August 15 2011

August 15 2011 - Ahhhh, the summer doldrums. That period of time in summer when there is just no motivation to do anything. Well, not entirely true, would love to get out and do lots more, but alas the Yen rate is a real downer. When we first moved here it was 98 Yen to the dollar, so pretty even. Now it's 76 Yen to the dollar. So, it's like $1.25 to get 100Yen....it may not seem like a lot, but it adds up quickly! Plus, mom will be coming in a couple of weeks, so by saving now, we can splurge then.
But there is still plenty to do. All three of us have bicycles, and there are lots of places to pedal around to. On this day (in reality it was last week) we biked onto base, and stopped for lunch. The dragonflies are out in abundance. On the railing there was one every other post...for about 30 feet. We rode all the way around base and home, racing the rain clouds the whole way. In total on that ride we went 15 miles. I know this as on my new bicycle I had an speedometer/odometer installed. With the speedometer....talk about motivation to pedal at a decent pace....what a workout!

And yes, we beat the rain home....for the most part!

Due to the tsunami and the devastation left behind, we aren't allowed at a lot of the local ocean beaches. However there is the "base beach" which is a lake. (I believe I have mentioned this lake before...with a long name, Ogawaraga (I think that's the spelling) that we have access to) It is brackish water, but not to bad temperature wise.
For me it's not the same. I love the sound of crashing waves. But oh well, the future life guard below loved running along the shore line.
Now, as we start off looking at the pictures below, keep in mind, she has had many, many swim lessons. In fact swims rather well in a pool. Take away the cement walls and it was like starting all over again.
I had to support her til she felt comfortable enough for a dog paddle out to dad. (all of 10 feet away) After doing that a few times....
He sent her on her way further out. Ok, this is a deceptive picture....she looks way out there! But really, I think it was just another 15 feet. And oh, when she stopped and put her feet down, the water was barely past her belly button. I think she thought her parents were just torturing her making her swim without aid. Until I told her that both her dad and I swam in many a lake and river in our day.

Ok, remember that odd drink that I took a picture of in a vending machine? Well, after much searching, we finally spotted them again and they weren't sold out! We were out on our Kokeshi Doll Museum outing. Deciding that the name sounded like there would be possible instant "cleansing" of the digestive system, we waited til we got home.

I expected something along the lines of a V8. No, not so much. It tasted like peach soda. (ok, imagine peach juice with some fizz in it) Really, I'm sure that's all it was....there were no fiber like bits of pulp, no strange aftertaste, no hasty retreats to the bathroom. Huh, go figure...

July 23 2011 Kokeshi Doll Museum and Tanbo Art

July 23, 2011: Finally a big road trip! The beauty of this one is, someone else is doing the driving! We took a tour through the base travel office (along with about 30 other people). Boarded a coach bus at 7 am, and headed West.
A beautiful day indeed. Rice is everywhere this time of year. Green fields abound.

We arrived at our destination a little early, but that is fine. Gave us more time to wander about at our leisure. That is the one downfall of a guided tour, the timetable. A little league team was out doing their warmups. I don't know if there was an actual game. Only saw one team at this point, and we had an agenda to follow....

Anyway, here we are. This isn't the museum (above) but one of about 3 shops that sell to the tourists. http://www.japanya.co.uk/Kokeshi.aspx

Starting out with our blank Kokeshi. Our instructor gave a demonstration of how to draw eyes, nose and mouth. Of course he did this without breaking a sweat, or sticking his tongue out in concentration, or furrowing his brow.

Above: Andi completed her doll, only to find that somehow the ink had gotten on her hands...how puzzling! It's ink, not paint. Fortunately a bathroom was close by, with ample amounts of soap. (no paper towels though. paper (aside from toilet paper) just isn't in Japanese bathrooms. there'll either be a hand dryer, or you do it the old fashioned way of wiping your hands dry on your loved ones shirt tails. which (I'll continue to digress a bit here) with no hand towels, makes it really hard to clean up the dirty sink that was left behind by the afore mentioned child's hands. toilet paper just doesn't hold together as well, but we got it done!) So, hands cleaned, with a slight tint to them...we continue on.

Below: The instructors finished demonstration. No, mine didn't come anywhere near this. It is unique in it's own way.

Shane had a great time working on his. And ended up with a great finished project. Our tour guide and the instructor were impressed.

After our painting class, we went on to the museum. Here there are hundreds and hundreds of kokeshi, each painted in a unique way.

Below: Some handmade wooden toys.


For those of you who are acquainted with me and my hair....yes, it was a bit humid! (will I EVER be able to tame the mane!)

Below: A sketch.

In addition to the kokeshi museum, there are also a number of little shops. It's set up like a little tourist village, shops, some eating places, a foot onsen. (I think all shopping places need a foot onsen, which I'll explain in a few pictures)
Anyway, these are lanterns. Light wood frame, covered in a heavy paper, and hand painted. Front side and back side. Oh, and it happens to look just like the one I bought! I don't have the courage to hang it outside though. I'm waiting for my perfect porch, at the ideal house of my dreams to display it. (well, it's sort of on display right now, hanging in the house, but it'll be taken to "the packing man" and he'll box it up for moving)
Below: It's a Datsun. Never could figure out the year. The only reason I know it's a Datsun, is because that's what the hubcaps had on their label. Therefor it stands to reason the whole car is a Datsun!

Ok, foot onsen! I think I've done pictures of these before. Just a reminder, an onsen is water coming from the volcanoes. It is very hot (and really nice in the winter) and slightly stinky (some more than others....think rotten eggs) Foot onsens, one just removes shoes and socks, roll up the pant legs, find a ledge, and stick the feet in. Did I mention HOT! But oh so nice! Even Andi and kids younger than her were loving it. Can you see the pinkness of my legs? The water is very therapeutic. A full onsen requires a bit more work, and a lot more nakedness....and yes, I have been to one, and didn't die of embarrassment or anything!

Above are taller lanterns. These are free standing, but they are inside the showroom. Outside they hang as well, so they are at eye level. And below are a line up of the type that I bought. Some of them come with electrical already set up, so that you can put in a bulb and light up the night. I opted for one with no electrical, but a nice chime. Paper and light bulbs just don't seem like a good mix to me.

A parade float. (above)
Andi and our tour guide hamming it up at the onsen.

On to the Tanbo Art! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanbo_art

The wall poster shows examples of previous years from this particular field.
It wasn't bad getting up to the viewing area. There was a long line, and stairs. Well, only half the stairs there could've been. The first part of the line was to the elevator to ride up 4 floors. Then out for 3 floors worth of stairs. But it wasn't like we could sprint up the stairs, due to waiting in line.
I will say, that as always the Japanese are very efficient. In order to prevent the line from stalling completely there was a security guard on the balcony who would periodically ask people to move along. (I assume this is what he is saying, as we all know my language skills are somewhat lacking. but since the line was in constant motion....)

Now if you listen carefully, I'm sure you can still here me silently cussing as my camera shut down due to extremely low batteries! (of course I have back up batteries....way down in the bus!) But my camera loves me, and managed to cycle on for a few pictures. (what a good camera!)
Now, as to the theme this year. First, the writing. If you recall back to the last blog and the "Let's give it a go Japan" banner. This is also what the writing says here. They used a traditional Japanese fairy tale as their inspiration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_the_Bamboo_Cutter

The rice as seen at ground level.
The City office building (built to look like a small castle) from which we viewed the Tanbo.

And the last stop of the day: Seibien

http://www.jnto.go.jp/webmaga/en/feb/insight.html

Now, the water faucet that everyone should have. The valve was around on the other side.

It's very nice to find one of my many dream houses is being so taken care of so nicely! (oh if they would only let me move in)


Above: One of the sliding panels inside the house.

Below: Did somebody say they needed the potty? Yup, this is for both genders! Ladies, can you figure out how??? Oh, let me just say, it sounds like a treat. "Step in" to those porcelain slippers (now I don't know if those are just porcelain for show, or if a person would have real slippers, and maneuverability to get the angle). But essentials, you stand, straddle (facing the wall) and hope it all goes where it's supposed to go.
You know, sometimes I think I'm an old fashioned type of girl. But at times like this, I am sooooo glad that I was born in the age of flushing toilets!

So, that about covers the outing for the last week. Not sure what I have up my sleeve this week. It is usually a surprise to me as well.