At noon today I met Jerry and his new wife, Christy, a Taiwanese beauty, for lunch and shopping. We set out into the mountains in Jerry's cool hybrid car with its flashing display telling the driver when the car is running on gas and when it's running on power. It wasn't far into the winding, hilly roads (maybe 15 minutes) where you find many city dwellers' second homes that we stopped at a seemingly ordinary house. I was sort of surprised when Jerry said, "This is it". Okay. So, we got out and mounted the stairs to the second floor of one of the houses. Inside the door were guest slippers, which we donned, and a passage to the restaurant. The restaurant seemed more like someone's living room with small dining tables and chairs. Jerry explained to me this is like home-style, and it was, like in someone's home. :-) The someone happened to be this older lady who was born in Okinawa and lived there during WWII. She later also lived in Brazil. We'll call her what Jerry does, Obasan (aunt). I can describe her as a beautiful person inside and out. She didn't stand much taller than my shoulder, but her kindness and warmth projected like sunlight all around her. She had an amazingly beautiful face with freckles and smile lines. Before we left, she let me take a photo of her and we posed for one together, and she squeezed me tightly. It was so maternal and caring. She told me she loves Americans and that I'm pretty. :-) So, so sweet.
Her food was great, too! She made a pasta primavera for us as J and C are vegetarians. The plates were mounds of spaghetti noodles with eggplant spears, slices of red and green bell pepper, tiny mushrooms (my fav!), tomatoes, and more. It was hearty and filling. :-) I don't think I'll have any dinner as I'm still full from it!
During the meal we chatted about all kinds of topics from having children, to Maddy, our hostess' background, cultural similarities and differences, etc. Jerry and I had a brief and interesting discussion of the pros and cons of students wearing uniforms in the public schools. He was against it; I was for it. We shared our ideas and it was a good conversation. Christy didn't talk much, so I felt so of bad about my endless stream of words. I hope I didn't annoy or offend her. She is so sweet and quiet!
After the meal, photos and goodbyes, we headed off for Daiso, which is basically the dollar store. Or rather it is the $1.20 store as the dollar is weak against the yen. It was almost like the dollar store at home, except that it was full of more cool things! I was a little crazy! I mean it. I had my basket full within 45 minutes, I think. I bought Japanese language cards, a wooden toy, a world map with international hellos on it, and many other things for Maddy. She'll love them. I bought something for Tym who tipped me off to the Daiso store, has helped me out a ton on this trip and covered some classes. Other who will receive little treats are: Kara, Melinda, Linda (Maddy's bus driver), Analisa, Jennifer and Nicole (Maddy's sitters during this trip), Kwabena, Carter, and several others. I know I have something for many, many folks. I ended up spending Y5,145, and no, I don't want the exchange rate for it. I'd rather live in oblivion ;-).
We also checked out another dollar store in the Aeon building and the Joshin store for cameras. I really want a better camera so badly! The one I liked was Y89,800, but that was marked down more, but it didn't say. Interestingly, Jerry told me I could bargain with them, you know, negotiate in a store like Best Buy! I was so trippy. I almost did it, but wasn't sure if this was the right time to buy this. I was worried about issues with warranties, language of the directions, and the expense. Perhaps I can buy one soon, I'll see...
The Aeon complex of stores was interesting in that there were about 50 stores in one big warehouse type building. I couldn't tell when one started and when one ended. My friends seemed to, which kept me out of trouble! lol. There was even a creperie there! If I hadn't eaten such a big lunch, watch out! They smelled delicious!
On our way back to campus, Jerry drove us by the University faculty housing complex where the faculty only pay a very low rent to reside. The buildings were not the old style traditional ones with the neat tiled roofs that I so admire, nor were they condo-like, they were tall, beige rectangle apartment buildings. Mostly nondescript, but cozy and livable according to my sources.
Random thoughts in no specific order:
-road signs of an angry-looking wild boar with tusks that warn drivers to be on the lookout for wild boar in the road, just like our deer crossing signs.
-road signs of adorable and hug-able raccoon creatures, I guess warning drivers that Japan likes cute cartoon images? lol
-winterizing rice paddies, burning fields being prepared for planting by the farmers, the sunlight lowering on the smoky blue mountains in the distance
-rain gutters that are about 1 foot deep and 8 inches wide
-tiny daffodils blooming
-a little girl with a round face and black straight fringe and a pony tail playing with a wooden car and track in the Aeon complex
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