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Japan Through Mark's Elph |
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So, what should you expect on this page? I have tried to fill this page with all the things that didn't make the front pages of my previous e-mails. All the things that I noticed in Japan but didn't have time to mention. All the things that I want you to know about my trip to Japan but never got around to writing up. Now that I am jobless, however, I have the time and so you get the write-up. :-) Enjoy! (One note of warning: Though I may take an occasionally harsh or sarcastic angle on the stories below, I loved every last experience and encounter with the Japanese people and their cultural peculiarities. Please don't take me too seriously here...)
There are several major sections from this page:
---MY HOME IN JAPAN---
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These three photos show my HOME in Japan! Yes, amidst the sea of concrete and smog lies a certain Bureau Hirakawacho in which I lived the exciting life of the expat for nearly a year. The First two were taken from Tokyo Tower near the Roppongi neighborhood. I lived just west of the Imperial Palace in Hanzomon. Note the zoom-related graphics and arrow pointing to my place of residence. The third photo shows me in front of my apartment. I had a great "view" of a little temple-- surrounded by concrete bunkers-- er, um, I mean, concrete buildings. Actually, the neighborhood was rather quiet, and with 6 major subway stops within walking distance, I found little over which to complain. Oh yes, that apartment was a 10 minute walk from the office. Tough, eh? ;-) The only problem with the apartment was the apparently "catastrophic" fung shui attributes of the place, but that probably meant that the rent was discounted 50%. What's a guy to do? I lived there.
---NAGASAKI---
My trip to Nagasaki proved to be quite a powerful experience. The city is built around the nuclear detonation site memorialized in a series of consecutive stone circles (and yes, the city is safe to visit without taking iodine pills ;-). I was most affected by a simple sign. Click on the photo of me next to the sign to see what it says (you'll be sent to the album in Ofoto, where you can find a larger photo). It will probably send a chill down your spine. The other photo is the centerpiece of all the memorials in the city. A massive bronze statue surrounded by other memorials sent to Nagasaki by communities all over the world. Very moving. Particularly moving after 9-11.
---OTA FAMILY---
Here is a photo of me next to the wonderful OTA family from OTA City, Japan! They were exceptionally warm and caring hosts to me on two separate occasions-- my Japanese home away from home. Notice the sushi plate on the table! I was always well fed and well loved at the Ota Family house. It was here I played on a Playstation 2 before it was released in the U.S.(Manly <purrrr> here)
---ST. ALBAN'S CHURCH---
This English-speaking Anglican/Episcopal church was the foundation of my non-work social life in Tokyo. I joined the church choir on my first visit and ultimately found a group of tremendous friends through this church. Every Sunday after church a large group would gather together and walk to a restaurant for lunch, wine, and lots of fun. Certainly a wonderful tradition I hope is still going strong whenever I happen to visit again. Learn more at the church web site here.
The photo was taken during Hanami season, when the cherry blossoms come out and the whole country makes a point of getting drunk under the cherry trees to celebrate nature's sudden display of beauty! I've collected a number of my sober Hanami photos here.
---CHESTER, ENGLAND---
Wait a second-- this isn't Japan! Turns out that while I was in Japan I dated a lovely woman from England, and was fortunate enough to visit her home once during the year. We saw the sights, cheered for the football (soccer) team, and tried out fresh lotions at Lush.
