cherry blossoms are her showiest costume yet. Even the building stuffed Naval base was alive with nature when all the trees bloomed pastel. Sakura hanami, picnicing under the fluffy canopy with konbini sushi rolls, onigiri, and Japanese potato salad was excellent and a very Japanese experience. I supplemented the traditional sake intake with Coke zero. Being surrounded by the color pink was a glorious addition to warmer weather, open windows, change in wardrobe, and chocolate bunnies. Ah, yes, Spring had Sprung. We had a wonderful Spring Break with T out of school. The celebration started with what turned out to be one of my favorite experiences. Our neighborhood held their annual sakura mochi pounding party. Mochi starts as a glutinous rice cake. It is then pounded into a paste in a mortar (usu) with a wooden mallet (kine). Two people are required for this task.
One person strikes a blow then the other moistens the rice with a wet hand. Back and forth, back and forth. The team must work in some kind of rhythm as to avoid any injuries. Chants are called out in cadence. Herein is where the fun lies. Back and forth. Trips and Stel both tried their hand at the pounding. I was never offered the opportunity. I don't know if that's a thing or not - no women. Maybe the men do the pounding and they give the children a turn for the novelty of it. I did see an elderly women heaving away. Anyway...I don't think I have ever been welcomed to a place so enthusiastically and hospitably. As we approached the site, our neighbor Tsuchiya-san (he was one of the organizers) greeted us and ushered us to open spots at one of the tables. I don't know, but there seemed to be a bit of fervor in the air when we got there. The new gaijin had arrived. I don't mean to suggest they were eager to please the new Americans, but I do think they were eager to introduce and share their traditions with us. As we were seated we were brought plates of mochi and cans of Ichiban beer. It was really yummy - mochi covered with red bean, a pepper and sugar mix, and several other flavors. There was also super yummy miso soup and takoyaki (octopus dumpling balls). We met several wonderful people. Neighbors who once lived in the US or work in fields that required such knowledge - mostly older gentlemen. We had two great hours of comradery, then 13:00 hit and tents started coming down and the clean up began, in true timely Japanese fashion.
We finally got to Tokyo Disney during the break and, even though the girls won't remember much in the long run, they had a GREAT time. We took a tour bus from base and spent 12 hours at the park. It was great to be back in a world of Disney. I truly felt young again with memories of my childhood Orlando trip rushing back to me. Stella is still wearing her height requirement wristband 10 days later. Although she went on the
Haunted Mansion ride, and loved it (I just let her fascination with ghosts be what it is), did the Star Wars simulation twice, and rode a smaller roller coaster (daddy had to do Space Mountain alone), she absolutely refused to go on the Snow White ride with me, even though I pestered her all day to do so. Something about the evil queen really put a fright in her.I loved Tokyo Disney mostly because the visitors add to the magic. The Japanese are very
enthusiastic and the souvenier shops make a killing here, I'm sure. Mickey/Minnie ears everywhere! I would estimate that 1/3rd the population that day was decked out in some kind of Disney attire/adornment.
The next day, we headed back to Tokyo in our car to check out Tama Hills Recreation Area - a perfect complement to a day at Disney, nature. This place is an annex of nearby Yokota Airbase. It's a really quiet atmosphere with trails and campsites. We stayed in the lodge this time, but they also have some pretty cabins that we are anxious to try out. There are outdoor activities available like miniature golf, horseback riding (Stel took her first pony ride), paintball and archery fields, and an 18 hole golf course. The area also boasts a historical background with it's previous life as a WWII Japanese ammunitions factory site. Several ammunitions bunkers still stand on the property.
Lastly, the week ended with Easter. Stella got to do an egg hunt on base, well, it was actually not so much a hunt, but a field full of plastic eggs. We spent Easter day at a wonderful party at Stella's Sunny Hill School, which is actually at the amazing home of her teacher and the rest of the Short family. Sunny Hill has been incredible and we are saddened that it won't be around next year, as the Shorts are transferring, but are so grateful for it's presence in our first year here in Japan.
So, that's the rundown on the Jones' first Spring Break in Japan. It was chock full of fun, even if completely exhausting.
