Funions

[more photos]

I just returned from a day-long trip to Wakayama, the prefecture south of Osaka. I woke up at 6am tired and disappointed at the rainy weather. But within a few hours, my mood had reversed. The clouds were a blessing in disguise, preventing me from needing sunscreen or a big goofy hat. It only sprinkled (creating a lot of mud), and the worst of it was when we were inside eating lunch.

I went with about 20 others from Ikoi Shokudo (the "cafeteria" where I make onigiri on Wednesdays). I am still unsure as to why this group goes onion farming 2-3 times a year. Perhaps they are volunteering just to help a community/farmer? Maybe it's a fundraiser? Not sure. Either way, I am glad I went because when we arrived (after an amazing car trip through the mountains and bamboo forests), there was a bus load of kids awaiting us. Despite the onion fumes and array of insects (2 of my least favorite things in the world), I was in heaven.

Basically, we were on our hands and knees picking the bulbs, trimming off the roots, and then sorting them into large/small bins. Sounds tedious, I know, but imagine being surrounded by goofy old men (who refuse to accept that I can't speak Japanese) and cute little kids...takes the focus off the spiders and watery eyes. While I spent most of the morning alone, by afternoon I had an entourage of old men and little girls trailing me to learn/showcase their English. Just before the girls left, I was invited to a game of tag (which only reminded me how fat and slow I am compared to the Japanese, despite my advantage of leg length).

I returned with a bag of onions, leg and back aches, and smelly/muddy clothes. I could not have spent my Saturday any better.