A day in Akita (Yokote) with Limor

Insect count: one giant grasshopper of which I lost track: the stuff of nightmares and horror flicks.

T5B: 1) I got to spend time with Limor. 2) I got to practice and sort of learn Nishi Monai Bon Odori. 3) I got to try Yokote's signature dish - it was yummy! 4) Limor and I got to go to an onsen and I soaked my neck and shoulders. 5) Limor and I were able to visit Yokote Castle.

This morning was a little weird as I said goodbye to the girls. They have me some money last night, which I really appreciate. I wish they would have helped me clean my place, but oh well. I have them lots of hugs, wished them safe travel and then finished getting ready myself and got out the door. I biked down to the station worried that I would miss my train and Limor would have to wait for me. However, my worry was in vain -- I was some 17 minutes early. Whew! Turns out I got the local express as well so there was only one stop before mine and the train was air conditioned. Wonderful!

When I arrived, there she was and off we went. We drove to Yokote and it turned out it took a LOT less time than expected and we were there three and a half hours early. Since I hadn't had a chance to eat breakfast and it was almost lunch time, we opted to try Yokote's famous yakisoba. The first place we went didn't have it. I asked the girl where we could find it, ya she had no idea. It's weird to me how they separate food here. It's not a noodle place, there's a ramen place, and a soba place, and as we found out, a yakisoba place! (They are all different noodle dishes.)

Limor is a gemus and she was the one who ended up finding a place. The guy who worked there spoke English! It was pretty great to be able to speak in English with a Japanese person and ironically, he asked us all the questions we get asked and know in Japanese! Lol - there where are you from, where do you live, etc. We ordered lunch and ate and chatted and the food and company were great.

After that we took a walk and found a conbini. Limor smoked and I grabbed some mint choco ice cream. After that we went to see Yokote Castle. It was really hot inside but was fun to see. :) I took some pictures and then off we went (since we were both overheated). After that we were finally able to check in. The practice for the dance (which Limor is performing next week) was at 19h00 do we had some time to kill. She took a nap and I took some Tylenol for my migraine. Right when I got tired enough that I could nap, we took off.

When we got to the place, I felt really out of place. Limit was in her element and I was trying to have a conversation and I was just stressed. I watched and copied but this was the first time I had even seen the dance so obviously I didn't do that well. I just felt self-conscious and judged. All in my mind I'm sure - I just felt so apart. Oh well.

After practice we went to a conbini and got dinner. We came back to the hotel, ate, and went to the onsen. Right now we're watching Japanese TV and trying to guess what's going on, lol. Since I am on my phone I can't post the pictures I took so I will post those later (or you can see them on fb). Have a great night! XOXO, A