Very cool plastic food in this restaurant window. We had not seen any with a "floating fork" before.
















Back on the train headed back home to Iwakuni. I'm sitting & the boys are standing, discussing school matters, no doubt. What a great day -- although we didn't accomplish our quest, we had fun & ate a great meal. We'll keep looking -- after all, tomorrow's another day!

Belinda's Party Pictures

If you're a faithful reader, you've already seen pictures from my birthday party. However, these are some of the pictures that Belinda took. She was able to get some shots that Stan did not, so indulge me one last time -- and enjoy! Warning: this WILL make you hungry!


Ingrid's cheese, salami & grapes platter.
















Stan's pineapple boat fruit platter (yes, Stan made it!) with all ripe & delicious Japanese fruits. Behind is the crockpot with Pam's famous meatballs. Someone is pointing to the shrimp & crab dip that I made with the veggies & crackers for dipping.

Behind Kuniko's beautiful floral centerpiece, the crockpot held Pam's delicious meatballs; our smoked salmon platter; Matt & Emilie's wrapped sandwiches on his hand-made platter; lettuce & tomato for the spiral baked ham (off to right)














Jake & Stan prepare to dig in.

Betsy















Margie opens another funny card!
















Tomiko & Shoko with Sue, Matt, Emilie & Stan behind

Lorri















Pam & Debra

















John & Jake

Stan
















Taki
















Moon, Sue & Ingrid

Matt & Emilie
















Jake, Pam, Debra all looking at Lorri -- hmm, wonder what she's saying?

Jim, Ray, & Paul. How, big, Paul?

An-a 6 an-a 0 . . .

Barbara looks on as Margie blows out the candles while not spilling her pina colada . . .


















Sue & Moon (Jake behind), John & Shoko in front.

Party invitation & the clock I found for Stan last year when he turned 60.

Shoko sings karaoke















Belinda, Shoko, Taki, & Tomiko

Blue Light Special!

Back in AZ-- Cody only had to spend one night back in the hospital under the bili-lights for jaundice & was happily back home with his parents & sister, Kelly.

Kipp said "Burrito Boy" Cody pulled his cap down over his eyes -- guess he wants to sleep a little longer?
















Kelly set the table for breakfast all by herself!

Flat Stanley Returns to AZ After Visiting Japan!

Kelly points to each picture as she presents her "Flat Stanley Visits Japan" info . . . (wish I could have been there!) She said her classmates enjoyed the snacks from Japan as well.

Doll Exhibit in Hiroshima

It's a Friday and Miyako is driving down a narrow street -- her shortcut to avoid some of the heavy traffic along Hwy 2. We're going to a famous doll exhibit today that's only on display in Hiroshima for a few more days. It's a gray, cool day -- it does not feel like spring yet, but we'll be indoors most of the time, so it's OK.






Beautiful flowers along the highway.

















The blue sign on the right indicates the Fuji Grand where we will leave Miyako's car & get on the trolley to travel into Hiroshima.

We're waiting for the trolley at Miyajima's Fuji Grand station. Notice the pink flower tiles on the platform.
















The trolley curves around as we get to downtown Hiroshima.
















Directly above the white car, you can see the skeleton outline of the Peace Dome -- the only structure in this Ground Zero area which survived the nuclear bomb of 1945. Surrounding it is Peace Park, which is dedicated to world peace, and an end to nuclear weapons.

Looking out the trolley window at downtown Hiroshima.
















Entrance to the Mitsukoshi Department Store.

Beautiful spring kimono & accessories displayed inside the department store.

Boys' Day displays -- Samurai dolls in glass cases & carp streamers to be flown from houses where boys reside.