Monday, May 18, 2015
Today's cooking class
Today my family and I went to a amazing cooking class we had the best dishes and the person that cooked with us was named Emi-San. She was really nice. The dishes are really good and they had beef rolls and really good desserts like squishy cute dumplings and bunch other stuff it was really good. I wish I could tell you more but I have to go to bed so bye.
Home cooking
Day 7: Fun day in Kyoto
We had a relaxed morning wading through the crowds at the Golden Pavillion (Kinkakuji) with Kris and Steve. We took to the buses today as some of the places we went are a little harder to get at. I can see the faces of the local school kids that they're dying to try they're English on us. Typically their fear of making a mistake, combined with their natural shyness prevents them from trying to interact. I often try to break the ice by saying something in Japanese - even though Beth and I have forgotten a lot, it still feels pretty comfortable to have a rudimentary conversation. These kids today were pretty fun to talk to and it was cool to see Robin and Abby exchange a few words with them.
I'm still amazed at how organized and easy to use their bus system is - lots of pictures, lots of advance notice of upcoming stops and they've even added English for interesting stops.
Before lunch we walked through the beautiful bamboo forest around Arashiyama before heading to a surprise for the girls - a Maiko makeover at Yume Koubou. The girls were made up and dressed in traditional Maiko/Geisha fashion and run through a photo shoot. Good fun!
We had to say goodbye to Steve and Kris - sniff! - it was great to spend time with them and share our mutual past Japan experiences with the girls along the way.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
One week in!
It's hard to keep up with this blogging and vlogging family of mine! Will try to get a word In today 😃 it's been a week since we arrived. It feels like many more and I think that is a good thing. No iPhone or email distractions during the day had really allowed me to soak up every moment. Abby and I had an hour on the train the other day and just talked. No interruptions. Feels strange and a bit sad but I'm not sure I remember the last time the two of us did that without me checking my phone. Craig is so organized that I also don't really know what we are doing day to day. That is a change too from my very scheduled and planned day to day life. The kids want and need "relaxment" time (yes we know it's not a word but Abby said it and it has stuck) which we can do because we have the gift of time and don't feel the need to sightsee every moment like we would if it were a two week holiday. So far the pace has seemed right and the kids have been ready for something new when we have been so that's good. They have definitely been most excited when we have interacted with the local people like Kodasan and his family and Emisan at the cooking class. They try their Japanese words and have been complemented on being polite. Robin has no fear socially...that hasn't changed but I am noticing a change in Abby where she too is becoming more confident with strangers and trying out her Japanese too. They have been in touch with friends through face time and don't seem to be missing them too much which is good. Will be sad to part ways with Stephen and Kris today. It's been awesome being together for part of our first week on this long journey and so fun for the girls to have them. We will miss them for sure! Off to go brew some instant coffee 😆
Cooking with Emi-san
The girls will add more detail I'm sure, but suffice to say it was another great opportunity to see how locals live and to get a little "culture"!
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