Korean Cooking Class (One Time Only)

Today, I took a Korean cooking lesson in Himeji. This is only a one-day event and there were a total of 25 participants  (24 females and 1 male) who attended today’s class.
Today I went to a Korean cooking class in Himeji. This was one time only and totally 25 participants. (24 female and 1 male.) 　They had 6 cooking tables, and the participants were divided into 6 groups, and each of table had 4 or 5 members.

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To start off the class, the instructor explained how to cook briefly. There were cooking materials (beef, fish, vegetables and so on) prepared for each group.　　After that, we tried cooking the same dishes that were shown to us. I have experience in cooking some Korean dishes before but the dishes we tried today were all new to me.
 At first a cooking insturctor explained how to cook briefly. They prepared cooking materials (beef, fish, vegetables, and so on) for each group. And we tried to cookings. I had some experience to have cooked Korean dishes in my kitchen. But I have never tried these kinds of dishes. 

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The participants enjoyed small chats regarding the Korean dishes while cooking. I usually cook by myself, enjoyed cooking with others.  Below are the pictures of the dishes I took during the class.And participants enjoyed small chattings regarding the Korean dishes while we were cooking. I, who usually do the cooking in my kitchen "alone," really enjoyed it. The followings are the dishes I took at the class.

Japchae?  Chapuche

Kimbap?  Kimpa?? Korean Rice Rolls??

Pugoku (Korean Soup)

One of the instructors said that Korean wives usually make this soup when their husbands drink too much alcohol. They say that this soup is good in curing hangovers.  Is this true? Ha! Ha! 五味子茶(Korean traditional tea) and 薬菓 (herbal cookie).

One insturctor said that Korean wives make this soup to their husband after the husband had a lot of alchohol one night, and he had some headache next morning. Then they make this soup to get out of the hangover. Is this true? Ha! Ha! 五味子茶(Korean traditional tea) and 薬菓 (herbal cookie) .

These "dried sea weed" packages were given to us as souvenir. I like Korean dried sea weed. packages.

These "dried sea weed" packages were given to us as sourvenior. I like Korean dried sea weed.

A Hand-made Coin case (Cotton)

I was very happy to receive a hand-made key holder from a friend in Matsuyama City a week ago.  I like it. 

I was thinking what way shall I use it?  Shall I use this key holder as an accessory to my cell phone?  Or shall I use it for something else?  I was thinking about it.  I bought this shoulderbag in Maikal Akashi.  I liked its color and design.  And in fact I like this kind.

I thought, how about attaching the key holder to this shoulder bag like the picture below.
 

Does it fit right?  It fits perfectly, don't you think?

The next day I sent her an email telling her thanks for the hand-made present and also promised to send her something in return.

Then, I made a coin purse made of cotton below by hand.     

                                          The photos are as follows: (front side)

                                        (back side)

I sent her the small present yesterday.  I hope she will like it.

To Ms. MF, thank you for sending me the cute keyholder!

Poco a Poco, a small cafe in Shiso City, Hyogo

We visited a small cafe in Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture on July 8th.

It was our first time visiting the cafe "Poco a poco."

We like hot springs.  And "Yoi Onsen" is the best.  It takes one-hour drive to get there.  We usually visit it on weekdays once or twice a month. 

We've noticed the beautiful exterior of the cafe in front of the hot spring, but the cafe is only open on weekends.  We didn't have a chance to visit it. 

Since it is located just in front to the hot spring "Yoi Onsen," where one hour drive from our home in Himeji, which we visit once or twice a month.

The exterior of the cafe looked nice. , and We have been curious about the inside of the cafe, and what kind of people work there.


This is a big stone board of "Yoi Onsen" in front of the hot spring.

Usually we visit the hot spring on weekdays, and the cafe is open only for weekends, we haven't had a chance to visit there until today.

This is the menu board on display in front of the cafe showing menu and price.  picture is just in front of the cafe showing its menu and price.

When we visited around 3:00 p.m., there were no other customers. Only the female owner was there to serve the order. The cafe was quiet and comfortable. We liked it there.

While we were waiting for the curry rice, we looked around the cafe and enjoyed what we saw.

We ordered curry rice and coffee, and before having them, we looked around the cafe, and enjoyed the interior of the cafe.

It was the first time we visited there, so we hesitated taking pictures everywhere, but here are some ---

According to her blog, she opened the cafe ten years ago, but she now goes to a 2-year college in Kobe on weekdays, so she opens the cafe on weekends.  

After the veteran owner served us the hot coffee, we went to the hot spring, and relaxed.  We had a very good time.

About the Author

(Revision on Dec. 17, 2014)

I am in my late 40s living in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.  I enjoyed working as a caregiver for the recent years, but I gave up since my health condition has declined.  I have been experiencing changes in my life since I'm in my menopausal stage.

I was still single when I started working for import-export businesses in Tokyo and worked there for 20 years.  I really enjoyed preparing various documents for customers overseas which consumed much of my younger days, and eventually became the reason for getting married late. 

To continue my enthusiam in writing and improving my English skills, I would like to express my daily activities by blogging. 

I got married at the age of 40, and it was the first marriage for both of us.  My husband, who was born in 1953, teaches Science at a junior high school.   We don't have children.  I love birds and  started to have my own pet birds when I was 27 years old.  We currently have 3 petbirds: two Budgerigars and one Cockatiel.  We also like taking pictures when we visit flower gardens and other tourist spots on weekends.   


                                                                 the science teacher

Tsuru chan, the old male Budgerigar, was born in June 2002.
He came with me from my old apartment in Tokyo.

In general, the life span of Budgerigars is upto 7 or 8 years old.
He is now at 12, rather old and weak.
I hope that he can tolerate the coldness of this winter.
He has yellow color on his face and body.
 

P chan, the young male Budgerigar, was born in spring 2013. 
Unlike Tsuru chan, he doesn't have distinct yellow color.
 

Pearl chan, the female cockatiel, was born in July 2006.

In this blog, I would like to share the photos I took.   Having grown up in Tokyo, which is filled with leisure activities, I find that living in the countryside is boring sometimes, so I always try to find something interesting in my surroundings.






(Ending)
I would be grateful if foreign tourists enjoy sightseeing spots, and also local residents enjoy their lives more.   Thank you!

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Monday, July 16, 2012

This is my first entry here.

I live in Himeji, Hyogo, Prefecture in Japan.

I live with my husband, and one hen cockatiel, and one cock budgerigar.
I also enjoy watching wild birds outside.

We go to local hot springs, and other sightseeing places.
I usually take my digital camera with me, and take photos.
I like to write about the journeys and posts photos along with photos it.

I will also try to write my diary here.

Leave your comments if you are interested in any of the entries.