This week from Japan
Birthday and Onion Chutney
Well, what a week. It has been a whirlwind. My husband left for a week abroad. Everything was great until it decided to rain for 4 days straight. Not like a shower rain, no. It was mad rain, with winds and nonsense. The dog refused to go out to relieve himself, then once I got the dog out the door, T refused to go out because it was too cold, then the fake grass from the garden blew out. That kind of a week!
But, before all went out of control it was Saturday, 1st of March. My birthday, the day where I feel like it’s my New Year. I love this day - not because it’s my birthday, not at all. The weather was amazing, the air was amazing, I decided for the first day in the last 100 years, for breakfast - to eat sesame ball with red bean paste (the best thing in the world) instead of oats with berries. It was my day and I tried to fill it out with stuff I like. T had ‘pain au chocolat’ of course, and Yoshi had beef steak and potatoes… or not.
But, we finally made it out the door, everybody was dressed and not hungry or thirsty, walked to the beach, then went roller skating, ice cream, bought yellow tulips and chocolate cake and went out for dinner. I know it sounds so perfect, but I don’t write the stuff in between where everybody had to go pee right after we got ready, or when I forgot my wallet in the supermarket and ended up being awkward at the flower shop - yes this really happened. No, today I write the good stuff. The stuff that made my day. And… don’t we all end up someday remembering only the good stuff that happened? Along the way I got to take lots of pictures, as you can see below, or above.
But then, it was Monday - Hinamatsuri, Girls Day or Dolls Day in Japan where families wish for the health and prosperity of their girls. T made little cute crafts at school representing Hinamatsuri and we hanged them around the living room.
Soon enough, the storm appeared out of nowhere and it was like the end of the world. In the morning there was no taxies in sight, broken umbrellas everywhere, train delays - pure madness.
Few days later my husband appeared (joke) it was time for him to come back, brought some omiyages (souvenir in Japanese) for T and for me - 36 jars of Caramelized onion chutney - I wish, 6 sorry, 6 jars of my favourite chutney in the whole world. I was beyond myself when he told me that he found caramelized onion chutney! This obsession of mine dates back from 2021 when I went for a bus tour to Loch Ness in Scotland and when by mistake I ordered onion chutney and cheese sandwich instead of hummus and cheese sandwich - I know, even I don’t know how I mixed these 2 up but hey… it was 5am in the morning, raining, dark Scottish morning and they took the orders outside. But, it was for a reason, if I didn’t make that mistake then I wouldn’t know what love is, right?
So, I will end the post here since I hate reading long posts and I assume you too? Hope you enjoy reading about my week here, scrolling through the photos and eating good food.
Sanïa Spiri is a Documentary Photographer based in Hyogo, Japan.
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