Art

As I was waiting for the Bodhisattvas in Dainenbutsuji temple for almost an hour, I got tired. I wanted to have some drink or sweet to take a rest, so I looked for a nice café. I was walking around the area, but most restaurants or cafes were closed due to May Day. I asked a female owner of a boutique at the entrance of the mall if there were a nice café around there. She replied to me probably no, but another elderly female flower shop owner next to hers said to me, «If you walk straight this street, you will find one». She added that the female owner of the café was very friendly. I walked to peep out the café.
The outward appearance of the café was commonplace. The female owner happened to come out when I peeped out it. She welcomed me and asked me where I came from. I was wondering whether I would enter the café or not, but I decided to go in. A regular customer and the owner couple talked to me a lot. They showed me some photos of dozens of women wearing Kimono. The owner couple hosts the volunteer event to make an excursion around Hirano area in Kimono. At the first time, they hosted a Nigerian study abroad student as a guest. The male owner spoke English to guide the female student around the area. Hirano area has an old history. Near the café there is Akaruhime shrine. Every year Akaruhime or a goddess of the shrine is chosen among a lot of young female applicants. The female owner also showed me photos of Akaruhime with the Kimono event participants. The male owner also does sign language volunteer activities. I was moved by their goodwill activities.
By the way, I ordered coffee and a chiffon cake. The coffee was strong for me. I prefer mild one, because I easily get stomach upset. The chiffon cake was slightly small pieces. They cost 600 yen, which I thought a little expensive. However I had a nice time talking with the couple. They hope many foreigners will come here. They asked me how to express in English to welcome foreign customers. I answered their inquiries and made a promise to take part in the tour guide event to host a foreign participant.