So today I actually got up and began to clean, did some laundry. I think I am going to target dishes, and dresser next. I hope to have my room completely clean by the end of the weekend. As well as some packages and boxes and maybe a couple letters mailed out.
The other day I got a pleasant surprise! My grandparents from Florida sent me a Birthday Card!!! :D It made me so happy! I hung it up on my wall. It made me super happy to hear from them. I am excited to go hiking near Nakasendo. I think that is def. where I am going to go. Mackenzie said he would help suggest a good place to stay overnight and one of the places served horse meat and he recommended me to try it. And I think I just might. Especially after what happened Tuesday.
(WARNING LONG POST BELOW!!!!!)
So basically Tuesday I called Kimiyo a bit late. I was really worried cause I had forgotten to call her in the rush of things to do. She was understanding and wanted to go to the Department Store. I was a bit nervous cause that usually means lunch and then she wants to go shopping. Kimiyo does so many things for me... I really am blessed that I met her and I want to pay her back.
Maisoue came with us, it was Maisoue's second time being with Kimiyo. Kimiyo was rather excited when we met up with her, we got into her car and as she drove we talked in Japanese. She complained about the hot weather (And trust me when I say Japan is extremely hot) She also told me she thinks I hate Shabu Shabu after the last incident where I didn't eat a lot of it. I again tried to explain that I had experienced an allergic reaction that caused my throat to feel sore. She said she didn't believe me. She has a lot of pre-dispositions of me especially my picky habits when it comes to eating. (More on that later)
We arrive at the center of Nagoya (or one of them) Yaba-cho, which has a lot of stores and high end places. The apple store is located here, along with brand names like GAP, H&M, and Sony.
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| Older picture I took when I first went to Yaba-Cho |
She insists we take them. So we thank her profusely. She is hungry and wants to also go for lunch. She thinks I only eat American food and well I am in Japan so I've been trying to extend my food choices. See Kimiyo doesn't like Foreign food and after all she has done for me, I'll be darned if she has to eat something she doesn't like.
She mentions wanting tempura. So after much banter I finally convince her it is ok for us to go. And here is the part where I KNOW you will either laugh your heads off, or not believe me.
MOST of you know that when I was little I refused to touch seafood. Especially my Mom, grandparents, anyone who has known me over any extended amount of time. WELL I did it. I had before, before I ate Tai a raw fish shashmi (I know surprising right) That was in Kyoto (which I haven't blogged about yet... probably should) I also ate the weird moving fish flakes.... So I was determined... I HAD to do it.
So yes... I ate seafood. And it wasn't just a piece... oh no.... It was a whole... seafood....meal.
It began off with raw shashimi, shiso, umeboshi, wasabi and some tea (yes I drank the tea too) The Shashimi was good. i had had it before. Chewy but nothing I couldn't handle. I had gotten it down I was feeling good. Then they brought out the Tempura.
We had Miso Soup, Rice, Pickles (tsukemono), and tempura. With it you could have a sauce and dashi (Japanese radish) or lemon and salt.
The tempura consisted of Eggplant, Fish, two Shrimp, and Okra. I've gotten used to eggplant, but the rest were something I had to make it through. Kimiyo was treating us out. I had to eat it.
And I did. The fish tasted of nothing... it was good, flaky.... but good none-the-less and NO I didn't eat the tails.... And the shrimp. It was chewy... I think I liked the lemon and salt combo better than the dashi-sauce one. I ate it. (except the tails) Okra was ok. Maisoue was laughing at me. She was very amused as was I. Oh and did I mention the miso-soup contained Clams (which I ate all of that too) Don't believe me?
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| I present! MY EMPTY PLATES! |
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| There is me, eating shrimp. And smiling, cause it is a picture and I wasn't dead from the seafood. |
Then Kimiyo ordered more. Asparagus (2 pieces), more shrimp (she was amused it was my first time really eating shrimp since you know before I would practically refuse it), and a mushroom (later to be discovered containing....MORE SHRIMP)
As they bring it out... I notice I see legs. See... they took the head off the shrimp... and placed it on the side. You know after they fried it to a crisp.
Kimiyo showed me how to eat it and she is looking at me.... expecting me to eat it. Maisoue is amused.... and I ate it. YES I ate a shrimp head. It was very crunchy... little leg thingys were sticking into my mouth. But the amount of lemon juice and salt I put on it helped.
The only thing I didn't really eat was the mushroom. The shitake and shrimp combo was a bit much for me. But yes... I ate seafood. Aren't you proud? I guess I have no excuse when I get home.
Afterwards it was like shopping with my grandparents. Made me miss home.... and spending time with them. It was nice, we separated for a bit. Maisoue and I looked at cooking supplies. I got my Mom a gift she had mentioned wanting. And I bought a sketchbook, a new belt and a shirt. We also got these Disney cool towels from the Disney Store.
After an hour we meet back up with Kimiyo who was buying 300+ dollars worth of Jewelry. If I had the right materials I would make her something. But she likes gold, and I have yet to find gold wire here in Japan. She takes us to a fruit cafe that she really enjoys. It was good. I had peaches and cream. Basically it was just pick whatever fruit you wanted and how you wanted it. It was nice.
Afterwards we browsed for a little while longer, she surprised Maisoue and I once again with Cheesecakes, One for me, one for Maisoue, and one for Mallory (who also had gift money but she didn't come that day so Kimiyo said she would give it to her later)
She then took us back home and we helped her carry her things to the car. She had bought a lot. Apparently going to the department store is one of her favorite things to do. I hope that she does enjoy spending time with us. She really has done so much. I don't know what to do.
Overall though my time here has been getting more and more interesting. I expect it will continue. More to come later I am afraid this post is rather long. <3 you all.
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