Fall Colours

On Saturday we finally reunited our whole "gang" for a trip to Oriase Gorge to take in the fall colours. We also managed to procure a group photo, compliments of a kind Japanese gentleman (we made sure to ask one who was carrying a really high tech looking camera himself, as we figured that this would give us a better chance of a good photograph even though it would be with our camera). The day was quite delightful, with the drive up to the gorge (it takes a good hour and a half or so, not including really slow Japanese Bongo-type trucks in front of us), some walking around and lots of picture taking, and a stop at the foot onsen on the way back. For those of you not familiar with onsens (while I may technically fall in that category myself as I have never been to an onsen, I do live in Japan, which means that I know about them), an onsen is a place where there are hot springs and people usually enjoy them without any clothing. Some of said onsens separate genders, while others are open to all who are free enough to visit them. When we first moved here, I was pregnant, so the onsen was out of the question. Now I no longer have that alibi, but I do have a baby and a postpartum body, both are minor obstacles to overcome in my new goal to at least do as the Japanese do... once.

That long rabbit trail following the onsens really was leading to a point. The point being that we went to a foot onsen. Even with my knowledge of onsens, I had never heard of a foot onsen until Saturday when we visited one. Essentially, it was a sunken table under a covering that was in the middle of a parking lot, which was in the middle of a park. Under the sunken table was water that was naturally heated. So, we seized the day, removed our socks and shoes (despite the rather frigid weather), rolled up our pants, and sat down at the table for a nice foot soak. It really was a bonding moment... as was the moment several moments later when we had to put our socks and shoes on our wet feet in order to get back to the vehicles. The lesson that I learned from this experience is that one must always be prepared with a towel in the vehicle for just such occasions.

Our day ended at a new restaurant called RamTei. I don't know the name for this kind of restaurant, but I think that you'll at least understand the terms "all you can eat" and "cook your own food". Although they always have salad offered at these places, meat just seems like you're getting more for your money. I don't know that that is really the case, especially with the high prices of produce here in Japan, but the perception was there nonetheless. So, plates of meat it was. And Hyatt has said, once again, that he will never eat at one of those places again. I really think that they should have a cheaper fee for women than men at those places, because we women don't have a hope of achieving the stomach capacity of men.

And such was our last Saturday. Just another wonderful day in Japan.

But what would a blog post be without a new adorable picture of Kaiya... she looks pretty proud of herself for figuring out how to get her foot through the opening in her sleep sack.



And a new family photo...