Arrival at Leons Familys place

Written by Rosie)As soon as we arrived in Japan we felt a huge difference. It is so clean, quiet and orderly compared to China.The traffic wardens wear white gloves, and everybody is so polite. The customs officers asked me a lot of questions and searched through all my bags (I obviously look dodgy). It was very easy to find the train station, and we decided to get a train straight to the place where Leons family live, Saidaji, near Okayahama.On the train, people gave us presents, mainly food, because they thought we were on our honeymoon. Leon spoke japanese and knew a lot more than he said he knew! I had learnt a bit, and I was going to need it for the next few days, as Leons Grandmother (Cheiko) speaks very little English, probably about 20 words. She is very chatty however, so I learnt a lot of words fast. The most important words are Oishi (Delicious) and Daijobo (OK, although this one is a bit confusing, because it can mean OK I will have some more food, or I am OK I don`t want any more food, and is usually interpreted as the former rather than the latter).

1. Leons family

Anyway, Leons family met us at the station. They are Nobo (Uncle), Suzuka (Aunt), Misato (Cousin aged 19) and Kaori (Cousin aged 13). The next few days were spent sightseeing, eating, and sitting around the table with dictionaries trying to speak to each other! A lot of fun.

2. Shrine in Saidaji

3. Shinto shrine

4. bamoboo forest, saidaji

5. Person being carried up to a shrine

6. Taiko drummers

7. Same festival

8. Okayama Castle

Shikoko island