Takashi took us to a restaurant run by monks in Usuki before going to the hot springs at Yufuin. We were given a choice of sitting on tatami on our knees or at the table. Matt wanted to sit at the tatami so we sat at the tatami although both Takashi and Nile wanted to sit at the table.
由布院へ行く前に父が臼杵の精進料理屋さんに連れて行ってくれました。座敷とテーブル席の選びに日本に来たのだからと、マットは座敷を選びました。父と私は心の中でテーブル席を希望してました。
There was an impressive amount of food brought out to us. Because Monks are vegan, the food presented was also vegan. Lots of different kinds of vegetables as well as gluten in different size, shapes, color, texture and preparation. All were amazing.
とってもたくさんの食べ物が月から次へと出てきました。すべての食べ物はもちろんビーゲンです。たくさんの野菜に加えていろいろな大きさ、形、色、食感、調理法のふがでてきました。全部おいしかったです。
In traditional Japanese cuisine, there is always rice and soup at the end of the meal.
もちろん最後はご飯と汁物。
After the rice and soup, Takashi and Nile convinced Matt to move to a counter to sit at a chair for dessert. We asked if we could please sit at the table because the garden was so pretty, which it was but we didn't mention that our legs were killings us.
父と私はやっとの事でデザートのときに庭の見えるカウンター席に席替えをすることをマットに説得させました。お店の人にはもちろんきれいな庭を見たいですとお願いをし、足がしびれたことに関しては何もいいませんでした。
The street to back to the town was almost too narrow for Takashi's car (not an oversized car, a Prius).
臼杵の町までの道はすごく細かったです。
After our amazing meal, we expored the town of Usuki, walking around as well as getting a tour of a sake factory.
ご飯の後、臼杵を散歩して、酒屋さんの中を見せてもらいました。
