Kori comes to Yamadera!

It was a lovely day spent with some good friends. And that's really all I've got to say about that. Melissa, Wendy, Ben and Jon and many others who are a part of the friendship association in Koriyama. They take bus tours a couple of times a year. Last October they came up to Zao, yesterday they came up to Yamadera ~ keep the northern trips coming guys!!

At Sunset

I really do love Yamagata. This was just the sunset I caught on my ride along the river.

Now *that's* and Onsen

Kengo, Wendy and I met at Zao Onsen, it's a natural hotspring nestled up against the mountains. People have been soaking in those pools for the last 1800 years. It's outside, reeks of sulfer and is the most heavenly bath I've ever had. It was a misty and rainy day which was just perfectly refreshing on my face as the rest of me seemed to be cooking in the hot water. I want to go back every weekend. Be warned...it's a little exposed. Walking to the lockers, you do pass by the men's pools and...um...the men. Well, I peeked. (But no, I didn't take that photo ~ I'm not that forward! I found it elsewhere.) I figure it's payback for all of the gawking and pointing at my breasts over the last 2 1/2 years. Anyhoo, the women's baths are in the back and are a bit more secluded. Of course, being a foreigner, that just means more gawking (but less pointing) from the older women there. But once you can surrender to the gaze, not give a tit about it and relax, it's simply heaven there. It didn't take long.

Afterwards we went to dinner at Doma Doma, my favorite little izakaiya in Yamagata. And then we were off to Rough Roll to watch the big game!

oohhhhhh NIPPON!! NIPPON NIPPON NIPPON Oi! Oi Oi Oi Oi!

Like my new song??

Yes, I've heard of the World Cup, but honestly I think it was only because the US women won in 2003. Now, I've searched for the Women's World Cup, but all I can find is information on that one particular game. Did the States make it up just so we could win it? Haha aaah the Good Ole' American way.

BUT! Back to the point at hand. I wasn't paying hardly (okay ANY) attention to the World Cup until my good buddy Ben (beninnihon.blogspot.com) told me to "Aw get with the program, Leese!" His Aussie words rung in my head and I thought I'd check it out ~ and that's just what I did! Rough Roll (our local hang out) was packed, hot, sweaty and full of jersies, the beer was flowing, the screen was big and everyone had a blast. Oz was playing Japan and I felt a little like Switzerland, but I was pretty excited when Australia brought on the heat in the last few moments!! That was the first game I saw, standing on a sofa and peering over the people sitting on every inch of the floor. Honestly, if you wanted to go to the loo, you were really out of luck!

The second time around was just this past weekend. Japan vs. Croatia at 10pm and then Aus vs. Brasil at 3am. Brasil is a beautiful team to watch. Wendy and Kengo came up for their second visit and we had an amazing time. Kengo says Japanese people in Yamagata are shy, but I think he's biased. He was the life of the bar though, no one can say different! It must be the new lid he's sporting! I can't believe he shaved all of that luscious hair, but I bet it's pretty liberating. Especially in the summer. Hmmmmm.....anyone have the clippers? Maybe I'll try it.

Oh, and by the way. If you're looking for a worthwhile import you should try Victoria Bitter. You won't be disappointed.

Just fer mom

I just took this one for mom and any other curl advocates out there. The mop lives.

It's been a week

Jon's face says it all. We've been picking up the slack for 2 teachers on vacation and it's just been crazy busy. It was definitely nice to unwind in good company. Samea is my fellow SF girlie and that's a realllly sleepy picture of me n' Nadine,

Hot Feet!

It was sooo beautiful out today!! The perfect day for Mieko and I to grab a Lawson's picnic and soak our feet in scorching water. There are these lovely spots in Kaminoyama where you can sit at a really well designed picnic table and look out at the mountains. Near by, there are foot baths that are naturally heated hot spring style. I was happy to sit in the sun and possibly get a little color on my pasty white legs. She was careful to avoid the rays at all cost, as most do here. To each her own.

The Japanese really know how to relax and make the most of the beauty around here. It was a great day and so good to spend it with Mieko. Bryan is lucky to have her!

Oh yeah!! And there's a castle there too!

Out with the Gang

Went out a few days ago and met up with Heidi. She's a cool chick!! I can't wait to spend more time with her. She's here with her husband for a few years. She used to be a wilderness guide and I see many trips in our future.

70's Pork

"My very first album was Twisted Sister and I played it on my record player.....not the one I peed on." ~ Jon Friday. I tell you. That man is one of a kind.

This is a favorite stand up bar where you can't sit down (haha was that redundant?), but you can get amazing pork on a stick. The walls are covered with record albums from the 70's and early 80's Nippon style. The shelves are covered in porcelain pigs. It doesn't get much classier than that.

Finally. My White Horse

Clay Hands

I love living in such a lush green place. Our pottery day was foggy and cool. Such a nice backdrop to see just how green the place is getting. I think I have to live in a place where there are seasons. There is something spectacular about watching the grass grow. We really do miss out on some things in California. Here are some shots of our pottery guru and some friends we picked up along the way. The little boy made a pretty amazing cup ~ better than all of us! Quite a little natural he is.