Kamakura

We went to Kamakura to see temples and Buddhas and to play Sakura Sakura for residents of some senior homes. The weather was gray, but it was a beautiful day.

First stop was a big temple on a hill, not far from the train station. These sake barrels are stacked outside.

Here's Gretchen on the steps.

 We stopped for lunch at a lovely soba noodle restaurant that had room for all of us. Sunghee taught us out to make chopstick rests out of the paper they come in. Warren's hands are at work here making a more creative version.

"This is a shot of the menu. Warren and I both had the one that is described as, "Please enjoy with the soup of the French product wild duck which stewed." It was excellent, and very welcome on a cold day.

 Wandering through the streets was fun. Kamakura is a great shopping place. Lots of locally made specialties. Along the way, we saw the Kamakura personhole cover, and these orchids.

Five of us broke off after lunch, with Tamamura-san and our translator, Miyuko. We walked to one senior home, then took taxis to the next. On the way to the first, we passed several surf shops along the coast. As we were shivering our way along the shore, we saw a bunch of windsurfers out on the water.

The residents really appreciated our playing. They sang along, which always brings on some tears for me. After a short visit to the Daibutsu, Mr. Tamamura wanted a coffee break, so we stopped in a tiny place for dessert and tea or coffee. One woman prepared and served all. Here is the group.

According to Miyuko, the note on the right (which was hanging on the door of the restaurant) says that Barack Obama stopped in here after a visit to the Daibutsu when he was a boy. There is also a city in Japan called Obama. And we saw a news clipping in downtown Kamakura of President Obama on a visit. Where is he from again?






And, one of the highlights of the day was when Warren realized that, after lunch, he had inadvertently zipped his coats together. He said, "Jim, I'm ready for Sonics."