A Wonderful Grandmother and Granddaughter Trip

This time, it was a stay with a truly wonderful grandmother and granddaughter.
They were a pair that made us sincerely think, "If we get grandchildren ourselves, we want to have a relationship like this."

When we went to pick them up at Sasayamaguchi Station, the two came out of the ticket gate. A grandmother with an indescribable presence even if she didn't talk much, and a bright, active-looking granddaughter who is a working adult.

Although we write "grandmother," actually she is only about four years older than John, and she usually runs an izakaya (Japanese pub) in her hometown. She is very energetic.
Wait, so John is also at an age where it would be fine for him to be a grandfather with a grandchild around this age...😅

Now, we went straight home from the station and had them take a little break. Already, with the introduction of each other, various conversations got very lively, and it became dinner time in no time.

While listening to what they wanted to eat, what was finally decided was "Para Para," the only family restaurant in Sasayama with a wide range of menu options. We shared a salad together, and each ordered their favorite meal and enjoyed it happily.

On the way back, we went to the usual supermarket to buy ingredients for during the stay (mainly for breakfast since it was a 3-day, 2-night stay). Because she usually lives on a remote island, the prices there seem to be relatively high, and she was shopping while comparing them with the prices at the supermarket in Sasayama. We felt, "Truly like a business owner!"

After returning home, conversations bloomed further, and we were allowed a glimpse into the grandmother's life. For her life of staying positive in everything, being kind to others, and continuing to do her best without showing it outwardly despite facing hardships, we truly have nothing but deep respect!

Because she worked hard back then, there is the present, isn't there. Traveling with her granddaughter like this is also one of her pleasures, she said.

Now, in the first place, the reason the two came was seeking opportunities to use English. Therefore, they spent time playing English games with us and also enjoying English conversation with John.
In the evening, fireflies were out for the season. So they also got to see the fireflies emitting fantastical light.
Because they are in the river in front of the house, we enjoyed a tiny bit of a night walk.

Now, the main second day. This day was unfortunately rainy, but since they wished for sightseeing in the castle town, we took it a little slow in the morning and then toured the Four Historical Facilities and the Horoyoi Jokagura of Homei Shuzo, and the end of the sightseeing was the Suwaen Main Shop in Ajima-oku.

The granddaughter woke up a little early and took a walk around the house. Not just back and forth of the road to the national highway, but she went all the way to Kozoji Temple. She walked quite a long distance!

Now, as for the sightseeing in the castle town, at the Anma Family Historical Museum, they shyly experienced town girl and samurai cosplays; at the Aoyama Historical Village, they viewed the exhibition of woodblocks and the relocated villa of the Aoyama Clan, "Keiensha"; and at the Dekansho Museum, they also tasted a bit of the atmosphere of the Dekansho Festival held in summer. At the Oshoin, they felt the history and culture of those days, and at the Historical Museum, they viewed exhibitions such as armor, and The Tale of Genji related display. At the Horoyoi Jokagura, after viewing the exhibition of the old sake brewery, they did a sake tasting and bought souvenirs. After that, since it started raining, they viewed the castle town of Sasayama from the car window.

Leaving the castle town behind, this time we headed toward Ajima-oku to the Suwaen Main Shop. We made it just in time. Because it luckily overlapped with the season of new tea, they experienced an all-you-can-stuff challenge. Then we purchased delicious Japanese sweets. After returning home, we all ate them together. OMG, They were so tasty!

When it came to the conversation of "What should we do for dinner?", we went to buy side dishes at the local supermarket and made that the dinner for the day.

Thinking "Only one day left... time flies so fast," a work schedule suddenly came up for the granddaughter, and it was decided that they would depart in the morning.

Inside the car on the way to the station, everyone was somewhat quiet. It was short, but it was a very deep few days. When we arrived at the station, the grandmother who stepped out of the car, unexpectedly conveyed a message of thanks in English. By that time, everyone's eyes were watery😭😭😭😭

Thank you so much for truly coming! Let's meet again🥰

We received a message from the granddaughter. ⇩⇩⇩

Although it was a short period, you welcomed us really warmly, and it became an unforgettable, wonderful time for us as well.

This stay, for me, was a time where I received many precious things beyond just the mere purpose of "homestay."

I participated together with my grandmother who is usually on the island, and just listening next to her as she exchanged deep stories of her life so far, such as stories of raising children in a place with a different environment, made my heart full.

Stepping away a little from daily life and touching wonderful scenery and warm culture was the best mental refreshment as a trip, and above all, thanks to the personalities of you two, I was allowed to spend a truly deep and luxurious time in many ways.

I am sincerely grateful from my heart for this special connection blessed precisely because it was in the form of a homestay.
Grandmother was also still talking happily, saying, "I am so glad we could meet truly wonderful people!"

Next time, I definitely want to eat chestnuts! 🌰

It will get hotter little by little from now on, so please spend your time taking care of your health.
This is a report of our safe arrival and my heartfelt thanks. Thank you so very much!