What a greeting!

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Shikano Junior High School

As we enter the store owned by Cindy's landlord from 26 years ago, the lady looks up and without hestitation says "Cindy-San".  Amazing.  Instantly we are sat down at the table, the three daughters who happen to be home appear with their small children.  The news hits Shikano and soon the husband is here, and the next door neighbor makes an appearance.  A wonderful visit for Cindy, and the boys think the meeting is fantastic.  An old picture of Cindy comes out and we all have a laugh (she use to have pudgy cheeks).  After a great visit with limited English on their side and limited Japanese on our side, we head back to Tottori.  Prior to popping in for the visit, we had walked over to the school Cindy had taught had.  It was open so we had a look around, but did not see anyone.  The school is still exactl
y the same, no reno's here.  Then a walk up to a shrine that overlooks the town.

Rural Japan, the field on the outskirts of Shikano

In the evening, Tottori is alive.  Not a dead city tonight.  Saturday nights during the summer see the main street closed for the evening, and the street vendors are out selling food and lots of live entertainment.  We enjoy some noodles (with fish sauce of course) and chicken.  The boys have some kakigori (shaved ice) to cool off.  We meet a long Canadian (Josh) from Ontario who teaches in Japan and his girlfriend's parents live in Tottori.  He tells us that her parents commented on seeing us.  We are the side show in rural Japan right now.
What a great day!

Cindy's house that she lived in on the main floor for a year.

On the street, Cindy getting help from a local trying to determine the location of neighbors.  Unfortunately could not find the one family that Cindy was good friends with.  Their last name was Okada, but there were several sets of Okada's on this street.  

The daughters of the landlord, and the grandchildren.