kokeshi

These Japanese traditional wooden dolls called Kokeshi melted my heart in every souvenir shop I visited.  I just had to adopt one and this little girl with her fancy sleeves and little red bow sold me.  She's so sweet!  I didn't pick up a lot of souvenirs for myself other than some local art from Kurashiki (yet to be framed, I'll post a photo when it's all glamored up and matted) and a couple of postcards. 

I also realize I haven't really posted about my trip other than my digestive horrors on my other blog.  I still plan to write while the memories are fresh, but I dove right into studying chemistry in preparation for school in September.  good times

11. 03. 11

Inspired by many graphic artists and illustrators (just google image "save japan"), I had a go tonight at my own little poster to remember the day and the people of Japan.

We decided to cancel the hotel in Tokyo based on the unpredictable nature of radiation levels at this time.  I'm still very excited for our trip, but it breaks my heart with the news of continuous aftershocks, rising death tolls and radioactive leakage.

USTREAMS stream of NHK World has been an incredible source for information.  I find Canadian and American news to be a little more sensationalist.  I like the straight forward fact approach of the directly translated Japanese network.  The stories are touching and I've spent most evenings alone, sobbing over the horrific events.  *sniff*

At this time, plans are a little in the air with the state of the nuclear power plant.  If things look good closer to the date, our plan is to explore the central and western parts of Japan, from the Kansai area west to Hiroshima and Miyajima.  The hotel/ryokan we booked in Miyajima for one night looks incredible.  I can't wait to stay here. I'm also excited to be able to add Koyasan to our itinerary.  Okunoin Temple looks like an incredible photo opportunity; a cemetery with over 200,000 tombstones. 

Keeping our fingers crossed.

Cherry Blossom Super Happy Dance

I've been dreaming of going to Japan for a number of years.  I've had the opportunity to visit a few times in the past with friends always inviting me to come back with them on their way to visit their family. My issue was always that I couldn't afford it.

I've never travelled off of the North America continent (Cuba and the Dominican Republic don't count) but have enjoyed a few parts of the United States (I love Seattle) and will never go back to Mexico (I don't like being haggled).  I've also seen much of this country, Canada.  British Columbia is my favourite province, so far.  Driving through the Rockies was a breathtaking experience and a 4 hour murderous hike from hell up a glacier was totally worth it when I got to the top.  The view was incredible and it will always stay with me. Then I twisted my ankle on the way back down, which sucked balls along with a severe lobster sunburn, but I digress.

The east coast is also beautiful and I have fond memories of the pebble beaches in Nova Scotia and the winding roads of Cape Breton Island.


Folding Fan - A gift from Yumiko

Robert and I have officially booked a 3 week vacation to Japan!!  I am so excited and scared out of my freaking mind!!  We'll be flying to Osaka to stay with our friend Yumiko and her mom.  It's so incredibly kind of them to let us base ourselves there while we take day trips to Kyoto and Nara.  Robert and I will be heading off after a few days on our own to Tokyo for about a week.  I'm mostly nervous about the language barrier and getting around.  I've taught myself the Japanese characters of Hiragana and know some characters from Katakana.  I have to start working on my numbers because I can only count to ten.  I figure we'll just be playing a lot of charades.  Yumiko thinks it'll be a good experience for us and she plans on "losing us" at some point to see how we make out.  She thinks it's important to struggle in a foreign country and it will put hair on our chest or something.

I'm mostly excited for the photography opportunities.  Since we're going the first 3 weeks of April, we'll be right in the middle of Cherry Blossom (sakura) season.  I think I might die a little (in a good way) when I see the awesomeness of the blooms.  It will be weeks of Shrines, Temples, Castles, parks, incredible history and of course the food.

The weeks are going by quickly and we'll be there in no time.  I can't wait!

Leaping Bunnies

A gift from my friend, Yumiko.  I love this little fan but never really find much use for it other than to admire it's beauty now and then.  The bunnies on it are adorable and pretty red little flowers adorn the paper portion. 

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