Forgot to mention this
last epistle. Before I went to Lawsons I checked to see if Watanabeya
(the little bread shop near Oyama Shrine) was open. Unfortunately not,
but I could hear sounds which I presumed was someone working. I knocked
on the door And the owner/baker answered. I explained that his "breads"
were the most amazing taste sensation and I just had to thank him for a
wonderful experience. His name sounded like Yuski but have no real
idea.
Another truly magnificent breakfast. I
developed a theory that the owner upped the amount of rice each day
because I finished it all. Today the rice container (the one with the
white handle sticking out) was positively chocka. I couldn't finish it
so I guess he won. It was a s...load of rice.
As I was
checking out and paying my bill (incidentally the first place ever in
Japan to take payment at the end of the stay rather than the beginning) I
asked what were the little coloured balls in the first day's miso soup.
He went and got a piece of paper that had every dish from each day on
it (presumably to avoid repetition- how's that for attention to detail)
and started reeling off each dish. I said- "no the little balls in the
soup" he went and got a lady who I presume is his mother and does the
cooking and she brought out a cellophane bag of these little balls with
colours on them which are made of some unknown substance ( I have since
found out that "fu" is wheat gluten and this particular 'fu
mari' translates as balls. Go figure.
She also had another
cellphone bag with the same product in the shape of flowers- name-
fu sakura-cherry blossom which she presented to me. Would have preferred
the balls but that pack was open sooooooo.
They both came to the door and bowed me away. It was only later that I kicked myself for not getting a pic.
By the way slightly damp with light patchy drizzle.
Walked
to the nearby main street and caught a JR bus to Kanazawa Station then
the train in reverse to Friday. Kanazawa to Osaka to Shinimamiya.
When
I got into the carriage at Osaka I sat down and what should be there
but an umbrella that someone had forgotten I hesitated but took it and
felt I was rewarded when I got to Shinimamiya, got in the lift with my
suitcase, etc and held the door for a couple. I asked where they were
headed and they said Koyasan. When I checked the Hyperdia app on my
phone I suddenly remembered that I had made the same mistake last
Wednesday when I went to JR Shinimamiya and had to ask the station staff
where to catch the Koyasan train and was told the Nankai Shinimamiya
station is about 300 metres away. Not sure if I mentioned this in my
Koyasan post so as soon as I saw Nankai the penny dropped and I was able
to point them in the right direction. Not sure where he was from but
pretty sure she was an Aussie. My justification for gaining an umbrella.
Mind you it is a beaut- clear umbrella, black handle and spring loaded
opening. At first I worried but then I saw the same ones in every second
shop for about $4. I will try to bring it back if I can.
Checked back in at Hotel Taiyo and the girl said: I remember you Tim-san.
After settling in I decided to go for a walk down memory lane and took the train to JR Namba.
Back
in 2010 when I stayed at the apartment Awaza House run by the Korean
Takamoto-san he gave me directions where to meet and I ended up at JR
Namba when he meant Namba which is a multi railway station for a number
of private operators. That was when the businessman went out of his way
to take me to the correct meeting point which took about 10 mins. Also
when I had a fault with a charger I bought at Labi Namba (Takamoto-san
had taken me there to buy it) and I took it back the next day that was
when I met the African guy who had been in Japan for 8 years, married to
a Japanese, kids, etc. he was the one who told me that even though they
wer supposed to close at 10PM if there were still customers in te store
they had to stay and sometimes he didn't leave until midnight or so.
So
I walked to Labi Namba and wonder of wonders saw the African chap-
nodded hello and took a sneaky pic. On the way I had stopped and bought
the Best Snack in the World for the Price- sort of pancake base with
egg, cabbage and brown sauce- all for ¥140- will have pics which
explains it better. On the way back stopped at Yoshinoya (remember our
first lunch on the Ginza Mum?) and had the Unagi Set- grilled eel on
rice, miso soup and pickles for ¥790. Oisshi.
Then
went for a short walk down Ebisubashi-suji which Mum and I walked from
the other direction (from Dotonbori) and where we saw the material shop
Toroya. Think of you every time since I have been there Mum. Somehow
makes you closer. Wish I could find some fabric to bring back ut there
is just too damn much choice.
When I got off the train I
thought I would have a look in the Uniqlo branch not far from the
station. Imagine my surprise when I saw that it has been replace by a
Daiso- the first I have actually laid eyes on. Bought some wrapping
paper and tape for ¥216. I will use it to wrap the rest of the Anami
presentos.
Back to hotel via Tamade and Family Mart for
dinner/ breakfast provisions. In Family Mart I bought a pack of 7 Green
Tea ice cream poles made by Meiji- make chocolates and all things sweet.
I really wish these were available in Oz because they are a real
mouthf..k.
Cost- ¥540. I love Japan.
So after
dinner I had my bath and now I'm writing this while watching NHK News. A
little while ago they reported a fire in an escalator at Namba Station
earlier. Kinda spooky cos I think I might have heard the fire
engine sirens when I was in the area.
I have been Facebook
Messaging with Paul D'Agostino and will meet up with him in Kyoto
tomorrow morning at Kyoto station. It will be interesting getting a
glimpse of how an Aussie teaching English in Japan gets on.
Will tell all tomorrow night when I return.
Lotsalove,
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