Tick, tick, tick. Slowly the trip goes on. We have been in the air about 6 ½ hours and have right at another 6 to go according to the in-air flight information. Dan and I have both passed some time sleeping, though we seem to sleep in alternating schedules. I hope on the return we will be able to get an aisle seat. I am currently at the window so I feel guilty when I have to go tinkle and have only gone once…now twice.
* * * * *
So far the trip has been uneventful. I don’t even suppose it has hit me where we will be when we exit the plane. It has been seven years since I have been to Sendai. Logically, I know things have changed but emotionally, I have yet to wrap my mind around it.
I do think Dan is excited about the trip. I hope he enjoys everything and doesn’t get too worn out.
I wasn’t able to call my grandmother from Atlanta like I was told to do. After breakfast with my dad we went to our gate and they were already boarding. I’m sure I’ll hear all about it when I get home. Oh well.
* * * * *
Now we are on the Narita Express to Tokyo Station. No problems were had in customs. After we left customs, we got our JR East Passes from downstairs and got all of our tickets from Narita to Sendai and back. After we got our train tickets, we exchanged our money and waited around to meet Ryoko. She met us at 2:40 and was all decked out in her JAL uniform. She works on the third floor in Departures at the airport.
Now we are off to Tokyo and then Sendai. YAY!
*
* * * *
We are on the way to Sendai on the Shinkansen now. Tokyo Station was fun - Dan even made his first purchase! He bought an obento (lunch box), which we ate on the train. I had to make sure he got the one he wanted (he picked out the picture, came back to the bags, I went in, got the obento, he took it from me, I went out to be with the bags, he bought it), but he did the purchase alone. When he came out of the store with his purchase, he looked at me and asked, “Now, what did I just buy?” A great question!
Before Dan bought his obento, I also picked up an orange juice, 2 tuna onigiris (rice balls) and an Asahi beer for Dan. Waiting on the platform for the Shinkansen, we picked up a “Dakara”, which is basically Suntory’s Pocari Sweat. I think we were a little hungry.
It
is 5:15pm and we should arrive in Sendai in 2 hours, 4 minutes.
I think that, until then, we’ll pass the time watching Japan go by.
Though Dan might sleep some. He’s
a tired puppy.
*
* * * *
Sendai!!!
When Dan and I got to Sendai, the Arais and Oshimas were waiting for us. Nobuaki (Mr. Arai) had mad a big “Welcome アマンダ＆ダン”
(Welcome Amanda & Dan) sign and was wearing his cowboy hat.
After dropping our suitcases off at the Oshimas’ car, we all walked a
few blocks to a Gyuu-tan restaurant. Apparently,
gyuu-tan has become quite popular in Sendai.
Which is all well and good until you realize that gyuu-tan means cow
tongue.
We
had a huge meal which consisted of tofu with a chopped beef (gyuu-tan) sauce,
gyuu-tan with three different flavorings (soy sauce, miso and salt), a beef soup
(I think ox-tail), rice with “mugi” or barley and what looked like
pre-pulled pulled pork (but was gyuu-tan) and minced radish.
It was actually pretty good.
After
eating, quite some time was spent planning our schedule.
Looks like we will be busy but we should get to spend time with everyone.
I
did make everyone laugh when Mr. Oshima mentioned going to the Sendai Rotary
Club meeting. I’m not against that so much as whom I might see there. Oshima
mentioned that there would be many faces to see, including Tokiwa.
The laugh came when I politely said in Japanese, “I don’t really want
to meet Tokiwa.” Not sure why
exactly that was funny - I don’t
know who knows what all happened with that, though I think everyone knows I
don’t like him. Maybe being
honest about it was a bit amusing.
Anyway,
we drove back to the Oshimas’ house after walking back to the station and
separating from the Arais (but not before speaking to Miho on Makiko’s (Mrs.
Arai) cell phone on the walk back). At
the Oshimas’, we gave them their gifts and then had some green tea and plum
wine that the Oshimas had made. They
even grew the plums!
After
drinks, Dan took a bath and then shaved while I bathed.
Now we are in the Oshimas’ downstairs tatami room, ready for bed. Dan is already asleep, actually.
Tomorrow,
we plan to get up at 8 (we’ve got the alarm set) then see Zuihoden, Aoba-jo
Castle site, etc., have lunch in Sendai’s tallest building and then return by
3:00pm. Later tomorrow evening, Dan and I will gather what we need to
spend the night at the Arais’ and go on the bus trip. After the bus trip, we go to the Onos’ and the Oshimas’
will see that our bags get to their house.
*
* * * *
Returning
to Sendai, even Japan on the whole, has been different.
Mostly because it seems so natural.
Almost like when you have a favorite something or another that you always
use. Then, for one reason or
another, you stop using it. It is
still your favorite, you just don’t use it.
Then, one day, you “rediscover” it and start using it again.
Since it has always been your favorite, you don’t have that well of
excitement from finding a new something or other that is so wonderful.
You already know it was wonderful. Instead,
you simply nod and think “Yep, this one really is my favorite” then go along
your merry way.
Coming
back to Japan isn’t even like seeing an old friend because that implies a
noticeable absence. Instead, it is like running into your friend on Monday when
you normally see her only on Wednesdays. “Oh,
hey, this is neat. What to go grab
lunch or something?” No hugs, no
squeals of excitement, just slipping back into the normal comfort zone you two
always have.
Of
course, that is a long and drawn out (and boring) way of saying: Being back in
Japan is very nice and it feels very natural.
Even my Japanese isn’t totally horrid.
Well, it is 11:30pm - time for bed! Tomorrow should be fun, if not melt-your-eyebrows hot.
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