Livin' the country life
Trip Start
May 16, 2006
1
6
10
Trip End
Aug 26, 2006
Tome,
Japan
Sunday, July 23, 2006
In case you're wondering, I'm still gloating on the inside about meeting the rock band. ^_^ I really wish I knew their name because I could check out their music. This morning, I woke up at 6:30 AM to the pounding feet of the boys. We watched anime as we were eating breakfast. Then Emi asked me to play the piano (I mentioned that I took lessons last night). I sucked terribly, especially since my finger is still healing from the infection I got before the trip. Emi also showed me the DVD of Blast!
Since it was Tsuku-chan's 6th birthday, we went to a steakhouse called MK Farm. I guess no matter what country you're in, boys will be boys, wanting their good share of meat. It was a cute place that was made to resemble a ranch. It even had a llama, a peacock, and two goats. The owner was really nice. Their version of steak resembled what Mom cooks at home minus the seasoning: a thin slab of barbecued meat. I discovered that bread slices in Japan were almost twice as thick as the ones back home. Maybe that's why I'm full all of sudden. Or maybe it just looks that way because Takemaru and Tsuku-chan can eat a whole lot.
01 - MK Farm1
Anyway, Noh's sister's family came to MK Farm as well. She and her children stayed for the night two days ago, and I gave them some presents (both kids were younger than Tsuku-chan). Today, she gave me a cute bag as a sort of thank-you gift.When we returned home, Emi, Mizuki-chan, and the boys rested. I decided against that since I only had an hour before we were going to Emi's parents' house. To pass time, I looked through my issue of Cutie, read some of Sword of Darkness, and wrote the 1st part of this entry. The jet lag was starting to get to me when we left. I made the mistake of forgetting more gifts. ^^;; No one was home when we got to her parents' house so Emi and I accompanied Tsuku-chan on a fishing trip in the nearby rice fields. He didn't catch anything though. When we got back, I was introduced to Emi's grandmother, parents, and sister's family.
Emi, Mizuki-chan, her sister, and I went to the street festival before dinner. There were a ton of people. Many girls (including Emi's niece, who left with her dad) were in yukatas. Some of the guys were dressed up too. There was a parade with many dancers in the street, some floats with taiko drummers and people yelling, and these cage-like contraptions that held lanterns, on which girls stood as they were being rocked back and forth (see picture). Not to mention the multitude of stands selling toys and food. Emi made me try out different things, and we stopped by a cafe to get anko (a really tasty pastry). My favorite food from the stands was yakitori (which is basically chicken on a stick). The ladies bought some for dinner, where I also ate hatto (sp?).
Before we returned though, Emi let me hang out with some teenagers under the bridge. We saw two guys playing guitar. When Emi told them that I was from America, they were in disbelief. Then they dedicated a new song to me. ^_^ I feel special.
Fireworks started around 9 PM. We sat on the back of Emi's father's truck, which was parked in the rice field across from the house. Takemaru handed us popcicles, and we enjoyed the nice view. The Japanese fireworks show was somewhat different from those in the U.S. The explosions were flashier, but they would come in bursts. Later I learned that the pauses in between were for thanking the sponsors. The fireworks lasted until 10 PM, and by then, we were all sleepy. Speaking of which, oyasumi nasai!
