Food Stalls in Nakasu

Last night we needed to get out of the house so we took the train down town to Tenjin to discover some new parts of the area. We ended up in the Nakasu area, along the Naka River at an Italian bistro for a glass of wine. It was a really cute little restaurant. They had lots of different kinds of wines which is unusual for Japan, usually they just have red and white both of which are chilled. Weird coming from the States where there are always many different choices and it is well known that you don't chill red wine. Come on Japan get with the program!

After, we headed to the food stalls for a dinner date and what an experience that turned out to be!! They are called "yatai" which I guess means food stalls and they are one of the attractions here in Fukuoka. When you first see them you immediately think there is no way that I could eat here without getting sick. They are just little shacks they set up every day around 6 and close around 2 when the bars close. They have room for about 8 people to eat around a bar and they serve yakitori (food on sticks) and Hakata Ramen, which is very popular here in Fukuoka. Matt and I chose the one that looked the cleanest and already had people eating. Turned out to be an excellent choice. There were 6 business men in suits there who were more than happy to have 2 American's eating with them. The 2 closest to Matt knew some English and so we were able to talk a little. We both had to pretend that we didn't know what "ganbe" meant because it is custom here when someone says that to chug your drink and they were all a little tipsy. Anyway, the food was awesome, except the hairy crab the guys made me try. We had chicken, steak, pea pods wrapped in bacon, tomatoes wrapped in bacon, asparagus wrapped in bacon . . . Japanese love pork! At the end the guy next to Matt, the CEO of the company, paid for our entire bill which I think was about $80. Thank you Mr.CEO! All in all a wonderful date night with my husband that didn't cost him that much!

Dazaifu

The weather finally cleared up enough to get out of the house the other day, so we decided to go explore a part of Fukuoka called Dazaifu. We had to take three different trains to get there, so it probably took about 45 minutes, but it was worth it. Leading up to the shrine there was a really cute shopping street with all sorts of things for sale. There were about 15 different shops that were selling a dessert with adsuki bean paste in the middle and it seemed like the thing to do, so Matt bought one. It was pretty gross and Matt eats just about everything but even he had to eventually throw it away. Well, at least we tried it!

The shrine was very interesting. Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine was built over a grave and is said to be dedicated to the god's of learning. When we were there we saw what I think was a Buddhist ceremony. Everything was in Japanese, so we were a bit confused. The grounds were beautiful. There many amazing old trees around the shrine, one is estimated to be over 1,500 years old. We carved our initials in it . . . just kidding! It was a really fun day.

Christmas in Fukuoka!

Christmas in Japan has been interesting. A few days before Christmas Matt and I went to a big mall in Canal City to do some shopping (Matt's favorite!), which is about a 15 minute subway ride. It's kind of weird because the malls are all decorated and packed with people but most of them don't actually celebrate Christmas, so I'm not really sure what they are all doing there. Every time I have been to this mall there is some type of entertainment going on in the center part and this day there happened to be a Japanese gospel group. They were singing gospel songs and Christmas songs all in English, which is funny because we were probably the only people there that understood, but tons of people were watching. Between songs they were speaking Japanese and it was encouraging to see that the reason for Christmas was being acknowledged. Before we left Matt stopped at Cold Stone for the smallest and most expensive "love it" size ice cream ever, about $7! However, it was really entertaining listening to them sing. They seemed to really love their job.

Christmas Eve we met some friends at Ohori Park to look at Christmas lights. It's a big park with a pond in the center. The walking path around it is just over a mile, so I'm sure Jean and Terry would like it! The lights were pretty, but compared to light shows in the States kind of lame.

Christmas day our friend Nathan came over with two of his friends visiting from Shanghai, China and another teacher friend, Kevin. Everybody brought stuff to make sushi and we took turns making different kinds of rolls. There was octopus, eel, salmon, shrimp, crab and other vegetables. I'm going to be honest Matt and I don' t eat much of that. Octopus is just a little to creepy for me, but it was a lot of fun. After dinner we played the game, "Things" . . . soooo funny! This will definitely be a Christmas we remember . . . our first one as a married couple in Fukuoka, Japan!

Christmas back in the States!

We had so much fun back in the States.  Matt was lucky enough to go back to Colorado to do some work during November, so he got to see all of our friends and of course Bentley boy.  I guess Bentley wouldn't leave him alone, nice to know he still remembers us.  Rachel is taking such good care of him.  (Thanks Rachel, it means so much!)  He also got to go back to Indiana to see his family for a week.  He had a lot of fun playing cards and teaching them how to make sushi.  Not really sure it's going to be a weekly dinner choice there but they had fun learning.  He also got to spend a lot of time with Campbell, who just turned two.  She tried to come in his suitcase but we didn't think she would get through customs.  Overall, it was a great trip home for him, I just wish that I could have been there.  I miss you Cincoski's!

I came home about three weeks later for Amber and Drew's wedding in Olympia, Washington.  It was beautiful and I am so glad that I was able to make it.  I am so lucky to have such great girl friends.  After the weekend I headed to Stevenson to spend the rest of my time with my family.  Megan, Rob, Hudson and new baby Harper flew in from Florida as well, so everyone was there, except for Tony!  Missed you Tone!   Isabelle turned 5 when we were home and is quite the little princess.  She is definitely ready for kindergarten next year.  Hudson is awesome.  I've never met a 3 year old with such a sense of humor.  Matt and I still joke about him telling my mom with a smile on his face, "NOT A CHANCE," after she asked him if he wanted sometime more to eat.  It was hilarious, where does he come up with this stuff.  I have to say though that little Harper was a highlight of our trip home this year.  She is just the sweetest, chubbiest little baby girl ever.  Matt and I definitely fought over holding her.  And although we love Japan these are the moments we miss.  It was so good to be home.