Normally, I wake up on the weekends and basically turn on the computer and start working. Not today! Today, my hubby decided to climb the mountain near us giving me some space and him some exercise. It was just the kind of day I like...cloudy and cold. I turned on some soft jazz, made some hojicha (roasted green tea) and called my girlfriend in California. After we got caught up, I read Oprah magazines and a few others. I relaxed and sometimes just closed my eyes and listened to the music. I love these perfect moments. Some people live for the big moments....but little moments happen more often and are just as amazing. The old saying about "stop and smell the roses" is so true!
Although Thanksgiving is over (way over in my case as I'm Canadian and ours is in October)....being thankful for moments like these is so important for a happy life. I wish you all a fabulous Sunday!
So we went yesterday and I bought some. I was a bit sad because most of the nice ones in the pictures above I couldn't buy...in fact I could only find the plain ones-still....better than nothing.
Apparently this senbei shop is so famous that you can even buy the water they use to make the senbei-it is pure mountain water -100 yen (about $1) for 10 liters. The place to buy the water is attached to the store. Here are the pictures!
Now, the "virgin road" story. Even after 11+ years, I learn new things all the time! Yesterday my student was telling me about a new hotel that was built here in our city. Apparently it is hoping to be popular for weddings as they built a chapel inside. My student said: " They are very proud of this chapel because the designer drew the plans so that the sun would shine on the virgin road". I was a bit lost and though I must have heard her wrong...perhaps she meant a statue of the Virgin Mary or something. But no. She meant the virgin road. She then looked at me like something was wrong with me. Why didn't I understand? It was English after all! Turns out that when the bride walks down the church aisle (with or without a father), she is walking down the "virgin road". And no, that is not the translated version...they say it in English. When it is just a regular church day it would be translated into an "aisle" but when a bride walks down it, it is the "virgin road". I was speechless....never heard that before! My students were shocked because they thought that was how we say it in North America. Umm...no. We don't. We all got a laugh out of that one!!
This is an onsen (hot spring) in Kanagawa Prefecture. This is a wine hot spring. This year, they used Beaujolais Nouveau wine. This picture was taken on the grand opening of this particular bath and it was the day of the newest release of the wine itself. Apparently this onsen also has green tea baths, sake baths and coffee baths! I think this may also qualify for the "only in Japan" title!
Yesterday we went into town to do some shopping and eat Indian food and when we got back to the station we walked by public telephones and my hubby commented on how people must rarely use them now that most people have cell phones. Well...I had forgotten about how big and different they are compared to ones back one so I thought I would show you. I do remember that my very first day in Japan I had my picture taken next to one because I thought they were so weird! The green one is for international phone calls.
This is the pork from this onsen
It does look good....but is it really different? My hubby suggested we go and try it and then I can write about it but since we would have to fly there....it is pretty much out of the question. So...if anybody ever gives it a try..let us know!
The second kit you also make a paw print with clay but it becomes a key chain with the paw print and a picture of your pet.
I'm thinking for animal lovers, these would be great but would love to hear thoughts on these before I buy them to sell.
Or covered in caramel pudding
or covered in matcha (green tea)
And apparently they won't be around for long!
In other news.....
It suddenly got cold. Last week during the afternoon we actually used the air conditioner because it was humid and then combined with the afternoon sun the living room was a terrible place to be. Now, I just put the heating pad on the bed and am washing my winter blankets etc to put them on as soon as possible! BUT the beautiful thing about the cold is bath time!! I know I blogged about it last year but honestly, the bathroom becomes similar to an outside onsen (hot spring)....I open the window which is at the foot of my bathtub and cold air comes in (and I love it when it is windy!)....hot water up to my neck, no lights ....pure heaven!!!
