Day 13 (50 km) Aomori -
(08/11/06)

The Higashi Nihon Ferry was a step up from the borderline ghetto Diamond Ferry I once had to take, but left a bit to be desired in terms of sleeping arrangements. Unlike the other ferries I've taken here, there are no assigned sleeping spots--just a big carpeted floor. Luckily, getting a spot wasn't too difficult, but I was happy to have a sleeping mat to claim my spot with. I can only imagine what the elderly couple next to me thought of the strange foreigner with an air mattress, using a stuffed shark for a pillow and messaging on his girlfriend's powder-pink cell phone.

Meeting the group again today was a bit of a shock after three days of relative solitude. I forgot how loud ten people can be. The ride to meet them was through some beautiful soba fields and back roads. Thanks to a wrong turn, I discovered the culinary delight that is natural apple soft serve.

We spent the afternoon and evening at an organic farm, learning how to make simple waramono--straw crafts--charms. Seeing some kids playing with the friendly family dog, Emily R. tried to make nice with it and ended up getting a good deep bite on her arm from the xenophobic pooch.

For dinner we made pizza using organic veggies we picked from the farm. Seeing a bucketful of fresh-picked organic basil was a joy. Far and away the best dinner of the trip so far. No idea how many of them we put away that night. Tasty goodness indeed.