Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples

The temples and shrines are everywhere. They are tucked into serene, protected alcoves between high rise buildings, they are down the street from neighborhoods and shops. Some are elaborate with detail and decoration; others are humble and plain. Visitors may catch a wedding ceremony, receive a good fortune, wave smoke from burning incense

 towards their faces, or offer prayers.

Fashion Statement?

The females around Tokyo can be seen wearing a variety of fashions.  There's the short plaid skirts, blouses, and ties that make up their school uniforms. Some girls choose the bizarre costumes that characterize the Harajuku girls. Other women can be seen proudly wearing traditional kimonos.

Contemporary Tokyo

Before I left for Japan, several people commented on the toilets. Two extremes contradict each other.  There's the high-tech version that tends to every possible need including some that deodorize and play a flushing sound to mask any other noises the patron may be making.  And there's the primitive version that requires the user to squat pay close attention!!

Interesting buildings in Tokyo

Several of the buildings we passed were very interesting architecturally.  Do you recognize any of these? Which one is the television/radio station?  Which one is the trash processing plant? Our beautiful, luxurious hotel provided  wonderful views of the city, especially from the 40th floor where we enjoyed Japanese-style and Western-style breakfast buffets every morning.

What was the flight like?

Our flight to Tokyo from San Francisco was about 9 hours.  I met some new JFMF teachers who were embedded in the center of the plane with me.  The seat in front of each passenger had a screen that showed a map.  The map showed the progress of the plane, the air speed, air temperature, and altitude.  We could switch channels and watch movies throughout the flight. Many passengers slept, and the cabin was darkened for most of the flight. Several teachers were already studying maps and making plans for the free day. 

I had no problems with jetlag when I arrived in Tokyo.  I slept fine and felt great. One of the most euphoric times for me was walking through the Narita airport, realizing I was really in Japan!!

Japanese baseball game

One of my first excursions was on the train to attend a Seibu Lions game with about 60 other JFMF teachers.  We flooded the subway at rush hour and immediately clogged the token machines.  One of my new friends described the scene as "kindergarten on crack" since we were all unable to read the instructions, get the correct token, or figure out which direction to go.  Ultimately we all figured it out. Those ahead in line stuck around to instruct the ones still in the dark.  Two hours later the entire group had made it to the park after getting split up in the maze of halls, stairs, and turnstiles.

I hung out with Meghan from Steamboat, Colorado and we later joined Dr. Carol Friedman from Chicago, Illinois.  Meghan and I wandered around people watching. I took video of the exuberant fans.  We saw people eating ramen noodles in large bowls of soup. I watched a mother and her son share a bowl, eating with chopsticks. One popular food booth was the familiar Kentucky Colonel. 

The fans were very excited and demonstrative.  They had section leaders who would blow whistles to cue different cheers, play trumpets, beat drums, and wave big flags. Families sat together in a sloping area with no seats. Towards the end of the game, everyone in the crowd filled up long balloons and released them on cue with music that played.

We posed with the Seibu mascots, tried some rice balls, and left before the end of the game.

San Francisco

What a day! I got up at 3:30AM to get ready for my 4:40AM cab ride to the airport.  I was still removing items from my luggage in order to avoid the $100.00 fee for having an overweight suitcase.  It's deceptive because the large suitcase can hold 60 or 70 pounds worth of clothing and personal items.  My backpack weighs more than my suitcase! I've got my laptop, digital video camera, digital camera, cell phone, and chargers all packed in the backpack.  I've always been a "no nonsense" traveler, but I didn't want to be in Japan and regret not having brought some important technology.

The Indy airport was surprisingly busy, but I got through my check-in with no problems.  My suitcase weighed 51.5 pounds AFTER I removed clothing, gifts, etc.  I didn't get charged the fee, though.  

At the airport I met Akeya who teaches 4th grade at an IPS school and Stacy who teaches Social Studies at Chatard  we took a picture to mark our new friendship!

I didn't sit with my JFMFers either on the flight from Indy to Denver or the Denver to San Fran flight, but we stayed together in the airports.

In San Fran we found Robin and a group of 10-15 JFMRers were already there and waiting for us.  We checked into the hotel, ate lunch, and received our 'bible' for the next few weeks.  Our booklet tells what to wear, when to get on the bus and what our daily itineraries are.

We had a wonderful orientation/welcome in the afternoon.  Former JFMFers talked about their follow on plans, and gave advice. In the evening we attended a reception/dinner at the Japanese Consul General's home.  It was lovely.  I tried the eel, salmon sushi, tuna sushi, California roll, egg roll.  They handed us wine as we entered the reception.  We took photos of the sunset over the Bay Bridge.