TOKYO FISH MARKET 8/28/2009

Our friend in Tokyo, Takahiro, spent the day taking us around amazing sights..
This will be split up into a few postings.

The fish market opens at 4am and closes at 10am. It is a pretty amazing sight to see this market!! Fast paced, fish flying, and customers purchasing for their restaurant or store. There is no doubt that the fish in Tokyo is fresh... this happens every day!!

We stayed at the Asakusa Sunroute Hotel
8-5 Kaminarimon 1-Chome
Taito-Ku
Tokyo
111-00034

KYOTO Japan 8/25/09

Kyoto


Today we had a guide take us around Kyoto and it was a good idea because we got to see a TON of stuff that we never would have seen without her. She was a fantastic tour guide, and I couldnt believe she wore a traditional Yukata with the flip flops and everything THE ENTIRE DAY!! (and we were running around.

We started with the most famous 'Golden Pavilion' which is a Gold leaf covered temple. It is beautiful to see and you must be of great importance to go inside. Surrounding the temple are paths and beautiful little places to find peace.





The trees may look lik they are covered with snow, but since it wasdegrees... that is obviously not true! There are many places which you can get a fortune... these little sheets of paper are either good or bad. In order to release the bad fortune, you must tie it to a tree or selected area and then it is gone. These trees are absolutely COVERED with tied bad fortunes.



This bridge is called the Dragon Walk, and it is round paved rocks put in a pond...it make look small but its a big step to get across.
It is a beautiful area surrounded by trees and peaceful walkways to help focus you with your life issues.








Ever building you enter, you must remove your shoes. There are racks for people to leave their shoes and in most places, slippers (small sizes heh heh) to put your feet in as you walk around indoors.

Hiroshiima 8/24/2009

Hiroshima

We took the bullet train to Hiroshima for the day. Not much to write that you cant imagine... it was very uncomfortable to walk into the museum as Americans. The museum was shocking and the displays of burned clothing and human remains left us feeling sick to our stomach which of course was the intention.
The city however, is beautiful, and the peace memorial is beautiful. THe A-dome is left as is ... practically the only building recognizable after the bomb was dropped. Its hard to believe that 140,000 died. I am really glad that we went there and experienced the feeling in the city and the museum. I cant describe it, and I was told this but didnt believe it, there is an eerie feeling just arriving in Hiroshima though its now a modern city.

Another beautiful Memorial was The Crane. A little girl ill from the bomb, was making paper cranes in the hospital. She was hoping to get 1000 cranes made so that she could make a wish to stay alive. Unfortunately she died. COuntless people have sent in paper cranes in her honor and there is an outdoor building filled with what looks like millions of paper cranes made by people around the world.

Hakone, Japan 8/23/09-8/24/09

Hakone

Today we left Tokyo behind and took off via train to explore other parts of Japan. We went to Hakone and took the cable cars up to see Mt. Fuji...though it was too overcast to see Mt. Fuji...it was worth the journey.












We stayed at Ichinoyu Hkan. The Ichinoyu is one of the oldest spa Ryokans in Hakone. Opened in 1630 Ichinoyu was a pioneer in the industry of Hakone and even featured in the famous series of woodblock 'Ukiyoe' prints by the master artist Ando Hiroshige. The inn provided us with an authentic Japanese onsen ryokan experience.
I will mention that the bathrooms were also traditional... meaning that there was a shared bathroom in each floor of the hotel with traditional japanese toilets.
In case you want the hotel information :
Ichinoyu Honkan
90 Tonosawa
Hakone-Machi
Ashigarashimo-Gun
Kanagawa-Ken
250-0315




Our next experience with Hakone was taking a train to the Open Air Museum. What a beautiful outdoor display of sculptures and other artwork. There was a Picasso Museum as well as interactive art exhibits for children.

Sumo Wrestling!! Japan Trip 8/22/09

During the summer months, Japan's sumo stars go on something of a 'Sumo Roadshow' taking the sport outside the major cities giving people who would not normally get the chance to enjoy this spectacle, the chance to do so. Today, we went to the city of HOnjo in Saitama Prefecture north of Tokyo to see a fantastic Sumo show!

Typically, the action begins early in the morning starting at 8am with the chance for people to try their hand at some sumo and learn more about the art. The actual spectacle itself starts at 11am with the lowest ranked wrestlers competing, building up through the ranks to the top wrestlers.

It was surely a sight to see and if you go to Japan you MUST see a Sumo show!

MALI, AFRICA Summer 2009

Where do I start?
I went with another teacher to Mali.




















I was really excited to travel to Mali and experience something life changing. It was everything I expected... a poverty stricken country where education is needed in order for any aid to be helpful.


























I visited an orphanage, went to a traditional wedding, ate the local cuisine (eaten with your hands out of a shared bowl) and felt the intense family connection and support that people their have.

I find it difficult to talk about this trip because I learned many valuable lessons both about the country and myself. I learned that need is relative, I learned that love is universal.


I also now know that I am not as strong of a person as I thought I was... and it saddens me that although with everything I have... I might never be as happy or content as some of the people in Mali who live in poverty.

Bens 30th Birthday party!

It was a load of fun! Ben turned 30 in style!!