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Best lunch ever: 7-28-99 Today was the most incredible day I’ve had in Japan so far. Peter and I left the office at noon, and he told me we were going to meet one of the English teachers for lunch. I thought this would be nice, but I had no idea! We met the teacher, a very nice woman who speaks great English, and she suggested we go to Mine for lunch. Again, I had no idea what was to come, and I was in for a treat! Mine turned out not to be local restaurant, as I had assumed, but a town about an hour away. Again, the breathtaking countryside… such a pleasure to drive through. I thought it was a little unusual to drive such a distance just for lunch, and wondered if the teacher had something special in mind, or what. Indeed she did! We stopped at the foot of a hill and walked up a beautiful path, a stream running alongside as we climbed up… ferns, lush trees, clean cool air… I thought I was in heaven and it only got better! When we reached the top of the path, we came to an outdoor restaurant that served somen- thin, cold, noodles- in a very unusual way! The tables at this restaurant were long and narrow, with metal troughs running down the middle of each one. Cold, clean water flowed through these troughs. There was a pipe from the kitchen connected to each trough, and the noodles would be sent from the kitchen through these pipes to each table. So as the somen flowed past with the water, the customers would catch the noodles with their chopsticks. Fun! That is the most unique way I’ve ever eaten anything! We each had a bowl with sauce for the noodle, so we would catch the noodles, dip in the sauce, then eat. And there were no worries if we missed some strands as they flowed by- the noodles would collect in a strainer at the end of the table, to be eaten afterwards. Delicious and fun! And such a beautiful setting, in the hills. The air was so fresh and cool, and there was a waterfall next to our table. I could’ve stayed all day! But there was more to come- a visit to a gigantic cave! It was huge! We went eighty meters down in an elevator and stepped into moist air, colder than I set my air conditioner to! The cave was really amazing, I couldn’t believe its size! There was a river flowing through- the water must have been freezing! It spilled out in a waterfall at the exit of the cave, where we stepped out of the misty dark to a green paradise. After today, I completely understand why the Japanese perceive themselves as having a special relationship with nature. This country has some of the most stunning countryside and nature spots I’ve ever seen. I am so thrilled to be here. I want to share the somen restaurant with my boyfriend, Glorious, when he visits- I know he would love it. So would my parents. I am having such amazing experiences her! I look forward to sharing them with the people I love. It has been a really incredible day. I am supremely happy. |