Onomichi is a beautiful city. I can see why Jackie loves it. Yesterday we met up with Jackie's freind and language teacher, Yoko. Yoko has live in Onomichi for most of her life. She is a wonderfully warm women who has gone to great lengths to help Jackie with plans and sights for us to visit while I am in Japan.
After lunch we took the ropeway (cable car) to the top of the mountain in Onomichi. We had picked a beautiful day. The Sakura were out in full bloom. The sight was breathtaking and I must admit that no picture will ever do it justice. The views from the observation deck allowed me to see all of Onomichi and some of the many islands in the Inland Sea. The atmosphere is almost festival like. Some families were picnicing under the cherry blossom trees. This is called Hanami and is often declared a national holiday when the blossoms are in full bloom.
Yoko was wonderful to have along. Her English is quite good. She was able to point out several things that we would not have known. The mountains of Onomichi have many temples and shrines. She took us to one of the older ones and shared information about it. We had a very interesting discussion on graves and how all are cremated in Japan. She found it interesting that we did not always cremate. She found it hard to believe that one grave could be for one person. The graves we saw were for families.
As we walked along under the trees there were many vendors selling there local delicacies. She stopped at one and decided to buy us a favorite treat of the Japanese people. It smelled quite good. She bought it and Jackie warned me that it was Ocupus wrapped in a batter and grilled. It is called Takoyaki. My book tells me that "they are battered balls of Octupus". Don't take it too literally please.
If I could have disappeared I would have. I think Yoko saw my fear. She asked me if I could eat Octupus. I smiled and said I never have, but I was willing to try it. We found a bench under the Sakura tree and ate these delicacies that Japanese people line up for as we would for Tim Horton's Donuts. I had to calm my mind and demand it not to take over my stomach. I tasted the first one. It was not as bad as I thought. The chewy part was not even as bad as I thought it would have been. I had three, served with special sauce and mayonaise. Yes I would have it again.
Yoko asked me what kind of fish I eat. I said being from the prairies, I rarely ate fish. I guess I can see why she thinks that would not be possible. Fish is a staple in Japan. I have a long way to go to love fish.
Tomorrow, Jackie, Brandon and I head on a road trip for four days. We will be on the island of Shikoku. Brandon is a fellow jet student and it is his car we are using for the trip. I will keep you posted. I think we are in more ryokans and enjoying onsens again.
Jackie helped me set up a site that I will put pictures on from time to time. Please check on it by clicking on the following link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7645918@N07/
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2 comments:
...to readers: you will have to copy and past the "link" into a new window or tab....i wasn't sure how to teach mom how blogger works hyperlinks, because i am not familiar with blogger. perhaps if we can get it fixed we will change it so you go straight there- otherwise, copy and paste!
and as an aside, octopus wouldn't be considered a fish in japan. fish are fish- and "seafood", is usually things in shells. octopus, i suppose, is just octopus.
Wendy,think of it as Calamari but only on a slightly larger scale!. Oh...that's right, you were not with us (at Jill's wedding) when Uncle Dennis & I ordered calamari and beers between the ceremony and reception.! Too bad, soo sad.
Happy Easter to you both.
sanden...
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