Awaji Island Puppets and Flowers

Yesterday was the last outing of the year for the women's club. We went to Awaji Island to have lunch, see a traditional Japanese puppet show and tour the conservatory and gardens. The lunch, called shabu shabu was-- different. There were pieces of various types of sea creatures (and a few slices of beef) on skewers that you were to cook in the boiling water at your table, sort of like fondue. It was interesting but not very filling. The puppet show was interesting as well. We thought there was an intermission before the final scene where the puppet dad unwittingly kills his puppet daughter, but the intermission turned out to be the end! Somehow we had missed it! The gardens and conservatory were spectacular. I'll try to include photos. Hopefully none will be sideways, as I have still not figured out how to straighten them!

1st Earthquake and ikebana

Well, we had our first earthquake this week and nearly slept through it! We woke up after hearing a rattling sound, that sounded sort of like a sliding door opening. I got up to check, (even though the security system was on) and found nothing out of the ordinary, so went back to sleep. I found out the next day at Ikebana that there had a been an earthquake right around the time we were awakened. So we survived our first earthquake and we still don't have our disaster kit ready for use! I think we better get working on it now!

Here are also 2 ikebana arrangements. Not very good photos though. Sorry!

Sakura by Night

The Oji Zoo had a special night viewing of the cherry trees, so we went over to see what it was all about. We followed the crowds around the trail that had been laid out among the cherry trees. The weather was nice and the blossoms were all lit up. It was nice. They had put all the animals inside so we were a little disappointed at that. Oh well. The animals would probably have been frightened at the massive crowds walking past their enclosures anyway. I'm including some photos of the event as well as a photo of the cutest dog;)

Sakura

Its spring and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. They are beautiful. They won't last long so we got out and took some photos for your viewing pleasure. P.S. The boy has become a teenager!