Japan - Day Four (Homeward Bound)

Today was a change of pace for our trip. We arrived late to Chikako's home town and spent the night of Day Three catching up with her parents around the kotatsu. Japanese houses dont really have couches and seats, but instead the family sits around a low table on tatami mats. The table is rigged with a heater and surrounded by what I would call a comforter. You slide your legs undereneath the comforter and the heater keeps them warm. This is an excellent way to stay warm in a japanese house which has no central heat or air. Some of the newer houses also can have heated floors, but most have a kerosene space heater and a kotatsu.

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We woke up late on Day Four (Tuesday) and enjoyed the slow pace. Our legs were very sore so we ate a quiet breakfast and lounged around watching Japanese television. After a nice shower and bath, we got ready and walked to Chika's grandmother's house.

She was so happy to see us she began weeping uncontrollably, which was so cute and sweet. Chika's grandmother is 87 years old and the nicest lady you'll ever meet. She giggles when I blow her kisses. We sat in her house and talked for hours. Her house was bought during WW2 for about 100 yen which today is $1. I buy soda in machines for more than that! It's huge, old, and run down, but really kinda cool. She spoke about how her husband was responsible for war rationing and therefore her 5 kids had enough to eat, but most days their lunches consisted of one slice of sweet potato and some barley (rice was too expensive). We left later in the day (after lunch) and rested at Chika's home.

Her father came home to pick us up and take us to his volleyball practice. For almost 40 years he has been the girls volleyball coach for high school and junior high. Today he was teaching his 1st year junior high kids, a team of 10. I spend the evening chasing after balls and teasing the elementary school kids who were also in the gymnasium practicing. We gave them all a Twix candy bar, came home, ate, and crashed early. A relaxing day.