Pictures for Clay -- Japan -- December 2006

Hello, Clay ... sorry for the delay ... for upon leaving Japan, I had such difficulties adjusting to the time zone differences ... plus arriving home in the USA in the middle of all the Christmas festivities and family responsibilities ... didn't help very much ... My apologies again ... Anyway ... here are the photos you requested for your mom ... hope these are what you were expecting ... and if not, I'll look again, okay? For those of you who are reading religiously, there are some repeats ... but some new ones as well ... I think ... I have a hard time keeping up ... so, please have a good time ... it was one for me! As soon as I can sort things out, I'll publish the final pictures and narratives to finish the trip. There's not much to add ... but there's some ... as always! Merry Christmas!

Day 30 - December 17 - Part II

Here we are in Tokyo! We met Clay --- immediately upon arrival --- the son of Debi's matron of honor at her wedding --- who is an ex-Navy officer who decided to stay in Japan to teach young Japanese children --- English lessons! He was such fun! And, such a gracious host! He introduced us to Japanese tempura ... he showed us the "Times Square" of Tokyo --- and his being his 6 foot 5 inch self --- was not hard to lose in either the crowded subway or streets of the most amazing city of Tokyo! That night was an incredible night --- and, yes, I'm in Texas right now --- although in Japan time! And, cannot sleep, not yet ... I'm jetlagged ... but home ... safe and sound ... and for those of you who know ... safe and sound is a pretty big thing! Thought I'd send a note to those who read regularly! You know who you are are! Will upload a few photos for you faithfuls tonight before absolutely crashing --- and I mean crashing!! You have been such a strong support system for me --- and I'll never forget you.

Day 30 - December 17- Part I

And ... on to Tokyo! And, I can eat with chopsticks if I have to! It's getting easier! Had a three hour flight and an hour time change! We are now 15 hours ahead of you. Had no issues catching the bus into Tokyo - about an hour plus ride --- and we are here safe and sound! It just gets so dark here --- so early --- at about 4:30 pm! And it's so cold! Never out of the 40's and usually with wind! Keeping it short and sweet tonight ... just wanted you to know we're in Tokyo and all's well!

Day 29 - December 16 - Part III

This afternoon we went to the weekend markets. There are three weekend markets that set up under the overhead MRT tracks --- the jade market, the flower market, and the handicapped art market. And, right across the street are the three most expensive condo buildings in Taipei --- a condo being an entire floor of the building! We must have visited every booth in all three markets --- Tom buying some serious jade --- Chinese zodiac symbols --- a snake, a horse, a ram, a dog --- my picking up some less serious trinkets! And, then the flowers were just beautiful! And, as well --- the biggest bonsai tree I've ever seen! Afterwards, we went back to the hotel to check on Debi --- she was feeling better --- and we went to a burger joint -- Malibu's -- for some good old Western food --- some comfort food --- able to finally see some clear skies and finally seeing the impressive 101 tower looming tall above the city! Lucky it cleared out enough before leaving to see Taipei's most famous landmark --- the world's tallest building!

Day 29 - December 16 - Part II

Tom took me to the National Palace Museum this morning. When Chiang Kai Shek fled the Chinese communists ... establishing Taiwan ... he was able to get as many of China's treasures as he could out of the country with him. The National Palace is now the home for these treasures ... and the exhibits were fascinating. Some of the oldest artifacts in the world ... as far back as 6-8000 B.C. After the museum, we went to the tip of Taiwan --- Danshuie --- where there's a boardwalk with all kinds of street vendors, shops, restaurants, bars, etc. We walked the boardwalk --- eating green onion pancakes again, calamari on a stick, some kind of corn fritter, and then what we think was pork inside an egg roll wrapper --- fried three to a stick! And, as we were walking and eating, we turned the corner and found a temple right among all the shops. Couldn't believe. Part III will be Saturday afternoon (I just get shutter happy with the camera!)

Day 29 - December 16 - Part I

It's been raining nonstop since we arrived in Taipei --- but this morning it stopped long enough for me to get some shots outside my hotel window. Plus, there are these gorgeous flower arrangements at the end of the hotel floor hallways that I could not let go uncaptured. Debi is still not feeling all that well, so Tom and I are going to strike out and hit the town by ourselves. It sounds like he has a full day planned, so I'll report back on the day's activities soon.

Day 28 - December 15 - Part II

Okay, it's Friday night in Taipei --- and Tom's team is having their Christmas party --- and they had rescheduled it so Debi and I could go with them! But, Debi still wasn't feeling well. So, I went along with them solo to an American pizza joint -- called "Alleycats" --- I think that's how it was spelled! Really good thin crust pizza --- with real sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, the whole drill --- no shrimp, pineapple, or fish pizza!! It was so good to have real pizza!! I had a wonderful time with the team --- and much merry was made! After dinner, Tom took me to a Buddhist temple --- Long Shan --- where it was simply beautiful! You entered ... and the smell of incense was so powerful --- but oddly welcome. There was a serenity inside, such a peaceful feeling. There were the worshipers who burned the incense, who brought their Buddha gifts, food, and flowers ... I was truly amazed by the beauty of the temple and the devotion of those worshiping.

After the serenity and peace of the temple, a stark contrast --- Tom taking me to "Snake Alley" --- another night market --- but of a different sort altogether! Oh, my! live snakes --- freshly killed snakes --- the vendors offering fresh snake blood to drink! And, then, turtles whose heads had just been cut off --- with their little flapper legs still moving --- and turtle blood being offered to drink as well! There was also one vendor with a cobra --- who was being taunted to strike --- they didn't allow photos --- but I tried to sneak one in --- and although very blurry --- you can still see the cobra poised to strike! And then, the fish markets that were a dime a dozen! Talk about two different worlds all within not much distance of each other! The things I have seen ... and I think when Tom told me what Mike Manuel's comments were upon seeing ... I have to agree --- "Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore!" No truer words!!