kyoto

Last Sunday was the end of Obon, we went early to visit with my MIL before going to an evening service.

Before lunch though, my MIL wanted help carrying some items to a nearby church, so we walked to a church near Satoshi's elementary to drop the items off. (photo of the classrooms)

Afterwards, we checked out his elementary (or what we could from the locked gates).

First off, part of the school had been turned into a day care for seniors. Since the population of children in the area has dropped drastically, the school wanted to make use of their facilities and rents (I think) it out to this senior care. (photo of the gym)

I was shocked to see how drab the buildings looked. Satoshi pointed out each building, of course, I was shocked to see their playground was just hardened sand/dirt, no grass.

I was also shocked to find out that they don't have a cafeteria to eat in, they have lunch served in their classrooms. Satoshi said that some days their lunch consisted of two slices of white bread and some curry. (He was very envious of my school lunch stories.) (photo of the administration/office)

Around the corner from his school is a tiny park, he said that afterschool until 16:30, they were allowed to play on campus, but after 16:30, they ran over to this park and played until dark.

I still cannot get over having these bars around the swing set, I mean, how could you jump off the swings to see who could jump off the farthest without hurting yourself on these bars??

Or this stone slide...that must do some damage on your clothes.

Satoshi was amazed that this "tunnel" was still around, he had lots of good memories here, his eyes lit up as he talked about them.

Though his school and park were different from what I grew up with, it was nice to be able to see them and hear all his stories.

Hope you had a great weekend!

around the neighborhood

Not much happening around here, Satoshi had to go to work today. Just wanted to show you some shots from around the neighborhood.

Everyday on my walks to the grocery store, I see this cat. He/she actually had a white face, somehow it has turned gray, probably from pollution. Anyway, he/she is always on the shady side of this house. In the afternoon, he/she moves to the glass sunroof area, which I think may be even cooler.

The playground area of an elementary school nearby. I was shocked because there is no grass! I've only seen grass at schools in Okinawa. Growing up in Hawaii, our playground area always had grass and we always ran around barefoot!

The outside shell of the semi (cicada) in Japanese it is called utsusemi and is quite fragile. Kinda ugly, yeah?

Last night, we walked to the Minoo Falls area thinking it was lit up with all these candles (I had seen an ad)--It was the weekend before. :( The falls were lit up with regular lights though, although my digital camera didn't take very good photos at night. :( Though, I was able to catch a butterfly trying to figure out what to drink at a vending machine.

And lastly, a foodie item, this curry pan (fried bread filled with curry) is made at a bakery inside of a nearby supermarket. This is the first time I've come across a curry pan that actually had chunks of beef in it and the bread is actually fluffy in texture! Delicious!

Hope you are keeping cool where you are! Have a good week!