@boxcarblue - It is a rainy gloomy day at my location but your lovely description of Japanese barbecue brightened my day. Certainly unusual - right from the location (by a river or sea) to the purchases at the supermarket and splitting the bill. Even the type of meat is different than American or South African barbecues that I have attended. We rarely see thinly sliced meat or sea food in those. Thanks. It is nice to experience such culture through your blogs. Upvoted.

At my end, I am doing a Photospeak series on my African memories with a photo and minimal words. Letting the pictures do the talking. I request you to visit and see if you have time. Thanks