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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Second Trip to Hiroshima's "Dreamination"

Santa-san is buying our train tickets at Iwakuni Station for our 50-minute ride to Hiroshima for our second "Santa-san" trip.


On the local train. My seatmate was a young man from Germany who's working in an elderly care home for a year. (Sorry I didn't get his photo.) When I said "nursing home" he was very confused, and we discussed the confounding differences of English words . . . Imagine -he speaks German, English and Japanese!


The sun is setting as we ride past Miyajima Island.


This daddy was MUCH more excited about Santa-san than his son was!


Walking through Hiroshima Station to the Streetcar Station out front.


Stan on the streetcar headed to Hondori Street. First a quick dinner at Andersen's, then down to Peace Blvd to pose for photos!


Crowd outside the window has noticed us eating our soup & sandwich . . . The tables are against the windows here.


The crowds continued to stop & take photos. The cute red designs are on the inside of the window . . .


Stan has moved outside Andersen's to one of the benches. This lady is holding a pink balloon rabbit that the Balloon Man just made for her. I think Stan helped his business!


Another short streetcar ride & we're back at Peace Blvd where Stan immediately has already drawn a large crowd!


There's the Horse & Buggy ride - we should do that . . .


Santa-san encourages a shy child. Tonight he brought a blanket to sit on & gloves. It's VERY cold.


"I'll sit next to you, but don't touch me!"


Santa-san with some of the lights beyond.


I've decided to walk a little & take photos. Decorative lights at Christmas are referred to as "Illuminations" in Japan. Hiroshima has named their fabulous display "Dreamination." It is absolutely amazing - consisting of 1.4 million bulbs, most of which are LED and fueled by solar panels. Read more about this annual display HERE! I can read "Sendai" on the info plaque so I'm assuming this year's program is dedicated to those who suffered and lost so much from the tragedy of the Great Earthquake & Tsunami of 3/11/11.


Colorful lights. Atop the center platform is an origami crane - a symbol of good luck.


Part of the giant Christmas tree nearby.


I've walked "inside" the tree and am looking up.


A giant snowflake - or star?


A heart at the base of the tree. Last year there was a bench here, so I was hoping we could sit here, but it's missing this year.


I LOVE these hopeful symbols. They have something to do with this year's theme.


This VERY colorful truck stopped near us on the street for a few minutes.


And people just kept coming - and patiently waiting their turn.


See the man in back near the right center? His name is Michael and we talked for a long time. He's from Israel and spoke beautiful British English. He's visiting Japan on business and trying to see as much as he can while he's here. He's already falling in love with Japan and wants to return for longer next time.


Two cute little boys who were really in love with Santa-san - they just kept giggling & throwing kisses. The little boy on the right just hugged me over and over. Worth the whole trip!


As we're walking back up toward the streetcar stop, Stan poses in front of an ancient shrine in the midst of huge modern buildings. It's about 10 PM & we're ready to rest & get warm!


Interesting sign on the train about not taking up too much space. Click to enlarge.


Exhausted Santa-san. We're almost home now, but when we first got on the train in Hiroshima, I was lucky enough to find a vacant seat, and sat down across from a young American couple. They were in Japan filming for a travel show (don't know which one!) and then I saw the cameraman across the aisle. When the very nice elderly Japanese man sitting next to me got up to leave, Stan took his seat. We found out the couple was headed to Miyajima Island so when they found out how long we've been here, they were excited and began asking us for information, which of course we were more than happy to provide! We had a very nice chat, and just before they departed at Miyajima, Stan was asked to sign a waiver . . . cool! Maybe he'll be on TV?


Sign on a window of the train.


Closer detail shows tears under the eyes and you can see it's advertising lip balm. Looks very old-style, doesn't it? Another fun adventure . . .

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