I was so excited to travel back to Japan and show Josh and Caitlyn where I lived, went to school, and explored. It was hard for me to contain my excitement when we arrived in Tokyo; I was even more excited to see a close friend who we hadn't seen in over 5 years. Kacie, Greg, and their daughter Sophie opened their home to us for our week long Tokyo adventure. We arrived late in the evening on Thursday, March 20th, and Sophie had gone to bed disappointed that she couldn't play with Caitlyn that evening. Even though the girls had never met (and Josh and I had never met Sophie who is 5!), they hit it off IMMEDIATELY and had a great time playing together. There were lots of trips to Robot Park, as well as playing dress up, learning to ride a scooter, and giggles that will have to last until we can catch up again.
On our first full day in Tokyo we went out to the American School in Japan. I knew a lot had changed since graduating almost 16 years ago, but WOW! As Josh said, it was ASIJ CC (Country Club). Being a teacher in a low socio-economic area of Lexington, it is amazing to see the differences between third culture kids and my own students. This is definitely something I expected to feel, however, I now know the importance I have in the classroom to provide my students with as many experiences as I can to try and even the playing field a little. I can't wait to get back into the classroom and provide my students with real-world examples through my experiences.
Standing on a starting block of the pool I spent MANY hours in during high school.
Catching up with Mrs. Seevers (she was the Elementary Swim Team coach and I assisted during my Junior and Senior years of high school.)
The obligatory family picture in front of the gate.
We enjoyed the weekend in Tokyo playing, seeing old friends, sitting under the yet-to-bloom cherry blossom trees, and eating lots of yummy Japanese food. Josh, Caitlyn, and I also enjoyed a spring training baseball game at the Tokyo Dome. Japanese baseball fans are much different than American. Each team had their own section with a band and organized cheers. Many fans took their shoes off to watch the game. There were no smells of hot dogs and beer, rather random fish smells, rice balls, and other traditional snacks. No Take Me Out to the Ball Game either. However, there was baseball and I had a very happy husband and daughter. :)
After the game at the Tokyo Dome.
Sophie and Caitlyn enjoyed a sleepover while the adults went out to enjoy Roppongi. This was the popular area for ASIJ students to hangout. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, some drinks, and an evening of karaoke. No videos will be posted, but let's just say, we all had a great time and sang a lot of fun songs. Thanks again for coming out Gerome, Jennie, Greg, and Kacie!
The girls enjoying a story with Kacie before having a sleepover.
Josh belting out a tune.
Of course we had to go find Bari's old house...
or what was left of it...
After walking around for about 45 minutes trying to find Homat Duke, a nice gentleman told us it was gone. It had been torn down either at the end of last year or last month (I had a hard time understanding his Japanese). Much of the neighborhood has been torn down and rebuilt. Our main restaurant we would frequent is gone and a new coffee shop is in its place. Oh well...it had been 14 years since I had been there.
We then walked to Shibuya, another main shopping area not far from the house and enjoyed seeing Hachiko, game centers, and the overall craziness that is the Shibuya crosswalk. We also went to Harajuku, Omotesando, and other areas where I would hang out as a kid.
Josh in Harajuku on Takeshita Dori (the typical peace sign Japanese people flash when taking a picture).
After spending 4 days in Tokyo (plus the 5 days in Beijing), we were ready to be out of the big city for a little while. We took the Romance Car (train) from Shinjuku station to Hakone to enjoy a relaxing 2 nights at a typical Japanese hotel called a ryokan. Hakone is known for its natural hot spring baths called onsen. Spending some time outdoors on our first day there was smart as the rest of the time it was overcast and drizzling. Caitlyn loved the Hakone Open Air Museum. There were a few sections that were art designed as play areas.
Swinging on the nets.
Climbing in the bee hive structure. Bonus points if you can find Caitlyn (hint - she's wearing her pink jacket).
Testing the natural hot spring foot bath at the Open Air Museum. Caitlyn really enjoyed taking her "relaxing" baths as she called them.
Wearing our yukata at the ryokan. Thanks to Kacie for booking this for us and my limited Japanese while there. No one spoke English, so I was very happy that enough of my language skills came back.
Caitlyn running around the tatami mats at the ryokan.
After our 2 nights and 3 days in Hakone, we took the train back to Tokyo to spend the last few days of our Asian adventure. The cherry blossoms were finally starting to bloom. We went to Asakusa to see the big temple, Kappabashi to see the plastic food stores, and finished with a day trip to Kamakura to see the big buddha. Josh, Caitlyn, and I also enjoyed a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at the Hotel Okura.
In front of the cherry blossom trees.
Cleansing our hands and mouths before the tea ceremony.
One of the many plastic food stores. Caitlyn thought it was funny that the spaghetti was standing on its own at the entrance to the store.
Asakusa temple
At the big buddha in Kamakura
Caitlyn wanted us to take her picture in front of the buddha.
One last time down the big slide at Robot Park. :)
I had a wonderful time being back in Japan and really loved being able to show Josh and Caitlyn all the places I spent time in when I lived there. A huge thank you to Kacie, Greg, and Sophie for opening their home to us for our time there. It was great to catch up with such close friends. I wish we lived closer!
