Chicago?!

Okay, not really Chicago. I'm in St. Charles for a couple of days, and finding it amusing to be living out of a suitcase again, however briefly. The small room is rather posh (also amusing, but quite nice) and is fitted out with ultra modern decor, a flatscreen tv, tidy coffee pot and servings of Colombian coffee. It almost feels like a favorite small hotel in NYC. Spouse is missing out.

Time for sleep. Tomorrow brings new ways of looking at things, oodles of inspiration and - brace meself - a guest speaker in the form of a former lead solo for the Blue Angels! Certainly sounds like a perfect day.

'Night, all.

Back, relaxed and happy

We've been home for a week now, and are very happy. It was truly a wonderful trip, and we are just beginning to realize what an adventure we had! As I look at the photos from earlier in the trip, it seems like so long ago, and each subsequent photo draws out an "oh yes, that was great!" or "remember how terrific that was?" Now to make room on the hard drive for the photos - or to make time to select at least some highlights...

Ready

Saturday evening here... another warm, sunny day, made lovelier by a visit with family. We got to meet up with Kuniko, her son Kyouichi, his wife and their two children. After a delicious lunch, we visited the graves of the 47 ronin. Now I really do have to see the movie!

As we begin our trip home in a little more than ten hours, it is time to pack. We really should have brought an empty duffle bag or two.

Looking forward to seeing everyone very soon! (And of course, to editing and posting photos and so forth... only 8,000 or so from which to choose. Easy!)

Family tomorrow

Hooray for a sunny and warm Friday morning in Tokyo! We will spend Saturday with family, so today is our last day on our own. Yesterday was terrific - the folks went on their own adventure, and Gary and I wandered through the far reaches of old neighborhoods.

Highlights:
- local artisans
- a gull version of King of the Hill (the game, not the tv show)
- something that was not mochi, despite claims to the contrary
- lots of walking
- friendly, escape-minded black cat
- a caution about "no!! smorking"
- helpful strangers
- Tony Blanco?!

Ah, parents are ready to ramble. Ciao for now...

A warm sunny day!

It is Thursday morning - warm and sunny! The weather was nice here yesterday too, so we are very much looking forward to the day. Spouse is already on a mission to secure tickets to tonight's Yakult Swallows vs Chunichi Dragons game, so the folks will be on the own, probably much to their relief. :) Tomorrow all four of us will go to the Giants vs Tigers game. But we probably won't be joined by a sumo wrestler. That's good, really, because the last time watching said sumo wrestler and his entourage enjoy McDonald's and KFC led my stomach on the same path. Not that I'm complaining!

Off we go to explore.

Tokyo-bound

Wednesday morning here. Heading for Tokyo. Beautiful and sunny and a perfect day for hiking in the Japanese alps. Or for riding in a train and taking photos of the countryside. Hope our next ryokan has internet access!

Still living, not so much blogging

Okay, so we have been terrible about blogging. Our reasons: 1) limited internet access, 2) unlimited cold symptoms, and 3) actually spending all of our time walking, seeing, eating, enjoying, etc etc etc. What an amazing trip this is! We leave Matsumoto tomorrow morning (it is now Tuesday night here) and head for Tokyo. Before we know it, we'll be plane-bound for 14 hours. What are the chances my brother will remember he said he would come pick up the folks? Quite good, right?

Recent highlights:
- friendly schoolchildren
- delicious, aromatic homemade plum wine (literally, and not that you asked or wanted to know, I am drooling at the recollection)
- lost objects
- found objects
- department stores that do not sell cameras
- snow in Japan's Alps
- warmth in the valleys
- welcoming, patient people
- surprise gifts
- familial togetherness
- general happiness

Wishing the same to you all. =^-^=

Matsumoto

Osaka was .... interesting! We have just arrived in Matsumoto (it is 2pm Monday afternoon here) and are heading to our rooms, but couldn't pass by the opportunity to toss out a free update. In retrospect, it makes sense that the upscale hotels don't offer a laptop, but it is still highly annoying :-D

Mother has taken hours of film and Father has taken so many photos that his camera is out of service (top priority today: procure new camera). For my part, my photo count is somewhere north of 7000, but I am working hard to delete the flotsam and jetsam. Or at least the flotsam. Because when a very large sumo wrestler sits four seats away at a ballgame, what is one to do but take a per kilo quantity of photos?

Other recent excitement includes whale sharks and mola molas, drunken cherry blossom viewing (witnessed, not experienced personally), crescent moon over famous torii, pushy deer, steep mountain trail, creepy monkey, wild raccoons out for a moonlit jaunt, parental (shep-)herding, noisy Americans and ever so much more.

All feet are holding up well, walking shoes are performing fabulously. More soon! (Really!)

Cold, and a cold

No blogging due to nasty cold. Also, very cold outside! Leaving Kyoto for Osaka. xoxoxo to all!

Kyoto

Lightning post - we are embarking upon Day 2 in Kyoto (Thursday morning here) and ready to take a long walk. Mother and Father are happy and well and walking farther than seems reasonable to expect at 80 and 78. A longer update soon. Meanwhile, much love to all!