Shimizu, Japan

 Mt Fuji was covered in clouds all day except for a few minutes in the early evening.  We were walking back to the ship when we felt foiled from failure to get a glimpse of this majestic mountain when Macato Aioki, tapped us on the shoulder, pointed behind us and asked in his best English, "Did you see Mt Fuji?"  We were so happy, we asked his name and gave him a Bengals cap.  He took this photograph for us- Mt Fuji is visible in the background of the upper left of this frame. 

                The retired admiral called this my Jimmy Buffett hair (I took it as a compliment).

Egg rice omelet with beef gravy at a local restaurant began our day.  Yes, a bit unusual but safe.  I'm back on my feet again eager to take photos and blog.    

                            Melon cream soda was Ruth Ann's choice of beverage for breakfast.

        A circus tent was the sight from the balcony of the Freely Family Cafe so we checked it out.

Pop Circus is a one ring top notch circus touring Japan.  Funny thing is, ---we met a Mexican clown at the Japanese circus.  I love clowns and their slapstick humor makes me laugh out loud.  It was old fashioned family entertainment.  Good clean fun!  The show included juggling, illusions, ribbon acrobatics and more.  A circus band of five fine musicians provided live music.  The drummer was one of the best percussionists I have seen.  He created drama with his drums and his splashes, crashes and rolls were expertly timed while also providing cues for the circus performers.  My favorite, next to the clowns, was the flying trapeze.  It not only made me feel a bit like a child again, it evoked memories of our children and granddaughters when a young female performer just swung back and forth in front of us as the other trapeze artists were making last minute adjustments.  Our daughter, Marji and granddaughters, Grace and Caroline, all loved it when I pushed them on a swing-and so did I love it.  G & C liked it when I made up song verses as we played.  My best has not been forgotten;

To push a girl on a swing

Is the finest the finest of things

I wish I could always be there

To push her way up in the air

Tomorrow it's Tokyo.