On Sunday when we went galavanting around
Minoo Park, I saw a sign for the city's Nanokaichi. Actually, this "festival" is more of a get together for merchants to sell their wares around the Minoo station and in parts of the Minoo Park on the 7th day of each month. Since I had never gone to this, I decided to check it out yesterday.
To my disappointment though, there wasn't much happening. I guess with summer, it was too hot, plus the 7th fell on a weekday.
Oh well...since I was at the park already, I walked to the Insectarium and paid to check out the butterflies (again). I was shocked to see that many of them had wings that looked like they were ripped or eaten. Still, having them fly around was a nice feeling.
The Minoo river was quite high. We've been having heavy rains during the afternoons. It has been quite scary too, with loud booms of thunder and bolts of lightning. But, the downside to this is that even with all the rain, the humidity still lingers. This is one part of Japan's summer that I cannot get used to.
I noticed this big tile on top of a shrine. Scary, yet comical looking face with butterfly tiles "fluttering" around it.
Not many flowers during this time of year, though I found these portulaca (sp?) in pots along the path.
Since there wasn't much else to do, I decided to stop into my favorite cafe for a cappuccino. I actually debated as to whether I should go for an iced cappuccino. But, I didn't know if the iced version would have the cappuccino art...so I went for the hot cappuccino...I am so crazy! I think it was at least 35C (95F) outside with thick humidity...the crema was so good though, I scooped it up with the spoon like it was fluffy pudding.
Satoshi called me as I was enjoying my cappuccino. He needed a document from the city office for work. It was a good thing he caught me while I was still in the neighborhood. I popped into the office and showed them his text message. The city worker helped me fill out the form and within a couple of minutes I paid 200 yen (about US$2) for the document and was out of there.
As I walked to the train station, I noticed a railroad sign. Something I have never seen in Hawaii, though maybe they do have some around. I don't drive in Japan, but I think this sign is there to warn drivers that there is a railroad crossing ahead, though they aren't at all the railroad crossings.
Wednesday night, I made
chirmol. I like this recipe, it tastes like a fresh salsa, mixed with the flavors of lomi lomi salmon (without the salmon). Anyway, I had bought a can of jalapenos and put one pepper into the chirmol. Delicious and there is a kick that leaves fire on your lips.
Thursday night, with the leftover chirmol, I made a taco salad for dinner and used the chirmol as salsa. I also tried a flatbread recipe, but I want to tweak it a bit before sharing. It was too salty and too sticky.
Here are the
crumbs on mac nut ice cream. Actually, I think the shortbread would stand out more with vanilla ice cream. The mac nuts kind of overpowered everything. Ooh, and I actually found another big piece within the crumbs! (can you see it in the back of the ice cream mountain?)
Do you think these little plants are tomato or okra? I threw some tomato and okra into this pot and all of a sudden this is what has come up. I'm hoping for okra, though I have a feeling it is tomato.
Sorry for the rambling...It's Aloha Friday here...hope you have a great weekend!
Saw this sign from the community bus the other day...not sure as to what type of hair salon this exactly is, too scared to check it out...only in Japan could places have names like this!.JPG)
There is a food court of sorts inside the Yodobashi Camera building in Umeda and is called Sweets Museum. .JPG)
Each kebab was topped with shredded cabbage and some red onion..JPG)
I also wanted to show you some funny sights and signs....JPG)
And in the bathroom, most signs say "no smoking" but this one is gently asking you to "please give up smoking"...
I found this chicken shop near Sakurai station in Minoo.
On Sunday when we went galavanting around Minoo Park, I saw a sign for the city's Nanokaichi. Actually, this "festival" is more of a get together for merchants to sell their wares around the Minoo station and in parts of the Minoo Park on the 7th day of each month. Since I had never gone to this, I decided to check it out yesterday.
Oh well...since I was at the park already, I walked to the Insectarium and paid to check out the butterflies (again). I was shocked to see that many of them had wings that looked like they were ripped or eaten. Still, having them fly around was a nice feeling.
The Minoo river was quite high. We've been having heavy rains during the afternoons. It has been quite scary too, with loud booms of thunder and bolts of lightning. But, the downside to this is that even with all the rain, the humidity still lingers. This is one part of Japan's summer that I cannot get used to.
Not many flowers during this time of year, though I found these portulaca (sp?) in pots along the path.
Since there wasn't much else to do, I decided to stop into my favorite cafe for a cappuccino. I actually debated as to whether I should go for an iced cappuccino. But, I didn't know if the iced version would have the cappuccino art...so I went for the hot cappuccino...I am so crazy! I think it was at least 35C (95F) outside with thick humidity...the crema was so good though, I scooped it up with the spoon like it was fluffy pudding.
As I walked to the train station, I noticed a railroad sign. Something I have never seen in Hawaii, though maybe they do have some around. I don't drive in Japan, but I think this sign is there to warn drivers that there is a railroad crossing ahead, though they aren't at all the railroad crossings.
Thursday night, with the leftover chirmol, I made a taco salad for dinner and used the chirmol as salsa. I also tried a flatbread recipe, but I want to tweak it a bit before sharing. It was too salty and too sticky.
Here are the crumbs on mac nut ice cream. Actually, I think the shortbread would stand out more with vanilla ice cream. The mac nuts kind of overpowered everything. Ooh, and I actually found another big piece within the crumbs! (can you see it in the back of the ice cream mountain?)
Do you think these little plants are tomato or okra? I threw some tomato and okra into this pot and all of a sudden this is what has come up. I'm hoping for okra, though I have a feeling it is tomato.
We met in the morning and the weather was beautiful! As we walked through Yasaka Shrine, we saw a procession of people. It turned out that these people were from the Toei Movie Land in Kyoto and were going around to different establishments to give their New Year greetings.
At our last meeting, Tamakikat had mentioned about having matcha fondue, so I had her take me for some at the place she tried it at, Jouvencelle.
A two layered ceramic box comes filled with different types of seasonal fruit and Japanese confections.
The matcha fondue is warm and they also add warm milk to it at the end for you to drink (though we didn't drink it because we were stuffed!)
I thought they mixed white chocolate with matcha to make the fondue, though Tamakikat thought they had a matcha chocolate which they melted, either way it was delicious.
As we were walking about, we came upon this cafe. I don't think the owners realize what they named their cafe...or maybe they do.
After seeing Nate's post, I wanted a B.L.T. too, so when I went to the supermarket I picked some up.
And while I'm on the topic of sandwiches, check out this sign...I don't know that I would want to eat a sand witch. would you? I can't believe these people paid for this sign....
While walking around Kyoto last week, I found these signs. SNOB corporation, after googling, I found out that they are a hair salon. With haircuts starting at $60 (the average price here is $30) and coloring touch ups at $80 (the average price for a touch-up here $40) and to have them style your hair after a cut at $15, you too can become a hair snob...where is Fantastic Sam's or Supercuts when you need one?
Another one was Bruce-Pee, I would be a bit cautious about buying clothes from a place that has pee in their name, wouldn't you? Plus, on the second level there is the Ill Store (I googled and found out that ill is the slang for "good")...although you may become ill from the pee clothes...