The New Normal

Life seems to be changing around us as we do our social distancing and self isolations. What will be considered "normal" behavior after the lockdown has been lifted?

Quarantined

A new word for me to teach to my students so that they can expand their vocabulary. Stay home for 2 weeks so that you know that you do not have the Wuhan Flu. But when can you leave quarantine? How will everyone know that you do not have the virus? And are you now more susceptible to the virus than before quarantine? Stay tuned... same "bat" time. (wink wink)

Social Distancing

One of the many catch phrases that are in common use this year. A new idiom to teach to my students.

Lost in Rust

This is an old Coca-Cola sign on the side of on old tea shop up in the mountains of Kobe. It still makes me thirsty. The shop has long been closed and falling apart but has recently been sold. So maybe the next time I am there... it is not.

Brick Wall Beauty

This dilapidated brick wall is on a hill going up to a favourite shrine of mine. The area has changed somewhat since I first arrived in Kobe but things like this trigger a lot of good memories from that time... the people in my life at that time and the feeling of enchantment and wonder to be in a new place.

Shofuku-ji

Shofuku-ji is a beautiful mid-sized temple at the foot of the mountains in Kobe. It is another one of my favourite temples in Kobe because of its quiet presence in an otherwise busy world. It is a center for learning and meditation for young monks and they can be seen tending to the on-site garden where they grow some of their food.

Dreaming of Busan

We are currently in "social isolation" mode which means no unnecessary travel. It's during this time that I think of past trips and relive the good times. One thing I miss about traveling is the food. I love eating! And a great place for for is Korea! This is from one of the BBQ restaurants that we often frequented in Busan.

Raspberry Flower

I have been noticing a lot of wild raspberry plants on my hikes into the mountains recently. This really reminds me of my summers at the cottage when we would pick raspberries that grew on the side of the road that went around the lake. Fond memories but I don't know the environmental implications. Another plant from Canada is an aggressive invasive species here in Japan...  goldenrod... can be found all over Japan now in the autumn, choking out the native plants.

Suwayama Cherry Blossoms

I have some very fond memories at Suwayama Shrine. This is one of the first shrines that I looked around when I first came to Kobe. At that time, there were torii gates much further down the mountain making it seem like a small Fushimi-Inari Shrine.

Cherry Blossoms Again

During this crazy sick time in the spring, the cherry blossoms are a beautiful reminder of how to enjoy the simple things in life as they appear. Take time to smell the flowers.

Spring Forest Colours

Spring time brings forth so many leaves and flowers. There are a variety of greens as well as the colours from flowers opening their blossoms. In this picture there is a bird enjoying the same
view that I am enjoying.

Post Box

I saw this Japanese post box on a hike that we did recently. It was at the end of the road and I don't think many people are around to check the mail... but somehow, I believe there
are some "love" letters inside.

Old Kobe

This is the area that foreigners used to do business in. There are still many old buildings dating back to the First World War and you can find buildings with bullet holes in them from the Second World War... a grim reminder of more difficult times.