Yesterday we had another full day – starting off with a run to Mr. Donuts. This is one of my favorite donut places in Japan, and they have some unusual flavors. While Lynn went over to Starbucks for a coffee, Nancy bought us all donuts and coffee. I had some nikuman and an old fashioned glazed, while everybody else was eating a croissant type roll with a hot dog and cheese embedded inside.
From there we went to my school in Takasago, and really surprised all the students. They were really friendly, and came by to say hello. They were hoping for a glimpse of Kuniko I think, but unfortunately she had to work this week.
We were led into the principal’s office where he greeted everyone and said I translated as best I could until the vice-principal made it there. We talked for a little while, and then had a chance to sit in on Mori sensei’s international understanding class. She wasn’t aware that we would drop by, so I felt a little bad. Afterwards she said that she was very happy that we stopped in.
My dad was right at home, and went over to talk to a couple of students. Luckily he was talking to one of the better students, so I think they had a good conversation.
After that we had a chance to walk around and meet lots of students who were very curious about us, and we also got to meet Tsutsumi sensei, who is really a great person. Finally we wrapped things up and left. I thought it went really well. Everyone was nice to us and I think they were genuinely interested in my family.
Next stop was the grocery store for a quick snack to eat at the train stop, and then we caught the train to Himeji to tour the castle with Kuniko’s parents. They met us at the train station and gave us a big bottle of sake that we forgot last night, and then we walked to Himeji castle.
I’ve been to the castle several times before, and it is always very dramatic. As we walked there we could feel the temperature starting to drop – the weather is really changing up around here.
Everybody seemed to enjoy the tour, and the tour guide was really nice and did most of the tour in English. At the end we headed back, and everyone was trying to make conversation with the Kageyamas. The language barrier is tough, though. My mom managed to have a short exchange with Mrs. Kageyama, and she was really happy about that. I talked with Mr. Kageyama on the way back, and we were happy with how things went.
They walked us to the station, and so we got on board the Sanyo line and headed to my station.
We met Kuniko at the station by chance, and after a pitstop at my place for a bathroom break we went to the yakitori for a little dinner party. The master was there cooking away, and he greeted everyone, and even spoke some English for everyone. He must have been working hard on studying for us.
The food was great as usual, and we ate plenty of food. We went with an assortment of different foods, and the master kept serving us my favorites. The pork/kimchee dish was popular, and the mushroom dishes were also very popular. For a while we were the only people there, but soon a couple of regulars came in. They called some friends, and then I was able to introduce five regulars to my family.
They’ll be at my wedding, so we’ll get a chance to hang out again, but I was glad for them to be able to meet in their “natural environment” – at the yakitori.
Nancy was really enjoying the Okinawan Aomori, and by the time we got out of there, everyone was really happy. My dad bought everyone’s meal, and a round of drinks for the regulars and one for the master. What a nice guy!
The final challenge was for everyone to get on the train without assistance and go home to Akashi. They did great – dad called in once they arrived and said they had no problems.
Today we’ll be taking it a little easier, and going to Komori sensei’s house for a soba party. Friday will be Osaka – I’ll need to dream up some fun things to do there.
