On a train bridge over one of Hiroshima's rivers. The city looms ahead. It's cloudy today, but not raining or cold, but it always gets cold once the sun goes down this time of year, even if the day is bright & sunny, so we brought coats for tonight.


After we arrive at Hiroshima Station, we take the streetcar to get into the downtown area. We've decided to eat a late lunch (or is it an early dinner?) at Molly Malone's - an Irish Pub right here in Hiroshima, Japan. It's on the 4th floor of this building a short walk from the Hatchobori stop. Read more about Molly Malone's RIGHT HERE! (Some of this site is in Japanese, but you can still click on the top tabs to see fabulous food pictures & a map to get here.)


This is Stan's "usual" this time of year: Irish stew, boiled cabbage, soda bread and a cold draft.


I like the vegetable quiche with slaw and salad, but I always forget that it comes with fries! Can't remember what I was drinking - kahlua & cream, I think.

Inside Molly Malone's. We haven't been here in a while. It was pretty smoky in here today, so we stayed on the side nearer the kitchen.


Stan in front of a tree outside Molly Malone's.


By the time we left Molly Malone's, it was dark, so we took the streetcar down to Peace Blvd to walk around & view the fabulous Christmas lights, called "illuminations" in Japan. They don't necessarily relate to our view of Christmas though.


Hiroshima City's illuminations are called "Dreamination" and they are a little different each year. We didn't find out about them until last year, and we couldn't wait to see this year's!


Some children were a little shy at first, but soon approached when Stan offered a small packaged candy cane & their parents nodded OK. Soon, children (and parents) were calling out, "Santa-san! - Santa-san" (and he loved it!). He ended up giving out about 200 candy canes tonight. He wants to come back again before Christmas . . .

Walking through a lighted tunnel.


Which one is the real Santa-san? We've headed into a convenience store to potty & buy water.


Lots of yummy-looking treats here.


Treats for Grownups!


Back out on the street, we see this giant whale. Children were posing inside it's mouth. I love that these lights are so accessible!

Gigantic pirate ship with whale's head in front and gigantic tail behind. I could not get all of it in my photo!


Stan made lots of children (and their parents!) happy!


Looking down Peace Blvd in Hiroshima.


Butterfly in lights.


Giant chicken / rooster?

This was one of the most popular exhibits - Cinderella's slipper on a blue staircase.


Giant snowflakes.


Isn't this picture frame cute? Many families wanted Santa-san to join their family picture.


The baby in red was rushed into this photo at the last minute by her mother, who is behind holding her up!


This smaller scale replica in lights of the Atom Bomb building represents Hiroshima. The actual building is the only one left in it's original state from the 1945 nuclear bombing of the city. It's a reminder to eliminate nuclear weapons and promote world peace.

The coolest thing about these lights is that you can walk around, inside and under them. All are perfect backdrops for picture-taking and Japanese children are very adept at posing.

Santa-san Stan and Margie (me!) at Hiroshima Dreamination.


Santa-san was mobbed by excited children!


Huge pink tree from across the street.


White dove of peace in a tree.


Origami peace crane in lights.

Look at this!


After we got home, I looked this up. "Obamajority" has been adopted by the City of Hiroshima to represent how the majority of the world (lead by US President Obama) is against nuclear weapons. Read more RIGHT HERE ! ! !


A nice lady offered to take our picture.


Back on the train headed for Iwakuni, Santa-san is exhausted!


On our bike ride home from the station, we're pedaling over the old (pedestrian) bridge admiring the lights & the smiling moon over the Hwy 188 bridge.

What a beautiful night! I love riding home after an hour's train ride - gets the kinks out. To see more (and better!) photos & read info about Hiroshima's Dreamination, GO HERE!

Chigerie Class Christmas Party 12/10

Centerpiece is a stuffed character that plays "Jingle Bell Rock" (and of course rocks) when you pinch a foot. (I think I "won" this at one of my Circle parties years ago). The Japanese ladies loved it! And also a small poinsettia that Barbara and I got to give to our Sensei after the party, both on a table runner that I brought from my DR table. Of course, I'd rather eat at a Japanese restaurant, but our Japanese friends think it's a huge treat to eat at our club on base. Go figure . . . (grass is greener?)


Our Christmas 2010 Chigerie Class from left to right: Jo-san, Murakami-san (behind Barbara), Hamada-san, Margie, Sensei Fujii-san, Yamamoto san, Okazaki-san, and Nakamura-san. Our little class is shrinking. I will soon be the only American left. Guess my Japanese will have to improve . . .


After our luncheon, we've stopped by to show the ladies Jackie Allen's new cultural center. Look at this beautiful Christmas quilt on her comfortable chair inside the front door. We've been watching this building's amazing transformation for months now. It's located on Rte 188 (near where the new road intersects) on our way to sushi.


Upstairs is a HUGE all-purpose room & I think the ladies are impressed.


Cute Raggedy Ann's in kimono - just some of the cute decorations and crafts.

Some of the Japanese craft items that can be made at Jackie Allen's Cultural Center. Check this out for more info about this amazing new place, right here in Iwakuni: http://www.jackieallen.jp/


One of her favorite Christmas quilts!


Jackie's husband is still trying to finish the fabulous kitchen in this brand-new center where cooking classes will be held.


We're in our chigerie class now. This is the new project we are doing - white bunnies to represent 2011 - Year of the Rabbit. This class member is brushing the heavy white paper with a toothbrush to help it look more like white fur. Amazing! I'm just hoping to finish mine before the year is over . . .

Lunch with Barbara 12/9

Since Barbara will be leaving soon, we decided to have one more lunch at L-Style Cafe downtown - one of our favorite places to eat. These are our fabulous salads from the fresh salad bar. Always lots of delicious choices and all you can eat . . .


Look at all these perfect entrees for our lunch set! Top left to right is a peppered shrimp/crab? mix on a toasted round, then very rare beef & a slice of tamago (scrambled egg) with tomato sauce. On the bottom . . . (hmm, can't really remember) but some kind of fish & veggie nabe (stew), pork slices with shredded onion or daikon? on top, but the dark brown items on the bottom right I really did not like. They were very tough & chewy, like heart or gizzard maybe? But at least I tried it and I never leave here hungry!


A cup of soup and hot fresh-baked rosemary roll complete the set. Oh, and of course even though it was a cold day, we had our regular iced coffee. . .


Margie & Barbara with our favorite chef at L-Style Cafe in downtown Iwakuni.

Please click on "Older Posts" below right to continue . . . . .

Our favorite waitress with Barbara.


Chefs busy in the kitchen. Small but organized (Japanese!)


Fabulous salad bar - one of the only places we've seen this in Japan!


Afterward, we just "had" to walk over to the 100 Yen Store. This is in the Doggie Clothing department. I don't think I've ever seen a doggie in Japan that wasn't well-dressed.