What To Do in the Rain? Shop and Have Tea!
Typhoon Francisco hit the city in the wee hours of the morning and we awoke to the intense pounding of rain. Good thing today was our souvenir day and we were hoping to find inside or undercover shopping. It was suggested we do to Handicraft Center for quality souvenirs. Luckily it was a simple bus ride away (and we were becoming more familiar with the complex, rather illogical transit system). The center focussed on traditional art and crafts and had several floors demonstrating artisans at work. We each picked up a traditional yukata, or informal kimono of good quality and price.
Afterwards, while walking to catch the bus, we came upon a cute cafe with a French title, "Les Pieds du Chat". Intrigued by the name and the simple, cheap fusion-style menu, we decided to have lunch. One young man was running the entire operation and prepared for us an amazing meal WITH VEGETABLES (which I've been craving). What a lucky find!
Full and content, we took the bus to HUGE covered (still raining) parallel shopping streets--a consumer's heaven! Just about every type of store could be found and we picked up a few more souvenirs. Then jumping on another bus, we headed to towards the area where we had booked a traditional tea ceremony. Although this event was geared for the tourist, and I was a bit skeptical about paying the admission, both Kevin and I enjoyed it.
As part of a group of about 12, we learned about the origins and meaning of the ceremony, the ritual and significance of each part of the ceremony, and got to make and drink our own cup of matcha tea (which was "not my cup of tea" so to speak)
Later it was back to the department store for a meal of soba and udon noodles with tempura and where I discovered that chopsticks, slippery thin noodles and a hungry woman used to eating with a fork are just not compatible!
