Ishii-san and I went to Kurihama today to see what was blooming at Flower World. We caught the tail end of the tulips, glimpsed surprisingly early hydrangea, but mainly feasted our eyes on poppies, poppies, and more poppies. It was like walking through the Monet print that adorned the wall over my parents' couch.
We rode a train across the park for 200 yen and then hiked back over the hill. This turned out to be a tactical error. The 2,000 meter path is marked off in 100 meter increments and I couldn't help but notice -- wheeze, gasp -- that we walked uphill for 1,400 meters before descending 600 meters to the poppy field.
"I feel like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. I am so sleepy. Do you remember how she fell asleep in that field of poppies just as they glimpsed the Emerald City? I know just how she felt! Opium is really powerful."
You might recall that Ishii-san was a junior high science teacher before her retirement. She informed me, politely of course, that opium poppies are blue. My sleepiness had more to do with hiking uphill for 1,400 meters after gorging myself on ramen and gyoza than inhaling the nectar of red, orange, pink, and yellow poppies.
Visiting Kurihama is always a pleasure. I should do it more often since it's only a short train ride from the base and Flower World is just four or five blocks from the train station. There are hundreds of interesting shops and restaurants to explore between the train station and Flower World.
We stopped in a two-story mall to buy drinks and find out what cream puff fillings Beard Papa's is offering this month (banana, green tea, and whipped cream in addition to the traditional custard). A display of blue pads caught my eye. Ishii-san explained that these gel-filled pads will be spread on beds across Japan this summer to help people stay cool at night since energy conservation measures in the wake of the earthquake/tsunami rule out air conditioners.
Don't tell the Ancient Mariner, but I think I've found the perfect gift for Father's Day.
These blue pads are Ingenious! What will they come up with next?
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