More Random Pictures

Random Pictures

Incense that you you kind of air onto your body
before you enter the Temple.








really pretty flowers in
the Hama Rikyu Garden



At the Sensoji Temple

Lots to do.

I really like it up in the North. It's so pretty and with all the rice patties around, it just makes things picturesque. People are so nice. And quite a few Japanese people speak English in the Misawa area because of the base.

Anna has keep me very busy. After we got back from Tokyo we took a couple days with stomachs and my stupid immune system. But after that, we have been steadily doing things. She keeps me busy!! And she is forcing on me a plant and tofu diet!! But I actually kind of like it. She made delicious vegetarian pizza tonight!!! Deliciousness!

Anna has already shown me around base. I sort of know how to get there. There aren't really road signs or names for the roads, for that matter. I almost know how to get to church by markers Anna pointed out...sort of.

So the other day we went to this Big Buddha. It was beautiful. There is this Temple you can go into. Then you take this walk to the Buddha and you can go inside the Buddha. They have a few shrines. I think from what we read. people would pray for those fighting in WW II. But they didn't only pray for Japanese soldiers but also those they fought against (AKA the Americans). That makes Japanese people ten times more cool then they already were in my book. After the Buddha is another God that people make wishes too. Then there was this pond with 88 feet prints all around it. The followers chant on each print as they walk through all 88. It was really beautiful!

We also went to the aquarium that day. Clara wasn't so much into it. But Anna and I had fun! We totally got lost both times on the way there and on the way back (the roads aren't marked so well here and if it is marked, it's in Japanese. I can't read Japanese, which presents a problem sometimes). But we figured it out both times...pure luck!!

We planted rice in the rice patties yesterday. I still have to upload those pictures. There are some cute ones of Anna. Ana kept telling me I looked awkward doing it cause I am so dang tall! Not like I can change that. I don't think she was the only one who noticed. I got couple of laughs from some of the native people. I will post those tomorrow. So yea, I am having fun!! Yea Japan!!

Tokyo

Tokyo rocks! I really liked it except that it was freakin' hot everyday.
The first day I got in Anna met me outside customs. We took a train from there to Tokyo station and took a cab from there to our hotel. I met Clara for the first time. Ridiculously cute baby!!! We hung out that night. Anna kept me up until 10 PM and then I was too tired to keep my eyes open. Japan is good for me. I am usually such a night owl. But here I go to bed early and I wake up early. I feel healthy!

So the next day we set off for adventure at Ginza, more specifically Matsuya Department store :) What!? I'm a girl! My Frommer's guide told me it was cool and for some weird reason, I trust her. So we got there after finding our way through the train and subway system (props to Anna for getting all that right on the first day!) We realize we got there too early and decide to go to the East Gardens of the Imperial palace and then make our way back.
It's not my fault. Okay, it kind of was. I had the brilliant idea of walking there from Ginza. It took us like two hours to find our way there! We got lost a couple times. At one point we were lost on this street corner and this man approached us and the conversation went something like this...
Man: talking in Japanese
Anna: blank stare on her face
Man: more Japanese and walks away quickly turning and saying something in Japanese
Anna: shrugs shoulder. looks at me and then goes back to figuring out the map
five minutes later
Man: comes back sort of running with a Japanese man who speaks English and can help us find our way
Anna: Oh!!! I love this country!

It was funny!! We did eventually make our way to the East Gardens. The gardens were pretty but a little overrated. I will post pictures eventually. Since it took us forever to get there, Anna wanted to spend time in the gardens. After that we found a subway system (no more walking!) and went back to Ginza, where we got lost trying to find Matsuya department store. We went up to the top floor because I want to find some nice, cheap Kimono's to bring back. I'm not having any luck! But Ginza is and expensive area. So I won't give up. We almost found our way back to the Hardy Barracks (which the Army hotel we were staying at). But we got lost AGAIN. I know, I know. Big shocker!



On Wednesday we went to the Hama Rikyu Gardens. The Frommer's guide doesn't give this garden a good rating, but I really liked it! It was so pretty and we totally passed these people performing a wedding ceremony (we think)? So, from there we took the water boat to the Asakusa area and saw the Sensoji temple. We walked down Nakamasu. It was cool. They sell little touristy stuff. I bought my mom some fans (they were cheap too, mom. Just like you wanted!) and Anna bought a parasol. The temple was really pretty. It was bombed during WW II and so it is a rebuilt version of the one that had been there since like 6something AD. Kind of sad how much history gets damaged in a war.


We left early so we wouldn't hit rushhour on the subway. And I totally navigated us back to Hardy Barracks. We found it all on our own!! We were a little proud of ourselves! Sad, but there you have it. Yes for my rad navigating skillz! I usually suck at it.

The next day we took the bullet train up to Misawa. I almost had a nervous breakdown when my ticket was acting funky. But we igured it out and made it to Misawa safe and sound. I really like it up here. It remind me of Minnesota with the weather. Japanese people are so nice it is like Minnesota nice :) This is a farming area other then the base. Anna lives off base, which is cool. There are tons of rice patties and farming squares. I think it is really pretty and I have yet to get out there and take pictures. I really want to. There are people out farming and the scenery is so gorgeous. So, I need to do that sooner rather then later.

The last couple days Anna and I have been pretty laid back. She was sick yesterday with a stomach thing and I am not feeling so hot today (stupid body!). My immune system hates me, especially when I travel. But I am hoping it will only stick around for a couple days and not for two weeks like it usually does. Anna takes good care of me, only allowing me plants and good things to eat.

P.S. Clara is an awesome baby! We lugged her all over Tokyo and she was amazing. Seriously, this kid has a golden personality and she is pretty darn smart too! Go Tyler and Anna!

I am going to Japan. The reason I am going. See that curly haired girl in the picture. Yea, she's the reason I am going. But seriously, who needs a reason to go to Japan! I can't wait. T-7 days. The count down begins for my departure and I have so much crap to get done, I don't know how I am going to be sane when I leave. But who cares, I get to go to Japan!!