To Ramble Or Not

Karen and I started out by having a light breakfast at the Fujiya Cafe in the underground mall. We have come to like this restaurant for the variety of options as well as it being relatively close to the hotel. On the way back to the hotel we were able to stop by the Citibank branch, get some money and thank the person for helping us out the day before.

We met Shiho’s bother, Taka a little after 11 that morning. We came to know him from working with him on the trip itinerary the previous weeks. He teaches English so it was very easy to talk with him and we both grew very fond of him through the day. Taka has an inquisitive mind and a great sense of humor. The other thing is that he encouraged Karen and I to try all different kinds of foods. We started out by having a traditional Japanese lunch at one of Takas favorite restaurants. I had chicken, a side of white rice with seaweed, miso soup and some vegetables. Karen had most of the same but she had pork instead of the chicken and hers had a sauce that was typical of our horseradish sauce. Both meals were fantastic to say the least.

We then headed to the old town section of the city where the streets are pretty narrow and have very traditional shops and restaurants. Of course this provided lots of stories. One of our surprises was that Shiho was able to meet us which was the first time we have seen her in ten years!! Needless to say, there was lots of tears, smiles and laughter during this afternoon. While we were together, we toured one of Nagoyas oldest temples. Of course, you can’t take pictures inside some of the areas but I found it odd that right outside of this temple, they had people all over selling different items all around the courtyard. It reminded of the passage in scripture where Jesus turned over the tables in the temple!!

We stopped to have two traditional Japanese sweet treats. The first was four balls of white rice paste covered in teriyaki sauce and served on a stick. The second was a sweet bean paste (similar to retried beans in consistency) and covered in dough and fried. I found both to be good but not necessarily would I consider them sweet in the American sense.

The second half of the day, we toured Nagoya Castle. We toured the entire grounds and all five floors of the castle where we were able to take pictures of the city. One interesting part was a large four story metal building that was on the property. Turns out that we could go through part of it and was able to see a large renovation project that is six years in the making. They are reconstructing a part of the castle that had been previously destroyed. Like I said, it will take six years to complete and it is all being done as it was originally without the use of any nails. This is being done in a climate controlled building with very limited access by the general public.

Later we returned back to the downtown area to a place called Oasis 21. This is a center filled with shops and restaurants. The cool thing is that the stores are one level below the street. The troops of the stores are street level and covered with real grass and walk ways that form a nice park. Two stories above the stores is a plexiglass cringing that has water and fountains on top so we you are shopping and look up, all you see is water and the sky above!!! We even took the elevator to the top and walked all around the water and took various pictures of the park and city below!!!

The night finished with a Sushi Dinner which was a first for Karen and I. It was served in Nigerie style whereby the fish is served over the rice. We had different styles of vegetable, shrimp and crab. I also had some said as well :)

It was a great day filled with new friends, reconnecting with children, seeing new sights and trying new tastes. It was a great day of seeing God at work in all of these things including all of our conversations. I have to thank God for allowing me to experience this with Karen. Some pics to follow of the day……

This day was nothing like how I thought it was going to be. I had no idea what to expect nor had God prepared me for what was about to happen.

The wedding was at a hall in the Nagoya Port area of the city which is on the waterfront. We got there and was escorted to the brides family waitin room. We were introduced to the rest of the family, took pictures and had refreshments.

When 2:15 came, we went upstairs to the “Church Hall” and was told we were seated with the family on the first row. It was at this point that Karen and I knew we were not ready for what was going to happen. The wedding ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Everything was in white white was stunning. The ceremony itself was just like any ceremony we would expect to see in the states. The bride and groom wore the typical attire along with the rest of the family.

Once the ceremony was finished, we went outside to greet them with the throwing of flower petals over them as they walked down the steps into a garden. Many pictures were taken and we were included in many with the family. One neat thing was that the children that Shiho taught English to, we’re in attendance. They sang to her and showered them with things that they made.

The reception was a 5 course meal that was fantastic. We had a plate of sushi, then a pork dish, soup, fish and then beef. Their traditional are very different and I must say, very family oriented. The friends of the bride and groom each (as a group) perform a skit that has meaning to them. The boys was done to a festival dance while the girls was done to music while a video was displayed showing the memories they had growing up. A separate video was shown of the bride and groom growing up and how they met. Karen and I were both touched by how many photos were included of her time with us. It just goes to show you never know the impact you are going to have on people that God puts in your path!!

Another neat tradition, is that the couple present their parents with a bag of rice that weighs exactly the weight that they were when they were born. The bag is wrapped is wrapped in blue and pink and includes baby pics of each.

The bride will typically wear three kinds of dresses during the ceremony. The traditional white dress, then a traditional kimono followed by another formal dress. Each has meaning to the bride and groom.

We sat with two ladies who taught with Shiho along with her brother, Taka and his girlfriend. We had a great time with all of them.

As party favors go, we received a bag with chocolates along with an envelope that was personally addressed to us. In the letter Shiho wrote a personal letter to us including a picture of her time with us. Needless to say, it was both touching and heart felt.

The wedding program was very neat as well. It included, the menu were were having along with the entire table layout with seating chart. So very cool and makes for a nice keepsake.

As or us, I don’t thing we will be coming back the same. I have never felt so humbled and honored at the same time. Both of Shiho’s parents thanked us for helping them grow Shiho into the woman that she has become. They say that she came back from her time in the US a much more happier person. For Karen and I we can only thank God for that and showing us how to lover her and help us make her a part of our family forever.

I can tell you that this will not be the only trip we make here. We are committed to coming back for Taka’s wedding as these two families are becoming one!!! This story is still developing…..more to come

We started out in Tokyo due to the layover but we had a great flight on Japan Air Lines to get to Nagoya. The flight was only 45 minutes but gave us amazing views of Mt. fugitive and the reat of. The coast line as we were approaching.

Shiho’s mom met us with many tears. They are all so thrilled that we are here for Shiho’s wedding.

Karen and I had the day to ourselves and spent it walking around Nagoya in the vicinity of our hotel. The exchange rate is not too bad and we were able to find an interesting underground mall. Reminds me of the subway systems in big US cities but this was much more open with lots of shops, displays, restaurants and the like.

We had a nice lunch of chicken, steamed rice with a salad on the side. Dessert was amazing to say the least. Fresh fruit, ice cream along with a fresh croissant!!

Karen and I rode the Nagoya Sky Box which is a huge Ferris Wheel attached to a multi-story shopping mall along one of the main streets.

We have managed very well for two people not understanding the language. People are very helpful and quite understanding.

We met a neat family from North Carolina who just got here for a couple of weeks and we also met a team of students from Georgia Tech who are studying elementary Japanese.

Overall, a great day!!!!!

Well a little over 3 hours late, a change of planes and another delay to get one of the cargo bay doors closed and we are flying across the Pacific ocean to Japan!!!

The stay at the LAX airport was Ok. Definitely crowded to say the least and what kind of lay over would it be without seeing a TV star in our waiting area. We look over and seated pretty much by himself was Ted Danson. My overall impression was that he was just a regular guy traveling with his wife and was just hanging out. I will say though, that the guy is way tall.

Once we boarded our flight,  is when we found out about the cargo door but after what seemed like an hour or so, they got us out of the gate and in the air. At this rate, we will be missing our connecting flight but have been told that people will meet us, help us with baggage and get through customs so that we can continue on

As. I write this, we just received warm towels and we are cruising at an altitude of 32000 feet and our speed is over 500 mph. Lunch/dinner soon, followed by sleep and Tokyo in 10 1/2 hours. Talk to you tomorrow !!!

We are 3 hours away from Japan and I noticed some interesting things. We crossed the international date line a little over 2 hours ago. We have been traveling to the south of Serbia for the last several hours. The weird thing is that the date line actually goes around Serbia as opposed to directly through it.

In short, missed the connecting flight and American put us up in a hotel in Toyko. On bright side, we have already cleared customs and immigration so it is smooth sailing from here. Nice accommodations and free food so not bad at all. We leave in the morning for Nagoya.