Back in th USA

Please don't be alarmed at the lack of entries for the next 30 days or so. Margie and I will be back in the USA until the end of July. We will update the blog as soon as we get settled. Thanks for reading.

Our Takehara group. In the back is Jim, Ray, and Stan. In the front are lovely Margie, Toshiko, our guide and friend. 

Our Takehara group. In the back is Jim, Ray, and Stan. In the front are lovely Toshiko, our guide and friend, and Margie. 

The bridge to Takehara City. 

We have arrived at Takehara City. 

Of course, one of the first stops we made was at a sake shop. This is the tasting table. You sit around and taste (for free) as many types of sake as you please. The proprietor hopes you will buy several bottles. 

Close up to the sake models. 

These samll models represent how sake is made. Notice how many steps there are in the process.  

Sampling sake. 

Now, down to business, tasting the sake. Toshiko is pouring. 

Flowers are placed whereever space permits. These are on the edge of the street. Yes, that is a two way street. 

Takehara is an historic district where the homes and businesses are preserved the same way they have been for several hundred years (but relatively �new� in Japanese history).  

Which is prettier, Margie or the flowers? No contest, Margei is.  

At the corner of ? and ?. 

Interesting roof line. I believe that is a fish up there on the end. 

This was once a post office. Notice the red post box at the door. 

Jim and Ingrid beside an old building that was once a bank. 

Ingrid in front of a tatami room in one of the houses. 

Cute kids. They loved showing off for Americans. 

We are about to enter this restaurarant that specializes in okonamiyaki- Hiroshima style. 

Our cooks are waiting for our order. 

The cooks are preparing our lunch. We had a fabulous meal of okonamiyaki- Hiroshima style, which is a large omelet with egg batter, cabbage & other fresh veggies & seafood cooked on a griddle into a large �pancake� - crispy on both sides, and then served hot, sprinkled with ground seaweed & fish flakes. It�s absolutely delicious!  

Ahh, the food has arrived. 

This really good. It is called okonamiyaki- Hiroshima style. 

Bamboo has got to be the most versatile tree I have ever seen. It is used for all kinds of stuff here. 

A stand of bamboo. It comes in many colors as you can see here.