During golden week many people travel and the big cities empty out(relatively speaking only) and all the hard working Japanese get a very well deserved break from their almost indentured servant like lifestyle at work! Here is some more information about Golden Week if it interests you.
http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa050600.htm
I had a less hectic week last week, spent time taking care of household chores, and the general duties of just living! Some times people think missionary life is like one big church outreach and often times it is but then there are the quiet times, without which we would burn out real quick!
We took an afternoon to head to our old stomping grounds in Fuchu. I was disappointed to see a new building project going on. They have leveled a whole city block, tearing down all the old Shotengai (a street with a concentration of shops and restaurants, usually located near a train station) and getting ready to build something new and massive, I'm still not sure what it'll be. One of the highlights of Fuchu for me was wandering the tightly squeezed side streets and seeing all the little shops and restaurants. The two places Gary and I usually ate at were victims of the destruction. Oh well, this is progress I guess. I couldn't find a picture of the Fuchu shotengai area though I remember taking some photos...go figure. Instead here is a drawing form online to give you an idea.
Since originally posting this, Gary was able to find me a couple of pictures from this area so I am posting them here for you! All of these shops and many more are gone now, it's just a city block area of flattened dirt with a lot of construction equipment. I hope the shop owners got a lot of $ for their land and shops anyway!
Fortunately, there are areas like this all over Tokyo, including our area in Kichijoi, but still, I will miss it in Fuchu which will be all Malls mostly now.
I have been doing more practicing with the new camera, this time from our balcony. I felt a bit like a stalker but being able to take some candid shots of people from a great distance allowed for some great shots of 'people in their natural habitat'! Here's a few.
And then I spotted someone waiting for the Mu bus! Who could it be?!
Mom gives him her hat.
Talks with him.
Gives him a kiss for good measure.
All better and they continued on their walk!
A view of the street from our balcony. Lots of wires!
So now you know some of the people in my neighborhood!
On to food!
I have been remiss lately in the food category. Not because I haven't been cooking, rather I haven't been taking time to take pictures! We just eat everything up!
The other morning I decided to make Bacon Pancakes just for fun!
They don't look like much but they were tasty! (Yes, there was bacon in the pancakes and bacon on the side..can't have too much bacon!)
Another evening I made chuletas en salsa chipotle con crema. Along with some homemade corn tortillas, Mexican rice (the banana on top is a Distrito Federal thing), and my attempt at a Japanese bean refried Mexican style! (The bean was alright..but I sure wish I could find some pinto beans here)
Finally I was feeling German..imagine that... and I made us some short ribs with sauerkraut. I served mine with stone ground mustard NOT with ketchup like the picture from the recipe shows.
Here's the recipe
Hasta Luego!
I remember always reading and following blogs about japan when I was younger and in reality this is the best one Ive seen I always was looking for daily life and life style in japan, reading yours feels like im almost there =P I love the photos of Fuchu they look like Shenmue!!!! how sad it wont be the same by the time I get to go.
ReplyDeleteWell Im off to eat, after seen all your delicious food Im hungry! Love you!
awww... thank you sweetie!
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