April 10th

My last full day here and the weather is beautiful. It actually has been beautiful the whole time I have been here except for the Saturday that we were in Hiroshima.

Today Mom and I took our time and enjoyed walking around Nagoya, looking at all the cherry trees that were open that were not when I arrived.

Later in the day I took a walk around my Parent's neighborhood to look at all the historic Temples. I was able to go on some of the grounds and see how serene the gardens are, even in the city once you are tucked back in a Temple garden you forget you are in modern day Japan.

For dinner we chose the English pub in Fushimi, what a hoot. It just confirms how much European influence is here. We were treated by our waiter Ichiro to some very traditional Japanese food. First sashimi and boiled shrimp. Now once again I will stress the food reservations that I have, but here I am in Japan and was being given food as a gift. I had to at least try it I got My Mom to try it as well and that is a major milestone. The Ahi tuna was fantastic ( yes John I tried it and liked it!) I was not so adventurous with the shrimp, because they still had eyes and legs and that is just creepy! Next Ichiro brought us fish that I thought was the fins but Mom and Dad think otherwise. It was fried then baked maybe but over all it was the consistency of shoe leather (not that I am a connoisseur) and tasted exactly like a fish stick, not bad. Lastly was a bowl of little pickled plums, they are kinda fuzzy still and have pit in the middle. These things were what made me almost loose my cookies, they are about 4 times saltier than a green olive and are really squishy. Main course was a small salad with the most amazing dressing, steak, potato wedges, and veggies. Not to be outdone by our appetizers Ichiro then brought us assorted dessert tarts. A pear almond and sweet potato, yummy!

Next stop PACHECO!! WOW! This for you that do not know is almost like a slot machine but instead of trading your coins for money you trade for prizes ie: 24 packs of beer, laundry soap, ramen. The parlors are very loud and smoky but I really wanted to see it.

THIS IS JAPAN/AMERICAN IDOL!!
Lights...go
Music..go

Yes folks we sang Karaoke, sorry it was not the kind that you can record a video of.(apparently that is in Korea) Dad took us to a Karaoke parlor and just so happened to run into some of my Dad's colleagues. We were the only 6 that sang:) Silly Americans. 3 Japanese ladies came in and ordered some food and had a couple of drinks but left after that and at the end a Japanese couple came into have drinks. Now I don't know about you but I don't think that a Karaoke parlor is where I would pop into have a couple of drinks, and expensive ones at that compared to some of the other places you could go and possibly hear professional singers!

It was a great way to end my time here in Japan. I am looking forward to our return trip in August and even saved some sightseeing so that Brian and I could experience it together.

My parents have been very gracious hosts and have taken very good care of me as always!

Until my next adventure!
Amy