tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49503757464782466752024-03-05T12:56:20.033-08:00Mii KosamIn Tokyo, after a hiatusPRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.comBlogger422125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-60540523888701345272023-12-28T04:22:00.000-08:002023-12-28T04:22:23.988-08:00Happy New Year!<p>Happy New Year! </p><p>With two trips in December (one for work, one for pleasure), Greg correctly assessed this was not the year for elaborate New Years' cards. Hence the simple postcard and this blog addition. </p><p>It is hard to believe 3.5 years have passed and we're still in Tokyo with a year and a half to go. Five years is the longest we have lived anywhere since we left DC in January 2008 and started this crazy career. I continue my work in the Embassy's economic section. Greg has a DC job, but teleworks full time from our house in Tokyo. His new office has been pretty understanding of our opposite hours and thankfully he's been able to generally stick to a normal person's schedule. </p><p>The boys are all in their same schools, keeping our routine pretty similar. William has traded soccer for volleyball. Patch now has a brown belt in judo. Ian is doing soccer, basketball, and baseball since he can't decide what he likes best. Sadie still yips, and Kuma still howls. </p><p>Generally, with having two bonus years in one place, I'm trying out being boring during our remaining time. Sticking with the same hobbies, same sports, same routines, etc. Because, at some level, sameness is actually a different experience for us.</p><p>So, with all that continuity, you might ask what is different? Tokyo. Since August 2023, the city has woken from its COVID-induced stupor. It's impossible to go out to dinner without a reservation. I called in August to make a reservation at the hotel we've stayed at when skiing the last three years - and it was fully booked for the entire months of December and January. You name it, people are there. We haven't yet adjusted to the rhythm, and after so many years in South East Asia, simply aren't in the habit of planning ahead like that! </p><p>Looking forward to 2024 - two ski trips booked (back when the yen was at 155/USD) - YAY! Some family and friends already booked to visit. YAY! We have tickets to Taylor Swift's Tokyo concert. YAY! Plans underway for July back in the US - YAY! Then ... comes September and William starts his senior year - that's a YAY with an *. (* because he's excited and I'm happy for him, but the thought of not having all my children under my roof is actually very sad, and if it sneaks up on me, I randomly tear up. Which all the boys find hilarious and of course try to unexpectedly provoke.)</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-48770112746433868502023-04-02T01:10:00.005-07:002023-04-02T01:16:41.803-07:00Travelogue: Shikoku Castle Meguri<p>This trip required a ton of planning, that totally paid off. So, I'm sharing the itinerary in full bullet form (instead of prose with photos) for easy sharing with friends. </p><p>I hate to admit, but it helped a bit with overnight stays that we were only four (the oldest had a different spring break and stayed back in Tokyo). So, rather than our usual "sleeps five," this visit was only four. </p><p>We drove our car the whole way. Tolls one way to Kurashiki were about Y14,000 (and a shinkansen unreserved day of ticket is Y16,000 ... so multiply that x4, plus a rental car for when on Shikoku, and that got pretty pricey).</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Day One</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By 0800, Depart Tokyo for Kurashiki </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">8 hour drive (alternative: shinkansen to Kurashiki, rent car on Day 2)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Walk around Kurashiki Historical District</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Note - dinner places there were slim. Many more options near the train station</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Arrive Kurashiki Ivy Square (overnight) (via Booking.com)</span></p></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day Two</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">0800, Depart Kurashiki Ivy Square</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">30 minute drive over Seto Bridge</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">See Marugame Castle</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The visitor center had a fun fan making class (takes about an hour). Usually requires advance reservations (not sure how… I talked my way in)</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eat early lunch or pick up food for lunch</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">1100 - Drive to Iya Valley (~2 hours) </span><a href="https://www.iyatime.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.iyatime.com/</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Iya Sites: Oku Iya vine bridge, Peeing Boy statue, Scarecrow Village</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Overnight in Traveler’s Inn Nakone (cast Y40,000 including Iya-style kaiseki dinner and breakfast). (Futon room could sleep five)</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Address: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">徳島県三好市西祖谷山村榎242 Nakamoto-san 090-8692-9055</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tokushima-ken, Miyoshi-shi, Nishi Iya Yamamura 242</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Back up options: Hotel Obokekyo, Iya-no-yado </span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Day Three</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">0900 - Iya Forest Adventure zipline (cash Y16,000)</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Make reservation online ahead of time </span><a href="https://fa-iya.foret-aventure.jp/eng/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://fa-iya.foret-aventure.jp/eng/</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">1100 - two hour drive to Kochi Castle</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">See Kochi Castle</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lunch at Hirome Market (hawker stalls - eat in or take picnic to castle)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">No later than </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">1600 - three hour drive to Forest Cottage </span><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">高知県四万十市西土佐奥屋内1071-3</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Pick up food in Shimanto City for dinner (2), lunch, breakfast (2)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Stop at coast along drive</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">1900 - Forest Cottage </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">(overnight) (credit card payment at house) (space for max five to sleep) </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.morikote-shimanto.com/englinsh/" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.morikote-shimanto.com/englinsh/</span></a></span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Confirmed - </span><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">tel:0880-56-1229 / e-mail:</span><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">morikote@mb.gallery.ne.jp</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Day Four</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">0900 - Workshop Kurogane knife making activity (cash for two knives Y32,000)</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Confirmed - tel: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">0880-54-1811 </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> / Email: (not sure - I called)</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">https://visitkochijapan.com/en/activities/10159 </span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">1700 - workshop ends</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Backup: check out Shimanto River guide for boat tours: </span><a href="https://www.shimanto-kankou.com/pdf/english2.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.shimanto-kankou.com/pdf/english2.pdf</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.shimanto-kankou.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.shimanto-kankou.com/</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Overnight in Forest Cottage</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Day Five</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">TBC - 1.5 hour drive to Uawjima Castle</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">See Uwajima Castle (opens 0900), big snack or lunch?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">TBC - 1.5 hour drive to Matsuyama</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Late lunch or snack in Matsuyama</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">See Matsuyama Castle (open until 1700)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">If time, go see Dogo Onsen (ride on street car)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Overnight in Comfort Stay Matsuyama (via Booking.com)</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Day Six</span></p><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Depart for Tokyo (~10 hour drive)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">(or drive back to Kurashiki to return car and take shinkansen)</span></p></li></ul>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-60530011212637430702022-12-30T13:33:00.000-08:002022-12-30T13:33:06.692-08:00Travelogue: Tokyo in Three Days with a Five Year Old<p> It's been five years since we've had a five year old, and, also being honest, the youngest of three doesn't usually get treated his age and instead has to grow up quickly to keep up with the older brothers. So, we had forgotten how to pace ourselves for a five year old. </p><p>There's a great blog for living in and visiting Tokyo (and Japan more broadly). I look things up here regularly and should have stolen ideas from it when planning this trip: https://bestlivingjapan.com/ </p><p>In any case, after so much family time in Kyoto and over Christmas, my three kiddos needed a break from each other. So, when back home in Tokyo, we assigned each of them a day to spend with their cousin and pick an activity. Though this was a survival mode decision for me (trying to maintain happy spirits among the siblings), it turned out to be a great way to have individual time/conversation. Filing this away for future family visits! </p><p><i>Day 1: </i>Middle Child Day. First stop was <a href="https://bestlivingjapan.com/heiwa-no-mori-park-ota-ku-tokyo/">Heiwa No Mori (Peace Park)</a> field athletics (aka obstacle) course. After all the temples in Kyoto, this was reportedly a blast. Kids can spend hours here if you go on a day that it isn't too crowded (which it wasn't) and you don't have to wait in line for each obstacle. </p><p>I'm not sure what lunch was, but then they took the train back into our neck of Tokyo to visit <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/LK5cq5yeVDux67Hz5">a favorite candy store</a>. With most treats averaging Y10-Y20 (under a quarter), a little money can go a long way. It's not a fancy or glittery store, just a normal neighborhood shop with endless opportunities for browsing Japanese sweets.</p><p><i>Day 2: </i>Solo day with the Oldest. In a true Tokyo experience, the 15 year old took his cousin out into Tokyo on his own. I can't really imagine another city where this would happen. Maybe somewhere in Europe with good public transportation networks, but I've never lived in those places, so I'm not really sure!</p><p>They visited the <a href="https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/tenq/">TeNQ Space Museum </a>in <a href="https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/">Tokyo Dome City</a>. All on one floor, when discussing options, I thought it looked manageable and within an appropriate attention span. Apparently it was super fun, because they didn't leave to find lunch until close to 1pm. By that time, all the noodle shops were full and with lines, so in order to avoid a hangry situation, the teenager made an executive decision McDonald's was in order. The parents joined after lunch for bowling, also in Tokyo Dome City, finishing up the afternoon.</p><p><i>Day 3: </i>Out with a 10 year old. The youngest really doesn't like to travel far, preferring locations accessible by his scooter. This was just fine for his cousin, so they headed to "<a href="https://bestlivingjapan.com/robot-park-roppongi-hills/">Robot Park</a>" nearby our house. After playing their hearts content (and watching how Japanese parents meticulously train Japanese children from a very very young age to properly stand in line and wait their turns), they walked over to Roppongi Hills to choose a lunch. Given the noodle failure the day before, a fancy soba/udon shop was in order. They then stopped at a <a href="https://trulytokyo.com/tsutaya-tokyo-roppongi/">Tsutaya Roppongi </a>bookstore, which has a good selection of kids books in English and also fun books like Where's Waldo in Japanese. Not to mention I hear there was also a Starbucks pit stop :).</p><p>Mostly, when we ate as a group, we ate at home -- it isn't easy to find places in Tokyo to seat 10 people without having to choose a course menu. With a request for some Tokyo craft brew, we ate one night at <a href="https://www.tysons.jp/tyharbor/en/">TY Harbor</a> -- in addition to the beer and a view of the water, it's a great spot for visitors craving an American-style salad after lots of cooked foods. Plus they had a kids menu and coloring set, like a family restaurant back home. </p><p>Another day at lunch, I had planned to eat at <a href="https://thecitybakery.jp/shop/akasaka__restaurant.html">City Bakery Brasserie Ruben</a> (unlimited bread basket is great for the kids!), but it had filled up by the time we arrived. Instead, we headed next door to <a href="http://arkhillscafe.com/">Ark Hills Cafe</a>, which turned out to be an even better choice. In addition to being a touch more casual (always easier with kids), its lunch menu had both Western and Japanese options - so we could order chicken sandwiches and hamburgers as well as udon and ginger stirfry pork.</p><p>As a family on other days around Chrimstas, we had short outings to Tokyo Tower (also has a VR boat race in the basement and a ball pit for toddlers), a B League basketball game, and <a href="https://www.kiddyland.co.jp/">Kiddy Land </a>+ crepes in Harajuku (my favorite outing as a kid in Tokyo!). </p><p>We also considered a few of <a href="https://bestlivingjapan.com/category/travel/one-day-itineraries-in-japan-for-families-with-kids/">these itineraries</a>, a day at <a href="https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/ueno/index.html">Ueno Zoo</a>, a day at <a href="https://www.yomiuriland.com/en/">Yomiuri Land</a> amusement park, or day trips to Kamakura, Hakone or Nikko, but ultimately decided to take it easy and enjoy family time rather than sightseeing. Tokyo Disney and Tokyo Disney Sea were early candidates as well, but we collectively ruled those out even before visitors arrived with us not really being Disney people, and them realizing how exhausted the five year old might be the day after such a Disney adventure.</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-40559238559496922822022-12-30T12:52:00.000-08:002022-12-30T12:52:25.697-08:00Travelogue: Kyoto in 3ish Days<p>We went to Kyoto with our full family (10 people, ages 5 to 75) - it was quite a production! I decided to hire a tour guide, so I could also have a vacation. A splurge, for sure, but it was worth it alone just to have someone else the kids could pester for what the schedule was. </p><p>Day 1:</p><p>We left Tokyo on an 8:20am <i>shinkansen</i> arriving in Kyoto at 10:30. Our tour guide met us on the platform and took us to Toji Temple which has an <a href="https://www.kyotostation.com/toji-temple-kobo-ichi-market/">open air fair on the 21st of every month</a>. Everything from fresh fruits/vegetables, to old kimonos and obis at Y1000 per item, to new art. I found a shawl remade from old shibori cloth. </p><p>Lunch was chicken sukiyaki in a restored home: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://chisouinaseya.com/menu/index_en.html&source=gmail&ust=1672518287857000&usg=AOvVaw09WBCfPwWydlbhV311SzlM" href="http://chisouinaseya.com/menu/index_en.html" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">http://chisouinaseya.com/menu/<wbr></wbr>index_en.html</a> Though quite centrally located near the Kyoto town hall, we were glad to have a guide to show us it - I would have never found it on our own. Our visitors tried <i>fu (麸), </i>a protien-packed wheat gluten cake. Some loved the chewy texture that soaked up the sukiyaki sauce - and for others, one nibble was enough.</p><p>In the afternoon, we walked through Shijo and Nishiki Market, checking out food stalls, shops run by the sixth generation, and stopped for a donut snack. Then it was on to Gion, ending up at Yasaka Shrine at sunset when the lanterns were lit. </p><p>Dinner was a simple yakitori. I wanted to take everyone out for kushiyaki (fried things on sticks), but most places wanted us to order a set menu for 10 people. No one was that hungry being two days off the airplane, and Americans also aren't really a fan of "course menu" abdicating choices with no substitutions to the restaurant.</p><p>Day 2: </p><p>We started at 9am and went first to Kiyomizu Temple - by the time we left around 10:30, it was really filling up so going first was a great call. </p><p>We then we <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3973.html">Kennin-ji</a>, a temple i had never been to before, though it is apparently the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. Also interesting is an area with some of the first tea plants brought to Japan - and it is very flat, so easy to walk through for old and very young legs tired from walking up the Kiyomizu Temple. After that, we tried again to spot a geisha walking through Gion, but it wasn't our lucky trip. </p><p>For lunch, we headed to the north of the city for some udon and soba - the hot noodle soup was so welcome to warm up after a chilly morning walking around. The kids menu, including onigiri (rice balls) and vanilla ice cream was a hit. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUaiaIRePEdHuQrNYbcPQSOdC34hgEPJtmQB8zrBfEZho7Cq84AGqr2aB3yow5OmVMdi4BDqQ9wcSD8nFWiy0nOIuwG1ty7GTshPzBL4yTDPOLpVyIV2zK3qlb97AFKe2yHWUDRhfSicAQ79eF_H0cV-6nkvL1nzUlTpN4_lqB5wBMruyOLqexiHsxLw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="781" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUaiaIRePEdHuQrNYbcPQSOdC34hgEPJtmQB8zrBfEZho7Cq84AGqr2aB3yow5OmVMdi4BDqQ9wcSD8nFWiy0nOIuwG1ty7GTshPzBL4yTDPOLpVyIV2zK3qlb97AFKe2yHWUDRhfSicAQ79eF_H0cV-6nkvL1nzUlTpN4_lqB5wBMruyOLqexiHsxLw" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>No stop in Kyoto is complete without Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion). A full remake of the walkways during low tourist traffic due to closed borders during COVID has led to a much more comfortable experience with such crowds. Actually, the light rain during our visit kept away most of the crowds - and thankfully was light enough not to bother us too much. </p><p>We were able to squeeze in a walk through the Imperial Palace gardens. So strange to be able to walk in without an appointment - when I studied in Kyoto over 20 years ago, it was a long process to apply for permission which had to be done by mail (ahem, only nascent Internet at that time) at least three weeks in advance. </p><p>Through arrangement with our tour guide, we then split into two groups for an experience, having already seen so much. I took the kids for a taiko (Japanese drumming) lesson with a guy who (before COVID!) performs internationally. We had some good rhythms going! </p><p>Greg joined the adults at a sake brewery tasting at <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/kagura-the-oldest-sake-brewery-in-kyoto-matsui-sake-brewery/WgFMJFq-VMlouw?hl=en">Kagura Brewery</a>, reportedly Kyoto's oldest. Our tour guide explained to me it used to be one of the biggest breweries in Kyoto, but some years ago when the market wasn't so great, the family removed the large brewery and on their land built rental properties. They now generate most of their income from real estate, allowing them the flexibility to keep making sake in a traditional (labor intensive, expensive) way and also experiment with new flavors. They've also hired a retired American finance guy to help expand their appeal to foreign customers. Our crew left with three bottles, so I guess their taste is good!</p><p>At dinner, we reconnected with friends of ours from Ho Chi Minh City over pizza. Three meals in a row of Japanese food was about all some of the group could take :) </p><p>Day 3: </p><p>I was too ambitious with Days 1 and 2 above, forgetting about jet lag and small five year old legs. Thankfully, I had sensed that might be the case a week before the trip, so I had already cancelled the tour guide for that day, and had a few things in my back pocket, depending on moods. </p><p>We opted for Nijo Castle and then to take a lunch time shinkansen home. Nijo was a great morning activity - it opens at 8:45 and is self-guided. Kids can run around the gardens, getting their energy out. Because it had frozen over night, pockets of frost on bridges and benches meant some opportunities for drawing pictures in the frost, too. Note to future visitors: as you have to take off your shoes to see the inside of the castle, if you visit on a day when it is freezing, bring an extra pair of socks or some slippers. Our toes were more than a little chilly by the end of seeing all the rooms (the castle is not heated). </p><p>We were looking forward to showing our visitors all the "eki-ben" (train station bento boxes) to choose one for the ride home. Unfortunately, we couldn't find where they were in Kyoto station, so settled for unexciting options. Once we finally got our whole crew with new tickets for the earlier train through the ticket wickets ... we found the stalls *inside* the gate. Sadly we didn't have time to browse for a better lunch selection before our train, so I noted this for the future. We did have time, though, to stop at a convenience store for the niece to buy a super soft cotton shinkansen kids mask to wear on the shinkansen. Have to travel in style!</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-64402936859137795912022-09-24T15:40:00.001-07:002022-09-24T15:40:28.374-07:00Visitors! Tokyo in August<p> We had our first visitors in two years come in August. First thing we learned is DON'T VISIT TOKYO IN AUGUST. Seriously. It is hot, humid, and miserable to walk around. Because, we walk A LOT in Tokyo. Japan also is eco conscious and keeps minimal airconditioning in buildings and trains. So, one doesn't even get much relief when coming out of the sauna that is the city. </p><p>In the end, we settled on about half days of activities, with resting in the house or at our pool in the afternoon. We also opted with this group of visitors to not do any day trips (Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, Enoshima, Karuizawa, etc etc) because we know they will be back. This was truly a "family visit with some Tokyo thrown in," rather than a "see everything Tokyo has to offer" visit. </p><p>Day 1: arrive about 4pm at Narita. Enjoy the Narita Express, get a look at Tokyo Station, dinner at home, and crash around 8 or 9pm</p><p>Day 2: slow morning. Fancy sushi lunch at <a href="https://sushitokyo-ten.com/">Sushi Ten</a> (for the sushi eater) or burger the floor below at <a href="http://thecounterburger.jp/en/index.php">Counter Burger</a> (for the carnivore). Walk around Tokyo Midtown to see the fancy shopping mall, gift fruit store, mini food hall. Take the subway to Shibuya to see the big scramble (sadly, the Starbucks viewpoint was a fail) and the Nintendo Store. </p><p>Day 3: Fancy lunch at <a href="https://www.fourseasons.com/tokyo/dining/restaurants/maison-marunouchi/">Maison Marunouchi,</a> with table overlooking Tokyo Station to watch the shinkansen coming and going. After walk about <a href="http://tokyostory.net/spot/tokyo-character-street/">Tokyo Station Character Street </a>to do a little shopping. Walking by the Imperial Palace was on the agenda, but one step outside and everyone bailed and went home. Another time when it isn't 90+ degreed and 90+ percent humidity.</p><p>Day 4: Early morning visit to <a href="https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/sightseeing/toyosu-fish-market-what-to-know/">Toyosu Fish Market</a> (this has replaced Tsukiji). Optional sushi breakfast. We had planned to possibly visit Odaiba and Team Labs that afternoon, but for various reasons didn't. We had tickets to a <a href="https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/en/">Yakult Swallows</a> game, but ended up only enjoying dinner at the ball park because the game was rained out. (cultural note: the game tickets were refunded 14 days later ... not sure how this would have worked for tourists!)</p><p>Day 5: Haircut in the morning (yes, Japanese salons are lovely!). We had planned to go to a waterpark (either <a href="https://www.yomiuriland.com/en/">Yomiuri Land</a> or <a href="https://www.summerland.co.jp/english/">Summer Land</a>), but still raining so ... hung out at home. </p><p>Day 6: Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit and mini summer festival at <a href="https://kadcul.com/en">Kadokawa Culture Museum </a>in Saitama.</p><p>Day 7: Morning in Asakusa and knife shopping. We had planned a lunch out, but it was Sunday and many things were closed (no tourists yet). We had also thought about adding on Tokyo Sky Tree, but again the heat was just too much so ... we went home. Late afternoon tour of the Olympic Stadium (this option is now closed).</p><p>Day 8 / 9: I forgot to document! I think there was a visit to a mini pig cafe. And Tokyo Tower.</p><p>Day 10: Return home</p><p>Here's a list of things to make sure and eat in Tokyo. There's more than just sushi and ramen (of course, do eat those)! Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), gyoza, tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet), yakiniku (grilled meat over open fire, usually do it your self), yakitori (grilled chicken, usually done for you), soba or udon (noodles), Mister Donut, Japan McDonald's for the seasonal/Japan specific things.</p><p>Other things in Tokyo do do that weren't listed above: Ueno area (zoo and museum). Zojoji Temple near Tokyo Tower. Meiji shrine followed by Harajuku walk (and a c<a href="https://eisweltgelato.com/jpn">ute ice cream shop</a>). Hanging out at Arisugawa park, getting snacks from the convenience store (only if you have kids, bring balls/stuff to play with). Check out what festivals might be around (e.g., Nakameguro Obon festival was during this time, and then could have visited the <a href="https://www.starbucks.co.jp/reserve/roastery/">Starbucks Reserve</a> near by)</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-22743573401980838622022-01-08T17:11:00.003-08:002022-01-08T17:11:46.716-08:00Travelogue: Nagoya<p> We headed to Nagoya out of desperation. We had been planning to welcome grandparents to Tokyo and then travel to Kyoto, but omicron revoked their visas. Then we were planning another trip to Tohoku, but we waited too long and all the hotels in our budget were full. Universal Studios and Disney were sold out. So, I thought, maybe the boys are still young enough to enjoy Lego Land? </p><p>I found a hotel that sleeps 5 and booked it. As we started researching, so many options kept popping up we didn't end up at Lego Land at all. I'm sure it would have been fun, but 14 is a bit old for it - and it looked very similar to the one we enjoyed in KL a few years ago. So, what did we do in Nagoya?</p><p>Day 1 - Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya. Lunch and leave luggage at the station. Train out to <a href="https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/spots/detail/20/">Inuyama Castle</a>, one of five "national treasure" castles in Japan. We had visited Matsuyama Castle earlier this year, so somehow we'll have to make it out to the other three before we leave (two are fairly remote, so that will take some planning). Train back and then over to our hotel in the Osu area of Nagoya, checking in about 4pm. The boys then took a little screen break, while Greg and I walked around Osu - it had a lot of used clothing shops and some traditional Japanese shops from rice crackers to kimono. In addition to the window shopping, I found some used <i>haori</i> (kimono-like jackets) that I can use for koto concerts if I don't want to get all dressed up in kimono. </p><p>We scouted many delicious dinner locations, but settled on <i>miso-katsu, </i>the Nagoya version of fried pork cutlet. And, we opted for the biggest chain, <a href="https://www.yabaton.com/">Yaboton</a>, over some of the tiny places, because they had no problem seating five people at one table.</p><p>Day 2 - breakfast at a delightful breakfast-only place called <a href="https://earlybirdsbreakfast.com/">Early Birds</a>. Little did we know the day we visited was their 9th anniversary, so we had to wait for a table as many regulars were eating that day, too. Highly recommend the biscuits and bacon! The boys enjoyed the last friend chicken and gravy (only one left - they had to split it.) Given that it only sat about 20 customers at once, somehow we all squeezed around a table meant for three. </p><p>Then we went out to the redeveloped port area (<a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3307.html">Nagoya-ko</a>). After Odaiba's sparkle, we all felt like this redevelopment needed a little sprucing up, but it didn't detract from the fun. The public aquarium was fantastic, with two giant tanks for dolphins and orcas. Because it was a random Tuesday, it was only us and parents with preschoolers ... so plenty of time to plop down and simply watch the tanks. </p><p>After a few hours, we headed over to the Fuji Antarctic ice breaker ship. That was a pretty quick exploration, but fun all the same. Though the boys complained at first, the small Maritime Museum had some really fun moving dioramas of how the new port works - and two simulators where one could drive a ship into a port and also time yourself to take cargo off a ship and into the port. A trip up to the observation deck rounded out the day. </p><p>The area also houses a small amusement park and a human-size maze. We tried to go to the maze, but missed the hours ... and then the boys were too tired to walk all the way back to the other side to the amusement park, so we decided to call it a day and went home for an hour rest in the hotel. </p><p>Dinner was out and about in Osu. I had seen a delicious-looking three table <i>yakiniku</i> (grilled beef) restaurant - but apparently it was so delicious it was all booked all night. So we ended up at a random Turkish restaurant - the authenticity was questionable, but if the kids ate it up, I'm not complaining. And then we enjoyed walking around to find some sweet treats for dessert. </p><p>Day 3 - Breakfast at Denny's. Reliable, quick, comfortable seating for 5, and affordable :) Then we headed out to the <a href="https://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/">JR Central museum </a>- shinkansen (bullet train!) galore! Definitely recommend for any train enthusiast of any age! In addition to going in various trains, you can get tickets for a shinkansen driver simulator, a normal train driver simulator, and being a conductor on a train. The parents mistimed lunch, however, and we almost had a meltdown on our hands when all three boys wanted the same type of sandwich and only one was left. So, that grumpiness cut our time at the museum slightly shorter than we had anticipated. </p><p>After we filled up the stomachs and moods stabilized, we headed to the <a href="http://www.ncsm.city.nagoya.jp/en/">Nagoya Science Museum</a>. At only 400 yen / adult (ages 15 and up, so only me and Greg) for the standard exhibits, this was an amazing deal. Also amazing - all of the hands on exhibits were open (with hand sanitizer everywhere). Had we gone in the morning, we could have also gotten tickets to the planetarium and the deep freeze lab room (not sure what that was, but donning parkas was involved). There was an awesome looking playground outside the museum - but as we went in the afternoon, it was getting dark and cold by the time we were done. So, note to future travelers: visit the science museum first thing in the day!</p><p>Greg and the boys went home for a little screen time, while I headed into a koto shop we had passed on the bus on Day 1. The shopowner was so surprised to talk to me, but he of course found what I had needed (a stand that broke during our move here) and also recommended some new pieces to me. </p><p>For dinner, we met up with the one State Department officer stationed in Nagoya and his wife - for Nagoya chochin chicken. We tried it many ways (fried chicken wings, grilled on a stick, as fried nuggets, with a sauce over rice, and then pudding made from its eggs) and all were very tasty! For this meal, given that we'd be 7 people, I did make reservations. I had to call four places before I found one that could seat us! </p><p>Day 4 - while Greg and I could have stayed longer, the boys were getting tired. They are out of practice for sightseeing and experiencing so many new things after two years of COVID staying home. So, we decided we'd go one place and then head home. </p><p>Breakfast again at Denny's, where the waitress couldn't believe we wanted to order 6 plates of french toast. But, hey, keep the boys fed!! Then we headed over to the <a href="https://www.tcmit.org/english/">Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology</a>, at the site of its first weaving company (before it became a car company). We chose it because of its proximity to Nagoya Station - though there were two other Toyota museum options! </p><p>The museum had a hands on activity center for kids (currently time-limited to 30 minutes due to COVID restrictions) and plenty of exhibits about how weaving looms, steam engines, car parts, car manufacturing, etc etc and so on work. And a big open floor with Toyota models over the ages. </p><p>Lunch was the famous "Toyota curry" at the museum shop. Tasty, filling, and reasonably priced. We walked back to Nagoya Station through the Noritake Garden, with a quick stop for me in the Noritake shop and outlet. I wish I had time to actually shop, but maybe better for my pocket book (and my limited Tokyo kitchen storage space) that I didn't. </p><p>2pm shinkansen back to Tokyo, and we were home to start laundry and dinner without being too tired. </p><p>All in all, a very surprisingly enjoyable excursion - and we probably could have spent another day, had we gone to Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Jingu (shrine), one or both of the other Toyota museums... or even added on LegoLand.</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-35737106525598967692021-12-07T16:55:00.003-08:002022-12-23T02:38:05.703-08:00Travelogue: Sleeps 5<p> In a country with a declining population, the tourism industry seems to have adapted. Meaning, I've found it quite difficult to find reasonably priced hotels that sleep a family of five. Certainly upscale ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) are abundant - and one can simply throw in more futons on the floor. But these are quite the experiences including elaborate traditional breakfast and dinner, that can run $200+ per person per night. Yup, you read that right. </p><p>So, for our domestic travel, I've generally stuck to AirBnB. I can find houses or apartments in most places for around $2-300/night. Not a "deal," but at least within the realm of acceptable. This is Japan, after all. </p><p>Sometimes, though, I just want a hotel. Someone else to keep the place neat and make breakfast, so it feels like a real vacation. I've found two places so far ... and let's see by the time we leave Japan how many more I end up with on this list. </p><p><a href="http://hakuaki.com/">Hotel New Hakuaki</a></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Ibaraki Prefecture, near Hitachi Seaside Park</li><li>Japanese rooms can fit 5 or 6 on futons</li><li>Rooms have full bath, and access to the onsen</li><li>When I called the hotel, they were happy to adjust our charge to only have breakfast, fully understanding that my American kids don't eat fancy Japanese dinner. </li><li>Some of the staff could speak some English, but I communicated exclusively in Japanese</li></ul><div><a href="http://tenguproperties.com/hakuba-panorama-hotel/">Hakuba Panorama Hotel</a></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Hakuba, Nagano Prefecture</li><li>Combo Western/Japanese room can sleep 5 (two single beds, three futon)</li><li>Full bath in room, and access to the onsen</li><li>Communication in English no problem! They can also help set up ski rentals, lessons, etc.</li></ul><div><a href="https://www.goldstay.jp/osu/">Gold Stay Nagoya Osu</a></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture</li><li>Western style hotel room with bunk beds to accommodate 5 or 6. Has a small kitchenette and a sofa to sit everyone, too.</li><li>One stop from the main Nagoya train station</li><li>Easy English booking on Booking.com with the messaging ap for any questions.</li></ul><div><a href="https://mimaruhotels.com/en/hotel/shinmachi-sanjo/">Mimaru Shinmachi Sanjo (Kyoto)</a></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Apartment style hotel, similar to Gold Stay Osu above. Rooms for up to 6 people, with kitchenette and sofa.</li><li>Locations in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka. Shinmachi Sanjo location was very centrally located in Kyoto, easy to main streets, taxis, and metro. </li><li>All self-catering, but a convenience store and super market within one block.</li><li>Fully bilingual staff.</li><li>A select number of rooms have a Pokemon! theme.</li></ul></div><p></p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-39143835767381833162021-11-19T14:33:00.000-08:002021-11-19T14:33:08.607-08:00Travelogue: Yamagata<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(editorial note - I am so out of practice posting here, I have forgotten how to wrap text around the photos. So, to be edited eventually!) </span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/eastpass_t.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5-day rail pass to Tohoku</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for only 20,000 yen per person prompted Tohoku travel research. Falling upon </span><a href="https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Hidden Japan</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’s website, my son and I decided to go around Yamagata Prefecture. Derek Yamashita, a former JET, now living in Yamagata and running The Hidden Japan (as well as a photography/video business), helped put together a really wonderful itinerary. I highly recommend reaching out to Derek if any of this interests you! </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 1: Shinkansen Tokyo (9:24) → Yamagata (11:50). Drop bags off at the Metropolitan Hotel at the station, quick tonkatsu lunch at Hiraboku at the station, to catch the 12:56 train to Yamadera. The train only leaves once an hour, so you have to be quick! </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 170px; overflow: hidden; width: 243px;"><img height="183.372369788144" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fSEipPt-dNQYwdjm81yoaVDvEyt0wh58QtYvjhDzo8vZsCYfH9gpWamwTm_QGYvUyIcc35LeuyxKhBRNJkNmplrR_Flj5RdPOxfEnR1Gv7qIQ2QQmgbwQDm0ZkMXk4xcidsedWe5" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="243" /><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We spent the afternoon hiking up the 1,000 steps to Yamadera with a beautiful view over the valley. On the way down, we enjoyed the shopping street where, if you’re lucky, farmers will also have tables out with fresh fruit! </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4:02 train back to Yamagata. If you’re tired, check-in to the hotel, rest a bit like we did. More energetic folk might prefer to walk first to Kajo Park to see a restored castle. For dinner, there are plenty of restaurants around the station. We enjoyed a </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yakiniku</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> place called Taiga run by a friendly grandma and grandpa.</span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 183px; overflow: hidden; width: 138px;"><img height="183" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YBPMJHo--imm3E9qCeA6h87m2d_MCC1I4IWub0gKR0R--CDf7f-g7BvNgKp5Tvp7igx26von4HIlvSQcX_xi4aMtZbCOm5nJVD9jj3czGTQpXjkkef_LqsYbxy9NvEwZGs2FJy3K" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="138" /><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 2: We packed this day with activities organized by Derek. In the morning, a lovely woman named Horikawa-san opened her traditional home to teach us how to make tofu and imomi beef stew with Yamagata beef. This was William’s favorite part of the trip (even though he doesn’t eat tofu!) because Horikawa-san was so friendly - and the stew was really tasty. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the afternoon, we took the train south to Kaminoyama Onsen for a three-hour guided cycling tour. We visited a fruit farm (cut and eat!), a daimyo rest house turned museum (</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Naragesyuku Wakihonjin Takizawaya</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), and Tanno konyaku store. The grapes were amazingly sweet, as were the pears. The small museum has a number of treasures to see from the Edo times. William tried the “meat flavored” konyaku and really thought it was </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yakitori</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">! I enjoyed the konyaku fruit flavored popsicle. </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 170px; overflow: hidden; width: 151px;"><img height="207.8642966501628" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/nAk-wIqsPl_BA0S1NmD0Q9AQRkbn5LuPiUxxXOyp-XT0VO_O4DEDJ7V1nl9sSpB7x_3pBe8LfwAGkyPPKMfuzg_iFirlBceP5-Et_X3TTjlgJ8LtNJAa8FbTKoNz4Yl7YjGk1Az-" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -15.852163530537783px;" width="156.03333333333336" /><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Had we done the bike tour in the morning, I probably would have stopped at the Kaminoyama Castle before heading back to Yamagata. But, in the fall that far north, it was already getting dark before 5pm! Tired after our bike ride, we once again got Yamagata beef for dinner - an upscale </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yakiniku</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> place called </span><a href="https://kaki-kiwami.com/en/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kaki Kiwami</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 185px; overflow: hidden; width: 138px;"><img height="158.88427734375" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/IJJz53-AW7c5I6BGQak7OqdaTfMO2ZcVwlbtOV7T5F2sIp_sel70_u0YSCYgrAlQecMIMHhS2D02sFWekE_L_q_rPkxuqVNXcOdbnlSxUDNxHGqPfoD7rLDl1pGtVOqTUOLI3uwl" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="138" /><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 3: We headed to Zao Onsen for some hiking on mountains usually used for skiing. Bus departed Yamagata Station at 9:20 (Y1000), arriving about 45 minutes later. We dropped our bags off at </span><a href="https://meito-lucent.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hotel Lucent Takamiya </span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and then headed to the cable car to take us up. After a snack at the </span><a href="http://sangoro.co.jp/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forest Inn Sangoro</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, we then went on a 1.5 hour hike on well-marked trails around Zao. We stopped in the Sangoro lodge again for a tasty lunch - definitely try the pudding made with local milk and honey for dessert! - and then went on another hike (about an hour, return) to a waterfall. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cable car back down the mountain, and we were at our hotel between 3 and 4pm - enough time to enjoy the onsen (or catch a show on Netflix, if onsens aren’t your thing) before dinner. Dinner and breakfast at the onsen were traditional Japanese. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 4: We checked out early to catch the 8:40 bus back to Yamagata, arriving 9:25. We had about 30 minutes to get a coffee and snack, and then took a 10:08 shinkansen three stops north to Murayama. </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 163px; overflow: hidden; width: 275px;"><img height="182.99648117255103" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/uS7CCFjvu8JjULPwSbfj-1tzS0lsQJOcDeSjWN01M5sCF1Z-s5IxAo3MGWRBWqQp0rPpD-Ie7qDqJUb3k5RGnKn3PRNFBzzt_KAmwfrElMt19XgQqeCSrwDwkpk1hebsGUpBaZV6" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -9.049630672739596px;" width="275" /><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Again arranged by Derek, we had a class in Iaido, a type of marshal art developed in Yamagata. We learned about its history and tradition, some basic moves, and then at the end tested our skills with using a real blade to chop through a tatami mat. The instructor was very knowledgeable and friendly and patient while Derek or I searched for the right Japanese word to help William understand (as William doesn’t speak Japanese). </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-b232e6e4-7fff-0ba5-f4e1-c227edc246d0"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The original plan was then to try some of Murayama’s famous soba for lunch before heading back to Tokyo. Either at a restaurant or maybe a place or two that lets you experience making it. But, after such a filled schedule, William was ready for a quick snack and the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">shinkansen</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> home. (and a Shake Shack burger at Tokyo Station on arrival :) )</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYVWYEjFRkuIYnWrNx9gPsrWpKZ7OEemuxkSS7tFUxVjS9ouMzFU4SvagJwxNaPRmBHkrcEnt0rrYOLREpiwfIKoOtl4kmH3HgGD7HXgRwyIzj4f1effbre0pRIt_PCMwz5dcz8jK_-NR/s2048/IMG_20211020_171921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYVWYEjFRkuIYnWrNx9gPsrWpKZ7OEemuxkSS7tFUxVjS9ouMzFU4SvagJwxNaPRmBHkrcEnt0rrYOLREpiwfIKoOtl4kmH3HgGD7HXgRwyIzj4f1effbre0pRIt_PCMwz5dcz8jK_-NR/w240-h320/IMG_20211020_171921.jpg" title="Japan is great, but sometimes you just need a good hamburger" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></span></span></span></div>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-22124293991284753752021-07-22T00:30:00.001-07:002021-07-22T00:31:48.497-07:00Out and About: Shinagawa Aquarium and Park<p> It is broiling hot. "Feels like 101" hot. It will be hot like this until September, I expect. It is also a four day weekend with the Olympics starting and VVIPs in town and not really a time for the parents to take a trip out of town, no matter how much the boys might want to return to Shimoda. So. What to do aside from the pool? </p><p>I thought about taking the kiddos to check out <a href="https://www.sporu.jp/">Sporu</a>, a big sports complex, but the surfing lessons were booked through the end of August (Japanese people love to plan!) and a walk to work and back left me drenched. Idea postponed until fall. </p><p>So, we opted for the <a href="https://www.aquarium.gr.jp/">Shinagawa Aquarium</a>. Last year we weren't doing things indoors ... but as this COVID thing has dragged on and 3/5 of us are vaccinated ... now things like the aquarium are still new. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqq-rJqkj2QDnCbl-GHhljRMB-cMRnCI61TgxLFiGG2vPuR9lZDLzaiOC-JqepLozz80LmJBDkLk4Ywg8zHlSfYQCNPFqwOVU6YIGilR1Pvj_XPX_Gjqzbmba2Z-0BwoGbeoEhxeEu0qS/s4032/IMG_20210722_130219.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqq-rJqkj2QDnCbl-GHhljRMB-cMRnCI61TgxLFiGG2vPuR9lZDLzaiOC-JqepLozz80LmJBDkLk4Ywg8zHlSfYQCNPFqwOVU6YIGilR1Pvj_XPX_Gjqzbmba2Z-0BwoGbeoEhxeEu0qS/w98-h130/IMG_20210722_130219.jpg" width="98" /></a></div><br /> It's very manageable (2 hours is fine) and affordable (adult ticket about $13). A perfect half day activity. And, amazingly, all three children (who now span elementary, middle and high school) enjoyed it (though of course they whined about leaving the house and then made a beeline for the exit once they saw it. *sigh.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimalNS9HCclZmvwKqnmS6MqJB5nxFr5uic2l7sEJzXGXQXgZwOJIRzzTYydxmdFYZnBV3Q8G-4_BaG3kHJQrpMO4_L-ungvIqIGvb39-xukKS-XQXaYQqtqyf5RD0IE3bIR10Xks_FpLRK/s4032/IMG_20210722_133849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimalNS9HCclZmvwKqnmS6MqJB5nxFr5uic2l7sEJzXGXQXgZwOJIRzzTYydxmdFYZnBV3Q8G-4_BaG3kHJQrpMO4_L-ungvIqIGvb39-xukKS-XQXaYQqtqyf5RD0IE3bIR10Xks_FpLRK/s320/IMG_20210722_133849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvOOds8JKc0nbZjrmvFwNuiqq6CdRagokIeUGHWWw0LkhhP6rKXQy7VCi44pr6APNQLZJTWSCF4qnm0ONI7dRK6i36iaGMesNdROiWjrmyK7C_CkafnT1aTTJWgf0UAf0DKynJw74kV0r/s4032/IMG_20210722_122739.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvOOds8JKc0nbZjrmvFwNuiqq6CdRagokIeUGHWWw0LkhhP6rKXQy7VCi44pr6APNQLZJTWSCF4qnm0ONI7dRK6i36iaGMesNdROiWjrmyK7C_CkafnT1aTTJWgf0UAf0DKynJw74kV0r/w150-h200/IMG_20210722_122739.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The website showed a cafe and a restaurant, so I figured we'd get lunch there. I was a little confused when we were walking up at 11:45 and all the couples, families and friend groups were at big picnic tables with their bento box lunches. We kept walking down to the entrance -- only to find the cafe only sold coffee, ice cream, soda, and Japanese sandwiches (anko bean paste and butter, anyone?), and the restaurant had a line of 20 people. SO, back to a "taco rice" food truck and the picnic tables it was. Note to self: next time to bring our own lunch. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOTwcQrVXiyPjZTTmOv31WWQX0rM142pQOLyikpeeEhO0WwoU8Nf_vK7To_u6_yVNukBplpyZv85IfAYLjnkngiijpTZ2wKva5f7iCGsLW7MfwOYPGAw05nbn752bntthLDTpg0Ivbv_9/s4032/IMG_20210722_143218.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOTwcQrVXiyPjZTTmOv31WWQX0rM142pQOLyikpeeEhO0WwoU8Nf_vK7To_u6_yVNukBplpyZv85IfAYLjnkngiijpTZ2wKva5f7iCGsLW7MfwOYPGAw05nbn752bntthLDTpg0Ivbv_9/s320/IMG_20210722_143218.jpg" /></a></div>The web tickets worked fine (yay), and they also sold day of tickets at the door (unusual in these COVID times, but maybe since it was such a manageable size, the turnover is high enough -- it certainly wasn't overcrowded). Various websites mentioned the possibility of a fish foot spa, but the online ticket sales had a ticket to get your own pearl out of an oyster so I selected that option. <p></p><p>The small one was too tired by the time we walked through to actually then wait our turn for the oyster pearl thing, so since that ticket is valid through the end of the year - and the oldest said it was fun enough to go back - I'll try and remember where in my wallet I put those tickets for safe keeping. </p><p>On the way home, we walked by <a href="https://bestlivingjapan.com/shinagawa-childrens-adventure-park/">Shinagawa Children's Park</a>. A blog I like has apparently highly recommended it - not sure how I missed that! But, remember at the top I said it was a "feels like 101" day, so needless to say after one ride each on the rope swing and stopping a few minutes to watch a middle school baseball game (the boys really miss sports teams ... the Japanese teams are all going, but the expat English ones and school ones were more COVID conservative), we went on our merry way. Another thing to check out in the spring or fall - or next summer if the water park area opens up if a post-COVID world ever comes. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8grtUl4hc-upDMs-J1WsvZSWm1dR6r4N-HtqDS9iDoW3eIC-5utV6NOAGXjIsUajwE0fKfpU4J6cA4L0O68XDpxDe-iyTpFUAxyqi6zQkzsy4RhPfX9JoUraSGlmPN4oefZp5FhJ4Xhm/s4032/IMG_20210722_144952.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8grtUl4hc-upDMs-J1WsvZSWm1dR6r4N-HtqDS9iDoW3eIC-5utV6NOAGXjIsUajwE0fKfpU4J6cA4L0O68XDpxDe-iyTpFUAxyqi6zQkzsy4RhPfX9JoUraSGlmPN4oefZp5FhJ4Xhm/w150-h200/IMG_20210722_144952.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><p></p><p>And, in small signs that perhaps normal life is coming back, this neighborhood street near the train station looked decked out for a summer festival. The <i>matsuri</i> my neighborhood used to have were pretty fun - I bet some neighborhoods now are really looking forward to having some again. <br /></p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-6998908644688271562021-07-17T14:23:00.001-07:002021-07-17T14:23:15.550-07:00Travelogue: Shimoda<p> We're hardly taking any trips right now (thank you, COVID). Others are more adventurous, but the thought of a kiddo getting a normal cold while we're somewhere else, in this hyper sensitive environment, causes me some second thoughts, especially about flying with the necessary airplane temperature checks. Luckily, we found another family with two boys similar ages to ours, so we went skiing with them in February and to Shimoda in July. </p><p>Shimoda is a well-known beach area on the Izu Peninsula - first gaining popularity in the 1970s for a domestic honeymoon spot (search in Japanese for "Shimoda romantic hotel" seems it may still be!). Little coves all along the way make for different beach experiences. </p><p>We rented an AirBnB near Kisami beach, well known for beginner surfing waves. No, we didn't try. But we did buy two body boards and had loads of fun jumping waves. Every now and then was a pretty big one -- the boys and I each at various points didn't time a jump properly and got a little pummeled, but the undertoe wasn't too bad and we popped right back up. The little kids, though, stuck to the waters edge and an area where a stream emptied into the ocean. Our AirBnB host commented Sotoura beach was probably better for younger kids as it only has very gentle waves.</p><p>Since our children are creatures of habit, the lunch/dinners I didn't cook at home we ate at the White Beach Cafe, steps off of the beach, with pizzas, pastas and few other items. Quite tasty - and even better they would let a family open a tab, so the kids could go over and order by themselves, with us settling up at the end of the day. I'm sure other delicious eats exist, but why leave the 500 meter beeline from the house to the beach when there's something great along the way? </p><p>What we didn't do in Shimoda was visit the museum where Commodore Perry negotiated the first US-Japan treaty. (He landed in Yokohama in 1853, but then had a second visit in 1854 to ink the deal. Wikipedia crash course <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Expedition">here</a>.) A monk at the temple where the negotiation took place gave my language class a fantastic presentation - but the boys were having so much fun on the beach, messing around with the other kids, I didn't want to be "that mom" who spoiled the fun. Especially since it was about a 4 hour drive and easy to return to. So, I guess that means we have to go back!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-oTcX3MGdYThdLfLfhKQ7gdj5z1D-BovmcuaJTgAEI-jwS2ub5Cf0b71kaiV4wKoLinRcuBAhpY8leTA_5hwEq6ojGP-92832mXWn5sDZe8eZsDvPrD2_371yBJ_xdNFOEb4RSlK5A5f/s4032/IMG_20210710_160939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-oTcX3MGdYThdLfLfhKQ7gdj5z1D-BovmcuaJTgAEI-jwS2ub5Cf0b71kaiV4wKoLinRcuBAhpY8leTA_5hwEq6ojGP-92832mXWn5sDZe8eZsDvPrD2_371yBJ_xdNFOEb4RSlK5A5f/w320-h240/IMG_20210710_160939.jpg" title="Kisami beach in Shimoda" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o2VmbK1zYmDB1Dk0s3kFrGPtkB6b5pyHRGZG14GIChPDuuNxEQPybmm_g9Z1FrWj0C3g_dd_7pthFkB6XcWTfel9355CBC1ggRs3vS_g8ei3caqsVIs7Q2pmOQ6vPsI7-AULUh1Bj6uN/s4032/IMG_20210711_122326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o2VmbK1zYmDB1Dk0s3kFrGPtkB6b5pyHRGZG14GIChPDuuNxEQPybmm_g9Z1FrWj0C3g_dd_7pthFkB6XcWTfel9355CBC1ggRs3vS_g8ei3caqsVIs7Q2pmOQ6vPsI7-AULUh1Bj6uN/w320-h240/IMG_20210711_122326.jpg" title="Hunting for crabs where the stream goes into the ocean" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-65705600761124587402021-04-10T15:23:00.000-07:002021-04-10T15:23:16.667-07:00Out and About: Hanegi ParkIt's been COVID-times (<i>korona-ka</i> in Japanese) for over a year. As a family, we are simultaneously itching to go out and do things while mindful of constantly fluctuating case numbers and a low vaccination rate. Also, changing habits (sticking close to home) is really hard. I used a mandatory dentist appointment yesterday as an excuse to explore a park recommended to us last summer - it was only four train stops from the dentist, and the boys could get Burger King takeout for picnic lunch to sweeten the deal. <div><br /></div><div>You can read someone else's blog about the park here: https://bestlivingjapan.com/hanegi-park/ All the same, I thought it would be fun to document places we've been under this "out and about" heading, so that (when we leave in a few years), I have a list of things to pass onto new families. </div><div><br /></div><div>Best attribute of Hanegi for our kids -- lots of climbing and no rules as long as you are safe. They were on top of sheds and a small house in the park. I almost had a heart attack when they were exploring new ways to climb up to a roof that involved balancing on a swinging door (!!). Other fun stuff - a giant slide, and huge rope swing, a place to build a fire, and just general running around with no rules (such a rarity in Tokyo's parks). </div><div><br /></div><div>The only thing we couldn't figure out was how to spin a Japanese top. (like <a href="https://spingear.jp/index.php?dispatch=products.view&sl=en&product_id=2171">this</a>). No matter how carefully we wound the string, we just couldn't get the wrist flick. They didn't seem interested to try and learn at home it was so hard! But, definitely would be a good non-iPad activity if they had the patience to learn.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbIJprehYzyT4vNI9KhOiE2S7_aSS0Osk-bqZIP3EqTdTiSeIbuT3t4-g49-w7OTad4DLoOZoAXm3-tQgZDTwMltKOJKzyQ-yDRQAJ782fHYhOORK7KdbIvklrm_oktPO5Cr3gcdXZII9/s4032/IMG_20210410_130731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbIJprehYzyT4vNI9KhOiE2S7_aSS0Osk-bqZIP3EqTdTiSeIbuT3t4-g49-w7OTad4DLoOZoAXm3-tQgZDTwMltKOJKzyQ-yDRQAJ782fHYhOORK7KdbIvklrm_oktPO5Cr3gcdXZII9/w320-h240/IMG_20210410_130731.jpg" title="Enjoying the rope swing" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJ2-LqCQBr3LdzaPqgI3ifOYO1KeU3GnHQskl8z5QgULOi7BdULcRu8G4wj-mQ0VepK3AlIKHu2VUt6mm7OZDG9JkSZcwH4TJtE4ZtOXOhObaq1fM3QUYqAObJbQ6K-aiElj7t3vNYayi/s4032/IMG_20210410_135748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJ2-LqCQBr3LdzaPqgI3ifOYO1KeU3GnHQskl8z5QgULOi7BdULcRu8G4wj-mQ0VepK3AlIKHu2VUt6mm7OZDG9JkSZcwH4TJtE4ZtOXOhObaq1fM3QUYqAObJbQ6K-aiElj7t3vNYayi/w320-h240/IMG_20210410_135748.jpg" title="Checking out the maze from the top" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-86374780545966032672021-02-03T04:00:00.003-08:002021-02-03T04:00:47.935-08:00On Driving<p> I feel like I need to attach a GoPro to our car, so you can get a sense of driving here. Obviously, driving on the left takes a little adjustment, but I learned to do that way back in the day in India. Even after six months, I still occasionally turn on the wipers instead of the turn signal. But only one time did I drive on the wrong side of the road (after pulling out of a parking lot onto a tiny street). </p><p>What's really crazy, though, are the highways in town. Driving on an elevated toll road that twists and turns and has no shoulder is really something. Entrance ramps, exit ramps, or merging to other toll roads could be on either side as they are built for where space is - and there's not much space. It requires such concentration to stay in the lane, stay aware of where cars are coming from, stay alert for the signs in Japanese (or unfamiliar English place names) for where to go, and stay focused on the road and not on the buildings/river/Mt Fuji. </p><p>An hour trip south to Yokohama leaves me pretty tired. I come back just after lunch and am pretty much shot for the day. </p><p>And, while I've never experienced, I think speed racing at 2am on the highways must be a thing, because I can hear it from the highway near our house. A friend confirmed my suspicions - and he said his friend told him she totaled her Porsche going around a curve too fast on the highway at a 3am joy ride. And that Porsches are better than Lambos on the Tokyo highways. I said he traveled in circles beyond mine :) I don't think I'll be in a real life "Tokyo Drift" situation anytime soon - but I can see where the fascination comes from.</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-27252827465372908732021-01-14T01:36:00.002-08:002021-01-14T01:36:29.716-08:00Cross cultural influences during childhood: paying cash<p> A long running joke in my marriage is how I always like to put cash payments in an envelope. Greg has rolled his eyes soooo many times as I hunted around the house for an envelope to pay someone, from a delivery guy to a nanny. "Just give them the cash, they don't care!" And yet, still I just couldn't do that. </p><p>One of our kids is now editing videos, also called "making Fortnite montages" in modern parlance. He's gotten pretty good, occasionally winning "shout outs" on YouTube in small competitions. His friends at school think this is really cool -- as you can tell, I'm still learning about this new world, but he's passionate about something that's creative and productive so that's great. Productive as in, apparently kids actually pay him money to make these clips that they can then post on their social media.</p><p>Based on this reputation, one of his friends at school asked him to make a montage. Our son came home today and said, "Look! He offered to pay me $10 for the video! And he put it in this envelope he gave me at recess labeled 'For Fortnite Montage.' It feels so much more official than getting passed cash!" </p><p>Immediately... Greg burst out laughing. "Now I know why your mom always has to pay people cash in an envelope!" </p><p>Incidentally, I never have to hunt for an envelope here because the stationary stores in Tokyo sell inexpensive envelopes just the right size for yen bills. So, I simply bought a pack and keep it in my desk - so handy for operating in a society still so cash-based.</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-51225044113614682422020-12-04T19:27:00.001-08:002020-12-04T19:27:22.676-08:00On English<p>So many foreigners are surprised at the lack of English in Tokyo, despite mandatory English classes in secondary school. This topic came up during my koto (Japanese zither) music lesson the other week. My koto teacher had an interesting take, which I hadn't heard before. </p><p>She admitted to me that she can speak English - but she's more comfortable in Japanese, so she's happy to have our class in Japanese. (and, anyway, I'm happy to continue in Japanese since this is my year to focus on language acquisition.) This was funny, because I had had about three classes before she even told me she could speak English. I commented that, when I lived in Vietnam, if someone spoke even a tiny bit of English he or she would always try to practice with me. And, though I was trying to learn Vietnamese and wanted to practice with them, it was really hard to find people willing to talk in my middling Vietnamese skills. </p><p>On the other hand, everyone in Japan seemed happy to start out in Japanese. I wasn't sure if it was because they were more used to hearing foreign-accented Japanese, or perhaps because lack of English-speaking confidence on their part. </p><p>She offered a different possible idea. She noted one of her friends has a shop, and started speaking English to a foreign customer who walked in. But, that person didn't speak English. And then commented how it was tiring to him that everyone assumed he could speak English because he was Caucasian, but he couldn't - however he could speak Japanese. Thus, the friend now speaks Japanese to all customers, until the customer asks if she can speak English -- because the friend doesn't want to offend customers by assuming all Caucasians speak English. </p><p>I have no idea how widespread this thinking is, but it is interesting to step out of my American-centric viewpoint to think about how English prevalence might be viewed by others.</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-11293775465633298412020-11-08T20:52:00.002-08:002020-11-08T20:52:11.983-08:00The same, no matter what culture or language<p> I was walking back from some errands today, and saw a scene play out that was so familiar, though the dress and language was different. I'm sure any parent of three kids - particularly three boys - can relate.</p><p>Our residential compound is near two shrines. November is the "<i>shichi-go-san</i>" (7-5-3) festival month, when boys who are 5 years old and girls who are 3 and 7 years old go for a blessing. The children dress up in fancy Western clothes or traditional Japanese clothes. Brothers usually wear a dark suit (with shorts for the younger boys), and sisters a pretty dress. Dads/grandpas in dark suits and moms/grandmas in either a dark dress or a seasonally appropriate kimono. It's super fun seeing these family groups walk by. </p><p>Today I was walking home and saw to boys, maybe 7 and 9 years old, chasing each other up the street. The younger one in a short pants suit and the older one in slacks/tie/button down/v-neck sweater. Then a dad popped around the corner and yelled along the lines of, "stop running! this is a street with cars. Please walk nicely back here." I chuckled, having been in that situation so many times. </p><p>Then I got to the top of the block, and a little 5 year old in traditional Japanese dress was crying as his mom in her kimono wiped her tears. As the now chastised two older brothers stood looking at their feet, the mom scolded them again for running in the street -- and also for running around and goofing off when their little brother, on his special day, couldn't run around because he was in the fancy clothes. </p><p>And then the mom apologizing to the grandparents for the boys being crazy. </p><p>And then all three of the boys being kind of upset and what was supposed to be a happy day, ending up being stressful. </p><p>Oh, how many times have I been there? I'm pretty sure every parent in any culture can imagine that scenario. But yet, a bit more beautiful when kimonos are involved.</p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-33027681190679758612020-10-27T21:44:00.001-07:002020-10-27T21:44:50.714-07:00All for a chicken katsu<p> It's fall break for the boys, but not for the parents. And I'm studying from home right now, so this week is a mix of planning activities out of the house for the boys to do with our nanny and having small excursions when I have breaks in my class. </p><p>Monday we went to try takeout from <a href="http://tacorico.jp/location.html" target="_blank">Taco Rico</a>, a Chipotle-inspired restaurant. It wasn't bad - we've been in Tokyo long enough that the taste was close enough to be enjoyable. (I've often found I shouldn't eat my favorite American foods within three months of being in America!) On the walk to Taco Rico, we passed a lunch spot cooking up tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet), and one kid declared it smelled so good, we had to go back. </p><p>Tuesday the boys explored <a href="https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/en/tourists/" target="_blank">Tokyo Dome City</a> and ate at Shake Shack (yes, that's here - with local flavor such as a Japanese mushroom burger or a black sesame milk shake, in addition to the more "normal" American options). So, today became tonkatsu day. </p><p>Two boys opted to make their own lunch from left overs rather than go walk out and about for lunch. What a treat to (a) have kids old enough now to stay home on their own and make their own lunch and (b) spend an hour with just one of the three! </p><p>As we walked toward where we had smelled that delicious smell on Monday, I warned that some Japanese lunch places have a rotating menu, so maybe the tonkatsu wouldn't be there. Which sparked an interesting conversation about would the restaurant have, say, five menus (every Monday is tonkatsu?), 20 menus, or 365? Or maybe it would have tonkatsu every day and only do that. Sadly, today's choices were spicy chicken curry or a "hambagu" (hamburger patty with other sides). The boy said usually those would be ok, but he really wanted tonkatsu, soo.... </p><p>We went on a hunt as I was fairly sure I remembered a chicken restaurant had <i>yakitori, </i>chicken curry, and chicken <i>katsu</i> for their daily takeout options. Thankfully it did.</p><p>But, then, we arrived at 11:15 ... and the restaurant didn't open until 11:30. AND it only took cash, but I didn't quite have enough not having checked my wallet when we left. After all the walking hunting for <i>katsu, </i>his little legs were a bit tired - and he didn't want to have to walk all the way back home to get cash and then go back. </p><p>But, this being a family-run chicken place, I knocked on the door and of course the wife who doubles as the hostess and order taker opened the door, even thought it was a little early. I apologized for being early, but explained we were looking for chicken <i>katsu</i> for my son, but I had forgotten my cash. And would it be too much trouble for him to wait in the entry way while I ran back for some money? She of course said it was no problem for her to watch him, and off I went while her husband prepared our take out. </p><p>I returned with the payment, and I doubt while I was gone my child even looked up from my phone which I left with him :) In any case, off we went, chicken <i>katsu</i> in hand. And said child declared, "next time I want it, I can walk here myself and order myself, because I can point to what I want on the picture paper and easily give her 1,000 yen. That's good to know!" So, I guess I don't have to worry about him ever going hungry :) </p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-16819389106846721452020-10-15T18:41:00.003-07:002020-10-15T18:41:58.288-07:00Wondering what else is hiddenEvery country has its own financial system, but in my experience so far, Japan's is quite unique. It relies significantly on bank transfers to pay bills - credit cards are used (though not to the extent as in the US) and, aside from PayPal for some online purchases, I haven't really discovered yet other e-payment systems. ATMs often only function during business hours (pro-tip: most 7-11 convenience stores are 24/7, so if you need to get cash at odd hours, that's my go-to.)<div><br /></div><div>Anyway. Though we usually try to avoid setting up a local bank account when we move, it seemed inevitable here. Even if we didn't have, say, soccer team payments, the highway EZ-Pass equivalent can only be linked to a domestic Japanese credit card... which can only be paid by a domestic Japanese bank account. Thus, as we do hope to take some road trips with our new-to-us Honda Odyssey, no choice but to open a local account. One of my Japanese teachers dubbed this the "Galapagos Mentality" -- as an island nation, they keep things locally-specific. </div><div><br /></div><div>With the post office bank account all set up, we ventured out today to attempt two bank transfers. The ATM had a "English" button, but no options looked promising. On the Japanese screen there was a "EZ Pay" button, but clicking that then required a "payment code" which wasn't in any of the bills I had received. After a few minutes of staring at the other Japanese and English options, I asked the post office employee for some help. </div><div><br /></div><div>She showed us which button to push and walked us through the Japanese menu choices - needless to say, it wasn't too hard once we knew what to push and learned the Japanese banking words (not really something taught in diplomatic Japanese classes or in my university literature and culture focused classes). After she left, we even paid the second bill on our own with only one incorrect button. Yay. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then out of curiosity, we went back to the English menu to see what we had missed. Only to find that the option choices under the English menu really were completely different. We never found a way to pay an account in another bank. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which makes me wonder, as we go about daily life here, what else might be hidden when using the English version of things rather than the Japanese one? Thankfully my Japanese is good enough that, with not too much effort, we can power through in the Japanese versions. But if Greg or Lea are trying something on their own - or if I'm just feeling tired - I think there will definitely be things we will miss. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm 100% sure this probably happened in Vietnam, too, but my Vietnamese was never quite strong enough to be so aware of it. All the more reason to try and operate as much as possible in Japanese, so we don't get an edited version of what might be out there.</div>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-6212773751422202552020-10-01T16:20:00.000-07:002020-10-01T16:20:04.411-07:00"What is it like, all that moving?"<p>I spent about 20 minutes on the phone today with an Amica representative, finally closing out all our US-based insurance policies I really lament that Amica doesn't have policies for people living overseas, because they really have fantastic customer service. They've been so patient and responsive - from quickly handling a fender bender we had days before we moved to explaining what we should close when based on what situation we were in. Anyway, that is a different story. </p><p>Today, wrapping up the lose ends, as the agent was reading through the notes in our file over last last two months while we were waiting for the systems to confirm everything was closed out, she said, "wow, Japan. That's really exciting. What's it like, all that moving?"</p><p>I gave her my usual anodyne answer, as that's what people expect to hear: "It has its challenges, but overall is exciting and enjoyable for us." Then I paused and added, "This move was a little weird, since we don't know when we can visit home next." She commiserated on the COVID-induced travel restrictions (I mean, even when we were in MD, we didn't visit family in TX, so at some level it doesn't matter where we are). But, she really wanted to know what it was like to move especially overseas. </p><p>We do it so often, I couldn't really encapsulate it for her well. But, after I hung up the phone, the perfect example presented itself. </p><p>Moving so much is - having two drawers full of cords and constantly rearranging which ones you are using where, hoping you don't have to buy yet another one, to try and adjust the outlets to fit the way you'd like to set up your house. In other words, trying to use what you have and know, but also knowing when to let go of the familiar and embrace the new and present.</p><p>When you live in one house, you don't really think about the outlets. Lamps, TVs, gadgets -- all have their proper place. Maybe an occasional furniture rearrangement or introduction of a new gadget will necessitate a review of what is where, but in general, those sorts of things stay put. </p><p>But over the moves, we've had such oddly placed outlets, and such a variety of plugs, sometimes necessitating transformers, we've accumulated quite the collection. And we try things out and have to adjust when we figure out what does or doesn't work (like after this morning's near meltdown when one child realized, <b>again</b>, he plugged his school laptop into the plug that was attached to the light switch and the switch was off over night... So, what extension cords did we have to enable him to plug in his laptop in that corner of the room rather than another? And praying as we sort through the box that we can use something we have and don't have to buy yet another cord!). </p><p>Thankfully this time, with adjusting a few cords from other rooms, we could use what we had. </p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-78251895826262936382020-09-07T21:12:00.002-07:002020-09-07T21:12:42.009-07:00Considering posting again<p>We started this blog, in January 2009, on moving to Hyderabad. Since then, so much has changed in how we (as a society) use the Internet. How we think about posting kids' information. How much we share as privacy concerns expanded. </p><p>Then in 2016, we (a family) moved to Vietnam, where blogging has an entirely different meaning. For sure, many blog about vacations and food ... but some also use it for political dissidence. </p><p>So, between sorting out what my personal privacy guidelines were and observing first hand restrictions on others' Internet freedom, it just wasn't the right time to blog. At all. </p><p>Now, though, I find us in Tokyo. And I have some fun experiences I'd like to share with family back home - experiences that would be way too long for a Facebook post. </p><p>Like today. I had an hour break in my Japanese class, so I decided to go and try and mail something to my sister in Colorado. I wanted to be able to track it, so figured FedEx would be good. But a little online research showed Japan Post's express mail service was only $20 to FedEx's $60. OK, fine, off to Japan Post I went. And then this conversation ensued (in Japanese):</p><div style="text-align: left;"><span> Me: Hi, I'd like to mail this EMS to the United States<br /></span><span><span> Her: EMS. Yes... To the United States.. Well...<br /></span></span><span><span><span> Me (thinking EMS wasn't an abbreviation used in Japanese): Yes, by EMS I mean quickly and with a tracking number and signature required on delivery. Maybe "EMS" isn't a Japanese abbreviation.<br /></span></span></span><span><span><span><span> Her (looking in a book): Yes, we use "EMS" in Japanese. But, if you would like EMS, maybe you should use FedEx or DHL or (she lists three other companies)<br /></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: Oh, so Japan Post doesn't do EMS. I thought it did. But, OK. I understand. I'll go to another place then. Do you know where the nearest one is? I only have about 45 minutes.<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: Yes, I could show you. But you could also mail it here.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: But, I thought I couldn't do EMS here.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: That is correct, you cannot do EMS to the United States. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: [.....]<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: But, you could do registered mail. It has a tracking number and receipt notification. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: Oh, ok. But that is not EMS?<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: No, for EMS Japan Post would guarantee delivery within three days. But we cannot do that right now because of Corona Virus. However, you could use registered mail if it is OK for it to take 7-10 days and you concern is the tracking number and not the speed. So, please let me know. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: OK, registered mail it is, then. [2 minutes, and $6.50 later, letter is off]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Then, feeling proud of myself for having navigated the unsaid and still managing to mail a letter, I stopped off at the Starbucks on the first floor of the building on my way out for a bit of a treat. And another conversation one would never have in America took place:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: I would like a tall iced latte and one of the strawberry frozen drinks. (I used <i>ichigo</i> the traditional Japanese word for strawberry)<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: Do you mean this peach one? (her using <i>pee-chee </i>the English version of peach)<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: No, not peach. The strawberry one please. (using <i>sutorobehri, </i>the English version)<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: Oh, I am so sorry, but strawberry season has passed already. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: Oh really? I didn't realize the strawberry season in Japan was so short.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: Yes, it really is hard to find strawberries in Japan right now, even though it still is hot. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: OK, thank you, well, the peach one please. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[I pay, etc etc]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: Oh, what is this "autumn blend" coffee? (reading the English version on the menu, <i>automu</i>)<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: That is for the fall season. It is a special blend with beans roasted with (she says some things I can't understand....)</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: Oh, that's interesting. I guess it is getting to be fall. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: Yes, in two weeks it will be the fall equinox. So, it is a good time to drink this coffee. Would you like to try it?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: Oh, no thank you. I have already paid and the order was made. Next time is ok.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: But she hasn't started making your coffee yet. I am very sorry the strawberry season is over. But now that is is fall, why don't I just let you try this new fall flavor. maybe you will like it. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Me: Oh really, could you change it?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her: Yes, please allow me to. And please enjoy the autumn season. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>So much cultural context wrapped up in a 30 minute excursion across the street! Though, I must say, my coffee palette is not refined enough. Or maybe the autumn blend is better with a spot of coffee instead of as a latte. I didn't really taste much of a difference :) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><br /></p>PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-52436641350757807142016-10-11T18:47:00.002-07:002016-10-11T18:47:53.936-07:00Travelogue: Ha Long Bay and a little of Hanoi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've moved to Ho Chi Minh City, but between getting boys settled, trying to unpack our last boxes (always the hardest: office and art supplies and papers), and figuring out what exactly our jobs are, I've had no time to write. Stay tuned for something about the city we live in eventually. For now, I want to document a bit of the travelogue before I forget.<br />
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We took advantage of the Columbus Day weekend to visit Ha Long Bay. Greg had taken some trips for work, and we had all taken one day trip to the Mekong Delta, but mostly it was the first time the boys and I had been out of the city since our arrival. I admit, it was great to hear them ask, "when do we go home?" with "home" meaning HCMC. A sign of settling into the new place. <br />
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But back to the travelogue.<br />
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We opted for a three day, two night trip, at the recommendation of friends. It was a wise decision! Ha Long Bay is beautiful, but it does take a long time to travel to from Hanoi: 4-5 hours in the car, depending on traffic. You can fly into Hai Phong and then the trip is shorter, I think, but since Greg and I each had work in Hanoi on either end, that wasn't a good option for us. <br />
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Because travel with three kids is a little grueling, we broke up the trip with a night in Hanoi's old quarter on either end. Again, a good decision! Except, taking a 7pm flight out of SGN was a poor decision. Domestic flights are often delayed, apparently, so we didn't actually take off until 8:30, which means we didn't land in HAN until 11pm. Ian fell asleep on the luggage cart while going to the car to the hotel. <br />
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A single friend at work had some time on her hands and kindly offered to research hotels in Hanoi's old quarter that are family friendly. Apparently she enjoys travel research, even for other people! At her recommendation, we ended up at the Essence d'Orient, which was fantastic. Rare to find a mid-level budget hotel with connecting rooms (we booked in advance for about $50/night/room, inclusive of full breakfast buffet. Airport transfer for minivan at $22/one way extra very reasonable. In about an hour, I'm going to try the hotel spa :) ). Rooms were clean, bathrooms had modern fixtures, and staff super friendly. Plus a laptop in each room, so I can actually write this blog post right now!! If this friend has more time for research for future trips, I'm going to have to set her to work :) <br />
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For our cruise, I went through the Kangaroo Café. I read a number of blogs and opted to go with the "flashpacker" category (ie, a step above backpacker, but not quite mid-level). For our price point ($169/person for full trip) we got almost exactly what was promised, so no complaints. While the boat the café runs was unavailable (I had picked that boat because it had one cabin with three beds, the only such boat I found like that), the substitute boat was ok (two rooms very close to each other). The other small hiccup was that the bicycle tour of Cat Ba National Park didn't happen because the bike rental place didn't have any kid size bikes (though the café operator said they did). It was unclear to us if they didn't have any kid-size bikes ever, or if they were already rented, or if they were saving them for the expensive cruise ship that was coming in behind our tiny boat. But, whatever the reason, when Wm started fighting back tears (poor kid had been looking forward to the bike ride since we started talking about this trip), our tour guide thought quickly and opted to substitute a trip to the beach at Monkey Island instead, for more swimming.<br />
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That meant we had three swimming stops on the trip: Titop Island (many boats stop there and it might actually be the only place in Ha Long Bay proper where you can swim); a secluded beach on a small island (highlight of the trip! Technically it was in the Hai Phong area. Imagine swimming with the tiny limestone islands all around you and just your family, a small beach (sadly had trash washed up), and jumping off a boat into the emerald green sea. Pretty amazing); and Monkey Island (so named because of the macaque monkeys along the beach. Other benefit is this island was closer to the ocean proper, so boys also enjoyed waves). Frequent swimming turned out to be key for happiness of boys. <br />
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Food was tasty for us -- lots of fresh seafood! -- but fairly miserable for the boys. Thus, non-seafood eaters should probably scope out the food options ahead of time. If we go again, we need to bring snacks and peanut butter. <br />
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The second night was at a hotel on Cat Ba Island. Because we were traveling between the two tourist seasons (domestic season is June-August and international is November-January), the hotel was deserted. In a 100+ room hotel, only 12 people were at breakfast. Greg and I found this very spooky! Were we to go again, we would have paid to upgrade to the Nam Cat Island Resort, which had individual huts over the water. Apparently only backpakers stay there right now, but our tour guide said that as they just got a powerline and from a few months ago are now able to have air conditioning in the rooms at night, we expect it will soon become more popular with the "flashpackers" and mid-level clients. Caveat: boys were happy at the creepy hotel because the restaurant options nearby meant they could have pasta and pizza. <br />
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Coming home the last day was long for traveling with kids: 2 hours on a boat and 4.5 hours in a car. Adults enjoyed the scenery, but with no active time for the boys, they were CRAZY in the van. Absolutely nuts. Even the return of ipads (which had been hidden away during the majority of the trip) couldn't distract them. Hence, again, good decision to spend one more night back in Hanoi before the plane ride home the next morning. <br />
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Before I write about Hanoi, documenting for the blog some boats that looked nice in the harbor. Again, for our budget for this trip, the Kangaroo Café was great. I liked that our boat was small (max 16 people) and had a lot of outdoor covered space. The decks get really hot in the direct sun, so having shade on the top deck is key, in my opinion! I also liked the fresh sea air, so personally I would shun away from ships with aircon-only spaces, but I know others might prefer more climate control.<br />
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These ships looked a bit nicer (I'd estimate about $250+/person): Syrena, Bahya, Heritage Line, Emeraude, Pelican Line<br />
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These ships we know are luxury ($400/person): Au Co, Indochina Junk<br />
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In Hanoi, with our limited time, we walked around by the hotel and by Hoan Kiem Lake. Two out of three boys enjoyed the water puppet show (tickets $5/person, so not a waste). They were quite tired in the evenings, so an electric car ride (while horrible for Greg who prefers to walk everywhere), was great compromise (in my opinion) - I got to see the sights while Ian slept and Patch fell asleep! ($10 for 30 minutes). The road around the lake is closed to traffic on the weekends, which gave Wm, especially, some space to blow off energy while Ian napped in my lap.<br />
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We had grand plans for dinner, but tired boys meant a few sticks of grilled pork + bread, followed by smoothies, was sufficient. The frozen coconut coffee smoothie at Cong Café lived up to the hype!<br />
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The second late afternoon and evening we walked half way around the lake. We thought there was a playground by a statue of a king, but turns out it is only a square where kids skate and use scooters. Except we have none of those with us, too bad! So, we headed to 4Ps Pizza for dinner - a local chain, which started in HCMC. Tasty, as always! Again, Greg and I would have preferred to try something local to Hanoi, but with so much new after 5 days of travel, the boys appreciated something they knew already. Ice cream at Kem Trang Tien (a Hanoi spot since 1958) added a little of a local component.<br />
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With totally tired boys, we paid a cyclo driver (bicycle rickshaw) an exorbitant price to take us back from the south side of the lake to our hotel. Not something we would EVER do without kids, but those little legs couldn't walk anymore ... and they enjoyed the novelty of it. I'm surprised Greg survived the trip - the things parents do for their children, ha ha ha. <br />
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So, that about sums up three days/two nights for the Ha Long Bay trip and two not-even-half days in Hanoi. <br />
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Things we need to remember when traveling with kids: bring playing cards and Spot It; bring markers/paper; bring a small bag of playdough and newspaper to play on; research where playgrounds are; pack a tennis ball or two for tossing around; pack more extra clothes for sweaty boys (or stay at a place to order room service in pjs). </div>
PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-69582055192037085832016-05-18T11:33:00.002-07:002016-05-18T11:33:47.231-07:00From incredulity to a pit in my stomach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm moving through whatever would be the equivalent of the "12 stages of grief" for moving, but I can't really think straight for what all the 12 steps would be. I just now that in the last week, the pit in my stomach has surfaced. Luckily for me, taking a walk and making lists are two easy ways to reduce the grapefruit-sized ball in my stomach to plum-sized. <div>
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So does cleaning. Last weekend I scrubbed some baseboards and touched up chipped paint on the first floor. Why? Because those are things I can do, unlike all the things on my list that can't be done until June, July, or after we move. I think that is what causes the pit: the anticipation of so many things that will have to be done, but can't be done now. </div>
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So, find me in June and I'll let you know what the next step is. In the meantime, send some warm spring weather to DC so I can take my walks in the sunshine, instead of the incessant off-and-on rain plaguing the area. </div>
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PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-40640467027197128462016-04-22T14:54:00.000-07:002016-04-22T14:54:09.943-07:00Incredulity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am having a moment of incredulity today. This week has been filled with many pre-move preparatory activities, many of which were initiated because we received our travel orders (i.e., the State Department has allocated funds for us to move). Thus, while I have been studying Vietnamese for seven months (yes, 7. How crazy is that in and of itself?), this week is when things started to get real. Very real. <div>
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Which, honestly, is normal, considering we're about three months from departure. Back in September, I knew the last three months would be the crazy time. Except now those precise three months are starting. And the crazy is starting. </div>
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I've been trying to identify all day why I have this feeling of incredulity. After all, we've moved to two other countries as a family before. Why is this time any different? I think it boils down to the fact that neither of us have never been to Vietnam. </div>
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We had visited Mumbai in 2004. While Mumbai is very different from Hyderabad, at least I had somewhat of a concept of "India." At least, I thought I did. (After I lived there, I knew how mistaken I was, because the country is so diverse. But, to my 2007-era brain, I had already been to "India," so it was a familiar concept.)</div>
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Our move to Manila was so quick (no language training, just 2.5 months back in the U.S. in between), I didn't have time to stress over that. </div>
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VIETNAM has been lurking about since we received our assignment in November 2014. And I have no idea what our life will be like there, except from what people have told me and images I've seen online. And yet, we still go. And we'll keep on going every three years or so.* How crazy is that? Pretty crazy. For generally rational people, we've chosen a crazy profession. Perhaps we're not actually so rational after all?</div>
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Luckily, everyone says we will love it. Luckily also, logically I know everything will be ok. Just have to get over this moment of incredulity first. </div>
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(*yes, coming back to America is always an option, too.)</div>
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PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-77503347716762851702016-01-31T17:33:00.002-08:002016-01-31T17:33:38.691-08:00Death vs. Knowing and Believing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As my Facebook friends will have gathered, we've had some heavy hearts this weekend. The father of one of Wm's soccer teammates passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on January 18. Here is an excerpt from the homily during the funeral service I shared there, which I have chosen to meditate on for the next few weeks: <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Still we gather, sit, speak, sing, and pray; to weep with Jesus at [their] passing....The mystery is not the dying or the why, but that God stays present with [the dead] and all of you. ... Because of this mystery of love, our lives do not ever end. ... Remember that you are loved. We are here until we die and somehow be revealed." (Adapted from funeral sermon today at St Paul's, K St)</span><br />
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I'm repeating in the blog for special keeping since FB status pass by quickly, but these posts stick around for a while longer. This is my second friend to have lost a husband all too young, and I found this reflection reassuring with such questions of "why?" floating around.<br />
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As Wm knew this dad, needless to say we discussed the death. Wm also had a very church-filled weekend because his choir joined other area choirs to sing at the National Cathedral's Evensong today. One of their songs was about the Song of Simeon, and the choral director explained the background. On the car ride home, we shared the following conversation.<br />
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First, we discussed prophets and prophecies, since he didn't really understand the definitions of these words. Which morphed into one of the major differences between Christians (believe Jesus is the Messiah, hence the Song of Simeon) and Jews (still waiting for the Messiah).<br />
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Wm: But, that means that maybe Jesus isn't the Messiah. We don't really *know.*<br />
Me: You're right, we don't. We can only believe.<br />
Wm: So, the Jewish people could be right and we could be wrong.<br />
Me: Yes, correct.<br />
Wm: But, maybe our belief is also right. <br />
Me: Yes. That's the tricky thing about believing vs. knowing. And why we should always respect other religions. Even ones that aren't related at all to the Bible.<br />
Wm: But, we do know that when we die, like Sebastian's dad, our bodies stays here. Your body is dead in the ground.<br />
Me (a little nervous): Yes. <br />
Wm: And, I think enough people around the whole world believe that your spirit goes up to God, so I think we could say we *know* that your spirit is with God.<br />
Me: Well, some people might argue with you on that, but I think that's a logical assumption.<br />
Wm: So, if your spirit is with God, that means your spirit can be anywhere. Which means that Mimi's spirit could be sitting right here next to me in Ian's car seat.<br />
Me: Mimi?<br />
Wm: Yes, Mimi. Right here in this car, sitting right here next to me in Ian's car seat. It *is* possible. I'll never *know*, but I can believe it. <br />
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I really love parenting at moments like this. A lot of my time and effort is spent trying to keep the boys in line, teach them proper manners, trying to keep dinner time from devolving into endless bathroom jokes. I rarely get to see them make the fun connections: they concentrate so hard at school, by the time they get home, their brains just need rest and their bodies need exercise and movement. When conversations like this start, I never quite know where they might end - but it is always a fun path to take.</div>
PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-46179069641816874112016-01-13T17:56:00.001-08:002016-01-13T17:56:37.743-08:00Resilience <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Resilience" is a hot topic at my work these days. I'm tempted to call it a buzz word, except that buzz word connotes (to me) meaningless words we throw around to make our work-speak sound smart. And "resilience" has real meaning for people who face new jobs - often in very different locations and under very different conditions - every year. <br />
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Serendipitously, the sermon at church today was on resilience. [<a href="http://graceepiscopalchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2016-01-10-AWW.pdf" target="_blank">Text here</a>] Our priest quoted a book by <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Danaan Parry</span> that used a trapeze analogy for life: sometimes you're swinging along just fine, and other times you need to let go to catch the next trapeze. Sometimes you know when one of those moments is coming (starting a new job) and sometimes you don't (meeting someone who later turns out to have a huge influence on your life). Our priest tied it into the Gospel reading, likening Jesus' baptism as a trapeze-jump moment: no one knew the heavens would open and God would speak, which had a huge impact on the growth of the church. He concluded that we ourselves should trust in God in those moments when we are flying through the air.<br />
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The point of the blog is not theological discussion. But, the background is important, so thanks for bearing with me. <br />
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This year, Patch has opted to sit with us in the service rather than attend Sunday School. As long as he behaves I don't mind, even if I can't really understand why he wouldn't prefer to be with his friends and eat a snack than listen to a sermon. Lately, Patch has also been paying attention - actually listening - to the sermon. This trapeze analogy really caught his attention, and he listened without fidgeting. <br />
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At the end, Patch's reaction whispered in my ear: "Are some people really scared when things change? I bet my life will change when we go to Vietnam, but I don't think it will be scary. You and my brothers will be there, so we'll be ok." <br />
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I'm not intending to "humble brag" on my kid or on my parenting bringing up kids who genuinely love each other. But a reminder from the mouths of babes (sort of, he's a bit old to be classified as "babe") that "resilience" has a lot to do with who is around you when you face challenges and changes. Be kind to and understanding of those people, because they are the ones who will get you through it. </div>
PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950375746478246675.post-81744329539458311252015-12-31T03:35:00.000-08:002015-12-31T03:35:00.979-08:00Moving Preparations Commencing (sort of)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As December marched on, I could no longer deny 2016's imminent arrival. And with 2016, of course, comes our impending move, which I have mostly ignored to date (except for that whole learning Vietnamese full time thing). The mental coaching articles always tell you to live in the present, right? I'm not sure if I actively was choosing to live in the present, or was secretly living in denial that we'll miss family and friends, but either way, time to face the music and get our stuff in order.<div>
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As noted in past posts, parents in the DC metro plan summer camps early. Our kids have exactly two weeks between when school lets out and when July comes. We have no idea when in July we are moving, and I do hope to squeeze in a trip home to Texas before we head overseas again, so the last two weeks of June are it for camps. Thankfully, the stars have aligned and, in the limited time we have that we can actually commit to something, at least one of Wm's friends is free for sleep away camp, and a day camp Patch wanted to try is offering a theme he is super excited about. Summer camp, check. (now I just have to remember to sign up when registration opens on January 30, since we have very little leeway!)</div>
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And then the ever-dreaded pre-move shopping. Forced shopping is never fun, especially when, with every purchase, you are forced to remember why you are buying things (i.e., you are moving to the other side of the world). Don't get me wrong, I love our job and all the fun experiences we have once we're there, but leaving each place (especially leaving America and our family) brings sadness and dread. However, on December 26, I faced the music and purchased a fake 6.5' Christmas tree. </div>
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With two relocation-related activities under my belt, I can now face the myriad of tasks in 2016 with a little less dread. Takes a few pushes to get the ball rolling. </div>
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-- PS: side funny note on the Christmas tree --</div>
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(1) We had a fake Christmas tree, purchased in Hyderabad. It was funny looking and only 4' tall, but it served us well for four years in two countries. This Christmas, I went to take it out to loan to my office for holiday decoration - only to find we only had the middle third in our storage closet! I have no idea what happened to the top and bottom! </div>
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Either (a) they are hiding somewhere else in our house and we will find them when we pack out / unpack on the flip side or (b) a mover along the way needed only a top and bottom, leaving us with a labeled box, but not a complete tree. It seemed prudent to purchase a new tree now, in any case, so that we do have one for the next Christmas (and not take our chances on (a) above). </div>
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-- PPS: Christmas tree woes, part II --</div>
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Finding an unlit tree is tough! We need an unlit one so we can put 220V lights on it (few places are 110V like the US). Luckily, Target came through. Also luckily, I had exactly one choice in the post-Christmas sale, so I didn't have to make a decision (only spend my time online confirming that I did, indeed, only have one decent-looking option). </div>
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-- PPPS on shopping -- </div>
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No tiny babies making this move! No mountains boxes of diapers and wipes! No mounds of tubs of back-up formula! No having to guess how quickly a baby will gain weight and move out of one diaper size or wonder how much formula, if any, the baby would need. Most other things I purchased locally (after all, people have babies the world around :) ), but sensitive skin and sensitive tummies in our family seemed to prefer American products for those two items. One whole (expensive!) category of "consumables" exorcised from the shopping list. </div>
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PRDPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315757837751211144noreply@blogger.com0