Erica visits (Jan 20-21)

Erica came over from Kumamoto for the weekend. We spent the weekend catching up since this was the first time we've gotten together in the last 3 months or so..!

The port is about an hour from my place. On our way back to Isahaya from the port, Erica commented on the woman who was driving ahead of us. She said she was looking our way quite a lot. After Erica mentioned this, I noticed that the lady was blatantly staring at us through the rearview mirror. No effort whatsoever was being made at being discreet. The road leading into town is a one-lane road for most of the way, so we spent a good 40 minutes behind this lady. Once we got into town, we went our separate ways.

We had lunch with Alex, at a ramen shop. He has become (or maybe always was?) a ramen connaisseur... For me, I find that meals had in good company usually taste good (except for expired food on the plane!!)

Several hours later, after meeting up with Alex, having lunch, chatting etc.. Erica and I continued our way to Nagasaki city. Further up, there was a car accident which was causing some congestion. While sitting in traffic, I notice that the car in front of us was the same make as the one from the port. After taking a closer look, we realized it was the same car with the staring lady! The look the lady gave us was priceless, it put both Erica and I in a fit of laughter..which kept us entertained for most the way :) What are the chances of meeting up again like that and being stuck in traffic together once again! Erica (reluctantly) agreed to take a picture of the car!

We wandered around downtown for a while, checked out the stores. On our way past Suwa shrine, we took a quick trip up the stairs to the shrine. The japanese custom is to visit a shrine in the new year to wish for good luck in the coming year. For the first week or so of the new year, there are many stalls around the entrances selling all kinds of good luck pendants, keychains etc. During this time, people also tend to buy pieces of paper with their fortune written on it. After reading it, they will tie it to a tree around the shrine.

I was hoping to get a chance to talk with my parents this weekend, but things were a little too busy...guess it'll be for next week. Love u all :)