Thanks for all the comments...I'm going to learn how to respond to questions from a guy here...but I don't know how yet. Hold on....
Let me tell you about the plane ride. I had an aisle seat and I was next to a large man. It was so cramped. I was cramped…so imagine this guy next to me. He was more than twice my size and he still had another 5 hours to go to get to Bangkok. The flight to Narita took about 10 hours. That is four movies, 6 chapters, 2 meals, 2 snacks, a little chat time and still…. I’m not looking forward to my “center” seat going back.
Anyway, I’m here now. The airport is about 1 ½ hours away from Tokyo. We got through immigration and customs in record time. Everyone was so efficient. When we arrived at the hotel, it was bow, bow, bow, bow,
bow, bow…there were so many assistants. I didn’t wait for anything. My room is on the 14th floor overlooking downtown Tokyo…an amazing view. The first thing I did was check out the bathroom. I told you the toilets were “different.” You can warm the seat to a comfortable temperature. It has a bidet and a “shower.” It flushes when you sit down and when you stand up. The whole room is very “SPACE AGE” looking. It probably costs a small fortune.
Late last night, a college girl named YURIE, took three of us to dinner. Honestly, I was too tired to eat. We went into the restaurant and immediately took off our shoes. BIG IMPORTANT RULE: After taking off a shoe, you must put your “clean” foot on the “clean” area. I flubbed this one up. Fortunately, for YURIE, she told us about the menu and did the ordering. The meal took FOREVER and I was pretty worthless in the talking department…too tired. As for the meal...you know how Mexican restaurants bring you chips and salsa while you wait? This restaurant brought octopus and seaweed and steamed soybeans. I’ll pass. I did try the soybeans. We finally got back to the hotel about 11 pm Tuesday night. Remember we left San Francisco about 1 pm on Monday. Crossing the International Date Line can give or take a day…literally.
So, now onto Wednesday…This morning at 7 am we had breakfast by “regions.” I am in the SE region. Tomorrow, it is something different. Reasoning…meet new people. Breakfast included salad, potato salad, fish, usual breakfast stuff, carrot soup, and fruit.
From breakfast, off we went to see the National Diet (their government building - like our Capitol). It was not in session, but there was a lot of security around. We did sit for a while in the legislation room…pretty cool.
After that, we saw the moats around the imperial palace and could see part of the palace in the distance. I believe the guide said it is open to the public on December 23 (the emperor’s birthday) and on the New Year in January.
All 160 went to a tempura restaurant for lunch. Take off the shoes…I did it right this time…and sit at a pre-plated meal of soup, lettuce salad, tempura, rice, pickles (different than ours) and mandarin orange. I ate the fish and the prawn before I figured out what they were…so YEA for me.
Shopping next…in a very, very crowded market. There were lots and lots of school children there on a fieldtrip. There is a shrine there and it was interesting to see the rituals that surround it.
After returning to the hotel, we saw a play that was 600 years old. It was called “THE INHERITED CRAMP.” It was done by only two men. One was the “master” and one was the servant. Afterwards, we learned all about the different costumes and “how to”s of this kind of play.
Time for the welcoming dinner. Tomorrow, after our sessions, we are taking the subway to see the Seibu Lions play baseball. There are 70 of us going…should be fun. Daniel, our New Yorker, is taking charge of our small group of non-subway riders.
Later Gators
Let me tell you about the plane ride. I had an aisle seat and I was next to a large man. It was so cramped. I was cramped…so imagine this guy next to me. He was more than twice my size and he still had another 5 hours to go to get to Bangkok. The flight to Narita took about 10 hours. That is four movies, 6 chapters, 2 meals, 2 snacks, a little chat time and still…. I’m not looking forward to my “center” seat going back.
Anyway, I’m here now. The airport is about 1 ½ hours away from Tokyo. We got through immigration and customs in record time. Everyone was so efficient. When we arrived at the hotel, it was bow, bow, bow, bow,
bow, bow…there were so many assistants. I didn’t wait for anything. My room is on the 14th floor overlooking downtown Tokyo…an amazing view. The first thing I did was check out the bathroom. I told you the toilets were “different.” You can warm the seat to a comfortable temperature. It has a bidet and a “shower.” It flushes when you sit down and when you stand up. The whole room is very “SPACE AGE” looking. It probably costs a small fortune.
Late last night, a college girl named YURIE, took three of us to dinner. Honestly, I was too tired to eat. We went into the restaurant and immediately took off our shoes. BIG IMPORTANT RULE: After taking off a shoe, you must put your “clean” foot on the “clean” area. I flubbed this one up. Fortunately, for YURIE, she told us about the menu and did the ordering. The meal took FOREVER and I was pretty worthless in the talking department…too tired. As for the meal...you know how Mexican restaurants bring you chips and salsa while you wait? This restaurant brought octopus and seaweed and steamed soybeans. I’ll pass. I did try the soybeans. We finally got back to the hotel about 11 pm Tuesday night. Remember we left San Francisco about 1 pm on Monday. Crossing the International Date Line can give or take a day…literally.
So, now onto Wednesday…This morning at 7 am we had breakfast by “regions.” I am in the SE region. Tomorrow, it is something different. Reasoning…meet new people. Breakfast included salad, potato salad, fish, usual breakfast stuff, carrot soup, and fruit.
From breakfast, off we went to see the National Diet (their government building - like our Capitol). It was not in session, but there was a lot of security around. We did sit for a while in the legislation room…pretty cool.
After that, we saw the moats around the imperial palace and could see part of the palace in the distance. I believe the guide said it is open to the public on December 23 (the emperor’s birthday) and on the New Year in January.
All 160 went to a tempura restaurant for lunch. Take off the shoes…I did it right this time…and sit at a pre-plated meal of soup, lettuce salad, tempura, rice, pickles (different than ours) and mandarin orange. I ate the fish and the prawn before I figured out what they were…so YEA for me.
Shopping next…in a very, very crowded market. There were lots and lots of school children there on a fieldtrip. There is a shrine there and it was interesting to see the rituals that surround it.
After returning to the hotel, we saw a play that was 600 years old. It was called “THE INHERITED CRAMP.” It was done by only two men. One was the “master” and one was the servant. Afterwards, we learned all about the different costumes and “how to”s of this kind of play.
Time for the welcoming dinner. Tomorrow, after our sessions, we are taking the subway to see the Seibu Lions play baseball. There are 70 of us going…should be fun. Daniel, our New Yorker, is taking charge of our small group of non-subway riders.
Later Gators
5 comments:
It all sounds great! I can't wait to hear more and see some more pictures!
Wow, you must have been REAL tired not to notice the fish and prawns! I'm proud of you though :)
Not bad for a kid from Kansas....should have taken your ruby slippers! xo
Yea!!!! Mrs. Graves you made it. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!
カメロン ソヤー
This is an exciting trip ...asides from the fish ....but everything is sounding pretty cool ...
Post a Comment