SUNSHINE!!!
We were expecting to have clouds and rain today in Hiroshima, that was a delightful miscalculation. After cleaning up and checking out of the hotel we were in search of coffee. In Japan there is no lack of coffee, tea, soda, juice or water. On every corner of every street there is at least 2 or more vending machines, one usually for hot and one for cold or a combo of both. But this morning we are looking for a Starbucks or McDonald's, (per the parents) not that I was apposed to this since the day before had ended in a culinary delight:) I was happy to see at the next corner the familiar green sign of home. The selections here at a Starbucks are very similar but have a little more English flair. I enjoyed a sausage/hot dog wrapped in a pastry, a nice latte while I watched families approach the temple across the street to give their offerings.
Once finished we headed to the Hiroshima Castle which was completely destroyed by the bomb. The ground of the castle are surrounded by a temple and a park that has the remains of the buildings that once stood there. All of this is surrounded by a very large moat.
The park setting around the castle is a beautiful way to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
During the Sakura season which is the time in Japan that the sherry blossoms are in bloom it is very traditional to have a Hanami party under the trees. This is a very old tradition where families gather under the cherry trees, in most cases the same tree every season, and have a very large picnic lunch. Today ended up to be sunny and beautiful and would have been a wonderful time for this. Yesterday we saw people trying very hard to do their Hanami party but the rain took the upper hand. I was told later that the first weekend in April is the most popular time to have a Hanami party.
Our trip back to Nagoya was again on the shinkansin and this time in true American form we took on McDonald's to eat on the way back. It tastes the same:)
Once back in Nagoya we got cleaned up and relaxed a bit and then decided to visit Japone, the Italian restaurant that I was originally supposed to surprise my Mom at. I know what you are thinking, Italian food in Japan. Let me tell you that the salad and pizza margarita that I had was outstanding. The pizza was on homemade thin crust and the sauce was delicious. the salad was a mix of leaf lettuce, shredded cabbage and sprouts with a lemon, ginger, and garlic dressing.
The head chef is Koji and he has 2 other employees, a younger girl named Tomo and a very shy assistant chef/pastry chef named Takumi. All of them have taken a great liking to my parents and treat them very well. Koji likes to practice his English on you and also has a great liking for Music. Neil Diamond, Bon Jovi, ABBA, Stevie Wonder. I was surprised to find that no one knew Dave Matthews so I will be taking my iPod with me on Thursday so they can listen. I am excited to share with them my favorite music.
We were expecting to have clouds and rain today in Hiroshima, that was a delightful miscalculation. After cleaning up and checking out of the hotel we were in search of coffee. In Japan there is no lack of coffee, tea, soda, juice or water. On every corner of every street there is at least 2 or more vending machines, one usually for hot and one for cold or a combo of both. But this morning we are looking for a Starbucks or McDonald's, (per the parents) not that I was apposed to this since the day before had ended in a culinary delight:) I was happy to see at the next corner the familiar green sign of home. The selections here at a Starbucks are very similar but have a little more English flair. I enjoyed a sausage/hot dog wrapped in a pastry, a nice latte while I watched families approach the temple across the street to give their offerings.
Once finished we headed to the Hiroshima Castle which was completely destroyed by the bomb. The ground of the castle are surrounded by a temple and a park that has the remains of the buildings that once stood there. All of this is surrounded by a very large moat.
The park setting around the castle is a beautiful way to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
During the Sakura season which is the time in Japan that the sherry blossoms are in bloom it is very traditional to have a Hanami party under the trees. This is a very old tradition where families gather under the cherry trees, in most cases the same tree every season, and have a very large picnic lunch. Today ended up to be sunny and beautiful and would have been a wonderful time for this. Yesterday we saw people trying very hard to do their Hanami party but the rain took the upper hand. I was told later that the first weekend in April is the most popular time to have a Hanami party.
Our trip back to Nagoya was again on the shinkansin and this time in true American form we took on McDonald's to eat on the way back. It tastes the same:)
Once back in Nagoya we got cleaned up and relaxed a bit and then decided to visit Japone, the Italian restaurant that I was originally supposed to surprise my Mom at. I know what you are thinking, Italian food in Japan. Let me tell you that the salad and pizza margarita that I had was outstanding. The pizza was on homemade thin crust and the sauce was delicious. the salad was a mix of leaf lettuce, shredded cabbage and sprouts with a lemon, ginger, and garlic dressing.
The head chef is Koji and he has 2 other employees, a younger girl named Tomo and a very shy assistant chef/pastry chef named Takumi. All of them have taken a great liking to my parents and treat them very well. Koji likes to practice his English on you and also has a great liking for Music. Neil Diamond, Bon Jovi, ABBA, Stevie Wonder. I was surprised to find that no one knew Dave Matthews so I will be taking my iPod with me on Thursday so they can listen. I am excited to share with them my favorite music.
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