Crossing a river in Hiroshima. It's not raining as hard right now.


Looking up at a Christian church? on a major street in Hiroshima as we head toward the castle parking lot. We were supposed to be dropped off at Peace Park so we could walk around & look at Christmas lights, but the heavy rains changed our plans.


From the window of the bus, Stan pointed out this solar panel, which fuels the street light nearby.


After a couple of blocks' walk (thank goodness we had our umbrellas!) from the Hiroshima Castle parking lot, we arrive at the Pacela Mall, where we have just enough time for a leisurely dinner & walk back to the bus in time for our concert.


This city mall is a work of art! We've never been here before, even though it's only a couple of blocks off of the trolley line.

We're on the bus now, headed toward the concert hall where we're going to see the Kodo drummers. Looking down the Hondori Shopping Street from our tour bus.


I didn't realize Kinko's was in Japan!


Some of the millions of lights on Peace Boulevard -- the "illumination" that we were supposed to see, but the blowing rain changed our plans.





I was not allowed to take pictures inside the Hiroshima Kousei Nenkin Kaikan Hall, but here's a link of what we saw. Be SURE to check out the video where it says "One Earth Tour." I had no idea drumming could be such so aerobic! http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/index_en.html
It was absolutely amazing & the two hours just flew by!

Sherri & Laundry Lucy

We were talking on the phone with Sherri the other day while she was doing laundry. She started laughing & sent this picture of Lucy "helping" . . . That's David's dog Addie behind her.


By the way, here's a link to where she & David are getting married in New Zealand on 12/21. This is SO fabulous - check it out - click RIGHT HERE!

Sunday Around Town

We're stopping at the Daiso 100 Yen Store on Hwy 188 today.


Look at this very large camellia growing with a large shrub in the parking lot.


Camellias are so beautiful this time of year, and will continue to bloom all winter here.


Beautiful red berries & shiny green leaves - is this some type of holly?

This is the front of the store -- it's very crowded today.


Cute bakery items in Vesta Grocery Store. We've stopped by for a few fresh items.


Each face is a little different. . .


Oh, and chocolate Christmas trees!

In the bakery department, but made to look like turkey thighs . . . ?


Looking from the bakery -- Vesta's a very large grocery store.


These are very small cereal boxes.


But these bags of Japanese rice are very large. Japanese rice is pricey, but perfect and delicious. It's illegal to export Japanese rice.


Lotus fields on our way to the Monzen Gate. Looks very different this time of year!

Driving back over the Monzen Bridge (and Monzen River) into the main part of the air station. It's really a beautiful day, but a little chilly.


We decided to turn right instead of left to take the "long way home" around the perimeter road, so we can see how the new runway is progressing.


Most of this land was reclaimed from the sea . . .


And lots of progress had been made in the years since we've been in Iwakuni.

The road has been moved that goes near the Japanese planes.


And more construction on the new runway as we continue around.





That's a new tower. Lots of old buildings have been torn down since we last drove out this way.


Oh, that's a big plane that just landed as we drive around the north end of the existing runway. It may be the "Space Available" airliner. We're almost home now.

Thanksgiving Friday

We're off on a local outing today, heading up Route 15 to see what's for sale in the Panda second-hand store. It's a little ways out of town, so sometimes the prices are lower. This is where I bought my 3-wheel bike a few years ago, so we never know what we're going to find!



Up on the hillside, you can see a few brightly-colored autumn leaves, among the bamboo.


Ah -- here we are . . . right after the second tunnel. Just pull off & be careful getting out of the car.


Stan's looking around inside.


Elaborate Japanese "dolls" in glass cases.

Looking back at the tunnel we just came out of. That's bamboo growing above it.


On Route 15 as we head back into Iwakuni.


Migrating birds resting in a river.


Small shrine near Hwy 188.


This car in front of us looks like an older American car . . .

Oh, it's a "Gloria"


Found these cozy houses in the pet department of Nafco.


It is really soft, but we decided Sachi didn't need it since she has her cubby inside our tansu.


More cute houses . . .


And doggy clothes.

Electric warmers to keep your doggy warm this winter. We have one of these for Sachi that turns on automatically when she lays down on it.


Stan found these harnesses for bunnies & hamsters.


Children heading home after school. The color of these girl's leather backpacks indicate grade level and can cost several hundred dollars.


These younger boys have black backpacks. No matter how cold it gets this winter, the boys will wear short pants.


And here we are back in our front gate.