MCAS Iwakuni Fall Bazaar 10/16/10

Late Saturday morning at the Fall Bazaar. Stan is toasting his best friend Bill who had surgery yesterday in the US. We're at the sake booth "tasting". . .


This one's for you, Bill!


We actually spent most of our time here since the rest of the bazaar was a bit of a disappointment this year - much smaller and no plants! I bought some pineapple liquor that is just WAY too delicious . . .


If it looks different in here (to my knowledgeable readers) it's because the Mac Dome, where the bazaar used to be held, was torn down recently, so it's being held in two adjoining hangars near the PO . . . not nearly as convenient, and much more security, since it's on the flight line.


We didn't buy much - a few presents & some sake for us ;-) but I found two absolutely beautiful rama that I could not live without! Of course, I hauled them home on my trusty bike! Want to read more about Japanese rama & see photos of how they are used? Read more RIGHT HERE, but don't forget to arrow back . . .

After our short stay at the bazaar, we were hungry and decided to ride outside the gate to Akiyama for sushi. Beautiful flowers outside a business on Hwy 188. We share the sidewalk with pedestrians here.


Pink bunnies help us navigate through construction.


Tide is up as we cross the bridge.


Morning glories covering a fence.


Beautiful purple with pinker markings . . .

And here are the two rama (or ranma or ramma) window panels I bought. (Looks weird, because they're standing on end against closet doors, and I rotated the photo!) These two are different from any others I have, and we have not yet hung them. Aren't they beautiful?


I really didn't intend to buy 2, but I fell in love with one, and Masako-san showed me the second one of the set . . . What really sealed the deal, was when she showed me they represent Miyajima Island! Each rama has 2 panels, so there are 4 different scenes of famous Miyajima landmarks.

Teaching a Large Japanese Class 10/14/10

Belinda has asked Stan to substitute tonight in the large Japanese class she co-teaches with our friend Shoko-san. I'm going along for the ride & we're taking large American pumpkins. They don't grow pumpkins like this in Japan.


This class lasts from 6 to 8, so we stopped off at the "cafeteria-style" restaurant downtown on Hwy 188 for a quick dinner before heading over to the Civic Center, a few blocks away. We are greeted by a large "good luck" stone cat outside the restaurant. The evening was pleasantly cool, and we sat next to the open window, enjoying the breeze.


Stan explaining to Shoko-san that he'd like to carve pumpkins tonight. But she said they want to wait a couple more weeks - closer to Halloween. No problem, we'll just take them home & use them to decorate. The class really enjoyed seeing these large pumpkins & many took pictures with them.


All discussions tonight were about Halloween, so (of course!) Stan put on a mask!

This class is very serious & hard-working.


Until tea-time! Wish I had pictures of all the beautiful snacks that were provided . . .


Shoko-san (Co-teacher), Margie & Stan


Shoko-san, Margie & pumpkins.


Riding back over the pedestrian bridge on our way home.

To Hiroshima 10/10/10

Margie (me!) getting ready to ride . . . We're biking downtown to the local train station to ride to Hiroshima today. We try to go there about once a month.


And Stan inside the bicycle parking near our mid-rise home.


Outside the Main Gate, looking back at the base.


Beautiful gardens in people's yards along the sidewalk where we're biking.


Aren't these beautiful?

Biking across the pedestrian bridge. It's a gorgeous early Autumn day.


This is the bridge we're biking on.


Heading toward downtown & the local train station.


Prayer ropes hanging over a doorway to keep away evil spirits.

"Surprise" bulbs blooming near the trolley track downtown. Someone maintains this area, and there are always seasonal flowers blooming here.


One perfect blossom.


Inside the covered bike parking area near downtown Iwakuni station.


This bike has two very nice child seats - one front & one back. The Japanese govenment tried to change the law to only one child per bike last year, but many young mothers complained, so they relented & changed it back. Good job, Ladies!


This seat looks very comfortable.

And the padded child seat on the front of this bike . . .


This is what we usually see - not a lot of safety features.


The bus station is near the train station downtown. This cute bus runs near the base, but we prefer to ride our bikes.


After about an hour on the local train, we're on the Hiroshima streetcar, headed for the shopping area. What an easy way to get around in a BIG city!


Audi & Bentley cars - fancier, maybe?

As we enter the covered shopping street (near Louis Vuitton store) we see a group of young Japanese from Total Fashion College posing for a photo . . .


Very beautiful & elaborate costumes . . . (but they're probably pretty hot!)


And it's still hot enough to enjoy Polar Bear Gelato, but we really should get a discount! Every time we sit on a nearby bench enjoying gelato, we have people ask us where we bought it . . .


Temple across the street from Polar Bear.


Cute, but yummy-looking bentos (boxed lunches) for sale.

Closer view of a cute bento with many flavors & textures!


It's a cosmetics store . . .


Kimono store.


Look at the beautiful detail & colors in this obi!


Plaque outside Andersen's. This building is historic - it survived the A-bomb in 1945!