Around Iwakuni 12/22

Home-baked Christmas presents.


Driving off-base to eat lunch at L-Style Cafe. See the red "lantern" hanging off the back of the truck in front of us? It's hanging from some materials that are too long for the truck bed. Guess it's the Japanese version of a red cloth used in US?


Much more effective though since it's wired for electricity!


I wish I could show you the front of this cute school van! It had big ears and snout on the front.


On Hwy 188 downtown Iwakuni.


New Year's floral arrangements at the flower shop near the train station.


Oops - L-Style was already closed for the holidays, so we're back in the car following a large truck hauling local tomatoes. I bet they're all perfect and ripe! Every tomato in Japan tastes like it was home-grown . . .


We've settled on the "Pork Place" on Rt 2 (turn left when 188 intersects Rt 2, and it's a very short distance on right side). I don't think we've been here since Pam & Jake & Owen left last summer . . . We're starting with yummy pickles. The carrots (I think) are sweet, green cucumbers are sour, and the last one was kimchi - too hot for me, but Stan loves it!


Stan ordered a set with pork & noodle dish, miso soup, sour-plum flavored rice and shredded cabbage.


I opted for kaki furai (fried oysters) with cabbage salad, pork soup & white rice. Yum! You can see 2 bottles of dressing above to the right. I LOVE the roasted sesame one. There are also two small bowls of dipping sauce on my tray.


Looking around the restaurant into the Japanese-style seating area. We're sitting in one of the Western-style booths.


Looking through the open shelves to a camellia bush outside.


Beautiful Japanese paper lamp.


Condiments on our table include a toothpick holder, cute cat salt cellar and large pot of pork sauce. Always present soy sauce container is on the table elsewhere.


Interesting dessert option. Looks like a slice of a baked sweet potato!?!?! We HAVE to try this!


We got one to share - it's ICE CREAM! But of course flavored with actual sweet potato - very yummy!


Outside - this is the camellia we could see through the window.


The winter flower of Japan . . . and pink are my favorite!


Santa-san holding a petit Coke in the 100 Yen store.


Oh - look at this! SOOOO glad Stan & I have separate bathrooms . . .




Back on base, the Monzen "white privacy fence project" is progressing nicely . . .

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