Matsushima

Saturday we slept in and got a late start out to Matsushima. Matsushima is ranked as one of Japan's "Three Great Views" because of all the pine covered islands in the Bay. I probably wouldn't build it up quite that much but it was a nice day trip. Date Masamune was not allowed to build two castles...so on the coast at Matsushima he built a big "temple"...big enough for all his samurai...to get around that little rule. Because of the Destination Campaign there were special events going on and things were crowded. We walked around a small shrine area and then the bigger island that you get to over a bridge. They had all sorts of special events going on there. Lots of festival foods--Matsushima is famous for oysters (no thanks). We had heard Taiko drums on our walk over and then big band music while we were walking on all the trails. After living in the city for several months this was the place Triss went to get back into nature. We went to a little museum/tea house place but skipped the tea. They have it set up so you sit on tatami mats and look out over the islands. It was a nice day but very crowded on the train ride home and we ended up standing. My knee started hurting again from keeping balance.

So Sunday we stayed in until lunch time and then just went downtown to a couple big department stores. We walked by the new ColdStone Ice cream store...the line was unbelievably long...just like when the first Krispy Kreme opened here. The girls making the ice cream concotions were singing songs. It was quite a people watching event.

We went on to Daie where the nice gentleman at the Daiwabo booth at spring market had told me I could find their fabric in Japan and sure enough on the 7th floor there was a big fabric/crafts section. The patchwork quilting section wasn't large by our standards but had lots of the taupes and wovens. I got a few of whatever they call their fat quarters to add to my collection. Fabric is more expensive than at home but the Daiwabo, I think, worked out cheaper...anyway it was the hunting and finding.

Today, Monday, it is raining. I'm going to stay in and rest my knee, clean house, and experiment with trying to make a lasagna in a toaster oven. Wish me luck!