Last day in Nagano
Breakfast
This morning was beautiful after the rain. I took a photo from the window of my room of the bath house in the morning light. Later, I showed the photo to Mariko’s mother and she was very happy that I wanted to take a picture of it.
It was early and Mariko’s mother and sister were cooking for the guests. I went to the kitchen and offered to help. I filled small bowls with homemade blueberry and apple jam. I cracked eggs and whisked them in separate bowls for each group of guests, so that Mariko’s mom could cook them fresh when the guests came to the dining room. I poured juice and put out cream for coffee. Then, as the guests arrived, I greeted them and brought out small cups of vegetable soup. I was so happy to be able to help in any way.
After the guests ate, we sat down for breakfast. The vegetable soup tasted like a very light tomato bisque. With the soup there were plates of salad greens and scrambled eggs with corn. Thick buttered toast with jam followed.
Mariko and I sat and ate and talked for some time. I was getting ready to help clean up when some high school age kids arrived to work. They were starting their summer jobs at the inn today, so they took care of the breakfast clean up.
Togakushi Shrine, Part 2
After breakfast, Mariko and Mihiro visited me in my room. We sat on the floor and chatted and Mihiro played with the drawing app on my iPad. Then Mariko’s father drove us to another part of Togakushi shrine. At this part of the shrine, there are 300 steps to climb to reach the shrine. I told Mariko that my youngest daughter always runs up steps. Mihiro heard that and took off. I tried to keep up, but about halfway through I had to slow down.
Stairs at Togakushi Shrine
We enjoyed the beauty of the shrine and the surroundings and then carefully went back down the stairs where Mariko’s father picked us up.
Lunch at the Inn
We had time for one last meal before we had to head back. Lunch at the inn was curry rice with vegetables and tuna. Spicy and delicious and comforting. Aya also got some special treats especially for me – kind of like small calzones, they consisted of a doughy outer shell and were stuffed with different fillings: greens, mushrooms, pumpkin. More fresh peaches followed.
I thanked Mariko’s parents profusely. Lots of hugs. Mariko’s mother gave me a parting gift of two jars of homemade jam. I was so touched and thankful, my eyes welled up with tears of happiness.
Returning back to Mariko’s house was bittersweet. I was feeling very sad to leave but at the same time so thankful that I got to meet her and spend time with her family. We had a quick snack of ice cream and then Kei drove us all to Nagano station. Mariko and Mihiro walked me up to the ticket office. Mariko was ready to help me if the station attendant couldn’t understand me, but it was not needed. We spoke entirely in Japanese and I was able to get my tickets.
Lots of hugs and goodbyes and then I was off to Kanazawa.
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