First Bath

I spent last weekend in Kobe with my Home Visit Family. The almost two hour trip was almost uneventful with the exception that I got on the local train instead of the limited express train so stopping at every station slowed me down considerably and left Maki waiting. I finally made it to Sannomiya Station and Maki and I climbed a large hill to visit Kitano-Cho, an area with famous houses from around the world. This block to the Japanese is touristy, but for me it was basically lots of grand houses. Still very pretty to walk around and we there was a lovely view of Kobe. 

We saw a street performer there, and I made Maki sit down and watch it with me. He did the normal juggling while simultaneously eating an apple, and impressively ate a very long balloon and ended up pulling out a long rainbow string. It was interesting watching him and not being able to understand anything he was saying. Maki was very good at keeping me informed when she felt it was needed.

Afterwards, we walked through Chinatown and then down to Habortown. It was still too early to go back to her house because her mom teaches piano lessons so we sat and waited for the sunset. Once it was dark we walked to the City Hall and went up on the 24th floor to see the night skyline of Kobe. Then we bought sashimi, raw fish, and got on a 40 minute bus ride to the other side of the mountain. 

Once at her house, her okaasan (mom) and otoosan (dad) warmly welcomed me into their lives and we sat down to eat REAL sushi!! It was oishiiiiii (delicious). Dinner lasted around two hours with me smiling a lot and occasionally hearing, "ehhhh, psychologyyy?? ohhhhh, northu carolinaaaa." The thinking noises the Japanese make are different than in the States. We say "yeah" and "uh-huh" whereas the Japanese nod and say "un" consistently to let you know they're listening while you're still talking. I've picked up the "un" and use it on a daily basis when talking with friends. 

I was then offered the first hot bath. Bathtubs in Japan are amazing. The water reaches your shoulders. After taking my bath I drained the tub. Which was the wrong mistake to make. Luckily, Maki and okaasan just laughed at me and apologized because they didn't tell me. We're supposed to shower first, then soak in the tub, then the next person does the same thing with the same water. It is a good system to save water, though I'm not so sure about how sanitary it would be. Next time, I'll know!

We went to bed on futons and woke up the next morning to a full cooked Japanese breakfast! Rice, raw fish, sardines, pickled vegetables, ham, salad, miso soup, and barley tea. If only I could wake up with that waiting for me everyday. I'm really enjoying the Japanese food when it's prepared for me. 

After breakfast okaasan, Maki and I went to the Sake Museum and got lost for an hour in the rain. I was forewarned by both of them that they always got lost so I was prepared to walk for awhile! We found the museum and I received my free sake, which was the purpose of going. I just wanted to try it since it is a pure Japanese custom. Sake is about as good as drinking soap.

I've been invited back each month and I've very glad I got such a fantastic family.