Nagasaki Trip 2011

Every time we stay in Japan, we spend at least one weekend in Nagasaki and the countryside, visiting the siblings and families of Michiyo's parents. This year, the added wrinkle was the addition of Amane, meaning we either had to drive two cars, or make special arrangements. Michiyo's Dad Minoru came through in a big way--his former company (he's retired from an architectural firm) allowed him to use this brand new, 8-person hybrid van. We took a long, 5-hour trip, and barely used a half tank of gas.

The van, pictured here under the golden leaves of Nagasaki City, was a Toyota Estima, and was a smooth, silent ride.

On the ferry ride over to Nagasaki from Kumamoto, we ran into the judo team from Tenmei Junior High School. None of us knew each other, as my teaching term ended in 2004, but I still made friends and shared some magic with them.

We stopped for lunch at a nice champon restaurant in the heart of Nagasaki City, near the stone bridge shaped like eyeglasses.

Michiyo's Mom Chieko has a brother that lives in Nagasaki city. We made the customary afternoon stop, shared a ton of snacks and drinks, caught up on things, introduced the new babies, and. . .

. . .checked out the family's samurai swords on display in the living room.
Seriously?

Of course! We're in Japan.