January 18, 2009. Kiyo and I went together to Sanda to meet with his mother and attend his brother's Ensemble Contest in Awaji Island. We rode the subway until Osaka and transferred to the JR Line for Sanda. It was a long trip to Sanda As we passed by more and more mountains, I started to feel how far the place really is! Kiyo's house was a little far from the station so his mother came to get us from the station in their yellow car. We got in the car, his mother smiled at me. They talked a little on their way to the house but they were talking in regular Japanese speed so I couldn't make out most of what they were saying. His mother offered that we should eat in the house first, since we ate only a little and the event would last until 6PM. when I got into their house, there I met Kiyo's father. I guess Kiyo's looks is a combination of his mother and father. The his nose, eyes and the shape of his face are from his father. His lips are from his mother. His father asked me a few questions about educational system and work. They were harmless impersonal questions so I felt a little relieved. When we finished eating we started out to Awaji Island. When we got to the contest place (it looked like a mini opera house), we were able to listen to the brass band before the percussion group. Kiyo's brother is from the percussion group. They were the last one to perform. They won gold but they were not qualified to join the next contest. The contest was actually a preliminary contest in Hyogo area to decide which group will perform in the higher category contest. When the contest was over we headed out to a rest area near the large bridge connecting Kobe and Awaji Island. His mother treated us to Royal restaurant there. She also bought Takosenbei omiyage for me and my co-workers. I think she is very sweet and kind. It's too bad that I couldn't speak much Japanese, I would have wanted to talk to her more and learn more about Kiyo.
