Carps Blowing in the Wind

 We have arrived at Mibu Recreational park in Japan. Teresa has planned a surprise by visiting this park.  I am anxious to see what is going on here?

Many beautiful cherry trees are in the park 

Walking along and we saw many big plastic bags on the ground and several men.  A smile comes on my face when I see they are taking big windsock carp fish from the bags. The carp socks were all various sizes.  We watched as the men hung the carp fish on cable hoping to see them raise the big line of carp fish.  It started to look like they were having trouble getting the winch started to pull the cable of fish up. We decided to walk about the park for a while and see what else is in the park. :-)

Thought I should tell you why they hang carp fish. On May 5 it is a tradition to hang carp fish shaped streamers outside to represent the number of boys in their family.  They also set out a warrior doll or other heroes inside their homes. The carp was chosen because it symbolizes strength and success, according to legend, a carp swam upstream to become a dragon.  

As we walked around we saw the typical things you would expect to see in a park, but we kept walking as Teresa said there is a beautiful garden here we must see.

We came across an amusement park where big stuffed animals were outside that you could ride.  You had to feed them 100 yen to ride.  Inside the big building were lots of electronic games they could play.

Large stuffed animals for children to ride at a cost.This one is oh so cute.

This little fellow was heading over to one of the riding animals.

Well, we have reached the location of the beautiful gardens. I can see hundreds of tulips so I'm going to get some shots of the beauty that is before me.

I see a group of ladies that were taking a break and having a snack and some hot tea. I said Ohayōgozaimasu to them.   They smiled thinking I could speak Japanese.  As soon as they started talking they knew I  could not speak their language.  Teresa came to save me, the group offered us some sweets and tea.  After some communication, we found out the group volunteers to take care of the gardens here at the park.  Wow, what a big job and these gardens are so beautiful. Teresa and I enjoying our morning break with the group.

I wanted a group picture before they all started off back to work.  So happy we have met this great group of people.

More pictures of flowers from the gardens

 

Time to head back to see if the park people have the carp fish flying yet.  Well, not yet it looks like.

Awe, there they go Up, UP and AWAY............

The carp fish are flying high..

Marlon and I by the biggest carp fish hanging.....they are huge !!!

 
Beatiful view of the Japanese garden

Me and my BFF Teresa 

 

After park and Tochigi City museum we went to get cup of coffee at a small cafe in the country.  Teresa has been friends with him for a long time.  To our surprise the owner told us to follow him and to our surprise we got to listen to a group of ladies who played Tiako drums.  They were so good, after they played for us, Teresa got to try out the drums with the sensi of the group.  To my amazement so did I.  What a happy day.

Filling out information about us

Out in the Boon Docks 4-7-12

Look close and you can see 2 plastic lawn chairs on the roof.

Tacked on the fence was a Cafe sign, of course, it didn't work but looked very old and weathered. 

 Entrance to the Cafe was a canoe hanging on two posts that we had to duck to go under so as to not hit our heads. Ric is giving it a second look or maybe he is trying to read what is written on the side of the canoe.  The only thing I could read was the OPEN sign which was all I needed to know :-)

 Once I was under the canoe and into the yard, I just stood there and thought should we really be going here?  Almost looks like a Do NOT TRESPASS SIGN should be hanging out front and not CAFE LOL

 OK, I am up to the door do I go in or run and tell Ric and Teresa I'll stay in the car and wait for them. There was running water that sounded nice but still, I'm very Leary about entering.  I figure it can't be all bad as they have been there before and wanted to return.  They say the coffee is the BEST.

 We were greeted at the door and the guy that greeted us looked like a Japanese hippie from way back. Long hair and I'll just post a picture. His name was Hitoyow Row.

 His wife greeted us with a very friendly smile and took our orders.  We all decided to try the chi tea. There were many items inside to look at decorated in a hodgepodge. They found things and just put up in the cafe to decorate with. I did enjoy looking around at the many different items they had displayed. There also was a guy enjoying a cup of coffee sitting by the window reading a book. He looked relaxed as he sat there.
 
 I was given a questioner and was asked to fill it out.  He spoke very little English Ric and Teresa translated for me what he wanted me to do. They ask me the questions and I gave them my answers.

 The man that ran the shop was a Sensei for Japanese Steele Drums.  Below is a picture of his band.

 Our chi tea was delivered with a smile to our table and I CAN honestly say it was hot and delicious.

 Glad I got to experience this out in the Boon Docks kind of place.