Don and Ada Come For a Visit, Part 1

We were delighted when Don and Ada said they were going to come to visit us in far away Japan.  We anticipated their arrival for weeks.  We had a wonderful five days with them.  We went sightseeing, but they were also very interested in our work and in meeting the people here.  Tsuruoka isn't exactly a tourist destination, but we found some interesting and fun places to go and had a wonderful time.  (Many of the photos below are from Don's camera.  So if it's a good picture- it probably came from him.  Thanks for sharing, Don!)
Thursday, October 6th

They arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday night, then flew to our Shonai airport on Thursday morning, arriving about noon.  They met this man on the airplane, so we took a picture.

We brought them back to our little apartment for lunch and visiting.

We have Sakata eikaiwa on Thursday evenings, so we headed over to Sakata a little early to go to the Sakata Lighthouse park.  This is the oldest wooden lighthouse in Japan- I think.

It is a beautiful park.

The park is right on the Sakata port.

We then went to Sakata Eikaiwa.  Don and Ada were the lesson.  Our advanced students asked them questions and they asked the students questions.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  These pictures were all taken after class.

These are our advanced students that were there that night: Jiro, Mr. Ogura, Miyuki, and Miki.

I'm so glad I thought to take this picture.  Every week after the students leave, we stand in a circle and offer a prayer. 

We then drove back to Tsuruoka and surprised Imi at Moss Burger where she works and had dinner.

They don't look tired, but I'm sure they were very tired.

Friday, October 7th

Ken and Don started Friday morning early with a hike to Shimo Ike Pond.

After breakfast, we went on a trip up the coast, stopping at sites along the way.

We first went to Zenpoji Shrine. 

They were putting up lanterns- decorating for an upcoming festival.

We have been here a few times, but this time they had the buildings open so you could see the shrines and figures inside.  I'm not really sure what they all mean.

Tourists looking up at the beautiful woodwork.

The beautiful Japanese garden there.

Again, we don't really know what all of these figures are, but it was interesting to see them.

We then walked over to a pond nearby. It was so beautiful.

I had to take a picture of this huge worm in the path.

Turtles sunning themselves.

The pond was full of fish and you could tell they were used to being fed.  They all came over to the side when we approached.

We then drove up the coast.  This is the Japanese version of the statue of liberty.  We always laugh when we see her finger.

We then went to the Jelly Fish Aquarium- the biggest Jelly Fish Aquarium in the world, from what we hear.  It's Tsuruoka's claim to fame.

You can't believe all of the beautiful varieties of jelly fish.

They also have a good sea lion show.

We ate a small lunch of nikuman (bread with something inside- this one was pizza sauce and meat) and strawberry ice cream.

Twice a day at the aquarium, they bring out small fish in a bucket, ring a bell and let you feed the gulls. 

We then drove up the coast to Ura beach and White Mountain Island. 

The sea was angry that day, with many high waves.  There were surfers out trying to catch the big wave. If you look closely, you can see them.

We had been here only a couple of weeks before and the sea was a sea of glass. 

A common sight is these two bird watching.

We then went to the little park in Nezugaseki to see this 400 year old bonsai tree.  What is there in America that is 400 years old?

We then went to Atsumi and soaked our feet in the hot spring water in the middle of the street- only in Japan.

Pretty Ada

We then shopped in my favorite little curios shop.  The guys weren't as thrilled with it.

We ended the day by eating at our favorite Hana restaurant.