A cornucopia of events to report on...

first, a trip to secretive Iya valley, essentially in the center of Shikoku. Rented the tiniest car available, with a 660 CC motor. I can't envision exactly what size that is, but it topped out at about 100　KPH, or 60 miles per hour.

Iya is so green and remote, its windy roads are a marvel. We passed several secluded hamlets where residents' link to the outside world is via self-propelled cable cars. The lowest population density I have seen in Japan had to be this area of rural western Tokushima prefecture.

Also I got to visit a nifty temple, Ryozenji, #1 on the 88 temple circuit. 87 more to go. Drove by # 5 and #8 but does that count?

I stayed at a 300 year old famrhouse, Chiiori (www.chiiori.org) that was the brainchild of famous Alex Kerr, whom rescued the homestead from decay and helped spawn the Woofing, organic farming network that continues to attract foriegn visitors and Japanese alike.

Also enjoyed a trip to an onsen. Being the 2nd anniversary we got to have the "mixed" room to ourselves. There we also some cool snails feasting upon unseen bacteria that geothermal water tends to contain.

Last Friday I was the emcee at the school's annual International Day. This year's slogan was " Let's enjoy yourself together," prepared by the straight-laced supervising manager of all things international. You can't knock him for trying. This of course reminds me of an old, rehashed but mildly amusing story often told to me by my Mutti:

Wandering around Munich in the late months of 1970, she apprached Die Poletzei and asked:

"Wie ist die Brucke," rather that "Wo ist die Brucke." How, rather that where. I'm sure the German policeman was amused at this young, quite striking American asking him the innermost feelings of a giant granite bridge span.

Found, with a coarse erstwhile fun-loving Londoner's assistance, probably the most interesting bar in Kobe. Also enjoyed some stirring conversations (in short supply during the workweek) while sitting on the steps of the downtown's Shinto shrine. So thanks you two for a fun night out.

Also enjoyed a great walk to and from the shop. We are adding some bamboo screens to block the intense sunlight that peeps in each morning. Sunrise is now 4:45 am, with sunset being about 7:30. The neigbor lady, whom must be 85 if she's a day, enjoys this early sunrise to wake up us up with her early dawn houscleaning shenanigans.

Headed to Canada to climb the world's 2nd biggest granite monolith. What have I signed on to?
Will provide all the white knuckled details as they exert themselves.