 November
30, 2004 - Scott and Carolyn
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Scott, Carolyn and Yuki (Snow)
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We have found some friends in Kobe (I must admit that the ones we spend the most time with are native English speakers.) Scott and Carolyn live near the University and have become a great source of familiar comfort as well as great adventure partners. Scott studies Japanese poetry and Carolyn is studying Japanese pottery. Not only do they speak Japanese, but they are also fun to talk to!
On our first visit to their house, we watched Sex in the City videos, had Pizza Hut for dinner. That was the day after they adopted Yuki the cat. Yuki was only about 4 weeks old and had been placed in a cardboard give-away box near their house. |
Me, Tim, Scott, Carolyn's host-mom (photos by Carolyn)
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On our next visit, Carolyn's host-mom provided a whole turkey (and the oven) for a complete Thanksgiving feast: stuffing, sweet potatoes, asparagus, cranberries, rolls, gravy. the works. To top it all off, her host-mom had made pumpkin pie using Carolyn's mom's recipe, and Haagen Dazs (at $7.00 per pint!). It was a fantastic dinner.
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Although I could not buy all the antiques I loved, I realized I could capture them with my camera!
Chionin temple
A peacemaker famous for bowing to the emperor
Scott & Carolyn having sweet sake (amasake)
Cold red beans with jelly (anmitsu). actually quite good!
A great day.
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For our next adventure, Tim and I tagged along with them to Kyoto to look for antique woodblock prints. They have quite a nice collection in their apartment. We got an introduction to the art and some background on style, history, quality, etc. Scott speaks Japanese quite well (according to outside sources) and was able to talk with all the dealers and ask for specific time periods or artists. We walked around the Gion district of Kyoto and took in the sights of the changing maple leaves, then stopped for tea at a little teahouse for the most amazing smoky tea and red bean with jelly dessert. I must go back again! (Does anyone want to join me?) |
