We`ve seen the farm-finally!

Hey, hey, I`m finally writing again, it feels like it`s been awhile. We got back from Naganuma and the farm and a nice relaxing visit to an onsen\inn. Kenji`s dad treated us all to a night there for Chieko`s(K`s mom) birthday and their anniversary which are a day apart. An onsen is a hot spring bath, for those of you who haven`t heard that word. They are all over Japan because of all the volcanic activity that heats the springs. They are like a spa most closely. Wonderful! (You must be able to check your Victorian modesty at the door however to fully enjoy, which takes Americans some time and some people never quite can enjoy it I don`t think. I am not one of those people, lucky for me, mother-in-law and all!)They are now divided into men and women, at least almost all are. You go into a dressing room area and undress, then put your belongings into a basket or a locker. Everyone has a long narrow washcloth that you can hold in front of you for some modesty?! When you go into the hot bath part, you see rows of faucets and handheld showers low to the ground with little plastic stools and basins next to them. You sit and rinse off and then go and soak in the hot water for awhile. Then you go back and wash yourself and soak some more. Usually there are several,to quite a few different choices of pools, either temperature, bubbles, minerals, etc. Lots of times a sauna and water falling from high to massage your back. And then my favorite, the rotenboro, which is the outdoor hot tub equiv., but better! Most of them are made to look natural, with a floor made of smooth rocks and big boulder-like rocks around the edge, some landscaping, sometimes a great view. I was so thrilled when it was snowing during this visit. That is one of my favorite memories from the first time I lived here. Views of snow covered mountains from a steaming hot pool while snowflakes melt on your skin. Heaven! Okay, enough of raving. This is one thing Kenji really missed.
I still haven`t got to the farm yet!! Gotta go shopping for some winter boots for me though, it`s snowing again and my tennies aren`t really good enough, and untying and tying them over and over again to go in and out of houses is getting old anyway! Slip on shoes are best here. Later...