Hooray! We're Off to Tokyo

Well, we're leaving Sun AM (9/24) for a week in Tokyo. So, you'll either have to talk amongst yourselves or read our Archives to keep busy this week. Look for an update when we return.

Back at Vesta grocery store. Colorful treats for "Respect for the Aged Day" -- every occasion has specific treats that represent that celebration. These are way less sweet & much healthier than they look!

This little girl was very comfortable & laid back! Notice the fresh loaves of bread beside her. It would never occur to her to reach out & touch any food.

Yummy sushi to go -- notice none of these have wasabi (in English!) . . . 

Scarecrow decoration -- Vesta's dressed for Autumm. 

His mom was trying to get him to smile at me. 

Yummy cooked entrees to go . . . 

This cute little girl smiled for the camera, but her brother was shy . . . 

Battered & broken lotus leaves after Typhoon Shanshan.

Back at home, I hear a diffferent-sounding jet & go out on the balcony to check it out. A very large plane taxis outside with our "floating island" in the background.

Suddently, a smaller fighter jet takes off facing the large aircraft (on separate runways, of course!)

Jo-san & Ingrid.

Chigerie Class Luncheon

Emilie & Amanda. We're having lunch with our chigerie class today at the club. The Japanese ladies think it's such a treat to be invited on base.

Bev, Pat & Jo-san. Pat's leaving soon to return to the US. Jo is the "class clown." 

Our Japanese friends who joined us for lunch today.

Our whole chigerie class. Our waiter Ken, was good enough to take this so I could be in it.

Amanda's ready to pop . . . Baby Boy Owen is due any time now. You may remember seeing her at Stan's birthday party back in April. After lunch, she went home to put her feet up & wait. . . 

Japanese friends at work on their chigerie pictures in the party room at our building.


Jo-san's "golden fish" picture. I'd love to do this one, but Sensei says it's too difficult for me. Some of these ladies have been studying chigerie for 15 years . . .

"Better Life" Website

Because we get AFN (American Forces Network) TV here, we get these great info spots instead of commercials. Check out this website for some of the TV spots. They're ALL really great, but my favorite is, "I Hope You Dance" which kind of explains why we're here in Japan! Then watch "The Race." Actually, once you watch one, you'll want to take the time to watch the others as well. They're great values for children & adults alike. Scroll down the right side to see all the TV spots, click & enjoy!

http://www.forbetterlife.org/main.asp?section=tvspots&language=eng

Rainy Drive to Hiroshima

Since we always need yen when we go outside the gates, our first stop is the ATM where we can withdraw our cash in yen . . .

. . . and right next door is the 7-Day store, which is open 24/7 when you need something. All we needed today is cash!

That's Perry school -- where Stan works. 

This is the street right outside the gate. 

This gas station has the pump hoses hanging from overhead to conserve space. 

This is "Four Corners" outside the base, where we turn right to go to downtown Iwakuni. It's the Autumn rainy season in Japan, and a typhoon is due to hit us in a couple of days. 

Parking in the lot outside the Iwakuni train station. It's pouring rain today, so we didn't ride our bikes. We're taking the train to the Diamond City Mall in Hiroshima. 

In the Iwakuni train station -- these are flyers for stage plays that are being perfomed in or near our area.