Autumn in Aichi-ken, Japan, we can see rapeseeds abloom.
We wouldn't get to stay long enough to see Autumn colors
See, here is where we have been working to say "good bye" to. The school-house we called Megumi House. "Megumi" because the Nursery School across the street was called MEGUMI-HOIKUEN.
The upstairs SHOJI doors illuminated at night has been such a warm, homey sight for all these years.
Our precious school sign. Built and painted by Murakami-san... with Sheon's sun design... Taka got it down...
And finally on our last day in Japan, the sign got put up at the NEW New Age Connection (N.A.C.) at Anita and Jennifer's "school- house" now. Yaari-also once employed at N.A.C., was there to help, and Anita, me and Taka.
Taka poured concrete and our treasured sign now stands in a much busier, and more visible part of Nishio, in Sumisaki-cho.
Back to moving out of Megumi House...
Anita blew me away, she and Jennifer and friends boxed up MOST of the stuff. This was one of the last nights she spent... in the office, boxing up the last things before movers came.
Unfortunately these other three cabinets had to go to "recycle"
along with six truck loads Taka and I took away.
We were able to rent a truck for three days~ good ol' other long time student friend Meiko helped! She works at Japan Rental and helped us out so much!
A twenty minute drive away there's a recycle center built about eight years ago called White Wave. That big white building ahead~ it's also a sports center and has an indoor pool (where you can't go into if you have any tattoos). But it's also heated from the recycling "plant" next door (to the left)
We have to be Nishio residents. At the check in they accepted my 10 month long expired Japanese Driver's License... and as in the States at the Dump, they weighed our truck before and after.
There are different entrances to go into, where burnable trash goes, or nonburnable or recyclable.
The men were so efficient I had to take photos! It was so clean (see the man with the broom and dustpan?!)
A sign on the wall explaining how to separate the garbage. The first time there an older man reprimanded Taka for not
They do recognize pieces and machinery that they will hold on to for a recycle sale which happens seasonally perhaps. Also they keep good bicycle parts and put together bikes in great working order... Unfortunately, all our things got trashed.
This is how people tie together magazines and books for recycling. So orderly! It did take time to get use to spending the time doing that! 
Upstairs... the living room we lived our lives in since 1996.
The minnows were the very last to be moved out! Hiroaki~ dear LONG time beloved friend too, he adopted the minnows. Katoh-san here, helped catch the three little fish, to transport to Hiroaki's home around the corner, along with the large old ceramic container, and nicely growing plants inside.
That night we then handed the keys over to Katoh-san.
Taka and I also had to say bye to the sweet dog a few doors down, AMERO. He's still a beauty, and still not treated well enough. We will miss the darling, but won't miss having to see him not get the right care. No Animal Cruelty laws in Japan. No SPCA... this was the worst part of living on this street, having to pass Amero out in the driveway. We did what we could, walked him sometimes, ran with him... I even used to bicycle with him~ he was so powerful and energetic. We pray for you baby.
On a foody note...
Twice we got to eat our VERY favorite RAMEN shop we have loved.
GONKICHI
(I've posted in past blog spots about the silent surfer brothers who've run this shop since the late '80's?!)
They've sold the better quality beer I'd spend a little more money for always~ Yebisu.
I got one for the road.
I don't need to order any different RAMEN than that one I've loved all these years. TANTANMEN. That too, we've never found better anywhere. Once I tried ordering a different ramen there and the surf-brother-cooks made the waitress come back and make sure she didn't misunderstand my order- cause I always ordered TANTANMEN.
One other day during our trip, Taka came back to Ischin's home where we were staying, with his "family tree"!! It spread through two rooms! I have to find out from what year it's started. And I thought Japanese didn't have family trees!
The second night in Nishio, hardly before we were over jet lag~
we got to have an early celebration of Halloween, while Megumi house still had furniture
Twenty-some years ago!!!
Taka... with my awful make up job~ he and I dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Vampires.
Standing room only~ finally! And there was no bobbing for apples~ but enough munchies and drink, and even live music~
Having food is almost always the best way to get together ~ making the special occasions of meeting good friends all the more fun. Here with Kahori, Kana and Kana's little boy, we could call him American Suzuki Jr. I suppose~ that's his Dad's nickname cause he's crazy about the U.S.
two... after he's latched in he gets to start his turning... to three...
Mr. and Mrs. Katoh. It has been hard to express how grateful we are to have been able to reside in your old house. Mrs. Katoh was so kind, on this day we left Japan, she prepared MATCHA. It's been a long time since I've had the honor of drinking the tea Japanese are renowned for. Thank you!
And thank you for being our friends too, that can last for a long time to come
We had to drive by one final time on this last rainy day we were in Japan. It had rained the first day and after two weeks again on this last day~
