We begin our stay in Japan...

Happy to be together...
A good run through the streets of Tokyo

Dave and John run our 1st morning
John thinks it will help him adjust to the time difference
I sleep in

***


We go to Hinode for boat ride to Asakusa

-Sumida River-

***

Kannon Temple and  Nakamise street market

The entrance to the Temple

Breathing in the offerings of good will

Now taking the change for our mochi sticks

***

The Sumo Stadium and Edo Museum

Practicing for the sumo match
in front of the Sumo Stadium

-At the Edo Museum-
Taiko during the Edo period

An elaborate display of block printing
Tools, bench, brushes, inks, barens, all the blocks for a print

A book store with the woodblock posters and bound books

Bound book - oh, that's why this type
of binding is called Japanese

 

*****

We settle down a little and then get to know Alicia's life

After school playground 

After lunch, Dave and I went to the playground

to meet Alicia and her freinds

John went to gym Hiroo Fitness Club

We went for dinner at Dave's apatment

The view from Apartment #603

Alicia is happy to see us

Showing us she likes the tutu we gave her

*****

June 1 - It's My Birthday!

Alicia and Yuko take me to the end of the year party for Alicia's school

on the Symphony Cruise Line

Symphony Lunch Cruise boarding

Alicia's class did a play about
the 3 Little Pigs

An "After Party" at the InterContinental

Enjoying the food and the view (sort of)

***

Now back to Dave and Yuko's Apt.

 

Birthday Bouquet
from Nobuko, Yuko's Mom

Alicia's gift, a mixed media piece - "Gorilla in the Forest"
Me, Alicia and Nobuko ("Baba")

Taco fixings made by Dave
Great birthday dinner - Tacos in Tokyo!

A Great Day on My Birthday -

Fabulous Festivities, Food and Family!!!

(We also moved to a bigger apartment this day)

 

*****

 

-Lunch with Seiko-

John has kept in touch with one of his students from

San Diego State University who lives in Japan

Seiko Chiba comes into Tokyo every Saturday for a class, so...

We meet her in the Fashion District for lunch and then window shop

Dave, Seiko, John and Susie

We take the subway home

*****

On Sunday, we relax and settle into our 1 bedroom apartment

by sleeping in and grocery shop

7th floor view from bed

The livingroom

Diningroom and kitchen

  

It's comfortable and clean

and only a 5 minute bus ride to Dave and Yuko's

*****

Next week...

Dave has to work this week,

Alicia has one more week of school (so that means Yuko will be tied up, too)

We will be on our own for a few days

We will have to learn how to use the buses and subway if we want to go anywhere

So the Adventure continues. . .