Summer Nights in Yokosuka

Yesterday finally felt like the Japanese summer that I can remember from last year.  It was humid during the day, but cooled off a little bit in the evening.  We decided we wanted something sweet after dinner, so we walked off base to a bakery that has wonderful desserts and even ice cream treats.  It was a beautiful night and the city of Yokosuka was all lit up as was the waterfront where all of ships are in port.  There are so many different kind of frozen treats to choose that it took us all a while to decide.  Last week we had gotten something that looked exactly like a banana, but it was almost like frozen banana pudding on a stick- delicious.  So, this time we all got something different.  Patrick got a frozen bar of mint ice cream with a chocolate coating on top- the rest of us got banana flavored ones but this time they were coated in chocolate.  Yummy!!  We went outside and walked along the waterfront back toward the base with our ice cream.  

It is so nice to be able to just walk somewhere to get ice cream after dinner.  We use to just walk to Baskin Robbins here on base, but that got pretty boring, so we're so glad that we found this cute little bakery (it is a bonus that this bakery has a frozen section filled with frozen treats:))  I don't think I have ever lived anywhere that we could just walk to shops, restaurants, etc.  It is something that I really enjoy about living here.  We truly live in a city, and it has been a nice change of pace.  I can have a Gap, but I also have the little back and side streets of Yokosuka that I have been lucky enough to explore and find some great places.  I have a favorite coffee shop- you step down into this little shop and find yourself feeling larger than normal because everything is so small around you.  The tables are small and low to the ground, and the coffee cups are small and dainty.  Then there are my little pottery shops.  You can barely move around in them, but they are filled with beautiful handmade Japanese pottery.  I also have a special flower shop that I will visit every so often if I need a nice arrangement or I just want something for myself to brighten up our apartment.  I have come to know the woman who runs the flower shop, and she gives treats to the boys when we stop by to say hi. These are the places and experiences that I love about Yokosuka and living in a foreign country.  

On Thursday  I get to go to the house of one of my Japanese students for a goodbye party for one teacher and a welcome party for me.   She is going to be making lunch for all of us as well as dressing us in traditional Japanese kimonos.  I will be sure to get lots of pictures that I can post on the blog.  More to follow soon....