The trip was interesting that, our flight took off from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on the 9th at 4:30am or some ungodly hour like that on the 9th. When we landed in Tokyo’s Narita Airport, it was something like 5pm on the 10th. It’s kind of crazy. I’ll explain more at the end of the last blog for this series.
Anyway, we stayed in this little apartment type of place, which was nice. It’s tiny, but, what is cool, is that when you flush the toilet, they have this device that instead of just filling up the tank, there is a spout that comes up, and you can wash your hands in the water that will fill up the tank, thus, saving a lot of water. Isn’t that cool? But, sorry, I didn’t get to take a good picture of that.
We ate dinner with my dad and step mom each night we were in Tokyo, about 5 or 6 nights, I think, including the first night and the last night. It was interesting to see them, since it has been 15 years since the last time, where they came here, and my son was only a year old. Of course, he doesn’t remember that. It is also interesting that the last time I was there, I was 16, and this is my son’s first visit, and he is 16 now.
Here are some pictures of us having a meal or looking at pictures together.
My & my sister's father.
My father and I were never close. I actually don’t know very much about him personally, only that he retired as one of the top CEOs of Eisei, a lab that produces medications, and that he is a biochemist (I think). My sister has always been closer to him, and had somewhat of a father/daughter relationship for intermittent times in her life. I am glad she studied Japanese in college, because for as long as it’s been for me, I don’t remember enough to get around well.
My sister Megi and our stepmother, Reiko-san
There is my sister to the left, and stepmother to the right. The cool thing about this is that her and I technically have the same name. My name is pronounced L (the l in pleasant) I (the i in pizza) KA (the cu in cut). Hers is pronounced Lei (the Hawaiian flower necklace) Ko (like in coho). Except, mine is the traditional version, and hers is the modern version of the same name, meaning “a fragrance of knowledge”. I’m not sure if I exactly fit, but, it’s kind of neat that I share a name with my stepmother, even though she is only related through being married to my father. She is also a great cook, who made a Polish/Russian version of chicken paprikash, to where I know the Serbian version of this dish, as well as other great meals filled with different pickles, veggies, and fish, all served up in different ways.
My father and son, after a great meal.
Myself, father, and sister at the end of the day
Of course, there were so many things to do, and people to see. We got to visit with a couple of my sister’s friends on a couple of different occasions, as well as long time family friends, and we had a lot of catching up to do. Here is a glimpse.
Isobe-san, her daughter Momoko, and her daughter.
Isobe-san is a lady my mother had been close friends with when we had lived there during my young childhood, and her daughter, Momo is my age, and we were good friends as well. I was glad to meet her daughter, who was about the same age as my son. Good people I tell you, and I wish we had more time to spend with this particular friend of my sister’s ought to be a teacher. She was awesome at taking us around and telling us what things were, and their meanings. We had gone to a temple/shrine, which was a combination of Buddhist and Shinto faiths represented here. It was very interesting. Here are the places we went to.
Garden view of Tokyo Tower
This is a view from the Buddhist/Shinto Temple & Shrine. Most places are either Buddhist or Shinto, and are either temples or shrines, and this is one of the rare ones that are both.
Garden looking up at sky scrapers
Entrance into Buddhist/Shinto Shrine & Temple
An ancient tree of the temple, thousands of years old
Approaching the Temple, with Tokyo Tower in the backdrop
One of the shrines in the same park
Making these parks beautiful by having a LOT of greenery
A Shinto Shrine to honor babies who have passed to the after world
This one really spoke to me. I had had a son before Chad, who I lost at 33.5 weeks due to being very ill during my pregnancy, and was a very loved and wanted child. He would be 17 if he were born alive. I dedicate this shrine to honor all babies who are now our angels.
Old post office station
Once upon a time, it was not allowed to have any building or structure taller than this building. But, through a loophole, the owners of the surrounding buildings/area started selling the sky, therefore being able to build their businesses to reach for the stars.
On the 5th floor deck, to help make people cooler w/ greenery on the rooftop
5th floor overlook, looking UP, not down
Same 5th floor overlook, at the various structures below.
Different spot to look - at the train station - Wow! All of those tracks!
I apologize for the bad photography. But, these were just too interesting for me to not post them, even if not the best pictures. Thank you for obliging me and reading my blog.
Part 2 will be of our visit with my cousin Izumo and her family, and more parts to come afterward to complete the series of 6. This is very fun for me to share with you all.
This is why I had cancelled June’s YVI meeting, so, here is toasting July’s meeting and beyond. Please keep your eyes peeled for future blogs. Thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment