OK... We couldn't find those JR train tickets so we decided to leave quickly for Sendai.
Issued new train tickets, we got to Sendai about an hour early to find my aunt, uncle and mom waiting. They'd come early to make sure we wouldn't miss them or get lost.
So.... in the end, it was good that I'd misplaced the tickets. Art's just thrilled that it wasn't him. We didn't know who the culprit was until the next day. (I put it in a place so safe I couldn't find it.)
This whole mishap allowed us to spend some quality time with my aunt and uncle at the train station.
The funny thing is what happened when Art and I went to get some bentos (box lunches) for the three of us to eat on the trains to Tokyo and Yokohama.
Apparently, there was an NHK news program going on which caught us on camera.
My cousin was shocked to see Art and me buying our bentos in the evening news that day.
My aunt and uncle bought us Zunda shakes. It's a favorite Sendai drink made with soybeans. It's wonderful!
I was a little teary eyed to see my aunt holding on to mom's hand.
As we passed through the gate toward the train tracks, I could see my aunt standing on the other side straining to catch the last glimpse of her sister leaving for the last time.
The shinkansen (high-speed train) trip back to Tokyo provided gorgeous views of cherry blossoms blooming along the way.
Mom enjoyed telling me about the onsen (hot spring baths) that my aunt and family took her to in Akiu. My aunt had checked to see when the baths were empty before they went for a soak because I'd already told my cousin, Ricky that mom was too shy to be naked in front of everybody.
Mom says they were in an elevator at the onsen with a cheerful, talkative fellow and discovered later that he had collapsed and died after they left him.
The police questioned my aunt about the incident later.
Good grief!
We got mom settled in her room close to ours and went out to dinner. She loved it!
She was brimming over with happy memories of her time with her sister, brother and their families.
So.... in the end, it was good that I'd misplaced the tickets. Art's just thrilled that it wasn't him. We didn't know who the culprit was until the next day. (I put it in a place so safe I couldn't find it.)
This whole mishap allowed us to spend some quality time with my aunt and uncle at the train station.
The funny thing is what happened when Art and I went to get some bentos (box lunches) for the three of us to eat on the trains to Tokyo and Yokohama.
Apparently, there was an NHK news program going on which caught us on camera.
My cousin was shocked to see Art and me buying our bentos in the evening news that day.
My aunt and uncle bought us Zunda shakes. It's a favorite Sendai drink made with soybeans. It's wonderful!
I was a little teary eyed to see my aunt holding on to mom's hand.
As we passed through the gate toward the train tracks, I could see my aunt standing on the other side straining to catch the last glimpse of her sister leaving for the last time.
The shinkansen (high-speed train) trip back to Tokyo provided gorgeous views of cherry blossoms blooming along the way.
Mom enjoyed telling me about the onsen (hot spring baths) that my aunt and family took her to in Akiu. My aunt had checked to see when the baths were empty before they went for a soak because I'd already told my cousin, Ricky that mom was too shy to be naked in front of everybody.
Mom says they were in an elevator at the onsen with a cheerful, talkative fellow and discovered later that he had collapsed and died after they left him.
The police questioned my aunt about the incident later.
Good grief!
We got mom settled in her room close to ours and went out to dinner. She loved it!
She was brimming over with happy memories of her time with her sister, brother and their families.
I thought for sure you'd find the tickets in time. So where were they, Kay?
ReplyDeleteYour mom looks so happy. What a special trip this has been for her.
Would you believe I'd carefully put them in a special place in my backpack? Arrrghhh... So embarrassing.
DeleteI would do the same with the tickets. So glad your mom had such a fabulous time.
ReplyDeletePoignant
ReplyDeletehow sweet that your mom was able to visit with her family again...
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it was cold, judging by the down jackets. Sorry you didn't find those tickets, but it turned out for the best, it seems. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank goodness we didn't have to pay for the second set of tickets since we used the JR East passes.
DeleteJust a big WOW. All that happiness just brims over off the page. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNiiice!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a phenomenal trip! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGosh! On the news and needing to provide info to the police after that unfortunate death. Goodness. poor innocent family members becoming involved in important stuff! Not sure about the soybean drink. The trains certainly look sleek and modern. Lovely photo of your Aunt and Mom. (I keep taking pics of my brothers and I, ranging from 65 to 77, wondering when the photo will change. Sigh.)
ReplyDeleteWonder if the JR tickets were stolen? Linda in Kansas
Nope, it was definitely me putting it in a "safe" place in my backpack. I think Art should hold the important things from now on.
DeleteIt's rather sad when there is a parting like your Mom and Aunty. This happened to many of the Europeans who came here in the late 1800s some families were separated forever.
ReplyDeleteSo true... It was the same thing with immigrants coming to Hawaii from Asia too.
DeleteEverything seems to be working out so well, lost tickets and all. It is sad to consider final farewells.
ReplyDeleteOur kids were on that train last year in their 5-week tour around the world! Such fun!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the account of your trip!
ReplyDelete