Sunday, May 18, 2008
Ed Emberly exhibit
Right near our hotel in Tokyo there was a big kids' exhibit for Golden Week on Ed Emberly's drawing techniques. The kids really enjoyed it.
Ninja restaurant, Tokyo and the Tokyo subway
We ate at the Ninja restaurant.
In Tokyo, we went nearly everywhere by subway. The kids became expert subway riders.
In Tokyo, we went nearly everywhere by subway. The kids became expert subway riders.
Tokyo: Meiji (Shinto) Shrine
We visited the Meiji shrine, which was busy with weddings. We received a special Shinto blessing during a Shinto ceremony (sorry no photos of that!).
Japan vs. China
I admit to my own ignorance as a child when I didn't know much about Japan or China except that they were very far away, and I assumed they were pretty similar. I am hoping my children will be much more worldly than their mom. Since by the time we went to Japan they had lived in China for 3 months and had experience with Chinese culture, I gave them the assignment to come up with at least 5 ways that Japan was different from China. So here's what we came up with (it's a collective list):
1) In Japan they drive on the left side of the street like in Great Britain whereas in China (except for Hong Kong) cars drive on the right like America. The kids were extremely surprised that the drivers' seat was also on the opposite side. (It felt very funny for me, not having driven now for 4 months, to be riding on the left front seat of a taxi and be in essentially the driver's seat, but not being the driver...)
2) In Japan, cars yield to pedestrians, whereas in China pedestrians NEVER have right of way. (Okay, the kids stated this a little differently, something like "they're nice in Japan," but this is what they meant).
3) No one asked to have their picture taken with Allison the whole week even at busy tourist attractions (usually her biggest spots in China). Eric notes that the Japanese are much more restrained.
4) I saw only one person spit the entire week (and she was much older and was smoking and gagging at the time).
5) In China, no one in their right mind drinks the tap water. In Japan, the tap water is so good that bottled water is not even sold at a lot of places. At the restaurant at Tokyo Disney Sea (a Disney theme park), there is only tap water. Indeed the rivers looked very pristine.
6) Japan was very clean and orderly. Even the few homeless people we saw living under a bridge along the river bank in Kyoto had neatly laid out uniform cardboard and tarp structures. There was very little pushing and shoving even during Golden Week.
7) Toilets: While the Chinese are content with a hole in the ground, the Japanese like their toilets with all the bells and whistles. Even at the airport, toto washlets are readily available. These are integrated toilet/super-bidets (features include heated seat,
1) In Japan they drive on the left side of the street like in Great Britain whereas in China (except for Hong Kong) cars drive on the right like America. The kids were extremely surprised that the drivers' seat was also on the opposite side. (It felt very funny for me, not having driven now for 4 months, to be riding on the left front seat of a taxi and be in essentially the driver's seat, but not being the driver...)
2) In Japan, cars yield to pedestrians, whereas in China pedestrians NEVER have right of way. (Okay, the kids stated this a little differently, something like "they're nice in Japan," but this is what they meant).
3) No one asked to have their picture taken with Allison the whole week even at busy tourist attractions (usually her biggest spots in China). Eric notes that the Japanese are much more restrained.
4) I saw only one person spit the entire week (and she was much older and was smoking and gagging at the time).
5) In China, no one in their right mind drinks the tap water. In Japan, the tap water is so good that bottled water is not even sold at a lot of places. At the restaurant at Tokyo Disney Sea (a Disney theme park), there is only tap water. Indeed the rivers looked very pristine.
6) Japan was very clean and orderly. Even the few homeless people we saw living under a bridge along the river bank in Kyoto had neatly laid out uniform cardboard and tarp structures. There was very little pushing and shoving even during Golden Week.
7) Toilets: While the Chinese are content with a hole in the ground, the Japanese like their toilets with all the bells and whistles. Even at the airport, toto washlets are readily available. These are integrated toilet/super-bidets (features include heated seat,
- Gentle Aerated Warm Water
- Front and Rear Washing
- Massage Feature)
Our Japan Trip in early May
Back to where I left off previously...in early May we went to Japan with my parents over the spring holiday break. It was a blast!
Japan has a rich cultural heritage: sushi, ikebana, calligraphy, manga, ninja, washi paper, cherry blossoms, shintoism, kimonos....
Japan has a rich cultural heritage: sushi, ikebana, calligraphy, manga, ninja, washi paper, cherry blossoms, shintoism, kimonos....
Farewell to Lilybeth! ;(
Late breaking news: Lilybeth had to depart unexpectedly last night due to visa problems. We only had 2 days warning. We are all very sad and will miss her very much. She was so great with the kids and so ably ran the house (she actually moved in before I did and already had everything organized when I got here).
So, this next week should be complicated with both Eric and me working and dealing with the house, the kids, and the dog! If you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why! My Chinese tutor and my Chinese friend are going to help me try to interview some Chinese ayis this week.
In other recent news, my Chinese friend helped Eric and me to finally open Chinese bank accounts (I need one in order to get paid). There are no joint accounts in China.
It's now summer here. There was basically no spring. One moment we were wearing our warm coats and then suddenly it was summer. It was really hot yesterday. And the mosquitoes are out. Fortunately there's no malaria here in the suburbs, but the kids are getting bitten up. We bought a mosquito tent for Allison's bed to see if it helps; if it does we'll buy some for the other kids.
So, this next week should be complicated with both Eric and me working and dealing with the house, the kids, and the dog! If you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why! My Chinese tutor and my Chinese friend are going to help me try to interview some Chinese ayis this week. In other recent news, my Chinese friend helped Eric and me to finally open Chinese bank accounts (I need one in order to get paid). There are no joint accounts in China.
It's now summer here. There was basically no spring. One moment we were wearing our warm coats and then suddenly it was summer. It was really hot yesterday. And the mosquitoes are out. Fortunately there's no malaria here in the suburbs, but the kids are getting bitten up. We bought a mosquito tent for Allison's bed to see if it helps; if it does we'll buy some for the other kids.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Even my Parents Enjoyed Custom clothing at the fabric market
Here they are with their leather jackets!
After shopping, we reverted to a lunch of my old childhood favorite, McDonald's. Sadly they do not have Diet Coke at fast food restaurants in China.
After shopping, we reverted to a lunch of my old childhood favorite, McDonald's. Sadly they do not have Diet Coke at fast food restaurants in China. 
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