On Saturday, Sunday (Feb 10), looked to be cold snowy and chilly. I had a mission-- I was going to try out a new camera (Mamiya 6) and take some photos of plum blossoms in the snow.
The day itself started out with snow but it was warm and sunny and by noon the snow was a distant memory except in dark, shadowy places. A late start meant that any hope of snowy blossoms had already melted away. Then I realized that in order to take the picture I visualized I needed a macro lens and I didn't have one for the Mamiya 6. Oops. Ideas not matching equipage.
I dragged my husband out and he graciously carried my tripod and my camera bag. We got on the train and he asked me where we were going. It occurred to me that I wasn't really sure where to go in Tokyo to shoot plum blossoms. I found some pamphlets that looked promising and we headed out enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. We decided to do some photos on a staircase, then move on to Koishikawa Garden near Tokyo Dome.
The pamphlet map wasn't very good and we wandered around for a bit until I realized that I forgot some stuff at a little shrine we stopped at to take pictures. I went back to get the stuff and Hitoshi waited with the gear. While I was gone, he'd found a butcher shop that also made koroke (deep fried mashed potato mixed with hamburger...?). He realized that I was carrying all the money when he went to pay for some. The woman at the butcher shop said, "No problem. You can pay me later." Gotta love these mom and pop shops in the older neighborhoods. Hitoshi tried to explain that we didn't live in the neighborhood and that wasn't exactly possible even though it was very kind. I showed up just in time to save his growly tummy. Those koroke were probably the best I have ever eaten. I would probably ride the train for another 40 minutes again to eat that koroke. The woman was also super helpful and when we showed her where we wanted to go she gave us excellent directions.
We walked along, happily munching away and only realized after we'd eaten both the koroke that it would have made a great picture.
Someday I want to do a photo blog of mom and pop shops that sell local things like koroke and dango or other typical Japanese snacks. I go often enough that it is only lack of organization hindering me. Well, food for thought. Ha ha. Vile pun.
It is still early for the blossoms here so it wasn't very spectacular and Koshikawa is supposed to have one of the better plum groves in Tokyo. Koishikawa had a lot of people that day. It was kind of weird for me since I usually go on a weekday and there are hardly any people. Most people we clustered around the few plum trees in blossom snapping away. It was hilarious to see all sorts of cameras from full pro gear to little cell phone cameras. The cell phone cameras are the most amusing. It looks kind of silly.
Maybe I am just jealous because my phone has a really bad camera.
It was a great day to walk around and spend time with Hitoshi and just be outdoors. I'll post some pics later.