Tokyo Japan - July 2011

These pictures are in random order. For more check out my facebook.

Entrance going to Mejing Shrine
Here we actually are at Meijing Shrine.
Just taking a break - restin' the feet.

Kali is nursing her monstrous blisters she got from the 10 mile+ trek we went on. So worth it though.

How about that bite of garlic?

This was Perry's spicy bowl. It was actually really yummy.

Loved the Tokyo Temple!!

Awaiting the arrival of our noodles.

This was the coolest subway sign. It said "Women only" So each day from a certain time for about a two hour period only women were allowed on this train.

This drinking fountain shot straight up. We were supposed to drink only bottled water but we sampled the drinking fountains when we ran out because it was so humid and hot.

This was in a temple by the Fish Market. The fisherman would go in here and have a prayer ritual. It was interesting to watch.

Yea for business elite! What a great experience. Probably the best I have had yet. Definitely going to look for more 777 routes.

We did a whirlwind trip to Tokyo Japan. It started off super fun with all of us getting business elite from LAX to Haneda on Delta's 777. They were lay flat beds with personal TV's, yummy delicious food despite what Kali tells you and lots of fun perks. We landed in Haneda at 4:30 am and went hard and strong until midnight. I don't think I have ever been so exhausted in all my life. I have never experienced so much humidity as we did there. It was exhausting, however we didn't let it slow us down.

First we went to the Fish market where they sell 500-600 pound tuna's. We were just a little late for the auction but the hustle, bustle of the market was exilerating. Sushi everywhere! Then we went to Hibaya park, followed by a tour around the Imperial Gardens. We even got to see the Imperial palace from a distance. No visitors allowed. We saw Tokyo tower from a distance. We didn't quite get to the base.

We went to Times Square and saw the busiest pedestrian interesection in the world. It was massive amounts of people. Picked up a yummy pastry from Cozy Corner that was a must have. It was delicious!! Then onto an authentic Noodle house where the no one spoke a lick of English. We just pointed at the menu and ordered. It was so good.

Onward we found the temple only by asking someone where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint Temple was - no LDS or Mormon. She didn't know what we were talking about. But as soon as we said the other her eyes lit up and she pointed around the corner and sure enough there it was. This was probably the highlight of the trip. Tiny temple surrounded by millions of people. Imagine the amount of missionary work that could be done.

We went to the 45th floor of the Govt building which had a 360 view of Tokyo. On a clear day you could have even seen Mt. Fuji. We went for a ride around Tokyo on the famous JR line to take a 45 minute rest and then ended with a trek to Meijing Shrine and a tour of Teen Tokyo. I saw more pink hair, mini skirts and high heels along with glassless glasses and piercings. Very interesting view.

The day ended with a bit of a challenge. Perry and Kali made the flight back to SLC but I got bumped along with 4 of my fellow SkyWesters. So we slept all night in the Haneda airport and trekked our way over to Narita for a quest to get home. After several tries we all eventually got one different flights and ended up meeting up in LAX. I arrived home about 15 hours after Perry.

Would I do an insane trip like this again??? Absolutely!!! It was beyond exhausting but an absolute blast. I think we are addicted. Where are we going next??

Daily Observations

I have decided to try my hardest everyday to become more aware of what is going on around me. So many times I get focused and don't see the beautiful sunset or the pretty clouds in the sky. I am going forward with more of an "enjoy the journey" focus in my life. So I have taken my journal and started with Observations for the day. I have actually really enjoyed doing this. Just wanted to share my last couple of day's observations:
Wednesday: July 20th
Perry and I have been walking about 6:30 each morning. As we were walking I noticed a mother bird circling 100 miles per hour around this tree. I told Pear - she must have a nest close by. Low and behold in the tall grass was a black cat crouched and hiding. I immediately understand this mother's fervent quest to protect her young. She was trying to distract the cat so he wouldn't go by her babies. What mother wouldn't do whatever she can to protect her young even at the sacrifice of her own life. We paused and watched for a moment and then I decided I needed to be a mediator. I couldn't take the pain and anguish she was going through to try to protect her brood. I walked through the tall grass and chased the cat off. Stood there for a second to make sure it didn't return and immediately mama bird settled right back into her nest. I walked away thinking - "YEA - We mothers have to stick together!!"

2nd Observation for Wednesday - July 20th: Passing the church - there is an old man out with his tree trimmers and clippers pruning all the bushes and trees on the church lot. It is still early - probably about 7am. He is working with no pay - Yea, that is called service. I am sure that no one asked him to do this but he saw the need and went and trimmed all the bushes/trees. I want to be that kind of a person.

Today's observations: These seem to happen while we are walking - Maybe because it is early and we talk like crazy when we walk and it is fun to enjoy the fresh air.
1. It is important to stop and taste the red ripe raspberries along the way. We saw and tasted red ripe cherries too. We wanted the ripe apricots right by the edge of the road but they were in someone's yard so we just gazed and pondered their ripeness. Coveted them for a moment and then walked off. It sure is nice to have yummy snacks on our early morning trek. Makes me think what kind of a pioneer I could have been. NOT!!! I am thankful I live when I do - I don't think I would have made a good pioneer.
2. It is important to stop and feed the goats. I know they were waiting for us. As we crested the hill I looked right and sure enough there they were lined up along the fence waiting for us. Needless to say I had to venture down to their line up, gathering grass and flowers along the way to feed them. They showed much appreciation for our love and munched down all we offered. Then we watched them play king of the hill as they fought over who was going to stand on the electrical cable spool. While snickering over the battle - neighbors walk by and question what we were doing. Was I embarrassed? Only for a moment and then I decided I didn't care because I was "enjoying the journey" and having fun along the way.