Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone. o-shogatsu omedetou! We began our New Year celebrations on New Years eve by eating a delicious bowl of toshikoshi-soba (New Year's Eve buckwheat noodles), prepared by Nozomi's mum, Akiko-san. Noodles signify a long and successful life and are traditionally eaten on New Years eve. After seeing in the New Year, we hit the hay. It was a cold night and Nozomi and I were wrapped in many layers of blankets as well as a futon. Slept very well.

In the morning, we sat down together for o-sechi ryori This is traditional Japanese New Year food. The feast began with a toast of o-toso which is a spiced sweet sake followed by a bowl of Akiko-san's delicious ozouni. I partook of a glass or two of the red wine that Nozomi's dad had bought specially for the occasion. It was a blessed relief from the lemsip I had been glugging the previous day.



After our bellies were full, we had a bit of a rest before heading off to YouMe town, a huge retail store a few minutes walk from Nozomi's parent's house. It was extremely busy (despite New Years Day being an official holiday). We bought some omiyage (presents), and Yoko bought me some five-finger socks as a birthday present. (Imagine gloves for feet and you get the idea). Thank you Yoko-san! The should keep my feet nice and toasty. We stopped off for a coffee before heading back home. I had a Curry Bun with mine. A sort of doughnut with a curry filling. Much tastier than it sounds.

In the afternoon, we met Nozomi's friend Setsuko with her husband Tasheki and their two daughters Lin-chan and Hikari-chan. Lin-chan has grown up loads since we saw them at our Wedding in Oct 2006. Hikari-chan is already walking. Time really is flying by.

Later on, we dropped by Yuri-chan's mother's house to collect Nozomi's boots (she left them in the car after our onsen trip). There, we met Aya-chan and Wataru-kun and their parents. We stayed at their house during our last trip to Japan. Waturu-kun is now at middle school and his English has really improved since we last met. They were both happy to receive o-toshidama, (New Year gift money which is usually given to Japanese kids at this time). It was nice to see everyone again. I hope they will be able to come and visit us sometime.