The Guido's Makunouchi Bento

Today we made our way to the local Costco. It was about a 20 minute drive. I needed to get some driving outside the gate so we took a field trip to Costco and the Atsugi Naval Air Station. Costco gets extremely crowded especially on the weekend, so we decided to first thing. The website and sign said it opened at 10p.m.   . We woke up early so rather than sit around in the lodge we decided to go early. We got there at 9 a.m. and they were open and let us in.  When we left 40 minutes later the parking garage was already full. The Japanese Costco looks exactly like the stateside ones and they are already pushing Christmas stuff. The one major difference is that Costco here sells liquor - big bottles of whiskey, gin and vodka along with boxed plum wine.  The best difference is the really fresh sushi platters. Doesn't this look so good? I wish we had sushi this fresh at the stateside Costco. And of course they have the Costco Café with the famous  "Costco Hot 

One of my favorite dishes in Japan is Shabu Shabu. On our drive in from the airport we passed this place near the gate. We decided to give it a  try. It's around $16for 100 minutes of all you can eat Shabu Shabu, sushi , salad and desert. The Shabu Shabu is the star. It is a Japanese dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in water or broth. The term is  derived from the sound emitted when the ingredients are stirred in the cooking pot. The meat which is usually beef and pork and is sliced razor thin .As you can see, it is so thin you can see through which makes it easy to cook. It usually takes seconds. It's eaten with rice and a dipping sauce. I prefer Sesame. You get to pick your cut and they just keep bringing it until you tell them to stop. I'm not sure why there is a 100 minute time limit but I barely made 30 minutes.

We were scheduled on American Airlines on our flight to Tokyo. Turns out it was an AA flight operated by Japan Airlines. I had never flown JAL but heard wonderful things. They have an impeccable reputation for quality service .... and they didn't disappoint. It all begins before boarding. Before the flight crew boards they gather at the top of the ramp and face the passengers in the waiting area and bow. Then they board. There is plenty of storage space and they don't get nasty about it like some airlines do. It's all about respect for the passengers. The flight was 12-13 hours and I watched four movies and two episodes of NCIS. Lunch was a typical Japanese lunch- Katsu Curry and a special desert. The plane was a 777-300 which had a seat configuration of 3-3-3 across and the ability to follow the flight pattern. The older I get the harder these long distance flights are but with great service it makes it easier.

It's the evening before our departure The movers have come and gone and the place is empty. The house is in hands of our realtor  Brenda Berger. The cracked window was fixed and the bricks will be repointed above the garage.  We had a final meal with the family last night and paid our respects to my parents this morning. We drove by downtown on our way to the airport. We are staying at the Hyatt which is attached to the airport . Just seemed easier to be here and a short walk to the terminal. It's bittersweet to say goodbye to everyone and the life we have lived in Pittsburgh for the last nine years. However, we are looking forward to our new adventure. Sayonara Pittsburgh, until we meet again.