Taka and I flew into Nagoya February 16th and could go right to Ischin's. The next day on the 17th was Zen's team's game in Kariya.
Oh, so fun with you dear friends who all came! It made losing the game SO much easier.
This game, one of my first students Yoshie-chan with her son, and one of my last students Haruna and her papa, I used to teach English to. It was so awesome their being with us for Zen's game.
After the games we went to Ise to visit Ise Shrine.
Ischin and his fellow employees had planned a trip too.
We stayed at different places, but got to have lunch together after praying.
Masumi, Halle, Taka and I stayed at an AirBnb. A renovated 180 year old miso shop.
It was cold and snowy the evening we arrived. They are organic farmers, and cooked our dinner and breakfast with seasonal foods. The kitchen and dining area were heated by wood stove. Also the bath. There was a propane stove heater to warm our bedrooms. The winds overnight made the shoji windows noisily rattle and shake, which was nostolgic for me, but for Masumi, not something she was used to!
Breakfast. No coffee shops around. (This owner couple is so natural they don't make coffee either!). Taka was suprised: I agreed to this Japanese breakfast below! I do believe it could be a first! Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I ate UDON for breakfast TOO!
I love these stone walls. The rice fields, waiting for spring there.
We walked looking for the PostOffice nearby, here I photographed this little space. Someone made a garden in this little space between rice fields and the road. Winter veggies LIVE!
Drying daikon for pickles:
Their dogs and hens in the backyard
On the 21st we left Ischin's, Masumi's, & Halle's and Nagoya for Hokkaido. Stopping for a night in Nagoya at Rockin' friends Chihiro and Stephen's, with main course CURRY! Well catching up with those two was our "main course"! ; )
Next day we flew for Sapporo, and an AirBnb there. (I loved the painting on the door. Sleeping Beauty there too added to the love!)
Kahori and Sayoko also flew there earlier in the day. They could stay in the extra room at our Bnb. A game was played that night we arrived. A tough loss, but Zen was so cool after the game to signal us to follow him past the fans and into the back. I wouldn't have bothered him for a photo but "thank you" Kahori! You did!!!
We all only got until the next afternoon to hang out before
Kahori and Sayoko went off snowboarding.
I had that little flag of Zen's... "Zen Tour" I called us ; )
Another day at Ise Jingu (Shrine) couldn't do justice to the beauty of this stream and snow
I believe you can double click on this photo on the right the washing area, you can see the icicles from the water? I love that!
On our way away from the Shrine, found these snowmen. The littlest guy has three parts! Still the big guys are Japanese style with only two parts to their bodies ; )
I took this photo of the Stadium we go to to see Levanga games.
This is the cafe's name inside! "YELL CAFE"! These guys are so funny with English sometimes
Near the station by the stadium was this serious SNOWbike locked up. Later after the game it was all prettier covered in the flurries but I was too cold to pull out my camera again. What isn't apparent is that the bike was sitting up on about 3 feet of snow.
When Zen moved into his apartment, the washing machine was a combo "washer-dryer" all in the same tub. Even Taka was deceived. The "drying" is spinning on and on and on, until the clothes you stop it. Then, you still have to hang them to really dry.
Here, below is where they're hung, between the living/dining room and tiny kitchen.
Our neighbors in California, they have The Peace Nursery. Flower growers. But he's from Hokkaido! This, below is his brother who loves English. We got to meet and have lunch together "in English"
Up on the screens at more games.
Food, food, food. Family&friends are the big highlight of travel to Japan,
but the food is a very close second
Soup curry. At Samuria, right by Zen's.
Soba, tempura, it always hits the spot.
Halle still wasn't complaining about not getting any of the feasts she saw us eating.
Halle won't be able to do this by the next time we get to see her.
Below, I had more banana bread baking. I was showing Halle what's around in the kitchen.
Otherwise she always stays on the other side of the gate at the door.
We get to see so many fantastic photos of Zen. Taken by professionals. They keep coming. Photos of him or of Halle growing, help make the distance away from them feel a bit less.
