Message in a Tokkuri

I recently came back from a 5 day trip up to Akita. A beautiful place. My distant relatives reside basically at the gateway of the last frontier. Anyway you know what I mean. Three of these five days we spent up in the mountains hiking; as a result I have thighs like the California governor. But suprisingly I wasn't tired at all, I guess cycling everywhere really get's your health in check.

This was my third time visiting and I've enjoyed every trip (even the eight hour drive) mostly because of this one waterfall; Yasunotaki. It was named after a handsome women, Yasu, who threw herself off the top of this waterfall because she could not be with her lover. I guess it's cliche but the waterfall itself is inspiring. Though it could be the 2hr hike that makes it look so.

At this gateway town of course I had absolutely no reception, which was nice in a way. I was able to communicate instead with most of my distant relatives, except for the grandpa who I didn't know what he was talking about 98% of the time, but we talked for hours. The lack of communication wasn't all bad after I had soft cream covered in a special local sake. A winning combination. But a little weirdness did surround this entire trip; my fellow travellers included my uncle, aunt, and my cousin-in-law (male). We slept in one room which is not really the weirdest part. The cousin-in-law didn't speak. I heard he was pretty quiet but in all 5days he might have said 10words. Once my aunt and uncle left us at the breakfast table..it made it to the top ten most uncomfortable occurances in my life. No where else to look but at the food.

And my aunt started to annoy me because she decided to start a self-assigned campaign to improve Ann. Like I'm not perfect already. Usually its my uncle annoying me in his obnoxious drunken stupor when not driving, and agitated when driving anticipating the next time he can have alcohol streaming down his throat.

On a depressing note, this is unforgiveable and lame but just pretend it took time to travel across the ocean. Cassie and Jessica HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! And congratulations Cassie for setting the date!

ps. wow how long ago was this? I was going to revise, but I accidently left it on the burner. A little crispy but enjoy. YAY! 2 more weeks until they come!!