session at 5:30PM at the Marriott Rivercenter leading into Dinner at 7:00PM and the Dance at 8:30PM until 1:00AM

Menu for the Tex-Mex Dinner Buffet:

Baskets of chips and San Antonio salsa
Traditional red and green cabbage slaw
Chicken and beef fajitas w/grilled green peppers, sweet onions, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheddar and jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa and sour cream made to order on fresh flour tortilla's.
Cheese Enchiladas w/ranchero sauce
Savory spanish rice
Borrach beans wsmoked sausage and cilantro
Margarita cheescake w/strawberry sauce
Cinnamon Churros
Fresh coffees, teas and iced tea
Cash Bar

There will be strolling Marichias at the Dinner. Dance will be with a DJ. Cash Bar.
Dress will be nice casual, no T-shirts, jeans or shorts please.

Sunday 7 July, Sayonara Breakfast at the Marriott Garden Cafe from 8:30 to 10:30. This is included for Alumni, $16.50 for everyone else.

The rate we have received is based upon a minimum of 350 people, if we fall below this number we will have to adjust the price.

 

15)  I hate reading these FAQs, isn't there something else? someone else to write them?  Didn't you ever grow up?

No.

16)   When do we signup once we get there?  Can I help with Registration (and get free BEER while doing so?)???