Yoko, a home health care nurse, had to work that day and the girls were involved in activities to some degree, so we hung out with Mike during the day. We had an easy morning catching up while Julia entertained herself with all their black cats (including some kittens) and their dog. Later, Mike took us to peek in on the girls in their Saturday activities: The 11 year-old’s ballet class at the community gym; and the 14 year-old’s volleyball scrimmage at the local middle school. It was great to get a taste of their daily lives. They’ve been there quite awhile now and really seem to have integrated themselves into the community. Mike is head of his “chonaikai” (neighborhood association) this year. Everywhere we went, people greeted us warmly.
Eventually, we picked up one of the girls and had lunch together at a Soba place in Shintoku Town. Then drove a few minutes up to Karikachi Togei, a nearby mountain pass with view of the area. We couldn’t see the more distant mountain ranges, but the clouds had lifted enough to see the beautiful green valleys below. Some paragliders launched right by our lookout, giving us a stunning view as they sailed right by our perch and far beyond.
Back home again, the girls played with the animals, played a game, and helped with dinner. Mike helped me with getting the language changed on Blogspot from Japanese to English! Now I can actually read the instructions. This allowed me to actually begin downloading photos. Yay Mike!!!!
Later that evening we sat down to an incredible feast of temakizushi (do-it-yourself sushi), chawanmushi (savory custard with vegetables and seafood) and osuimono ( clear soup) with hampen (made of fish & egg whites). We all ate until we were moaning. Finally, there was home made kinako mochi (rice cakes covered with slightly sweetened powdered soy flour) and tea for dessert. It was a delectable and beautiful dinner!
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