Household Goods Arrived

Well, the furniture made it over the ocean and all in one piece, but his, mine and ours doesn't fit in this little home. Retirement is a time for downsizing and I seem to be accumlating instead. We are talking seriously about selling the house and building something out on the property, but something has to fit all this stuff.

But most of the boxes are unpacked, some are still sitting on the back porch, but if I opened them I wouldn't have any place to put the stuff anyway so let them sit. I am still missing a few important items, but nothing that I need to go digging for. Opening boxes is a little like Christmas, little gifts to unwrap. BUT, the Japanese really wrap stuff. First there is a thick layer of paper around what ever and then a layer of that white wrapping paper and finally a layer of bubble wrap. The problem is it takes forever to unwrap stuff and there is so much stuff that needs tossed. I'm filling up a landfill.

The more it rains here in Washington, the more heading south sounds like a plan, so it is now time to get Casita on the road. First, we need to fix the electric step that has stopped working and while it could have been something as simple as a broken wire, Roy bought the whole works and again as soon as it stops raining, we will start work on it. Also, we need a new front window I noticed, we have a major crack and the skylight in the bathroom is leaking. Its never ending I guess.
Once I get on the road, all will be right with the world

Rain Rain Go Away

According to the news, today is the 24th straight day of rain in the Pacific Northwest and I believe it. The rivers are overflowing their banks. The roads are littered with Water Over Road Signs and to make matters worse, my whole yard is like a sopping sponge.
We thought about getting into the Motorhome and heading to the frist dry spot we can find but we have doctors appointments, and committments to deal with, so here we sit and wait for the sun to shine

Wow, this rig is getting expensive

DH and I drove over to Sequim yesterday. Sequim is on the Olympic pennisula and what a magnificent drive, we drove thru the forests, we drove along the sound and the road twisted around thru quaint little towns. It rained some, but not alot.
The whole purpose of the trip was to locate Eric's RV and Service. It was recommended to us by another RVer and we drove over there to check on the price of Headers, leaverlers, (sp) a dish, solar and the bill got up to about 12,000. I almost gaged cause I need to get tires also.
So, I think we will take the dish and solar off the list for now and see what Camping World wants for the levelors.

Tacoma Museum of Glass

Tacoma? Noted for art?
Today, friends and I went and checked out the new exhibit at the Tacoma Glass Art Museum and I was not disappointed at all. I went a few years ago and thought it was good, but this time, I found it to be fasinating and interesting, and of course the glass was amazing.
We first checked out the "hot room' where they actually blow glass. Last time we just watched, but this time, they talked about what they were doing and why and how. It was fasinating.
OOOh and there is a glass organ there which is on loan and will only be there a couple more days. The glass blower/engineer made an organ with glass tubes and fire and it actually plays eerie notes and a magical sounds comes forth. It was worth the entrance fee alone.
Next time you come up to Tacoma, lets plan to go there. I could go over and over again and never get tired of it, it's so wonderful. I know that you will really enjoy it.
Our friend is up from Portland and it has rained every day since he came. He is use to the rain but I would really like to show him something other than rain clouds and dark skys. Tomorrow we plan to ge to Mima Mounds and play in the mud. Also Ft Lewis has a nice small museum that is well worth the trip.

Casita is coming home

The motorhome has been in storage for the past year and today Roy and John are going to go get it and bring it home. Sitting hasn't done alot for the old girl and so I know we have tons of stuff to do to her, just to get her on the road. She is going to get new tires next week and levelors and headers and thats just a start cause there are probably other things that she needs done. I know there are other things that she needs done.

Home

WE MADE IT, not without trails and troubles, but none the less we made it home and spent the first day sitting on our couch, looking for something to watch on TV. For those of you who are in Japan and think you have nothing to watch on TV, we have a 100 channels of nothing to watch on TV.....Never complain, at least you have a couple decent movie channels.

SOOOOO, we get to the airport on Tuesday night, thanks to Bev and Berry who graciously took us up there and delivered us at the airport hotel. It was a very luxorious hotel and worth every penny to stay there and not have to take a 0430 train that might or might not get us on time to the airport. BUT we went down to dinner and they had a western side and a Japanese side and as Western on our last night in Japan was unconcievable, we went to on the japanese side. Well, the waitress must not have had foreigners in there before as they were so gracious and helpful ( and didn't understand a word) but we ordered the Special Set thinking it would be cheaper than the regular menu. WRONG answer. First of all the set came with raw fish. (I see your nose Sallie) but while I was perfectly willing to eat Roys, he did manage to eat it. There was the obligatory rice, cut in the shape of a star, there was an egg drop like soup which was very pretty but tasteless. There was also this snotball, tinted orange, the was perfectly discusting, which I had to try, and there was about a half dozen other tidbits. Our bill though, almost made me faint 6832 yen. OMG Then we went upstairs to bed and it was like sleeping on rocks, hard wasn't exactly the word, hard and lumpy. Neither of us got much sleep.

The next morning we were on the first shuttle to the airport and the gal at the ticket counter looks at me, my passport expired in July. My stomach suddenly was naucious and racing, trying to decide what to do. I pulled out a copy of my orders and military ID which expired today and hoped that that would work. She faxed the copies to someone in Tokyo and told me to check in with the ticket agent when I got there.
So I stayed in panic mode until I got to Tokyo and tried to see the ticket agent. They don't open until 1130 and its like 0930. More panic. I'm thinking I can probably go to the Embassy in Tokyo and get it there for lots of money.

Finally 1130 comes around and the ticket agent shakes his head at me, and calls the State Department and because I am on military orders and a US citizen, he or she said to let me on the plane and that was the last time anyone noticed that I had an expired passport. Even the immigration office at SeaTac didn't look at it.

The plane ride was smooth and because of the lumpy hard bed in Japan I slept thru most of it. The food was nasty but you knew that. We made it thru customs in about a blink and then after a short wait, got the shuttle and then got home.

There was a little mouse sitting on the livingroom rug waiting for us.

So, we get home and the phone that I have given everyone the numberto, is disconnected. The kid that stayed here probably didn't want to pay for both lines so now I don't have a phone. I am hoping that we can get it reconnected. (Turned out to be a broke line with Roy repaired in a flash.
Also, to Roys massive frustration, the kids girlfriend gave him a computer keyboard and moved the letters around to spell I LOVE YOU JR, so Roy can't use the computer because he looks when he types. LOL serves him right.

Promised you pictures that you don't normally see and this cute fellow is a temple "gate keeper". Carved in wood and painted in gold this fellow is probably over 100 years old.

This last week has really flown by, and in 4 days I will be back in the US. But tomorrow we go to see the last sumo match of the season. I am so excited as Kotooshu, the big guy from Bulgaria (big and cute and tall and handsome and narry an inch of fat on him) has done great this last bascho. He beat the yokosuna in one of the most exciting matches of the year. Tomorrow there is really nothing to descide as Assashoriu has already won, but thats okay. I might get another doll. Did I mention I collect sumo dolls?

Sallie, Roy and I have been going out to eat just about every night. Tonight I had tofu salad which is delicious. Going to eat in the States just isnt going to be the adventure it is here.
First we order food from pictures on a menu as most menus are only in Japanese (as it should be) Tonight Roy ordered a noodle dish and it was cold, and had squid in it. He didn't mind the squid but the cold noodles wasn't to his liking.
I remember going to eat and ordering a sandwich once It turned out to be a potato salad sandwich with catsup. Actually it really wasn't bad. They also have strawberry cream sandwiches. Squid ink is popular pizza choice here in Japan. It looks just about like you would think it looks, black. ( I haven't tried Squid Ink anything)
One of my favorite places to go get a good cheap meal in Japan is at 7/11. Yep, same folks as in the US, but not the same food. We stop every Tuesday night after pottery. Charla got corn soup in a can and it smells absolutely delcious. You can get canned goods either hot or cold. They also sell bento boxes which is tidpits of assorted foods. I am going to miss 7/11 also.

This is our famous Kintai Bridge, and about the only tourist attraction in Iwakuni. It was build in the 600s but has been rebuild often, and actually most of the wooden part has been all replaced since we came here. 

Every home in Japan has a garden, it might be in pots along side the road, it might be a 3 foot square under a window, but they all have one thing in common, they are beautiful
Roy and I found this beautiful pink plant along side the road. It just made us smile and Roy took a picture.
I have so many beautiful pictures of Japan that I would like to share so as I download them I will share them with you.

We are in a hotel now, out of quarters and just waiting for the big day. My friend told me that I will probably be bored. I don't think so, I have to much to do, friends to visit, a house to deal with, and the motorhome to get into shape. 

Chogen no Sato is a reconstructed antique village in the mountains above Yamaguchi and we were lucky to arrive at the same time they were having the Momiji matsuri (fall leaves?) festival.
This village was originally built in 800 something by the same Buddhist monk who settled Mt Koya. He came looking for lumber to build more temples.
There are craft shops to make paper crafts, bamboo crafts and much more. We watched them make paper and Roy was fasinated by the wood shop, ofcourse.
The trip was sponsored by the City of Iwakuni so half the participates were Japanese and there was one family from the Netherlands. Now picture this, they had us singing songs on the bus, some in Japan and some in English. We sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and I think in all the years, I never knew there was more than one verse to Twinkle Twinkle. There are three. We also sang Row Row Row Your Boat in round, but it was pretty bad.
It was a great trip and we enjoyed the new friends that we made. 

Anyone want to guess what this is?

Steam locomotives are still in use in Japan but mostly for the tourist trade. We took this train to the apple farm. What a nostalgic trip that was, just listening to the whistle brought back so many memories.

lynne_hammonds@yahoo.com

Apple Picking

We had a great time picking apples. Fuji apples are large and sweet and beautiful. Japanese like to peel off the skin on apples so when you arrive at the farm, they give you a knife and a bag. You can eat all you want off the trees, but you have to buy the take home ones. I bought 4 and they cost 730 yen, about $7.00 

Next Adventure

Well, orders have arrived, tickets are purchased and we will be home, the same day we leave here. This weekend, we went out and shopped, getting some things for the motorhome, gifts and Roy found another clock for our mantel. (That makes about an even half dozen, but what can I say, the man likes old clocks.) At least this one was made in Japan. The last one he bought here, is German I am sure. None of them work very well.....
I am very disappointed. I ordered a Buddhist Chant off ebay, won it for $4.99 and the guys said that it was returned damaged from the post office. What a bunch of crap. I bet he never had it in the first place or found another buyer. Oh well, I will keep trying.
So most of our time is going to be spent cleaning out and sorting and getting ready for the big move. We do have three more trips planned. We are going on a day trip with the City of Iwakuni, (Its a Friendship trip) to a little town that is noted for its crafts. We are also going apple picking next week and going to ride in an antique steam engine/train thru the mountains and best for last, we are going to go to our last and final Sumo match. I am going to take lots of yen so I can get some great sumo stuff, to go with my great sumo doll collection. I have 4 or 5 dolls now and I love them all.
And then we will be home and busy with the holidays. My bud is coming up for Christmas and we have a lot planned for when he comes. I am thinking about throwing a Retirement party for myself at the same place that we had a goodbye party for me in 1995. It would be fitting.

This is a picture of our room, at night the futons were laid out by the staff. A snack was waiting for us when we arrived, cookies and hot tea. 

Kukai

Kukai, known as Kobosaishi through his posthumous honorific name, sailed to China at the age of 31 in the year 804. In the ancient capital of Chang'an, he studied Tantric Buddhism under priest Keika and was granted a master title. After returning from China in 806, he had been spreading the Shingon (True Word) Sect of Buddhism.
He founded Mt. Koya (Koyasan) as a religious retreat in 816, when the then Emperor Saga granted him the land. It is said that this was the start of Kongobuji Temple.

The Taste of Mt Koya

Buddhist are vegetarian and so our three meals were all vegetarian. I must admit that by the end of the trip, I was thinking about big juicy hamburgers and carnage. But the meals were very good.
Dinner (pictured) was about 10 different items, maybe even 12. The tofu, which is generally made from Soy beans was made from Sesame seeds and had a very creamy taste and texture. (Well, as much taste as you can get from tofu) I bought some dried to bring home and if it doesn’t get confiscated by customs, we will have it at home. The tofu was served in a soy sauce and with the obligatory wasami. There were pickled things and noodle dishes, and some were delicious and others just okay, and still others not edible to my tongue. Of course there was the rice bowl and the green tea. That was funny, for just at $6.00 you could by one large beer or some hot or cold sake. That’s expensive beer, but those who order it were not disappointed. Dessert was melon and a slice of persimmon that is grown in that area and just delicious. I was more than full and the only thing that was difficult was sitting on the floor. The paper cone that you see is a hot noodle dish with mushrooms and veggies and it boiled right in the paper. It looked pretty but not much taste.

Breakfast was about the same except we had Miso soup. This miso didn’t taste like the normal soup that I have had in the past and the interpreter said that it was because Miso is generally made from fish sauce and this was not. It was good and I wasn’t disappointed and enjoyed all my meals. (But you know me, I try anything once and sometimes more than once.)

(Just to tell you about the cost of living in Japan, I went out and bought some Persimmons and 5 cost me just under $5. but they had some better ones for $10.00. $2 a piece for a persimmon. Amazing. I am going apple picking next week and if its anything like last years, the apples which are Fuji's, are sweet, juicy and also about 2 bucks each. I spent $12.00 on a bag last year and I am sure this year will be no different. )

The Sounds of Mt Koya

We got to attend a Buddhist something, ceremony might be the correct term. We were led into this darken room (and in the back were some chairs which I took advantage of) A young Buddhist priest (or novice, I am not sure which as he was dressed in blue and not the normal orange) spoke for awhile but not speaking Japanese I could only listed and look around at the peaceful room. Then the lights went out and only three candles on the alter lit the room and a priest came in and the two started a chant, many of the other participants also chanted, and bells rang, and gongs sounded and a feeling of peace enveloped us. It lasted about a half hour and then we were awarded certificates for attending. (Needless to say, I went to ebay and ordered a copy of some Buddhist Chants.)
That wasn’t the last time we were treated to chanting, it was just our first experience. Later that night, after dinner, we were taken to an auditorium and again treated to Buddhist music and chants and again, I loved the feeling that came over me. This time the chants were accompanied by a cello, violin and different percussion instruments. Sunday morning we were also again treated to a morning service and again listed to the beautiful chants. We even got to participate in this one, and I found out why, there was a collection box there (See I guess all religions are pretty much the same.)

The Sights of Mt Koya

I mentioned below that our Buddhist Adventure was a treat to all five senses. Not only were the eyes blessed with beauty and interest and ok, so we also got some rain in them, but our other senses were also stimulated beyond the norm.
I need to tell you first about the drive UP the mountain. Thank goodness we had a excellent bus driver because Japanese roads are well, narrow might be an overstatement. This road would hardly qualify as a one-lane road in the US and this bus was huge, but our bus driver took those switchbacks with a skill that I wish I would possess. He was good. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the top, I was sick and I was sitting at the front of the bus, those in back were turning shades of green. We were glad to get out, even in the rain.
We by the way were a lot of great folks from Iwakuni Marine Corp Base. Sallie was there; Belinda, our librarian; teachers from the school; Marines from HQ and of course Yugi our tour guide who admitted to being a little nervous for this one. (I don't know why, the man has never lost anyone yet, but this was a first for IT&T)Did I mention Saturday it rained, and rained and rained, but we all had umbrellas so it didn't seem to matter a great deal, we got a little wet but that was fine. We were out of the bus....We first toured Kongojuii, a huge Temple that was built by a warlord for his mother. It is absolutely huge and the gardens were raked gravel and rocks, my kind of garden, that’s for sure.From there we went across the street and from there our ears/hearing sense took over.

Buddhist Adventure

We are home from our Buddhist Adventure and I have so much to tell you, I feel absolutely overwhelmed. We saw and did so much; one letter couldn't do it justice. Each sense was stimulated. The sights were magnificent, the sounds were serene, the smells were not of this earth, the tastes were different and the feel was calming and stimulating all at the same time. We went to Mt Koya, a Buddhist RetreatMt Koya is to Buddhist in Japan, the pinnacle of the religious pyramid. First I know you know this about the Japanese and religion. Japan has two major religions, Shintoism and Buddhism, with Christianity following a distant third. If you ask a Japanese person if they are Buddhist, they will tell you they are, but they can and often are also Shinto and even Christian (This must really drive Christian missionaries nuts, as they think they have a convert and find that really don't) They do not believe that you just must practice one religion exclusively and they don't even understand that concept. They marry in the Shinto church, they bury their dead in the Buddhist tradition and celebrate Christmas all at the same time, and it is all very logical to them.Anyway, Mt Koya is a beautiful mountaintop, where Esoteric Buddhism is practiced. (I hope you don't want an explanation of that, because while I learned a lot about the practice, I didn't learn anything about the different nuances of Buddhism, that study would probably take the rest of my life)Esoteric Buddhism was started by Kukai, (Kobo Daishe is what he is called now) 774-835. Kukai was from an aristocrat family but turned to Buddhism while in University. Basically, he went to China to study Buddhism and returned to bring his teachings to the Japanese. Upon arrival in Japan he was met by a young man with two dogs, a white dog and a black dog and the young man told him the dogs would guide him to the mountain, which they did, they took him to the base of Mt Koya and there he met an old woman. (I don't really know if I understood what the old woman had to do with the story, but it is significant in some way)Kukai turned out to be a great leader and he attracted a large following and now Mt Koya has many temples, cemeteries, monasteries, etc. His mausoleum is there, as he wanted to be buried along side a river deep in the mountains. Now his mausoleum is at the top of a huge cemetery where most of Japans great and near great families have their monuments. The older part of the cemetery consists of old Samurai families, the newer section has monuments from the wars, Nissan has a huge monument dedicated to employees who died of injuries on the job, and just rich families who can afford it. There are over a half million monuments at this cemetery, which gives you some idea of the Japanese economy. I understand that what they do is divide the ashes of the deceased and one part is buried on Mt Koyo and the other part is buried in a cemetery in the person’s hometown.