Japanese Style Barbecue or "Yakiniku"

Yesterday we went to a BBQ hosted by our coordinator from the company we work for and some of her friends and family. A couple of the other ALTs in the area were also invited, so the 4 of us piled into one tiny Suzuki Alto (the backseat of which I assure you is as or more uncomfortable than that of an old VW Beetle) and we carpooled to the beach city of Oarai about 1.25 hours away. While riding on the way, I noticed a small green tree frog had attatched itself to the outside of the car, very near the window of the front of the car. The windows were down because it was hot and the air conditioning didn't work, and eventually the little frog hopped inside the car, across the dash, to the driver's side. After a few tense minutes in which we were worried the little frog would then jump onto the driver, he hopped out the other window and began to cling for dear life on the side mirror. Ken (the driver) rolled his window up so it couldn't hop back in, and the frog stayed attached for a good 20 minutes until he (Justin decided its name was Gary) got uncomfortable and tried to move but lost his grip and went flying off the car. Godspeed Gary, wherever you are...

When we finally found the BBQ site we were greeted by our smiling coordinator Naomi, a very nice Japanese woman our age who is our contact to the company we work for. Her sister, nieces, and friends were already there, and we helped get things set up. The site was not quite on the beach, but very close to it. Justin and I helped start the fire and get the coals burning (without lighter fluid) and we munched on veggie snacks while we waited for the coals to heat up. They tossed in potatoes wrapped in foil to bake, and we set up a wire mesh-like pan over the coals and tossed on veggies like onions, eggplant, bean sprouts, and others. They then laid on some fatty strips of pork (bite size, but not actually bacon). The way the Japanese do BBQ is after things are done grilling, they grab the bits with chopsticks and dip them into this amazing thin sauce called "ebara" and eat. Very, very tasty. After the pork, they added thin strips of beef, and just kept piling it on. Then came the fresh prawns. Later, they even put on this big flat pan and fried up some yakisoba (grilled noodles), which apparently is common at Japanese barbecues. Everything was delicious, and there was as much beer as I could drink to wash it down with. We also played a lot with Naomi's niece and nephews (age between 2 and 3) who were completely adorable. They were very shy at first, but in the end they were challenging me and Tessa to races and repeating things we would say to them in English. A good time all around.

One of the interesting things about Japanese BBQs is that instead of a kind of potluck where everyone brings something, often times they will have one person bring everything, and charge a fee to those attending. It cost us about $24 each, but it was worth it for the food, beer, and chance to interact with some great Japanese folks around our age and a little older.

The next day (today) we found out the true price of that BBQ, in the form of mosquito bites. Tessa has over 20 on her legs, and I have about 10 on my legs and 3 on my arm. They itch just as much as they do in America. Luckily, Tessa had the foresight to bring hydrocortisone creme with her from America. Only 1 more week left of summer break! :( We go back to work on September 1st. Thanks for reading, we miss you all!