Just a Girl and Her Bike

Whenever she had thought of “living abroad”, images of sprawling Italian country sides, beautiful courtyards, and charming townsfolk would spring to her mind’s eye. Oh, that and a girl with a bike. It wasn’t as if she idealized Italy or had a strong inclination to live there (even though I’m sure it’s lovely and I hear the food is excellent), the romantic view of travel just seemed easiest to fulfill there. Some where it would be easy to return to a simpler way of life—or at least easier to disconnect from the complications of modernity. She’d hoped to be whisked away someplace remote, to a place nestled in nature with its own little quirks. 

Oh the ways that God answers even un-said prayers:

The Kindness of Strangers. Literally bringing food to her door.

And it was delicious.

Miso Soup and onigiri made from scratch

 (I bought the right kind of miso this time so it wasn't a repeat of this or this)

Main street, the Post Office, and conbini!

Main street opposite direction (with suspicious youth... except he wasn't suspicious in himself; rather he seemed suspicious of the foreigner aiming a camera in his direction...)

Clock tower that chime's at lunch (noon) and at 5pm to call the children back to dinner

The Shimizu Town Cultural Center with the offices for the Board of Education

Shimizu Town Library

Truly a magical place

(Click here for Library Tour)

Finding her Place in the World

Shimizu Town Shrine

 

Bon-odori festivities (have to be links since the videos are unlisted):

Kimono Dancers

Children

Singers

The Crows run this town

Cloudy skies but no rain *sigh*

(4:30pm Chimes)

Bridge at the end of the lane

Just around the riverbend...

mo-eep

Everything is an open book with new pages to read and stories to record. A multitude of paths lay before her feet, and all she has to do is get on her bike and go.