Back to Akashi, Neighbors, Carnitas

On Saturday night I went out to the underground sushi place in Akashi (マサムネ) with Mr. Komori. It was good to see not only Mr. Komori but also the sushi master and his wife, who were eager to find out how many babies I had. The conversation was very interesting, and it included discussion of sushi knives, identifying namako, and how many different kinds of squid were swimming offshore just a kilometer away.

After sushi we walked over to Donkey to catch up with the master and his wife, and were waylaid by three former students of mine from Takasago Minami, who chanted “Bryan, Bryan” until I looked over and recognized them. They were as surprised to see Komori sensei (also their old teacher) as we were to see them. We chatted with them a little bit and then they went on their way to a drinking party of their own.

Donkey was the same as ever, and it was good to have a couple of Guinness and talk with some of the regulars. We caught up on what has been going on lately, and I was struck with how quickly you can get comfortable in that place. We stayed off the dart boards and instead enjoyed each other’s company.

Sunday morning we were off to Costco to do some shopping. We scored some good stuff, including about two cases of “everyday wine”, some guacamole (not bad for Costco), and some prepared enchiladas to try out for dinner. It was pretty tiring driving all the way out to Amagasaki, and I am always reminded of how far it is on the way back when our energy starts to run out.

We had bought some things for the Fukumis at Costco so we gave them what they ordered, and Ms. Fukumi had baked some oatmeal raisin cookies that she gave us. It was as if she could read my mind – I had been thinking about baking some next weekend. They were really good – she really knows how to cook! Yuki Yamaji and his sister rang our doorbell and said hello as well. He came back from three months of cooking school in Italy, and it sounds like he had a good time but was a little lonely over there. I’m eager to see what he learned in the near future. He brought back two Italian scarves to keep us warm this winter – nice.

As for this week, it’ll be pretty standard, I’m guessing. I’m trying to find out more about what the future brings at KHI, so that’ll be first and foremost on my mind. Also I’m hoping to make carnitas for next weekend – I found a good recipe and I bought a good piece of meat to use at Costco. It is the first time I’ve made carnitas in Japan so I’m not sure how they’ll turn out.


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