In 1989, Lil worked for an organisation that organised English classes and homestays for Japanese students from Seishin Junior High. Noriko Mandai (now Montoya), as a 14 year old, came to stay with us and now we are staying with her.
We caught a smooth riding fast train from the airport to Noriko and Fidel`s house. When we bought the train ticket at the airport station we got about 3 tickets each and there was nothing written in English!
Noriko and her American born husband have a daughter called Anna, and run an English Language School from their home. This is the first time we have seen each other since 1989 but have corresponded since this time. Anna is 5 : the age our daughter Kerri was when Noriko visited us in New Zealand.
It has been a great reunion and we will visit again when they have holidays in a few days time.
Blessing a new car at the shrine.As well as visiting some of the local shrines, we managed a trip to Himeji Castle about an hour`s drive from Ako. The temples and shrines are so serene and peaceful after the loud colourful ones we have seen to date.
At the local shrine.
Himeji CastleThe rice in this area is nearly ready for harvesting so the temples are rehearsing for the harvest festival on 22 October.
We also visited the shrine to the 47 Samurai. The leader of the 47 Samurai was killed in Tokyo so the warriors avenged his death and then killed themselves. There were many stories, paintings, and statues in the shrine museum about the event.
A grand aunt of Noriko`s teaches students in the art of tea ceremonies so we were invited for tea. Noriko learnt this as a child so she served us and then Anna practiced and served her mum. The house was in the traditional Japanese style and she had a room just for tea.
One night we had a Japanese style BBQ. We cooked on a charcoal griller and ate straight from the grill.
We visited a local restaurant and had a tempura set meal as well.
A concert of traditional dance and music.
A concert of traditional dance and music.
