I should have known that this would not be an ordinary trip to Japan when the lady in the vegetable store called me "Psycho". It kind of took me by surprise but, heh, in Japan, you have to be ready for anything! How did she get my personality figured out so quickly? This was just the second day in Osaka.
Mayumi met us at Tenma Train Station on the 30th where, after a long day on many trains, we arrived exhausted. There is something about her smile though that perks you up. We are home again with our Japanese family. The three of us picked Sota up at his day care (goes from 7am to 7pm). I thought he would be shy. Nope! He was bursting with excitement as only a 2 year old can be. He held our hands all the way home where Daddy (Takamichi) surprised us on the street... he probably heard us coming.
One night at their Osaka apartment before heading to the family home in Sanda City.
Took back roads through the country. The hills are thick with Bamboo and Japanese Pine.
We were greeted by more family we moved in to our tatami mat room. Futons and cushy comforters. (Kayoko says this is now our room) So much more comfortable and practical than western bedrooms!
After settling in we wandered down to the big family kitchen where Kayoko politely announced that I needed an "Dye Job". So..... I know I've lots of grey hair but that's just not nice.... and Kayoko is my good friend (sister)!
This is when Mayumi explains that dye job means OK in Japanese and psycho means wonderful.
So.... in Japan I am a wonderful psycho who needs an OK dye job!
This joke went on and on as our journey continued.
The next couple of days were spent walking around checking out the shops, (prices for food here in Japan have gone way up) and looking for creepy bugs for Manito. Little boys all over the world are in to shiny, creepy, ugly bugs and the odd frog. Manito is right in... with his brother Takito and cousin Sota watching from the sidelines.
Kenji came for a visit. It was great to see him and to meet his adorable (bilingual) son. It is wonderful to see these young people become caring parents. Had a great visit with Kenji. Next time we're in Japan we will make a point of visiting for longer.
On Sunday we enjoyed Manito's school sports day... picnic lunch and all. The kids played tug of war, raced & passed huge rubber balls overhead all in hopes their team would win. Red hats against white hats. Manito was on the akai (red) team. What impressed me the most was the cheering competition. Each team rehearsed a cheer for their side for their side (each side had at least 150 kids). Once their cheer was done they put on different hats and cheered the other team. Everything was fair and I would bet there was a tie at the end of the day.
Sunday night the family had arranged a party to welcome us. Many friends came bringing food (like a Canadian pot luck). Takamichi's parents had made trays and drinking cups out of bamboo. Ingenious design! Wine and beer cups made out of 3-4 inch bamboo where the trays were made of 8-10 inch diameter bamboo cut in half lengthwise.
I was presented with a beautiful silk vest and little bowls filled with quilted bags. Yukiko had made a 'Welcome Home Shane and Mary" sign using her beautiful dried flowers. It was a great party ... so so so fun! Even when people called us "Heh Bozo" it was OK. Because what they were really saying was Hai dozo which means "Yes Please"! I knew this wasn't a slight on my personality because I was, of course, psycho!
On Monday Kayoko, Mika (Mayumi's sister), Manito, Shane and I headed off to a park for a long hike and bug hunt. With magnifying glass, bug collector's box and box lunch in hand we took a tram to the top of the mountain for a 2 hour walk down through the forest. Even with a light rain it was a beautiful view.
Frogs, flys and ants were captured, dropped, lost, found and dropped again as we descended on the Japanese Maple trail.
Many thanks to Mr. Nisihimoto for our fun evening. After the hike down and a wander through town (which included a foot soak in a street side hot spa ... talk about a rest stop!!) Mr. Nisihimoto treated us to good food, beer and saki in a local restaurant. Good food and lots of laughs.
Happy 75th birthday Mr. Nishimoto.... Promise I won't sing this time!
Next stop will be Kyushu and the hot springs in Kirishima.