Day Three

May 3rd

Had some new experiences today. The first new experience was riding in one of those "bullet trains" I've heard about. We took the bullet train to Atami, a resort town where Junko lives. Junko used to own a coffee shop in Shizuoka for many years, known for making fabulous cakes and pastries. Mom would often stop by her place for lunch or just to drop in or meet friends there.

Another reason we took the bullet train is that this week is "Golden Week," a holiday in Japan. This day is traditional a busy day of travel for many Japanese. Hiro was concerned that if we tried to drive to Atami (about an hour away), that we would be stuck in traffic. We met a sea of people as we maneuvered through the train station to catch our bullet train. What fun to zip through the countryside and city, not having to worry about traffic. We would later find out that some of those people stuck in traffic was Junko's sister Hiroko and her husband Tetsuya. It took them 8 hours to get to Atami! Normally, it would only take them about an hour.

Atami is known as the "Monaco of Japan." It reminded me of Hawaii in its beauty. The resort town is attracting a lot of retirees for its cost of living, slower pace, and gorgeous scenery. This is one reason Junko moved here.

Getting to Junko's condo in a taxi was sure fun. I felt like we were on some roller coaster, winding this way then that, zipping up a steep road to her place. When we got to Junko's the taxi driver open the rear left passenger door through some lever. It was pretty cool!

The views from Junko's condo were breathtaking. She had decorated her place quite elegantly with either real or artificial flowers in each room. Since selling her coffee shop business she makes various decorations of various artificial flowers and also teaches the craft to others. Junko treated us to one of her famous cakes, this one was a chocolate cake with layers of bananas. That was a great "appetizer" for lunch. I was in for several new experiences at lunch. We had about a 10 course meal at a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I ate all kinds of things I thought I never could or would eat. Seaweed soup, cooked cherry leaves, some more raw fish were just some of the delicacies I experienced.

Following the meal I experienced a traditional Japanese bath. Hiro helped walk me through what I would experience in the naturally hot springs bath. Stripping down to nothing in a little room, I gingerly stepped out to where the bath was. Clinging to my little washcloth trying to inconspicuously cover certain parts of my body, I found out that we actually bathed before getting into the hot springs bath. We sat on a little stool which I found difficult to even get down to. Then you have a basin which you fill occasionally with water and rinse of your body. I didn't really see much "bathing" taking place in terms of soap. I got the impression it was more a traditional thing to do before actually stepping into the bath. Finally, after rinsing off several times and after trying to give the impression that I was now "clean," I stepped into the bath. It was hot! But I didn't dare say anything and certainly didn't stand up in the 3 feet of water any longer than I had to. It felt weird to hear women just on the other side of the bath, separated from us only by a wooden fence. Sarah and Elisa (Hiro and Chris' daughters) were on the other side of the fence. Mom and the other ladies headed back to Junko's to visit while we bathed. I did enjoy soaking for about 30-45 minutes, until Hiro told me I needed to get out and prepare to leave.

Hiro called a taxi for us and we headed back down to the train station to meet up with the ladies. We were soon on our way back to Shizuoka on the bullet train. When we got back to Shizuoka we drove to the church where mom and dad used to attend when they lived here. The 3-story structure was locked on the main floor, but the 2nd floor was unlocked for some reason, so we took a look around. The pastor lives on the 3rd floor, but he was not around. This church is typical of most churches in Japan in its size (around 30-50). It looked like maybe 50 chairs set out in the worship area. Sunday School is held in the lower level.

As we left the church, I kept wondering "What is keeping most churches so small here?" Then, I remembered that the church in the U.S. is in trouble, too. When I read over and over again that 85-90% of the churches in America are either plateaued or declining, I realize that there is a serious problem in the U.S. too. What can we do to turn the tide? What will it take?

Sorry...I started to get on a soap box there. Must have been that bath I had earlier in the day.

The Unno's took us to eat some Chinese food in a shopping area for supper. Following supper, we did some window shopping in the shopping center, including taking a gander at some kimonos. I was amazed to see the cost of some of those kimonos! Some of the kimonos I saw there would bring over $3000! When a Japanese girl turns 20, it's a pretty big deal and buying an expensive kimono can be part of that big deal. Sarah told me that she'd probably wear her grandmother's kimono instead. Good idea, Sarah!