Friday night I used an online Joy of Cooking recipe to make an apple pie for a lunch party my friend Ayaka invited me too.
「Side story: I met Ayaka last year, when I was having trouble setting up my new wireless router. (Silly me, I assumed the firmware would have a variety of languages for me to choose from like routers in America. Nope. Only Japanese.) Ayaka’s husband was my co-worker at my visit school last year; a computer teacher. He, along with my supervisor, offered to come to my apartment to set up my router. I thought it a little strange when he asked if he could bring his wife. But, I’m really glad he did! Ayaka lived in America when she was a child due to her father’s work. So, of course she’s fluent in English. And even better, we are almost the same age, and have similar interests and lifestyles. (Other JETs are usually young and into partying).」
So, back to Friday night. I tried out a new recipe which called for caramelizing the juices released by the apples before baking. It was the first time I used my spanking new “denshi renji” (electric oven/microwave/toaster/steamer all-in -one) to bake. The next morning I took 4 trains to get to Ayaka’s house in Amagasaki, and was unable to get a seat in any but the last one. The result of the pie: a little too sweet for my taste, but still good.
After the lunch party, which extended into later afternoon, I went to Kyoto. Haruka and I took the train to Arashiyama to see the Sagano Bamboo Forest illumination.
We passed through Arashiyama Park, and there were giant, colorful lanterns on display.
We walked across the big bridge, which had been flooded only 3 months ago. Even though the bamboo forest was only a 5 minute walk from the bridge, Haruka would have totally led us astray if I hadn’t insisted he ask an officer for directions. Yes, we were going the wrong way. I learned long ago to never trust his directions.
At the bamboo forest, the trees along the path were illuminated with green and violet light. Like all touristy places in Japan, it was packed with people.
Obligatory selfie.
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