ChanomiTalk

Today I visited Enoshima. It is a small island to the south of Fujisawa. There is a temple on a mountain top there. The views of the ocean are amazing! The scenic view made up for a monk that brushed me off when I asked about some kanji outside the temple. On the way to the temple it was cold and rainy due to the typhoon that passed by. This meant that there were no visitors at the temple upon arrival. Fortunately, the weather quickly made a turn for the better which provided a great opportunity to enjoy the temple without the crowds. Only after reaching the top of the mountain, I had to chuckle because I discovered that you could avoid the difficult climb and the slippery steps by riding an escalator. One good thing about the typhoon was that when the weather improved, all the clouds cleared to provide a direct shot of Mount Fuji! After walking around for about three hours, I think I got my exercise for the day.

ベンさん、中国出張の帰り、日本に立ち寄ってくれました。昨日午後、成田空港に到着後、藤沢に直行。東京、横浜を素通りして、藤沢に５連泊、本当にうれしいことです。藤沢、5日間滞在中、日本語の特別訓練を実施する予定です。

I never imagined that the NACOS family is so strong! Recently, I traveled to China for business. On the way home, I had to pass through Tokyo so I decided to stay for a few days. I contacted NACOS and traveled to Fujisawa where I was re-united once again with my beloved instructors. We met in the evening on a pedestrian bridge outside the north entrance of the local railway station. I never felt so welcome! I am very thankful to discover that NACOS has found a good home. Since arriving, we have visited some supermarkets and even a “hyaku en” store (similar to dollar stores in the US). I have had a chance to help Yukiyo San practice her English and Chay San has challenged me to diligently write haiku all via NACOS chat. Before leaving, I hope to have some more time to tour Japan and practice Japanese. I really hope that NACOS will enjoy the Panda cookies that I brought from China and that the NACOS family will continue to grow and flourish.

ベンさんが、ハワイから香港に行った帰りに、藤沢に立ち寄りました。
藤沢駅の陸橋で待ち合わせました。すぐにみつかりました！

ホテルにチェックインをしているベンさんです。

香港からのおみやげ、パンダクッキーをいただきました。

I’ve always heard great things about the Baltimore National Aquarium. However, the admission price is expensive, so when we had decide a few months back to visit an aquarium, we went to the D.C. National Aquarium because it’s cheaper. It’s also small. It took us bout 30 minutes to get through all the exhibits. This weekend we finally decided to checkout the Baltimore National Aquarium. Now I understand why the price for the Baltimore National Aquarium is much higher.

First of all the place is really well presented. It’s about four stories high. The entrance is on the first level. There is not much else on the first level except a small aquarium, some restrooms and restaurant. The second and third levels have exhibits of various fishes and other sea creatures. There are also some great views of Baltimore’s inner harbor from the second and third levels. The fourth level has a rain forest. There were a few frogs, birds, and monkeys to see.

There is also a separate building which houses a dolphin exhibit where you can watch a short, but interesting, dolphin show. Aleria loved the dolphins. She laughed and clapped each time a dolphin jumped out of the water. We sat in the front row, and got splashed with water by the dolphin’s tail. For me, the best part was the huge aquarium that runs three stories high. It was gorgeous. Everything at the Baltimore National Aquarium is well taken care of. I’d go again given the chance.

きょうも いいお天気ですね。
いかがですか！
これから 日本の鎌倉は素敵になりますね!
お寒くはないですか?
季節の変わり目、身体には 気をつけましょうね。

ジンジャーリリーのいい香りです。

今日は、新しい坂道をみつけて、試しに下りて行きました。
歩いていくと、だんだん山の裏手のような感じになっていきました。
住宅は立ち並んでいましたが、少し不安でした。

平らな道にさしかかった民家の庭で、柿と野菊に出会いました。
遠い昔に読んだ日本の小説に出てきたような風景でした。
ありがとう！と懐かしい思いで写真を撮りました。

今日は、サムさんと修三さんが将棋をさしました。
サムさんは真剣勝負がお好きなようです。