The Looong Haul to Kashima

March 14

Today we were off to visit Nancy in Kashima on Japan’s east coast.  We packed up 2 days worth of supplies and left the house at 9.

On the way we stopped to visit Mitzi’s aunt, whom she hadn’t seen in about 20 years.  We arrived at about 11, had a nice visit and went to a nearby restaurant for Ramen.  On the way to O-Obachan’s  (great-auntie) house we passed a random bamboo grove. I liked the juxtaposition of the concrete light standard with the randomness of the grove.  It reminds me of the bus stop scene in Totoro.

We got back on the train around 3:30 for the long haul out to Kashima.  We stopped to transfer at a remote station and wondered if we had gotten off at the right stop.  It was completely deserted and in the middle of a cabbage field.  It seemed that we had, and the next train came along shortly.

We finally got to the last stop on the line and met up with Nancy and Bobby for the drive to Nancy’s house.  It was already dark, but it looks like she is located in the midst of a cabbage field.  We will do some exploring tomorrow.

We had a nice dinner and a few beers, and the girls stayed up until 9.